Shoe Etymology Part II

Today, even more about the shoe names we all use, but know nothing about!

Mule

The mule’s name derives from the Latin word “mulleus” (“red high-soled shoe”) which was a type of ceremonial shoe worn by highly placed government officials in ancient Rome. Then, mules were always dark red leather, thus the name.  The mule as an indicator of status continued long after ancient Rome, and we see the word “mule” in 1560s middle French.  A laborer would derive little use out of a shoe that could so easily slip off the foot, and it certainly wasn’t a style that would protect from the elements, so that anyone who owned mules surely had the luxury of owning other pairs of shoes as well, or not having to work!

The Patent Leather Mid-Heel Mules by Giuseppe Zanotti are the sleek, modern embodiment of the ancient mulleus.  Shiny patent leather (red, of course), a slender 3.25-inch heel, a peep toe… and the open back, don’t forget!  The defining feature of the mule.  At $595 from Saks they may not be for the common man, but if you’re an aristocrat with an extra six hundred bucks lying around, I say live the dream.

D’Orsay

D’Orsay shoes, in which the side or sides of the shoe is cut very close to the sole, were named after Count Alfred d’Orsay: nineteenth-century dandy, artist, and friend of Lord Byron. The shoes were worn by men at the time, and the cut-out sides were introduced to accommodate wider feet.

The Tambra by Tevolio is a bright green satin D’Orsay.  See how the vamp disappears between the heel and the toe?  Voilà!  D’Orsay!  I love the rhinestone detail at the peep toe, all round and marquis stones—you could always use rhinestones.  (Plus: marquis stones on a shoe named for a count.  Get it?  Why is no one else laughing at my nobility joke?)  The apple green color makes this so refreshing, but it also comes in pewter, ivory, and blush; your choice for $27 from Target.

Loafer

The origin of “loafer” is a bit all over the place, but I’ll give it a shot.  The word comes from German “läufer,” meaning “runner.”  Doesn’t sound much like our current definition of loafing, does it?  But the loafer, with its easy-on-and-go design, would be a good shoe if you need to put it on and run away in a hurry—perhaps that’s why the Wildsmith Shoe Company named their new house shoe design the loafer in 1847.  But maybe after seeing how little energy it took to put it on and shuffle around the house in, we’ve got our current definition of loafer as someone who hangs around not doing much.

The Sabrina by Cole Haan definitely doesn’t look good for running, and it’s a little fancy for genuine loafing…but it’s a loafer nonetheless!  It has a purple haircalf print flannel upper, and is trimmed around the foot and at the toe with purple suede.  How perfect is this for fall?!  I’m so excited!  Also, it’s made with Nike Air technology, so you know it’ll be comfy.  Yours for $110 from The Shoe Mart.

Espadrilles

Espadrilles, the rope-soled shoes we all know and love, take their name from the Provençal word “espardilho”, which in turn comes from the Latin “spartum”, meaning a tough, wiry grass.  The grass, of course, wraps the bottom of the shoe, whether flat or wedge.  I always thought what made an espadrille was something about the ankle strap + wedge.  Little did I know!

This gorgeous shoe is Paige by Fitzwell.  It has all the raffia braids around the four-inch wedge and 1.25-inch platform that makes it an espadrille, but it also has a super-fun multicolored striped upper trimmed in faux leather.  (It even has a faux leather bow at the peep toe!  Adorable.)  Also available in navy, black, or khaki fabric, but none holds a candle to the stripes.  Find them at Zappos for $52.

The more you know!

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: End of season sale-- up to 70% off

Bakers: Buy any sandal plus one more shoe of your choice and get 25% off

Call it Spring: Extra half off all sale shoes and sandals

Lord & Taylor: 15% off regular and sale and 25% off clearance

Macy's: Extra 15% off with promo code LUCKYU

Payless: Back to school sale, up to 40% off

Summer Flats,Part II

I’ve been doing this blog three years, and you know my most popular post?  Summer Flats.  It’s got over twice as many hits as any other post.  I figured since summer is here again, I’d give you a second round of summer flats that are good for running around town in the shorts, going to the office with a skirt… anywhere!

