FabSugar

On Our Radar: Women Choose Shoes Over Bags

FabSugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:00:22 PDT

Can it be? Have shoes replaced bags as the hottest fashion item? If so, I'm not complaining. I have a growing collection of bags, but as of late, I've become quite bored of the options out there. But the Spring shoe department, which houses such rarities as this MIu Miu Cutout Harlequin Bootie ($890), is a whole different story.

It seems the trend of naming bags after models and celebrities is now being used on footwear. Giambattista Valli has created a Victoria shoe in honor of Mrs. Beckham, while Calvin Klein made a Suri shoe, named after Tom Cruise's daughter. Also, unusual designs and materials used on bags is now being used on footwear. If that's not proof enough, department store Harvey Nichols has reported a 15 percent rise in shoe sales this season and a higher demand for runway heels. Adversely, a recent survey has forecast an 18 percent drop in handbag sales. It's also being predicted that women will soon spend more money on expensive shoes than bags. Do you buy it?

To see some of the aforementioned shoes,

View 7 Photos ›

(L-R: Giambattista Valli's Victoria shoe as modeled by the muse herself; Calvin Klein's Suri flat; Christian Louboutin; Vanessa Seward; Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti; Givenchy, Oscar de la Renta)

Bauer-Griffin

Brave Enough to Bare (Almost) All? Shop Spring's Sheer Pants Trend Now

Brittney Stephens — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:00:00 PDT

From slightly transparent to fully sheer, Springs runways were rife with barely there bottoms (just see the varying looks above from Vera Wang, Rachel Zoe, and Badgley Mischka). Let's be real: it's not the easiest trend to pull off - but with the right top, shoes, and self-confidence level, there are definitely ways to make this look work for the everyday. Whether you try skintight lace, like at Vera Wang, or wide-leg palazzos á la Rachel Zoe, just be sure to pair your breezy sheer pants with a solid top, preferably one with a higher neckline or otherwise modest fit so as not to enter overly skin-baring territory. Keep things simple accessory-wise: think pretty flat sandals, a gold chain, and a crossbody bag. We're especially excited to try a sheer pair of pants over a bikini, in place of a wrap or cover-up. If you're feeling brave too, just click through the widget below to shop some of our sheer pant picks.

Shop Spring's Irresistible Punchout Trend - Perforated Details

Brittney Stephens — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:56:45 PDT

Each season it seems as though there's a new take on sheer styles, and for Spring 2012, your usual see-through pieces have that extra something special: a modern mix between full-on mesh and classic cutouts. The laser-cut look is huge this year, and we spotted perforated details on many a Spring runway. From shoes to bags, dresses to shorts, designers offered up lightweight, breathable pieces, which can take on a sporty or sexy vibe, depending on how you wear it. Designers like Alexander Wang and Rag & Bone showed athletic webbed anoraks over leggings, while Cynthia Rowley, Altuzarra, and Fendi opted for fitted, clean-cut perforated leather mixed in with basic styles. Ready to get in on the trend? We've rounded up 15 perforated pieces that will give you a sleek, airy look for Spring. Click through now to shop them all.

6 Clever Things to Do With Your Tax Refund

Emily Co — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:59:35 PDT

Now that tax day is over, it's time to think about your next move - what to do with your refund. Many of you may become a few thousand dollars richer, because the average tax refund this year is about $3,000, according to IRS agency chief Douglas H. Shulman. Although I've been seeing a few Facebook statuses about using the money to buy a new pair of shoes or bags, there are more financially savvy ways to spend your tax windfall. Here are some financially responsible things to do with the extra cash:

Pay off high-interest debt. Make a dent in your debt by using your refund check to pay it off. Lowering the amount you owe, whether it be credit card debt or car loans, means reducing the interest you'll be paying. Paying less interest will equate to more savings down the road. Be smart when choosing to pay off debt and keep in mind that paying down debt might result in a lower credit limit.
Emergency fund. If you're living paycheck to paycheck, this might be a good time to save some money for a rainy day. Anything can happen these days - you may have to pay for unexpected fixes on your car or you might even lose your job (knock on wood) - so you really need to have some extra financial padding to get you through the tough times. If you have a lot of high-interest debt to pay off, you may want to use most of your refund to pay off the debt, then squirrel away a portion of it toward your emergency fund. It's good to have at least six months to a year of emergency savings.
Green your home. Make your home more eco-friendly by purchasing Energy Star appliances that will save you money on utilities. Figure out if your home can improve on insulation by using your refund to pay for a paid inspection by a professional energy auditor. Save energy and money by figuring out what works best for your house, from installing windows and doors that fit better to plugging and caulking cracks and holes.

Read on for more.

Don't Throw Out Those Used Sneaks! How to Recycle Old Fitness Gear

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:05:25 PDT

Exercising regularly means going through lots of fitness gear. Instead of just tossing out old kicks or a worn-out yoga mat, do something good for the Earth. Here are ways to recycle or reuse old workout gear.

