Shoes


Spring 2011 Fashion Trends: Rocker Chic

Rocker Chic appeared on many of the spring 2011 runways including Burberry Prorsum and Chanel. The Rocker Chic trend includes black leather pants, black leather shorts, motorcycle jackets, leather skirts, studs, fingerless gloves, heavy make-up and edgy jewelry. Unlike the Rocker Chic trend a few years back, the spring 2011 trend is sleeker and more understated than the last time around.

Designers included small studs in both gold and silver on the spring runways for 2011. The studs appeared mainly on accessories such as handbags, shoes, gloves and cuffs. The studded handbags from a few years back were heavily studded and included large hardware on the straps. For spring 2011 the studs are more minimal; being shown as trim around the edges of handbags.

The Rocker Chic footwear for spring 2011 included motorcycle style boots; both ankle and knee high. The boots include studs, buckles and zipper-like details as well as other, small metal embellishments.

Rocker Chic is a trend which is not being done head-to-toe for spring 2011. The look is to be understated with one or two hardcore pieces mixed together with basics or minimalist pieces. You can pair studded footwear with Levi’s and a tee-shirt or a motorcycle jacket over a soft sundress with classic sandals. You may want to look for one or two pieces of this trend that catch your eye such as a handbag or fabulous pair of boots, and then mix the items in with the rest of your wardrobe.

This is one trend that can easily be found in many Fashionistas closet’s. Since the Rocker Chic trend was around just about three to four years ago, many fashion savvy shoppers have motorcycle boots and black leather tucked away in their closets. Also, Balenciaga lovers will be right on trend with their BBags in any style of hardware.

The Rocker Chic trend can easily be found on store shelves right now, making it one of spring’s trends that can be jump started right now. Nine West currently has fabulous ankle booties with studs for fall which can be worn now throughout 2011; after all, the ankle bootie is a huge shoe trend for spring 2011 too! In fact, the Nine West collection for fall includes multiple rocker chic pieces which can easily carry you into fall, and the prices are not too shocking on the wallet  Happy Shopping and stay fabulous 

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Fall boots from Nine West at Nordstrom Valley Fair. Photo Credit: Bay Area Fashionista ©2010


Spring 2011 Shoes Trends: Ankle Straps

Ankle straps are making a comeback on everything from flat sandals to sky-high heels. The last time the ankle strap donned the well-heeled was about five to six years ago when Manolo Blahnik created bow tie ankle strap heels and Chanel strapped the ankles of the fashion savvy everywhere.

The high heels and flat sandals on the runway in New York, Paris, London and Milan showed varied sole heights and color combinations. Some of the trends that were visible were bold colors mixed together, suede, flowers and embellishments. The one common theme on shoes was the ankle strap. The ankle straps on the runway at Louis Vuitton featured both buckles and bow tie’s. While John Galliano featured platforms with buckled ankle straps. Christian Dior featured bow tie ankle straps that wrapped around the ankle a few times; a nod to the Greek sandal. Nina Ricci featured both single and double buckled ankle straps as well as the bow tie ankle strap. Dolce & Gabbana also featured both the bucked ankle strap and the bow tie version. Versace showed thick, buttoned ankle straps which gave a nod to the 1960’s trend. Gianfranco Ferre featured a triple, buckled ankles strap on his runway. Gucci showed the single, buckled ankle strap. Anna Sui’s take on the ankle strap was with two thick, criss-cross straps that buckled in the back. Rodarte also featured thick, buckled ankle straps on the runway as well as Bagley Mishka. Marc Jacobs featured scarf bow tie ankle straps on his New York Fashion Week runway which stood out against neutral, everyday separates.

The verdict is in! The ankle strap is back and it is coming in many different forms from bow tie’s, to single, double and even triple straps. The criss cross ankle strap, although not as visible, will also be part of the trend. This is a great trend for shopping your closet. The ankle strap comes and goes every few years, so if you do not already have a pair in your closet from the last time around, this is a great trend to invest in. The high heels are showing in both platform and flat soles. There is mix of colors and textures. You cannot go wrong with any color combination or fabrication. Metallic, pastels, bold colors, candy colors, exotics, patterns. . . the list goes on for what will hot for spring 2011 shoes. Happy shopping and stay fabulous 


Rain boots for fall; stay fabulous even during the worst storms!

Rain boots and rain shoes are one of the more difficult items to find while shopping for fall. Although the rainy season has not started yet here in the Bay Area, this is the perfect time to shop for rain gear since the stores are fully stocked and many Fashionistas are not thinking about the wet weather just yet. Every year, Bay Area Fashionistas wait until the first rain storm to run to the mall for rain boots, rain shoes and other wet weather essentials. By the time everyone arrives at the store for rain gear,all of the good items are gone! That is why the best time to shop for rain boots, rain shoes and rain gear is right now; before the rain comes.

The biggest challenge for a Fashionista on a rainy day is staying true to his or her personal style yet remaining as dry as possible. That last thing anyone wants to do is wear a fabulous pair of leather boots when the rain is pouring down out of the sky! The best solution for remaining dry and leaving the Prada boots at home is to invest in a fabulous pair of rubber boots; and not the ones from a fishing store!

Chanel has the most incredible pair of rain boots for fall 2010. Chanel’s rain boots hit about mid-calf and feature two camellia’s on the outside shaft of the boots. There is a goldtone Chanel insignia on the flowers making the rain boots not only functional but fashionable! Although the price tag is high for rain boots at $395, as long as Chanel’s rain boots are not worn while walking through a river on a fishing trip, they should hold up for several years; making the Chanel rain boots a good wet weather investment purchase.

Gucci is also offering a rain boot for fall with a 2″ heel in black, green or bordeaux rubber. The boots are sleek and offer straight lines which helps to make them easy to pair with any wet weather outfit. Gucci’s rain boots are $270. Burberry also offers rain boots for fall with their signature nova-check at $225. There are also rubber lace rain boots by Valentino for $295 which are lavender and sassy.

The largest selection of rain boots comes from Hunter. Hunter offers everything from traditional rubber or “welly” boots in a variety of colors to motorcycle inspired styles with straps and buckles. The Hunter line of rain boots can be found for under $225 at Neiman Marcus.

Staying dry and looking fabulous can go hand in hand. There is no reason to throw on yellow fishing boots as soon as the sky opens up. Chanel, Gucci and Hunter offers fabulous and fashionable solutions for Fashionistas in the Bay Area and beyond. Happy shopping and stay fabulous. 

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Chanel rain boots fall 2010.
Photo copyright 2010 Bay Area Fashionista