The Tosha by DV8 by Dolce Vita is so bright and nautical!  The red bow on the slingback really makes it.  Perfect!  Also available in a polka-dotty print where some of the dots are winking at you (a little weird, granted, but also kind of cute); your choice for $39 at Macy’s.

I love gold for summer!  And the curvy shapes on the Choppy by American Eagle remind me of flower petals, or raindrops, or a flowing river…  The insole is padded, and it’s lined with jersey for extra comfy-ness.  Also available in red and black; your choice for $28 from Payless.

Stripes are hugely in this year, and the Royalli has plenty!  The canvas outer makes it cool, but the faux leather touches make it a little more sophisticated.  Don’t like the green?  (Though I can’t see why you wouldn’t—it looks so nice with the brown!)  It also comes in blue, black, and orange.  Yours for $59 from Nine West.

  

The Lumiere by Xhilaration is the silhouette of the season, but with the added touch of the straps.  Plus it’s in three colors: pink at the toe and up the T-strap, tan around the ankle and up the sides of the foot, and white at the heel.  Nice!  Also available in taupe and black; find them at Target for $22.

Aah, lace!  The Too Swirly by 2 Lips Too is an off-white flat that wraps your foot in lace embroidered with roses—gorg.  There’s lining at the pointed toe and the heel so it’s not completely sheer, but it’s sort of ethereal.  It’s got a three-quarter-inch heel so I guess it’s not technically a flat, but it’s close enough!  Also available in black and pink; your choice from 6pm for $35.

 Here’s to another summer full of fun, functional flats!

Spring Trend: Python

Spring is finally here!  Things are slowly blooming, leaves are slowly unfurling, and I just got my first sunburn of the season.  That was fast.

With a new season comes new trends, and one hot tip for the spring is python.  Snake is everywhere right now!  And there are so many ways to embrace it.  How about a simple, all-python flat?

Mossimo has you covered with their Ona Flat.  This classic round-toe flat actually has a quarter-inch heel, but you won’t even notice.  There’s elastic around the back so it hugs your foot, and the graying neutral will match anything in your wardrobe.  Also available in camo or some kind of stripey tribal, ranging from $6 to $13—but you can get the snake print for $10 at Target.

Let’s spice it up a bit now:

Ooh, shiny.  The Cape by Bellini is a smoking flat in metallic gold with a mirror-shiny cap toe.  The heel is three-quarter-inches high—just tall enough to put a little spring in your step!  I adore these in just about every way: classic and fun, and did I mention shiny?  Also available in black with gold or silver and gray; your choice for $55 from ShoeMall.

Looking for something a little more laid-back?

The Angelfish by Sperry Top-Sider is their classic boat shoe in a bright, nautical blue with touches of blue python on the sides and on the tongue.  Also available in wine or a very nice light pink, so you have your work cut out for you deciding which one to get!  Then again, they’re on sale for $70, so you could pick two…

Surely you didn’t think I was going to do a post entirely of flats, did you?  If you’re heading to work, perhaps go for just a hint of python:

The Leighton by MICHAEL Michael Kors is deceptively simple at first glance, but then you see the quiet python print across the toe.  The heel is wrapped in a similar fabric (four inches of it), but the body and half-inch platform are suede.  Also available in a nude suede with metallic gold python, but those are $92 to the black’s $85.  (Find them both at Zappos.)

And in case you want to throw caution to the wind:

The Clements by Faith are made of rainbow python!  Purple!  Green!  Pink!  Yellow!  Talk about spring—these are a flower garden for your feet.  The heel is a reasonable three inches; the toe is pointed; the vamp is cut in a wavy pattern as you approach the ankle.  You have to admit they’re fun!  And they can be yours for $85 from ASOS.

Feeling snake-bit yet?  Then jump on this trend!  It’s oh-so-versatile and oh-so-fun.

Black Friday

First of all: what are you doing reading this?  You should be out buying new shoes!!  It’s BLACK FRIDAY!!

