Shoes offer an extensive collection of retro and ...Read more]]> Hey ladies, here’s a coupon advisory to get your started on some early holiday shopping! Shoes is offering 20% off until October 29 with the promo code ‘YourNext20′. Another promo code, ‘YourNextShoes’ has also been extended through the end of the year and this gives you 15% off!

Shoes offer an extensive collection of retro and vintage shoes, that’s why we love featuring them here. Check out these heels inspired by men’s footwear (a huge trend this fall) and take advantage of this fab sale!

Hawthorne, $69, MIA

Gatsby, $119.99, Fergie

Banjo, $89, Franco Sarto

Ashley Greene was spotted getting herself a frozen yogurt at the local Pinkberry in Studio City, CA last October 1. She was all ...Read more]]> We’ve featured Ashley Greene a number of times already here on our blog. Looks like the Twilight star has got a penchant for retro and vintage shoe styles because here she is again!

Ashley Greene was spotted getting herself a frozen yogurt at the local Pinkberry in Studio City, CA last October 1. She was all blue in a denim shirt and a paneled denim skirt topped off by two-tone blue strappy mary jane pumps:

Ashley Greene heads to a nearby Pinkberry in Studio City, CA on October 1, 2010

I like the mary janes (cute perforated detail) but maybe not with that outfit. Not only is there too much blue and denim going on but it’s not a very flattering look on Ashley Greene. I would much prefer it if Ashley wore these mary jane pumps with an a-line dress like what she wore to Super Saturday; it’s more suited to her figure and would look cuter with those shoes.

Ashley Greene’s shoes are by Marc by Marc Jacobs. I couldn’t find a picture of the exact pair and these were the closest I could find:

Marc by Marc Jacobs 606311 3 Strap Striped Mary Janes, $350.00

Not very close so that’s why I went searching for these other blue mary jane options:

1. Aerosoles Roler Rink, $69.00
2. Franco Sarto Expo Mary Jane Pump, $89.00
3. AK Anne Klein Sarahjane, $79.95
4. Clarks Diamond Shine, $95.00

These are much better. Not only do these look more similar to Ashley Greene’s own mary janes, but these are also much cheaper than the Marc Jacobs ones. $350.00 vs. nothing over $100.00! I’d wear these with black or grey tights for the fall. Denim on denim is definitely out of the question.

Credit: WENN, PacificCoastNews

Rihanna (March 2010)

(photo from Splash News)

Very sexy as usual; the perfect picture of a bad girl – biker babe in leather and jeans. I love the head gear, and I especially like the way she used black leather oxfords in place of leather boots – so 50’s Grease ...Read more]]> Here’s a picture of Rihanna taken last March.

Rihanna (March 2010)

(photo from Splash News)

Very sexy as usual; the perfect picture of a bad girl – biker babe in leather and jeans. I love the head gear, and I especially like the way she used black leather oxfords in place of leather boots – so 50’s Grease era.

This picture also proves to us that oxfords are versatile shoes. Months ago we wrote an article on the different looks you can achieve with these classic lace-ups (click here if you wish to read the article), now we can add the Grease themed biker babe Rihanna ensemble into that list.

In the meantime, if you want to look like Rihanna in the picture,  emulate the look and complete your outfit with any of these Oxford options:

Tailored leather

Franco Sarto Henley, US$79

Patterned leather with cutouts

Steve Madden Tirah, US$70

Reptile embossed leather

Sam Edelman Cory, US$129

Jazz leather oxfords

Joan & David Zena, US$184

Woven leather with wedge

Bass Eddie, US$55

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.

But there’s something about these vintage-inspired Franco Sarto Arch round toe pumps that’s got us looking a lot longer than we should have:

Franco Sarto Arch round toe pumps

Deceptively ...Read more]]> A round toe pump is nothing new and there really isn’t anything groundbreaking in its design. It’s basically an open shoe with or without a heel – and that’s it.

But there’s something about these vintage-inspired Franco Sarto Arch round toe pumps that’s got us looking a lot longer than we should have:

Franco Sarto Arch round toe pumps

Deceptively plain-looking, this is actually one very exquisitely designed shoe.

