Looking totally chic, isn’t she? I love the cute, flirty skirt, the pretty top, the fab necklace, the sleek leopard print pumps—well, pretty much everything, really! But do check out her shoes. Very 80′s, right? Brings back to mind the brightly colored styles and animal ...Read more]]> Check out Leighton Meester in the February issue of Glamour Italy:

Looking totally chic, isn’t she? I love the cute, flirty skirt, the pretty top, the fab necklace, the sleek leopard print pumps—well, pretty much everything, really! But do check out her shoes. Very 80′s, right? Brings back to mind the brightly colored styles and animal prints of the 80′s. I’m definitely digging Leighton’s leopard print pumps. I like the way it added oomph to her chic look.

Animal prints are one of those trends that have stuck in the fashion scene for so long. And why not? They’re just sexy, edgy, and super trendy.

Do you love Leighton Meester’s leopard print pumps, too? They’re the the Casadei Platform Pumps, and if you want a closer look, here they are:

If you want to look trendy with a pair of leopard print pumps, too, you can shop for a similar style at Endless.com.

Casadei Women’s 5558 Platform Pump, $670.00

It’s definitely gorgeous. Very regal and sexy. However, if the price is a bit much for you, shop for these less-pricey alternatives instead:

Luichiny: First Lady – Leopard, $89.99

Carlos by Carlos Santana Women’s Queens Platform Pump, $89.00

Steve Madden Women’s Caryssa Platform Pump, $68.00

The first leopard print platform pump is available at Heels.com, while you can shop for the last two at Endless.com.

Here she is again when they filmed a scene at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. She wore a similar-looking buckled-vamp pump and looked like she was having her own Cinderella moment, judging by the fact that she is missing one shoe.

Leighton’s buckled-vamp ...Read more]]> Leighton Meester was spotted wearing these buckled-vamp pumps on the set of Gossip Girl.

Here she is again when they filmed a scene at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. She wore a similar-looking buckled-vamp pump and looked like she was having her own Cinderella moment, judging by the fact that she is missing one shoe.

Leighton’s buckled-vamp pumps are from the Roger Vivier line, particularly the Roger Vivier Leather Buckle Detail Platform Pumps. Here’s the grey version:

Roger Vivier Grey Leather Buckle Detail Platform Pumps, $476.00 (Bluefly.com)

So here’s a little bit of trivia on the origins of the iconic buckled-vamp pumps. Did you know that the classic buckled-vamp is also called the “Pilgrim Shoe”, and is actually one of the things Roger Vivier is remembered for. It was originally introduced in the 60′s to complement the Mod fashions then. It was Catherine Deneuve who made it famous in the film Belle de Jour in 1967, and since then the buckled-vamp pump has been associated with Mr. Vivier.

The buckled-vamp pump is a classic and an iconic shoe. It is one of the most imitated styles. Nowadays, the design has found its way to handbags. Buckled designs never really go out of style. So if you want to invest in classic shoes that you can wear in style always, go for the buckled-vamp pumps.

Here are just a few to get you started:

Roger Vivier Abyss Leather Buckle Detail Pumps, $456.00

Roger Vivier Hot Pink Shined Leather Buckle Detail Platform Pumps, $580.00

Nine West Women’s Olivetoo Wedge, 79.00

The first two buckled-vamp pumps are from Bluefly.com, while the last one is from Endless.com.

No less than the hottest and brightest female stars of the young Hollywood ...Read more]]> We’ve already featured quite a number of men’s-adapted-by-women lace-up shoes here on Retrovintageshoes (such as the saddle shoe and the spectator), but the men’s shoe turned women’s shoe that’s really having its moment in the spotlight right now is the oxford / derby.

No less than the hottest and brightest female stars of the young Hollywood set have been seen sporting these lace-up shoe styles, trading in their beautiful but tortuous high heels for the lowly yet comfy oxford or derby shoe:

Set 1: Kristen Stewart, Zoe Kravitz, and Taylor Swift in oxford/derby shoes

Set 2: Ashley Greene, Taylor Swift (again), and Leighton Meester

Before anything else, can you tell which set is wearing oxford shoes and which set is wearing derby shoes?

Okay, it might be hard to tell apart without say, a magnifying glass, but there is a way to distinguish derby shoes from oxford shoes. Take a closer look at the vamp of the shoe: the lace facings on the derby shoes are NOT stitched to the bottom; they are attached on the oxfords.

As of late, oxford and derby shoes have become interchangeable and derby shoes are now generally classified as oxford shoes as well. But here are more examples anyways, just to distinguish one from the other:

Oxford Shoes

Sam Edelman Women’s Cory

Steven by Steve Madden Women’s Melin

Franco Sarto Women’s Henley

Derby Shoes

Bass Women’s Chrissie

Bass Women’s Ellie

Trotters Women’s Martie

Now can you tell them apart?

If you’re wondering how to wear these types of shoes, check out this previous Retrovintageshoes post showing 6 Ways to Wear Oxford Shoes, ala Sienna Miller.

All of these oxford shoes and derby shoes are available at Shoes.com.