Man Week: Mark Weighs in on Heels.com Shoes

Shoetubers: It’s Man Week. All week, we’ll be featuring men’s shoes, men’s opinions and men’s fashion. Excited? Us too. Our first post for Man Week is from local college student Mark. We asked Mark to tell us what he thought of some of the shoes on Heels.com. This is what he had to say. Enjoy.

Prior to commencing this entry, I should own up to the fact that I, the writer of this piece, am not a shoe expert. I am a twenty-year-old male. I have two pairs of shoes: one for funerals and one for everything else (and, in case you’re wondering, both smell truly, truly awful). I will, however, do my best to bring a male point of view to this wonderful world of footwear. The following are the top 5 shoes that caught my eye while perusing www.heels.com

1)   Jessica Simpson: Okleann boot – Dust

$169.19

I think we can all agree that the 1980s were a terrific time for fashion, for both men and women. In fact, if it wouldn’t get me physically assaulted, I would totally wear leather pants, denim jackets and cowboy boots everyday (instead of just on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays). If all were right in the world, dressing like Motley Crue would be totally acceptable. However it is not – unless you’re female, which is why I dig these boots.

Jessica Simpson made these boots, or at least designed them, or at the very least owns a Venezuelan sweatshop that pumps these babies out a nickel a pair (unsubstantiated). And that doesn’t surprise me, because looking at Jessica Simpson today (well, maybe five years ago), she looks remarkably similar to Vince Neil in 1985. Of course, Jessica is much better looking; mainly due to the lack of cocaine, heroin, and male… parts. Regardless, it’s completely acceptable for women to dress like it’s the 80s. Other women may look at you and say, “Wow, that’s awesomely ironic that she’s wearing cowboy boots and teased her hair as high as the ceiling,” but men (or at least this writer), will think you look totally bitchin’.

2)   Steven by Steven Madden – Huntley – Natural

$143.99

 If you’re over the age of nine and still playing cowboys and Indians, I have the perfect shoes for you! These “ankle booties” (“sandal-y half boots”, to the uninformed) are perfect for seducing your cowboy opponents, and subsequently pretending to tie them up in order to steal their imaginary horse, all before the nurse calls you in for pills and naptime.

There are “strappy cutouts” (“holes”) so your feet won’t overheat during playtime, and a 4 ¼ inch stiletto heel, which I assume is to make you taller to scare away any potentially dangerous imaginary buffalo.

Let’s just say that Sacagawea would have worn these puppies if she wanted some nookie while exploring the west. So, Meriwether, you ever sleep in a cone made of dried deer skin?

3)   Kelsi Dagger – Catarina – White

$69.29

This shoe, I believe, is part of the current NASA-chic movement. The one that has women eating paste out of tubes and making a walkie-talkie sound effect before and after they speak. As far as I can tell, they seem to be part sandal, part moon-boot, a perfect combination for a manned mission to the moon during those hot summer months. If you want Buzz Aldrin’s undivided attention, get a pair of these bad boys. One night he’ll look up in the sky and say, “Whoa, is that the sun?!” No it isn’t. It’s the moon. And it just got a lot hotter.

 

4)   Emilio Pucci - Heel –Blue

$434.99

 I was curious how expensive shoes on heels.com were. I was surprised to find out that this pair was over four hundred dollars. The most expensive shoes I ever bought were 50 dollars, and I liked them because there was a pouch at the toe filled with blue-green slime. I was a seriously fashion forward middle schooler.

Anyway, the Pucci heel is the most expensive “party shoe” on the website, and I have to say, I’m unimpressed. The only way I would buy a shoe for 400 dollars is if it came with an envelope filled with 350 dollars. These heeled sandals (“Sandeels”) are quite vibrant. I guess the only way to classify these is to say that they are “Florida-sexy”, which is to say “everywhere else they’re trashy”.

 

5)   Guess – Narlene 3 – Black Multi Synthetic

$83.99 

Heels.com describes these heels as “sassy,” but I see no evidence that would make me associate these shoes with Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act 2. Whatever the reason, these shoes are really, very, absolutely, no-doubt-about-it… meh. The only thing I really like about these is the buckle on the toe. It reminds me of pilgrims at Thanksgiving. Perhaps next November one woman could wear these and another could wear the previously mentioned sexy-Sacagawea shoes. They could pull apart the wishbone, and if history repeats itself, the Native American woman will get the short end and be violently pushed out of her homeland by the Colonists, all before Grandma’s apple cobbler.

What do you think of Mark’s post? Tell us in the comments!

"If they do my life story, whoever plays me needs lots of hair color and high heels."

— Charlize Theron

TOMS shoes we love!

If you haven’t heard of the shoe company TOMS, you’ve probably been living under a rock. It’s okay. You can come out now. The world is a big scary place but luckily there are people in it that want to be good humans. The people at TOMS are some of those people. The company was founded with a very simple idea in mind: for every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS gives a pair of new shoes to a kid in need. It’s called the “One for One” program and it’s genius. Love shoes and want to be a good human too? Check out our list below and buy a pair!

