The Troc's "Virtual" Shoe Store Spring 2010

Today I did some "virtual" shopping on the internet. This time I was looking at shoes on net-a-porter and was completely stupefied by the prices. I'm so glad I'm not a fashion editor anymore. I know that there would be no way in hell that I could feature these outlandishly priced shoes in the magazine and instead I would be relegated to showing crappy shoes from mainstream brands. Ick. That's not what fashion is about to me but I know these days, most of the "consumer-driven" magazines show "affordable" looks that are available at your local mall. It's what the direction of my magazine was going and I'm glad I got out before I only was able to shoot items under $100. I don't know about you but I buy the magazines to show me the stuff I don't readily see in the basic stores in the strip malls and beyond. If I want to see the bubble skirt from Aeropostale, I can go and check that out myself. Instead, can you please fill your glossy pages with clothing from Derek Lam, Lanvin, Prada and Dries please? And while you're at it, I want to see covetable clutches from Balmain and Miu Miu, not cheap plastic ones from Intuition and Fossil.

But going back to shoes. It's pretty crazy, to say the least, that the average price point of a decently designed spring shoe is around $895. Yes, that's right, EIGHT HUNDRED AND NINETY FIVE DOLLARS! I "shopped" on net-a-porter and found that the majority of the shoes hovered above $795. As a shoe retailer I will emphatically state that I do not carry any new spring shoes even near that price point. And to be honest, I can't say I even liked that many that were so ridiculously over-priced. Actually my favorites tended to be updated classics and styles that could remain in your closet for a lifetime. And they were all under $695. If I could only stock 5 shoes (from net-a-porter) in my shop right now, they would be:

1.Jimmy Choo platform clog sandal in desert suede, $395. Great price for Jimmy Choo and a great casual sandal for the spring/summer. I love it with shorts, jeans, sundresses, you name it. The neutral color is key here. I WISH I had this shoe in my shop for real. I would snap the size 7 in a second for myself. Love it.

2. Rupert Sanderson black patent pumps, $585. If you don't have a black patent pump, now's the time to invest in one. This is a REALLY nicely shaped one; great toe, nice heel, sexy deep cuts on the side. I would tell all my customers to buy this if they didn't have a basic black pump. It's that good.

3. Maison Martin Margiela two-tone peep toe mary jane, $695. Really pretty, very feminine but smart at the same time. Not a basic but definitely can become a key piece in a shoe wardrobe because of its two-tone neutral colors and very day-to-night usefulness. A little on the higher price side but definitely something that I would recommend for that working woman who has everything else in her shoe wardrobe but is looking for a practical but fresh updater.

4. DKNY two tone wedge in black suede and nude patent, $245. I love a good wedge that will go with almost everything and can be dressed up or dressed down. It's not a showstopper but will definitely be a workhorse in your shoe wardrobe for the summer.

5. See by Chloe tassel loafers, $245. It's a stretch for Omaha but I loved these when I saw them at the shoe show last August. They're preppy, a bit 80s but all the while being current and in many ways, classics. Wear them to the club, on vacation, with a seersucker jacket over a floral sundress. It doesn't have to be cliché and it certainly doesn't have to be predictable.

Some other notables:

6. Miu Miu platform black patent slingback, $575. These are amazing high heel sandals to incorporate into a spring shoe wardrobe. They're not necessities but I like them enough that if I could, I would buy these for my shop pronto.

7.Giuseppe Zanotti leopard-print peep toe pumps, $595. I like when an animal print is done well (read: not tacky) and this one is almost perfect. I love that it's on a lower heel and the little splash of red gives some added color. Great way to liven up a black, beige, red or white dress or pants. I like this almost more than the Margielas.

8. Jimmy Choo classic leather pumps in black, $495. I would definitely offer these as an alternative to the Sandersons because of the heel height. This pump is so utterly awesomely perfect. The heel is ideal, the cut is classic. If you don't have a good mid-sized "walking" black pump, this is the one to buy. Go do yourself a favor and get this shoe if you need a basic black pump. If you're 25, you'll have it until you're 40. If you're 30, don't waste your money on buying a cheap black pump from somebody else. And if you're over 40, really, please invest in a nice, expensive black pump. Jimmy, Christian, Manolo, Brian. You know who you are...

