Fashion Autopsy: Shoes...And All That Jazz

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Shoes...And All That Jazz

Brogues (known as Wingtips in the United States) were a big trend in 1989.

Brogues:

1.A durable, comfortable, low-heeled shoe, often having decorative perforations and a wing tip.

2.A coarse, usually untanned leather shoe once worn in Ireland and Scotland.

At the time, I was trying my very best to incorporate these heavy loafers into my preppy/new wave look. It wasn’t easy and my feet are still feeling the pain.

I had this pair of burgundy Wingtips in very tough leather. I forget where I bought them but I know I spent way too much on them.

They were so narrow and refused to stretch. I wore them anyway and lived through the pain as they did look quite amazing. This is what we women do for a good pair of shoes, no matter how bad they kill our feet. We’re all deranged.

Here we are in 2009 and the Wingtip/Brogue/Jazz Shoe/Loafer (whatever you want to call them) has been making a steady comeback since late summer 2009.
I love this trend and hope it sticks around--long live The Female Dandy!!

Heidi Klum (too perfect to be human):

Heidi is tall and skinny so she could look good in a garbage bag. I love this type of shoe with a cigarette pant. Very Audrey Hepburn.

Whitney Port:

a boring reality star with great footwear. Not a fan of those old Boyfriend jeans with the two-tone Brogue. It's a bit overkill.

Amber Le Bon:

Yes, that Le Bon. Adorable...like her Dad. Her Brogues are more feminine because of the heel but the outfit would still work if they were flat because of her legwear--it's an anchor.

Her Madgesty

Emma Watson:

little cutie pie

Sienna Miller:

her shoe choice is more of a Jazz shoe. The Brogue has a bigger heel. She's one of the worst actresses ever but she does have great style. These type of shoes look great with a short skirt/bare leg.

Kate Moss:

always a Fashion Do, even in penny loafers. Again, it's all about the cigarette pant, bare ankles.

Not sure who this is but she looks great. These shoes look better with a bare leg but if you must, opaque hosiery is fabulous, too.

Here's another example of someone attempting to dress these shoes up. This isn't for the faint of heart as it's hard to pull this look off. I like this look on her but on someone else? Hmmm...not sure.

Katie Holmes:

I love this look. It's messy but looks like she thought about it. Katie is really coming into her own (and has made it on my blog 2x!) in terms of style. She should just do this: dress well. Clearly, Hollywood isn't working for her and nobody needs to see her sing and dance again. Oy!