FabSugar

Sole Essentials: 15 Perfect Pairs of Wooden Sandals For Spring

Brittney Stephens — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:51:32 PDT

Wooden sandals were all the rage on the Spring runways at Proenza Schouler, Mara Hoffman, Donna Karan, and more, and we're loving the tribal-cool touch they give to our signature warm-weather pieces. Wooden heels add a rustic, sculptural vibe to your look - and whether you rock a flat sandal with a sliver of a wooden sole or an over-the-top chunky platform, the pop of natural texture will look great against an LWD or with Spring's ubiquitous floral dresses and lacy skirts. We've rounded up 15 of the season's coolest wooden sandals; click through to see and shop them all now.

Hand-Painted Shoes For Head-to-Toe Comics Style

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:51:00 PDT

Outside of fan t-shirts, there just aren't that many ways to show off our geek side to the world. With the growing number of hand-painted sneakers on Etsy, feet can now be outfitted with any interest, whether it's sci-fi or superhero. The graphic kicks in the slideshow are so beautiful we'd almost hate to wear them. Is an at-home museum display of custom footwear too much?

5 Quick Fixes to Ensure Your Spring-to-Summer Sole Survival

Marisa Tom — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:43:33 PDT

Part of being prepared for the incoming season means weatherproofing your wardrobe. Whether it be switching out your heavy wares for ultralight layers or putting your floral frocks at the very front of your closet lineup, now's the time to emerge the victorious warm-weather dresser. To this point, we've got five quick fixes (read: minimal effort required) for your Spring-to-Summer shoe collection. Learn from our mistakes - don't get caught in a mid-July monsoon without waterproofed sandals, always have eco-friendly leather wipes on hand, and if you're a sneaker lover, it's probably a good idea to invest in The Laundress's sports spray. Just keep reading to see how we've mapped out your sole survival.

Missoni Debuts Its Fifth Collection With Converse - We Want One in Every Zigzag Color

Marisa Tom — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:18:57 PDT

For the girl who can't live without her Chucks, Missoni's fifth - and latest - collaboration with the iconic shoe brand is basically the best thing since sliced bread. Translation: we're obsessed. Available in stores and on converse.com beginning Saturday, April 14, the limited First String lineup will offer two women's-only silhouettes and one unisex style boasting Missoni's famous multistitch fabric. While it's nearly impossible for us to pick our favorite (we're equal opportunists here!), we love that the Spring collaboration shows off a couple of new color palettes - one in shades of pastel green and metallic detailing and the other in soft neutrals accented with peach and metallics. The result? One seriously cool patterned high-top. Priced at $200, we think this may be one of our seasonal sneaker splurges, but with two classic brands at the helm, how can we resist? Click through to see each style from all angles now, then tell us which pair you like best.

Beachy, Sun-Washed, and Super Affordable - Shop Soludos For J.Crew's Newly Launched Espadrille Line

Marisa Tom — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:38:19 PDT

Cool collaboration alert: espadrille brand Soludos and J.Crew have teamed up to deliver an ultrachic lineup of Summer-perfect shoes. Drawing from the classic espadrille flat style (jute soles and cloth uppers) and slick nautical-inspired colors, this exclusive collection presents a new version of slip-on savvy footwear. We love the sun-faded detail of the fabric, which gives it a totally vintage, worn-in feel from the start. But the best part of all? At $35 a pop, these warm-weather shoes are affordable, available now, and worth the wear. From the beach-ready spearmint-hued pair to the bold lemon-zest iteration just begging to be worn at Coachella next week, there's a style for every Spring-to-Summer whimsy. Click through to see the complete collection - and let us know which pair you'll be snagging in the comments.

15 Heels to Pump Up Your Head-to-Toe Spring Style

Hannah Weil — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:11:23 PDT

This Spring, you're never fully dressed without the perfect pair of pumps. From the latest rounds of street style at Fashion Week to Spring's catwalks, the pointed-toe pump reigned as the footwear of choice. The vibe is classic, but this season the iconic silhouette is getting updated in bright hues, pastels, metallic detailing, and even a pop of print. If you don't own a pair yet, here's our pitch: the shape's not going anywhere anytime soon, and in any iteration, you're adding a polished, ladylike finish to your every look. Trust us, there are few things as sexy or sophisticated as the pump. Click on to shop our favorite pairs to snap up for Spring.