I mean, hello.  Nice to see you.  I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving.  And so forth.

But Black Friday!  The day when the world is on sale.  You can buy any shoes you’d like, but for today, I give you shoes in honor of the name: black.  (And PS, the prices today are probably all lower than I have them here.  Hooray!)

I think the word for the Arabella by Christian Siriano is slinky.  I wouldn’t give that adjective to most wedges, but I think it definitely applies here.  The sleek pebble-print fabric; the gold lace-holders, the four-inch wedge... and the cut of the top is very interesting, the way it rises up especially high.  Also available in a smooth brown, but I don’t believe that one qualifies as slinky.  Regardless, they’re each $33 at Payless.

Why did nobody tell me Sam & Libby is making shoes for Target now?  How long has this been going on?!  Their Dahlia Spiked Heel is only one of the designers’ options available, but I love this one—from far away it looks like just another work shoe, but up close it’s all snake and spikes!  Badass.  Also available with pewter snake at the toe rather than black; your choice for $32 at Target.

Ooh, I am really digging the Thirst.  Mostly, I love the touches of gold—the little bit around the toe; the riveted plate around the ankle.  Even the zipper is gold!  Smart move.  And that dangly bit of fringe makes it a little fun, and not only sophisticated.  Find them at Bakers for $100.

How pretty is the My Fair Lacy by Mixx?  It’s got lace.  It’s got a pointed toe.  It’s got menswear-inspired detailing on the faux leather.  And they’d go with just about everything.  Love, love, love!  Yours for $35 at ModCloth.

Okay enough from me.  Go!  Shoo!  Come back with something pretty!

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; the Shoe Fairy is away this week.  (We’ve discussed this.  I’m making pies and watching the dog show.)  But you don’t need me—everything’s on sale!

Philly Fringe

It’s time to get your theater on: the Fringe Festival is here!  Actually, this year the Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe have merged, so it’s technically FringeArts.  (Don’t ask me.  I keep an eye on this stuff, but I was never entirely sure about this two-different-things thing.)

But anyway!  There’s a lot of awesome stuff happening between now and September 22, so you should pick your shoes and get a move on!  Like Hush Now Sweet High Heels and Oak.  It’s got shoes right in the title!  Brian Sanders premieres his newest dance sensation involving high heels, nursery rhymes, and the black hole of memory at the 23rd Street Armory. An enormous dead oak tree stands next to a sand dune, and an adult’s bedroom, all game for the mystical playfulness of the dancers. Expect raw physical daring, striking imagery, live music, and a “sweet” in-your-face attitude.

The Bezel has the playfulness and sweetness in the pink, and the wood in the heel!  Just look at the gorgeous striped wood in the 4.5-inch heel—GORgeous.  The gold detailing up the front is a nice touch too!  Also available in a bronze metallic, though the prices are different—these pink ones’ll run you $63 at Nine West.

Bathtub Moby Dick delivers what it promises: a man reads Melville's novel and begins a journey towards madness in his bathtub. With every page he turns, he begins to believe he is aboard the Pequod and seeks revenge against the Whale. Set in an apartment Renegade creates an immersive audience experience.

Just in case there’s splashing!  The Zenia Whales Rain Boots by Merona will keep your feet dry with its rubber outer decorated with a pod of cheery whales.  I like the lighter blue details at the sole and at the top of the 11-inch shaft (shaft circumference is 14 inches).  Yours from Target for $30.

I also have to put in a good word for Chlamydia dell'Arte: MORE Sex-Ed Burlesque.  I have seen two other incarnations of the show (once I went in a feather boa!) since my genius co-worker is one of the brains behind it.  It is smart, funny, sexy, and an all-around good time, but the girls are promising more dancing!  More singing!  More fan dancing and striptease!  More hilarious burlesque about all things sex!  Come for the titillation, stay for the education, as the ladies say.

Did I mention fan dancing?!