Two for the Road: 10/17/09

Date: 10/17/09

Bag: Oscar de la Renta black leather with gold cut-out handle

Shoe: Hermès platform black wedge

Worn with: C&C California black long sleeved cotton t-shirt, Miu Miu black and gold thread cardigan, American Apparel black yoga pants, DVF wool mini skirt

It might be 45 degrees in Omaha today but I decided to wear open-toed sandals. Why? Because I am really trying to wear a different shoe everyday and I couldn't quite find the right one to wear with this outfit and bag. The Hermès sandals are from a sample sale from like 1999. I swear these are super old but in great shape because I never wore them until years later when I rediscovered them and found them to be the perfect pair of shoes: lots of height, comfortable, sturdy and very classically chic with great lines. I decided to paint my toes a nice, dark wine color (Rescue Beauty Lounge's "Black Russian" -- formerly known as "Revamp" before Chanel had a meltdown...) in honor of the exposed look. My bag is one of very few Oscar de la Rentas in my accessories wardrobe (the others being a chic, brown croco minaudière as well as a crystal handled satin small version of the above bag). I received this "football" satchel from the PR team at Oscar and while many have probably gotten rid of theirs, I have kept mine because it is a real classic in my eyes. I love the gold hardware, the shape, the definite uniqueness of the bag. The skirt is the one I wear about once a week, the yoga pants are a mainstay (like my AA leggings), the black tee is a staple as well and the Miu Miu cardigan is from, where else...Milan, one season shopping 'til I dropped between fashion shows. "Fabio! We go to Prada and Miu Miu!" That's me telling my Milanese driver (the best one ever!) of where to take me upon landing at Malpensa or during a fleeting 45 minute break between shows.

Two for the Road: 10/7/09

Date: 10/7/09

Bag: Marc Jacobs ivory tote

Shoe: Miu Miu python and metallic leather kitten heel

Worn with: Ralph Lauren Polo button down, Sonia Rykiel cashmere sweater, H&M bubble skirt, Forever 21 leggings

I've had a few days off from the store and it's been nice to have a brief respite from logging my outfits. I didn't realize how much work is involved in putting together these looks but I am enjoying the process of weeding through my closet. Soon I think I'll be able to purge many things. Anyway, I digress...

The bag is the only MJ one I own. I have never been a huge MJ bag fan; I find them to be way too heavy for my liking. The PR folks at Marc Jacobs (or should I be more specific, at KCD, their PR agency) were always really generous at loaning out bags for fashion week. I remember carrying one of the more popular styles (the one with the big coin purse closure that was quilted) and like Cinderella, returning it when the NY-Milan-Paris extravaganza was over. This ivory tote is a classic MJ that they gifted me and I decided that I needed at least one bag from each designer for my archive collection. On the bag is a keychain of gold Louis Vuitton "cherries" from Spring/Summer 2005. The Miu Miu shoes are yet another purchase from Milan fashion week (I guess I really did buy at least one pair of shoes when going to the shows). The sweater is a steal from a sample sale; it's one of my faves. The button down short sleeve window pane patterned shirt is from the Ralph Lauren store on Madison Ave (with my 30% discount). The skirt is from H&M that I got last month and the gray leggings are my latest purchase for $4.50 from Forever 21 at Westroads Mall.

Two for the Road: 9/18/09

Date: 9/18/09

Bag: Miu Miu gray croc print leather with scarf-wrapped handle

Shoe: Prada navy leather loafer with stacked heel

Worn with: C&C black long sleeved cotton top, Fendi navy short sleeve jacket with brown leather self-belt, Mossimo ombre polyester skirt

This is my homage to Miuccia Prada as I am wearing both Miu Miu and Prada accessories today. The bag was one of my purchases from Milan fashion week (I can't recall the season but I am thinking circa September 2005-2006). I loved the ladylike look of the bag and especially loved the scarf-wrapped handle. The colors are totally on point for right now--the gray with teal, navy, brown and tan. I would wear Rescue Beauty Lounge's Under the Stars nail color with this bag. I think the shoes are one of my first Prada sample sale purchases. They have the perfect rounded squared-off toe and chunky heel. I've thought about giving them up some seasons but am always happy to pull them back out of the closet year-in and year-out. The jacket was a bargain sale purchase from a London Fendi shop; I remember getting an unreal deal. And the skirt is something I picked up at Target earlier this year. Coincidentally I got it because it reminded me of old Prada. I can't tell you how many compliments I get on the skirt...every time I wear it. I love telling people it was $19.99 full price. LOVE!