Photo courtesy of Mango

Take a Closer Look at the Best Fall Accessories From Alexander Wang, Dannijo, DVF, and More

Chi Diem Chau — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:22:46 PDT

Fashion Month is said and done, and now we're supplying you with a zoomed-in look at the top shoes, bags, and accessories from Fall 2012 New York Fashion Week. Yes, we are months away from Fall, but who wants to wait to check out all these gorgeous creations from the best American designers? Not us, and now's the time we start forecasting next season's trends. We noticed an overarching theme of structure and minimalism; designers like Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim showed a delectable array of totes and ankle-strap sandals punched up with bold colors and textures. Meanwhile, designers like Michael Kors and Diane von Furstenberg highlighted luxurious embellishments in the way of fur and artful appliqué. Also, could the crazy platform heel be seeing the end of its day soon? We couldn't help but notice its lack of presence, replaced by a bevy of point-toe ankle boots and statement pumps in the footwear category. Want to see more top looks from the New York collections? Read below for our top three picks, then just click the slideshow to see over 100 more irresistible shoes, bags, and jewels for Fall.

We're totally in love with these Alexander Wang ankle-strap heels. We love the simple shape injected with a bold neon hue.
Our search for the perfect clutch might be over, thanks to Jason Wu's blue studded confection. We die for the structured silhouette and fringe tassel detail.
We'd love to take this surrealism-inspired Diane von Furstenberg clutch out for a spin. We'd pair it with a little white dress and striking heels for a new twist on black-tie dressing.

Designer Shoes Are More Expensive Than Ever - Would You Still Buy a Pair?

Chi Diem Chau — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 08:35:26 PDT

When it comes to making a big investment, designer shoes are on the top of our list. The quality and unique craftsmanship from designers such as Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, and Miu Miu are definitely apparent, but have you noticed that the cost of shoes are constantly on the rise? Today, WWD reported on the topic and shared some interesting insights from top retailers. "There was a day when Manolo was the most expensive shoe in the world - and that was probably $395 when we started," said chief executive officer of Manolo Blahnik, George Malkemus, who has worked with Blahnik since 1982. "Then all of a sudden, people say to me, 'Manolo is such a bargain,' and I say, 'What?! I would never think that our shoes are a bargain!'"

That said, the average price for a pair of shoes at Barneys today is about $770, which Barneys' Daniella Vitale, executive vice president of Barneys New York stated "is a bit concerning because the success of shoes and the business of shoes is based on people buying multiples. The concern is that if the average price point continues to go up, people will stop buying multiple pairs." Reasons for the uptick in prices can be attributed to increase in raw materials over the years, and more interesting enough, the idea of pushing the market to what it will bear. Are you willing to go with rising market prices for a pair of shoes from your favorite designer, or will the exorbitant prices force you to consider more affordable options? Check out the slideshow to see the latest designer footwear and the hefty prices, then tell us if you think these prices are really worth it.

A Limited-Edition Collaboration From TOMS and FEED Projects

LilSugar — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:14:35 PDT

Fans of TOMS shoes, mark your calendars for April 1, when the brand will launch its new collaboration with Lauren Bush's FEED Projects. The FEED 12 TOMS Classics feature the FEED stamp logo in silvery gray and black on burlap material, and will be available for women ($58) and tots ($34), exclusively through Toms.com. Best of all, with every pair of shoes that you purchase, 12 school meals and a new pair of shoes will be donated to a child in need. Shop early, as the limited-edition line will only be available until it sells out!

Wear Spring's Peekaboo Trend on Your Feet - We've Got the Coolest Open-Toe Booties to Shop Now

Marisa Tom — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 04:00:24 PDT

We're all for baring a little skin - edgy cutouts, delicate sheer panels, and femme lace details certainly qualify for the express purpose of subtle exposure - but this version of peekaboo relies solely on your kicks. Because of Spring's temperamental climates, an open-toe bootie touches on all functional and fashionable bases. From an edgy zipper-front, ankle-strap Stuart Weitzman iteration to Rachel Roy's blush-hued laceup booties, there are classic, girlie, and superstructured silhouettes for the taking. Style this peep-toe shoe with your favorite boyfriend-cut jeans, a flirty floral dress, or a sexy LBD, and reap the benefits of a sultry flash of skin. Click through for more than 15 ways to shop it - now all that's left to do is to treat yourself to a Spring-perfect pedicure.