The Siren by Bordello is so perfect—it’s even the color of Gigi’s fans.  Not to mention the red rhinestones on the small platform, slingback, and heel (nice and solid—good for dancing!)—this shoe was made to be on a stage.  Also available in pink, but… no.  Find them at Shoebuy for $80 (whole sizes only!).

The festival runs through September 22.  Hush Now Sweet High Heels and Oak has shows tomorrow, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Bathtub Moby Dick has 10 performances between now and the end of the festival, pretty much daily.  Chlamydia dell'Arte: MORE Sex-Ed Burlesque opens tonight and has five more shows through September 19.  If these don’t tickle your fancy, well, there are about a hundred others to choose from!

Go Red for Women

February is American Heart Month.  Maybe you saw a lot of women in red on Friday (Wear Red Day).  Maybe you’ve noticed the red lights on Liberty Place or the Ben Franklin Bridge.  I hope you have, because those lights and those women in red were just trying to remind you to keep good care of your ticker!

In the spirit of the month, I give you a selection of red shoes.  First up, a pair that can really help you keep your heart healthy:

The Air Pegasus by Nike have a breathable mesh upper, a sockliner that conforms to the shape of your foot and offers comfort and underfoot support, a lot of cushioning, and even environmentally-friendly rubber on the sole for those of you going green as well as red.  Available in (get this!) eighteen (!) different color combinations; find them on Lady Foot Locker for $100.

The Valma by Mossimo is a simple round-toe flat with seven rhinestones on the toe of varying shapes and colors.  Love.  Also available in black, blue, purple, and green… and for $17, why not get one in each color?  Check them out at your local Target.

If you can, get to Macy’s this month.  Between now and Valentine’s Day, buy a $2 pin to support the cause and get an all-day savings pass.  Buy one of the limited edition red dresses from Ellen Tracy and Marilyn Monroe between now and the end of March and 10% will go to the Go Red For Women movement (between now and the end of the month, the dress from Kensie counts too!).

The Sierra by Paris Hilton combines the color of them month with super-trendy houndstooth and touches of patent leather to make one beautiful bootie.  It has a 4.25-inch heel, round toe, a delicate bow on the outside of the ankle, and a zipper up the side to let you in.  Also available in black, brown, and a really smart black-and-white houndstooth + bright blue patent leather—your choice for $76 from Macy’s.

In Pennsylvania alone, nearly 26,000 women die each year from heart disease and stroke.  One of every three women will die from heart disease, yet less than 60 percent of women recognize heart disease as the number one killer of women.  Consider yourself warned!  I want you ladies around for some time to come, so take good care of your heart.  The Red Cross has even put up a whole nutrition and fitness program.  Take a look!

Trend: Cap Toes

They’re everywhere: cap toes!  I love cap toes; they’re professional but unexpected at the same time, and they’re on absolutely everything right now.  Just look at these booties:

How I love them!  The Moxby by Michael Antonio are booties in wine faux leather, with a round cap toe of black patent leather.  They have a three-quarter-inch platform, 4.5-inch heel, and a zipper up the back to let you in.  Also available in black/black patent and nude/nude patent (both lovely in their own ways); your choice for $59 from Shoes.com.

The Shelby by Violet & Red has so many interesting details: the patent cap toe, of course, but also the patent bow at the toe, and the lace fabric of the upper!  Perfect for work, under jeans, just doing errands, going out... is there anything this little flat can’t do?  Find them at DSW for $60.

Don’t you love the green on the Viveca by Mossimo?  It’s such a breath of fresh air.  (Though it comes in a beautiful blue or purple as well!)  They have a four-inch heel and a pointed cap toe of shiny silver patent, and can be yours for $28 from Target.

Glitter!  Shiny!  Love!  The Sophie by Romantic Soles are soft and spectacular at the same time: a patent gold upper, capped at its pointed toe with gold glitter.  It does have a three-quarter-inch heel to lift you just a little, and comes in all silver, black with silver, and a cool brown with tortoise combo as well.  All $59 on Zappos!

Wowza!  The Eryn by Kelsi Dagger is one sexy cap toe.  A black body is trimmed with leopard at the heel and on the ankle strap, and is finished with a lipstick-red cap at the pointed toe.  It balances on a 4.5-inch heel and can be found at Karmaloop for $112.

