Rodarte hand-crocheted socks, $500
These mohair and alpaca socks are spot clean only. Ewwwwwww.
Fancy socks and tights are more popular than ever this season, thanks to big-name designers like Prada, Givenchy and Chloé who all sent several incarnations down the runway. In fact, the New York Post recently reported that a $500 pair of socks from trendy fashion house Rodarte is currently being sold at Manhattan's Opening Ceremony boutique. Yes, $500. For socks. Surely the hand-crocheted, mohair yarn and alpaca wool cost more to make than a pair of cotton tube socks, but the designer label (one that's adored by First Lady Michelle Obama, Natalie Portman and Kirsten Dunst) is what really ups the value.
Truth be told, we think these knit socks are ugly. Also, they're incredibly impractical since they're full of holes and can't be washed. What's even funnier is that Rodarte co-designer Laura Mulleavy told Opening Ceremony that she "probably wouldn't wear any of the stuff I make." Sheesh. While we fully endorse staying cozy in wool socks and knit tights this season, we were astounded by the abundance of $50, $100, $500, and $1,000 pairs. The New York Post said that Bergdorf Goodman sold out of their $125 Marcoliani socks in 16 days. Seriously? Our tights budget is around $20 max and our socks usually come with a 3 for $15 price tag. Check out our slideshow of ridiculous and overpriced legwear, above. Also? Some suckers are willing to pay for this stuff. [New York Post]
Showing posts with label first lady Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first lady Obama. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Power Shoes Turn Heads on the Web
By Claudine Zap
Forget about the power suit. For a bunch of young politicos, it's all about the power shoe. When Reshma Saujani, a candidate running in the New York Democratic primary, admitted to wearing a Kate Spade wedge to pound the pavement, the news inspired a stampede of searches.
The three-inch, round-toe, black-patent wedge called the "Halle," has become the "it" shoe for a circle of female political types, according to a story in the New York Times. Word of the must-have item caused a run on the shoes on Yahoo!: One-day lookups for "Kate Spade Halle" spiked 625%. Shoe lovers voted with their feet with searches on "Kate Spade wedges," "Kate Spade wedge shoes," and "Kate Spade Halle wedge."
Think of these kicks as pantsuits for the feet: They're practical, they wear well, and they look good. With apologies to the "Sex and the City" clan, you cannot barnstorm in Blahniks.
The wedges have a following on the Web as well. The online shoe store Zappos features one happy customer's comments: "For the heel height it's really comfortable." Over on competitor Piperlime, the best-selling shoe is a "Rachel Zoe pick," who explains: "It's a nice alternative to a pump. And a comfy way to look chic." If you're looking to snap up a pair, you may be out of luck. There have been a run on the shoes since word of the gal pols' best-kept shoe secret got out. Talk about retail politics.
Of course, other public figures have had a focus on their footwear, for better or worse.
Shamed former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, is definitely guilty on one front: His expensive taste in shoes. Documents recently surfaced that showed the showman purchased, along with pricey ties and handmade suits, stacks of shoes from Allen Edmonds for $1,200.
Sarah Palin's introduction back in 2008 as the Republican candidate for vice president led to a run on the Alaska governor's glasses, her hairdo, and yes, those maverick fire-engine red, peep-toe, Naughty Monkey pumps. The heels were described as a shoo-in for clubbing, and New York Magazine pointed out that Paris Hilton was also a fan of the footwear.
First Lady Michelle Obama may have mis-stepped when she showed up at a soup kitchen in sneakers that retailed for $540. (Insert Marie Antoinette analogy now.) The French-designed Lanvin athletic shoes looked like a very upscale version of the Converse low-top: Except instead of canvas, the shoe was made of suede with a pink metallic toe and laced with grosgrain ribbon. No doubt about it, FLOTUS is an uncompromising fashionista from head to toe.
The same cannot be said for her counterpart. The president throws opening pitches in "mom jeans," and shoots hoops in old-school Nikes. The focus is decidedly off of his feet. And the commander-in-chief would undoubtedly agree: That's a good thing.
Forget about the power suit. For a bunch of young politicos, it's all about the power shoe. When Reshma Saujani, a candidate running in the New York Democratic primary, admitted to wearing a Kate Spade wedge to pound the pavement, the news inspired a stampede of searches.
The three-inch, round-toe, black-patent wedge called the "Halle," has become the "it" shoe for a circle of female political types, according to a story in the New York Times. Word of the must-have item caused a run on the shoes on Yahoo!: One-day lookups for "Kate Spade Halle" spiked 625%. Shoe lovers voted with their feet with searches on "Kate Spade wedges," "Kate Spade wedge shoes," and "Kate Spade Halle wedge."
Think of these kicks as pantsuits for the feet: They're practical, they wear well, and they look good. With apologies to the "Sex and the City" clan, you cannot barnstorm in Blahniks.
The wedges have a following on the Web as well. The online shoe store Zappos features one happy customer's comments: "For the heel height it's really comfortable." Over on competitor Piperlime, the best-selling shoe is a "Rachel Zoe pick," who explains: "It's a nice alternative to a pump. And a comfy way to look chic." If you're looking to snap up a pair, you may be out of luck. There have been a run on the shoes since word of the gal pols' best-kept shoe secret got out. Talk about retail politics.
Of course, other public figures have had a focus on their footwear, for better or worse.
Shamed former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, is definitely guilty on one front: His expensive taste in shoes. Documents recently surfaced that showed the showman purchased, along with pricey ties and handmade suits, stacks of shoes from Allen Edmonds for $1,200.
Sarah Palin's introduction back in 2008 as the Republican candidate for vice president led to a run on the Alaska governor's glasses, her hairdo, and yes, those maverick fire-engine red, peep-toe, Naughty Monkey pumps. The heels were described as a shoo-in for clubbing, and New York Magazine pointed out that Paris Hilton was also a fan of the footwear.
First Lady Michelle Obama may have mis-stepped when she showed up at a soup kitchen in sneakers that retailed for $540. (Insert Marie Antoinette analogy now.) The French-designed Lanvin athletic shoes looked like a very upscale version of the Converse low-top: Except instead of canvas, the shoe was made of suede with a pink metallic toe and laced with grosgrain ribbon. No doubt about it, FLOTUS is an uncompromising fashionista from head to toe.
The same cannot be said for her counterpart. The president throws opening pitches in "mom jeans," and shoots hoops in old-school Nikes. The focus is decidedly off of his feet. And the commander-in-chief would undoubtedly agree: That's a good thing.
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