Highs and Lows--the Shoes of Spring

Jimmy Choo

Ladylike pointy toe pumps are smokin’ hot this spring, and so are sporty, menswear inspired oxfords.  Here’s why you want them both:

Pointy toe pumps have an amazing leg lengthening ability, and will make your limbs look sleeker and sexier.  They lend a classic glamour to everything and you’ll feel elegant when you stride into the board room or ball room.  My favorites this season include the elegant Coach “Ellin” pump, which comes in a multitude of colors and finishes, including a Coach signature fabric in black or khaki.  It’ll add about $168 to your credit card balance.  I also love Calvin Klein’s “Dolly” leopard print pumps.  They’ll set you back $89, but you can choose from sumptuous suede, sizzling snake print, or a metallic finish.  J. Renee has a simply irresistible sky blue patent leather pump for $99, and GoJane.com is featuring a $19 orange faux patent leather pump that will glam up any look.

At the other end of the spectrum are super cute oxfords.  I‘m delighted to see these fabulous lace ups in the spring 2013 lineup.  These are my weekend go-to shoes--they‘re perfect for errands, gallery hopping, or hanging with your besties.  This year’s models combine comfort with sassy styling and unexpected punches of color.  Here’s what I like at DSW.com: the $34.95 "Not Rated Lulu" oxford flat which comes in a pretty paisley print with a shot of neon color at the heel; and the $39.95 "Envy Waltz" oxford in metallic leather. The steal of the day is at Eddiebauer.com--the Bass "Ramona" oxford which is clearance priced at $49.99.  The Ramona features a 3” heel and the trademark Bass red rubber sole. At Lulus.com I fell for the adorable Michael Antonio Peter "Rhinestone" wingtips for $48.

Bass's Ramona Oxford

These luscious treats are healthier and less fattening for you than candy, so indulge!  You know you want to!  I know I want to!!

Coach Update—In Case You Missed It

Coach Duffel Bag

Tired of gaudy logos?  Looking for effortless, timeless style?  Missing the classics?  Get your shoulders ready for this!

The NY Times recently reported that five of Coach’s classic bags (including the duffel, which was discontinued in 1997) are being reintroduced on June 15.  Not by Coach, mind you—gaudy is still the reigning queen over there—but by Net-a-Porter. Net-a-Porter sells super-pricey bags from Mulberry, Alexander Wang, and Proenza Schouler among others, but compared to those four-figure pricetags, shelling out for a classic Coach isn't so painful.

Coach Update

The Coach website is now featuring nine of its iconic "classic" styles.  A few months ago I wrote about the brand's descent to a gaudy, easily dated style.  The brand is catering to an audience that prefers trendy accessories, but Coach is happily ringing up those sales!

Coach is still a luxury brand, but it has all but lost its sophistication, its quiet "old money" cachet.  I'm happy to see the return of some of the classic styles.  These legacy bags are made of glove-tanned leather and have a natural finish that ages beautifully.

Now if you want to own a City bag or a Stewardess bag (my favorite), you can buy a brand new, non-counterfeit piece from their website.  Curl up with a classic in the New Year!

Coach Has Left the Building

“Coach has lost its mind,” a good friend uttered as we passed the Coach store on Walnut Street.  I agreed, sadly.  The window was dotted with gaudy, logo-laden handbags loaded with shiny hardware.  They looked like cheap souvenirs.

Coach had been a sophisticated staple of my life for decades. The hallmark of a Coach bag had always been rich colors, with impeccable construction featuring sturdy brass hardware and luxurious leathers that grew lovelier with age. Coach bags were never trendy; they were simple, elegant styles that complimented both casual and working wardrobes.  You never worried about them going out of style or going with everything.  Buying a Coach bag was an investment, the purchase of a quiet status symbol. The classic Coach was the best-designed handbag, built to last a lifetime.

I bought my first Coach bag when I was 26 and it was my constant companion for years.  Over time I accumulated a few more, including an oversized tote in British Tan that was used daily, usually stuffed to capacity.  (I had to do shoulder strengthening exercises at the gym to carry it comfortably!)  It eventually became my carry on for in-flight entertainment, food and necessities. 

Some would use the word “opulent” to describe the new designs; I use the word tacky.  Some of the contemporary Coach bags look like scenes from a bad acid trip.  Are these collections for adults or children?  Candy colors.  Shiny, noisy, inelegant.  Over-logo’d.  I saw a $298 backpack on the Coach website that was made of printed denim canvas.  I will accept nothing less than leather at that price.

I’m clinging to my classic Coaches and plan to have them buried beside me.  Most of these bags are no longer in production and can only be found on eBay or in consignment shops.  Recently I’ve seen a few 20-somethings with vintage Coach bags hanging from their shoulders.  Maybe they raided their mothers’ closets for the Stewardess or the Willis bag.  Maybe they are learning the classics.