With so many options, you’re sure to find a cap toe that tickles your fancy!

Resolution Rescue

We’re now four days into the New Year!  How are those resolutions going, ladies?

Yeah, me neither.

But all hope is not lost!  I’m here help you get your New Year off on the right foot.  Maybe your resolution was to get more organized?

The DAZZ Patented Shoe/Sweater/Bag Carousel comes recommended by Deputy Shoe Fairy Maria: “Bought one for myself and love it!” she says.  It looks like it has three sides that hold five pairs of shoes each, and then five (apparently surprisingly large) center compartments for hats, purses… or, of course, more shoes.  Hang it in your closet and you’re ready to go!  Find it on Amazon for $15.

Or was it to relax more?

They’re little piggies!  The Carol Slipper also comes as a gray raccoon or black cat if the pig doesn’t tickle your fancy, but just look at it: a knit upper, two perky ears, a pink snout, and little black eyes.  Adorable!  You’ll just want to rush home and put them on.  Yours from Target for about $14.

Maybe you’re trying to get healthy in 2013:

The GT-2000 by ASICS is a little like wearing sherbet on your feet, isn’t it?  The orange and pink will inspire you slip them on and head outside for sure!  It has a lot of fancy registered-trademark features that I’m sure mean something, but it feels a little like I’m reading Greek:  two-layer Solyte® midsole, Dynamic DuoMax® support system, Trusstic System®...  If it’s not Greek to you, pick them up at Lady Foot Locker for $120.

Or maybe you want to fit more fun in your life:

Instant party: just add the Circus by Sam Edelman Taylor!  They are radiant in silver glitter, and chic with black trim around the peep toe, under the two-inch platform, and up the 5.5-inch heel.  Also available in blue suede and black suede, but…why?  Neither has any glitter!  Yours for $108 from Zappos.

Whatever your resolution, keep on going!  And always remember, the right pair of shoes can help you along.

Sales this weekend:
Aerosoles: Winter clearance, up to 70% off
Bakers: Limited time clearance sale
Bloomingdales: Sale and clearance, 25-65% off
Call it Spring: Extra half off all boots
Macy's: Shoe sale and clearance, plus an extra 10% off with code SAVE
Nine West: Up to 60% off
Saks: Up to 55% off

Dead Sea Scrolls

The current exhibition at the Franklin Institute is the blockbuster Dead Sea Scrolls.  Considered the most significant archaeological find of the last century, these scrolls include the earliest known surviving copies of biblical and extra-biblical documents.  In honor of their historical awesomeness, here are some sandals inspired by the ancient world to get you in the mood!

I love these!  The Kaelynne by Guess has a twisted glittery upper, ankle and heel straps, and just exudes elegance.  Also available in silver, which is nice but not as warm as the gold!  Find them at Macy’s for $44.

The Lizzie WP is almost fit for a gladiator.  It has snakeskin, studs, chains… and a zipper up the back to let you in.  Also available in tan and black for $45 from Bakers.

The Zentry Level is a gold snakeskin sandal with a 2.25-inch braided wedge.  I love how the straps make diamonds up the front!  There are three straps at the ankle and a zipper at the heel.  Also available in bronze and black; yours for $79 from Aerosoles.

The Madison by Frye has an elaborately braided upper, in tan and gold.  (Or black and silver.  Or red and tan.  Or tan and seafoam.  Or four other color combos!)  Find them at Zappos for $148.

The Emeline by Merona has a braided upper, looped through the toe and into the heel strap.  So Grecian, right?  Wear it under a flowy maxi dress!  Find them at your local Target for $15.

The Dead Sea Scrolls will be at the Franklin through October 14.  They’re also having a lecture series!  And my favorite part: they offer reduced admission for $12 less than usual if you go Thursday through Sunday after 5:00 pm.  Go get dinner afterwards!  Maybe Zahav?