First off, that toe is rounded to the right degree. It’s not pointy (some round toes still look pointy, we don’t know why) and the toecap  is lifted so it doesn’t make the feet look short and stubby. The toe to heel transition is perfectly arched, and that sensible stacked square heel with the slight curve balances out its towering 2 3/4-inch height.

The divine cuoio leather, the buckles, and the contrast stitching are really just bonuses, although the gold hardware really sets off the color on these brown Franco Sarto Arch pumps (silver is used for the black version).

Oh and did we mention that the soles are rubber? The upper part of the shoe may be vintage inspired, but that grippy rubber sole will let it keep up with a modern woman’s busy schedule:

Franco Sarto Arch sole view

We imagine light, frilly dresses and boho skirts with these shoes, but wear them with a structured knee-length dress or a blazer and skirt ensemble to make them work-appropriate.

The black Franco Sarto Arch round toe pumps are $88.95, but these brown ones are 30% off! Get them for $75.00 at Zappos.com.

]]> http://www.retrovintageshoes.com/2010/01/review-of-vintage-inspired-franco-sarto-arch-round-toe-pumps/feed/ 1 http://www.retrovintageshoes.com/2010/01/six-ways-to-wear-the-oxford-shoes-sienna-miller-style/ http://www.retrovintageshoes.com/2010/01/six-ways-to-wear-the-oxford-shoes-sienna-miller-style/#comments Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:34:01 +0000 Roselle http://www.retrovintageshoes.com/?p=516 Style icon Sienna Miller surely loves fashion. Her ability to set trends seems quite innate. Her taste in clothing has always been closely watched by fashionistas. She mixes and matches outfits and accessories with an ease that is effortless and natural. It is no wonder why fashion designers love to dress her, and photographers (and ...Read more]]> Style icon Sienna Miller surely loves fashion. Her ability to set trends seems quite innate. Her taste in clothing has always been closely watched by fashionistas. She mixes and matches outfits and accessories with an ease that is effortless and natural. It is no wonder why fashion designers love to dress her, and photographers (and the paparazzi) love to take pictures of her wherever she goes.

Below are several candid photos of her wearing Oxfords in different occasions.

Oxford shoes, which first appeared in the 1900′s as men’s shoes, are tricky to wear. The shoes look masculine so the effort lies in making sure you don’t look like a guy after putting it on. However, Sienna  Miller surely knows how.

With these pictures, she shows us six ways to wear the Oxfords without losing our feminine appeal:

#1: Casual Chic – Wear your Oxfords with skinny jeans that fall above the ankle, top it with  a loose T-shirt and a Cardigan, then you’re all set!

#2: Sexy Casual – look sexy casual by pairing your Oxfords with some slightly loose jeans, fold up the hem to show your ankles, then top it with a tight V-neck sweater.

#3: Preppy casual – look preppy casual by pairing your Oxfords with a loose blouse tucked under a pair of pleated cuffed trousers that show off your ankles.

#4: Evening Casual – If it’s a casual night out, pair your Oxfords with a dark oversized cashmere sweater and skinny pants that fall just above your ankles.

#5: Party chic – The easiest look to pull off. Wear your heeled oxfords with a dark tunic or short dress, put on some black tights, and go party the night away! You can top it with a cropped jacket or blazer in case you’re feeling a little cold.

#6 Cruise Casual – My favorite of all the looks. Pair your white or light flat Oxfords with a short full skirt and a tank top. Accessorize with some bright neck pieces and don’t forget your arm candy.

In other words, to wear the Oxfords in Sienna Miller style, it must be worn with our pretty lady ankles showing. Do remember though, that choosing the right shoe style is also important in order to achieve the looks. It’s best to purchase the narrow type with thin soles (such as the pair on Sienna) as it looks more feminine.  Keep it in one color and try to avoid the bulky styles.

Here are a few suggestions for you:

Franco Sarto Henley Oxfords

Steve Madden Tirrah Oxfords

For outfits that require the heeled version:

Hale Bob Chicago Heeled Oxfords