Bonus points: the shoes are actually really cute.

Double Bonus points: Charlize Theron has worked with TOMS to design a pair of shoes that will benefit children in her native South Africa.

The Classic:

Plain and simple. Definitely an everyday shoe.

TOMS: Canvas Women’s Classics - Ash

$44.00

Get them here!

Vegan:

Perfect for wearing to Kickass Cupcakes in Davis Square to go get a delicious vegan cupcake. Mmmm…

TOMS: Earle Organic Cotton Women’s Vegan Classics

$54.00

Get them here!

Wedding Shoes:

That’s right. TOMS makes shoes geared toward outfitting entire wedding parties. Check out some of these pictures.

TOMS: Women’s Glitters - Silver

$54.00

Get them here!

Wedges:

Adorable canvas wedges that are reasonably priced made by a company of good humans? YES PLEASE!

TOMS: Canvas Women’s Wedges - Cranberry

$69.00

Get them here!

Boots:

These boots might look a little strange but check out how some TOMS customers wear them and you might decide to buy a pair of your own.

TOMS: Vegan Women’s Wrap Boots - Chocolate

$98.00

Get them here!

Do you wear TOMS shoes? Upload a picture so we can see!

Fall Fashion Preview 2010

Urban Outfitters, Kate Spade, Cambridge Silversmiths 

Bootcut Denim by Cambridge Silversmiths
Flats by D&G
ShopStyle

Gorjana, Gorjana, B. Makowsky, RVCA, BCBG Max Azria 

Leggings by Vince
Boots by BCBG Max Azria
ShopStyle

Brahmin, CCC, Proenza Schouler, Ella Moss 

Cardigans by Ella Moss
Boots by Tory Burch
ShopStyle

Angel Jackson, Yochi Design, Jason Wu, Stella McCartney 

Straight Denim by Vince
Boots by Casadei
ShopStyle

Pieces, Jean-Michel Cazabat, Dominique Denaive

Tanks by Enza Costa
Platforms by Jean-Michel Cazabat
ShopStyle

Which outfit do you like the best?

"If you haven’t got it, fake it! Too short? Wear big heels, but do practice walking!"

— Victoria Beckham

Takes One Minute

Hey ladies! Like our blog? Do us a favor.

Lace-Ups: Sneak Peek for Fall

As much as we hate to admit it, fall comes pretty fast in New England. Squeeze as much out of summer as you can, but don’t let fall blindside you. A good way to prepare is to slowly build in new pieces to your wardrobe that can transition well between seasons. A great example of this is the lace-up high heel bootie. Paired with a floral dress and light colors, the booties maintain a summery feel but layer with leggings and a dark tunic and you’ll start slipping fashionably into fall.

BCBG: Katora Heel - Taupe

$71.99

Get them here!


Steve by Steve Madden: Babbett - Red

$66.49

Get them here!

Jessica Simpson: Kain - Black Cashmere

$69.29

Get them here!

Corso Como: Violet Heel - Brown

$139.99

Get them here!

Vince Camuto: Veronica - Cream

$66.49

Get them here!

"Time wounds all heels."

— Jane Sherwood Ace

Celebrity Style: Ellen Page

Back in 2007, Canadian actress Ellen Page caught Hollywood’s attention. Her performance in Juno won her both Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for Best Actress. Since then, she has starred in films such as Smart People and Whip it. We can’t wait to see her teamed up with Leonardo Dicaprio in Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi thrillerInception, out this Friday. Her character’s style is true to her own, sporting worn out jeans, tees, and corduroy vests. Even in her signature flannel shirt and sneakers, her naturally beauty is apparent. She hardly wears any makeup!


Ellen PageFashion Trends & Styles - Polyvore

 On the red carpet, she tends to wear a classic little black dress, minimal jewelry, a simple clutch, and conservative black pumps. Occasionally, she glows in a brightly colored gown, perfectly curled hair, and elaborate heels. Regardless of her baby face and tomboy style, FHM named her one of the Sexiest Women in the World. However, she is much more than just a talented and stylish actress. Describing herself as a pro-choice feminist, it is clear she has priorities other than Hollywood.


Ellen PageFashion Trends & Styles - Polyvore

Do you like Ellen Page’s style?

Badgley Mischka Shoes

There’s something very elegant about these shoes. They use a classic shoe style, like a pump or a low-heeled sandal, and then add embellishments that aren’t in the least bit gaudy. We can picture wearing these to a wedding at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel or out for tea and cookies at Tealuxe.

Badgley Mischka: Xavier - Pink Satin

$189.99

Get them here!

Badgley Mischka: Xango - White Satin

$164.99

Get them here!

Badgley Mischka: Eavan - Nude Satin

$199.99

Get them here!

Badgley Mischka: Raquel - White Satin

$199.99

Get them here!

Badgley Mischka: Hyde - Blue Satin

$149.99

Get them here!