Philly Fizz

Philadelphia has a lot of firsts: library, fire department, post office, zoo… but don’t forget the soda!  Our own Phillip Syng Physick was the first to use sugared, carbonated soda water as a medical treatment, paving the way for everyone’s moms to give them ginger ales for their upset tummies.  Thank you, Dr. Physick!

To celebrate, why not attend the sixth annual Philly Phyzz Phest at the Physick House tomorrow?  Sing happy birthday, play 18^th-century games, and listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence.  (A little unrelated, perhaps, but this is Philadelphia at the 4^th of July.)  In his honor, summery shoes inspired by our favorite sodas!  First up, the classic cola:

Mmm… kind of looks like licorice, actually!  The Mateo by Life Stride is a braided, strappy one-inch wedge perfect for any summer outfit.  Also available in gold; find them at Macy’s for $40.

Orange soda:

The Peggy by Ivanka Trump is so light and airy, isn’t it?  Shiny, braided tangerine leather topped with a large rhinestone at the toe, and a little half-inch heel.  Beautiful.  Yours for $113 from Zappos.

Root beer, maybe?

The Feather Accent Thong Sandal by Haley Jeans Co. has an intricately cut faux leather upper and a zipper up the back to let you in (though I’m not sure where the feather accent is supposed to be!).  Also available in black or red; find them at your local Target for $27.

Lemon-lime:

The Serafina by Loeffler Randall is a flowery, yellow-green treat, what with the flower on the front!  It also comes in tan if you don’t like it in “acid,” but I think it’s cheery!  Find them at 6pm for $156.

My personal favorite: black cherry.

With rhinestones like the bubbles in soda!  The Tapley is a sparkly, strappy flat made of micro suede and elastic.  If the pink isn’t your thing, it also comes in blue, bone, taupe, and black—find them all at Bakers for between $40 and $60 (the pink is $40!). 

Whatever your favorite, raise a glass to Philly’s Founding Father of Fizz!

Philly Phyzz Fest is from 1-5 PM tomorrow at the Phillip Syng Physick House, at 4^th and Delancy.  Go raise a glass to a Philadelphia First!

Sales this weekend:

Sorry ladies; the Shoe Fairy is on vacation this week.  But my bet is there are a ton of sales around, so hit your favorite store and give it a try!

May Flowers

I know the saying is “April showers bring May flowers,” but we had it a bit backward this year: not a lick of rain and plenty of flowers in April; drizzly skies and flowering plants that have already gone into full-green mode in May.  A bit depressing!

But never you fear!  Here’s a bouquet of spring flowers for you:

The Lifetime by CL by Laundry is like a spring garden!  Pink, yellow, blue, and orange flowers fill the body and 3.25-inch heel, and there’s pink piping around the foot opening and a little bow at the toe.  Adorable.  Also available in a black and white floral print/polka dot combo; find them at DSW for $40.

What a sweet little wedge!  The Tonic by Rocket Dog has an all-over... what are they, tulips?  I’ll say tulips.  A round toe, woven 1.25-inch wedge, and fold detailing at the front complete the look.  Available in two other prints and a solid black as well; yours from Zappos for $50.

How cool are these?  The Brander by Report is like looking into a tropical garden through the wooden blinds over the windows in your home in Hawaii.  (Mental vacation break!.... Aaaaand, we’re back.)  They have a six-inch stacked heel—I know!  That’s tall.  Fortunately, there’s a 1.5-inch platform to help you out.  And you should be on the veranda drinking piña coladas anyway, not walking anywhere.  Yours for $195 from Macy’s.

The Devon by Alice + Olivia is a classic pointed-toe pump in a cheery red, yellow, and purple floral print (that’s printed leather, people!).  It has a 4.25-inch heel, leather lining and sole, and padded insole, and can be yours for $295 at Saks.

And, well, since it is raining:

These rain boots by Journee are a rosy way to get you through a rainy day!  Pink, yellow, and red roses adorn the foot-high shaft (with a 13-inch circumference).  Find them at Target for $33.

Whatever the forecast, you’ll always have a little spring to wear!