Jessica Alba at 2010 Venice Film Festival in Classic Penny Loafers

Erika — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:27:33 +0000

I just featured penny loafers on Kelly Osbourne last week and here they are again this week this time on the feet of Jessica Alba:

August 31, 2010 – Jessica Alba arrives in Venice, Italy for the 2010 Venice Film Festival

September 1, 2010 – Jessica Alba in Venice, Italy to promote her latest film “Machete”

Loafers are now officially a hot new trend!

I decided to post the pictures of Jessica Alba above because she shows how to wear loafers for the summer in the first picture, then how you can transition them into fall in the second. I would just change up the denim jacket with a heavier coat and the tights for a pair with a thicker denier, but overall, classic penny loafers are very easy to work into both a summer and a fall wardrobe.

The penny loafer is one vintage shoe that I wouldn’t mind if it kept coming back over and over again. They’re as indispensable as ballet flats but are much sturdier and offer much more protection and cushion for the feet. I would consider penny loafers a wardrobe staple both for men AND women and in fact, I wouldn’t mind if they’re here to stay!

You can get Jessica Alba’s Tod’s Ivy Mocassino in black for $410.18 at MyTheresa.com, but if you want a less business-like color, try these 5 classic penny loafers in gorgeous fall hues:

From top: Chloe Barbera Loafer, $544.77; Repetto Patent Leather Loafer, $253.80; Yves Saint Laurent Burgundy Patent Preppy Penny Loafers, $284.99; Gucci Purple Patent Leather Horsebit Loafers, $281.99; Cole Haan Air Tantivy Moc, $158.00

Credit: Bauer Griffin, PacificCoastNewsOnline

Mules: Footwear That Goes Back to the 1700s

Roselle — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:39:42 +0000

The mules I am pertaining to in this article do not concern animals. It refers to a type of footwear that has an open back (with no straps or covering on the heel area) but with a closed front. Mules can have heels, platforms, or wedges. Regardless of material and heel type or height, if the shoes are open at the back and closed at the front, it’s basically a pair of mules.

Mules are worn by women, kids, and even men today, and it comes in varied styles that go from casual to dressy:

Rockport Garden casual mules for women

Dressy mules from Stuart Weitzman

Casual mules for men from Naot Footwear

Dressy flat mules for kids from RAGG Kids

You’d be surprised to know that mules go all the way back to the 1700’s. It’s definitely more vintage than most footwear (though not as old as Roman sandals).

Back then, only men and women of class wore mules. Wearing it conveyed a status symbol by implying luxury. Laborers could not wear mules because it was hard to work in such a pair of shoes that would slip off easily. The rich displayed the privilege of not needing to work by showing off their backless shoes.

If you’re curious how 18th century mules looked like, refer to the photo below:

18th century mules for women

Today, people still wear mules more because it is easy to wear rather than for status symbol. Mules were quite hot back in the late 1990’s, but its popularity has simmered down.

This coming spring however, mules are making a comeback. Check out these spring shoes from YSL and Alexander Wang:

YSL Closed Toe Stilleto (Spring 2010)

Alexander Wang Trish Loafer Wedge (Spring 2010)

To stay in trend for spring, check out these ladies’ mules from Zappos.com:

CARLOS by Carlos Santana Funky

Corso Como Simple

Donald J. Pliner Filvi

You can also purchase these options for the special man in your life:

Born Will

Finn Comfort Weimar

Retro & Vintage Shoes » YSL

Jessica Alba at 2010 Venice Film Festival in Classic Penny Loafers

Mules: Footwear That Goes Back to the 1700s