Sneakers

Donate: You can toss them in a Goodwill bin, or send them to an organization that'll put them to good use. Soles4Souls's tag line is "Saving the world - one pair at a time." This organization takes your tired, but "gently worn," sneakers and finds needy feet to fill them. They strongly suggest organizing shoe drives and mailing all the pairs to one of their three warehouse locations. Another organization, One World Running, has been serving runners around the world since 1986. Through collection programs, they are able to provide shoes for needy runners across the world. Check here for drop-off locations.
Recycle: Turn your old shoes into something new. Nike Reuse-A-Shoe takes all brands of sneakers that are beyond "gently worn" and turns them into a recycled product known as Nike Grind, which is used to make tracks, indoor basketball courts, fields, and playgrounds. Just drop off your retired sneakers at any Nike store, or check here for drop-off locations.
Reuse: Keep an old pair of sneakers around for days when you're running or walking in the rain or on muddy trails. Some people even use old shoes as plant potters. Fill a disinfected shoe with soil and grow some basil or cilantro on your deck or windowsill.

Keep reading to find out what you can do with your old fitness clothes, equipment, and yoga mats.

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.

How to Clean Out Your Closet

Laura Marie Given — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:15:56 PDT

Getting dressed is a much more enjoyable process when you have a neat, organized closet to rummage through each morning. Stray belts, mismatched shoes, and a pole lined with tangled, broken hangers makes for extra, unnecessary stress. Sure, cleaning out your closet may be an elaborate process, but the results will have a major, time-saving payoff. Not sure where to begin? Follow this step-by-step guide for a smooth closet-cleaning experience:

Remove and Classify

The first step is to take out everything - yes, absolutely everything. It's the only way to know exactly what you have and exactly what you need.
As you remove your items, sort them into different categories: things to keep, things to store, things to give away, and things to toss. This applies to everything, from clothing and shoes to jewelry and handbags.
Bag up the to-give and to-toss piles, then box up the seasonal items you'd like to stow away for a while. Sweaters, puffy jackets, and Winter boots take up lots of space, so keep them in a different closet or attic until the Fall.

Do a Thorough Cleanse

Once your closet is completely cleared out, it's time to start dusting, wiping, and washing. Clean every shelf and drawer, then sweep and mop the floor.
Consider adding an air freshener that's specifically designed for closets, like the Ornascent by Compac Closet Freshener ($12), to maintain a clean scent.

Keep reading for more closet-cleaning tips.

Check Out Coach's Covetable New Legacy Collection

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:04:06 PDT

We've always been fans of Coach's iconic Heritage bags, so you can imagine our excitement when we laid eyes on its new Legacy collection at a preview yesterday. The line features the classic satchel, saddle, and tote shapes we know and love, but this time, they're injected with modern twist thanks to bright color combos and chic details like oversize tassels. The Coach Legacy collection also features a covetable array of shoes, clothing, tech accessories - think sleek iPad and phone cases - wallets, and mini camera bags perfect for toting around to your next Summer music festival. Prices are a little more than what you expect from the brand, with smaller bags retailing from $178 to over $1,000, for ones featuring more exotic textiles, but once you take a close look at the supple leather and fine details you'll know why. The Coach Legacy collection, which also includes a men's collection (we spied a couple of backpacks we'd love to "borrow" from the boys), will launch in stores and online on Aug. 12. For now, get a sneak peek of the collection in the slideshow.

Currently Coveting: The Hansen Family Remix Trunk

Elka Karl — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 04:00:00 PST

Everyone can use a bit more closet space, so why not make your auxiliary storage something to stare at? The Hansen Family's Remix Trunk is a beautifully simple design whose clean lines and lovely construction have left me smitten. Based on a traditional overseas trunk from the 19th century, this "remix" of the original features a two-box construction that splits open to reveal dresser drawers, cupboard shelving, and an area for hanging clothing. It also includes a hat tree, flip-up mirror, and cubbyholes for shoes or bags.

The Remix Trunk is made in the Hansen Family's small atelier in the Sauerland region in Germany. All furniture is made with ecologically grown wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The Hansen Family actually selects each piece of wood by hand, ensuring that each piece of furniture is both unique and sturdy.

The Hansen Family label was founded by designer Gesa Hansen, who grew up in a Scandinavian family of carpenters, designers, and architects. The first collection from the label won the International Red Dot Award twice over, as well as the 2010 International Good Design Award of the Chicago Athenaeum. It was also nominated for the German Design Prize 2011.

Shop It Out: Covetable Shoes From The Hunger Games

Lucky — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:33:48 PST

Lucky magazine is one of our favorite sources for great shopping tips. We're thrilled to share this fabulous story on The Hunger Games costumes from our friends at Lucky!

When I first read The Hunger Games trilogy, I preferred to compare myself to story's brave heroine, Katniss Everdeen. But as much as I admire the resourceful tribute of District 12, I have way more in common with the image obsessed Capitol citizens. Let's be honest here: if similar events happened in New York City, you bet I'd be watching it go down on E! and loving every second of it.

It seems that the Panem masses and I also share another passion-a love of amazing shoes. Capital Couture, a fashion and gossip forum for the residents of the fictitious city, has a section dedicated to the footwear of well-heeled locals.

Although none of the shots provide shopping credits, I couldn't resist searching for these dreamy shoes in the real world. Some of the exact pieces are available online now and the ones that aren't have similar options available. Click through the slideshow below to get the looks for yourself.
Hot pink is an apt choice for attracting attention in the trend-obsessed Capital or, you know, next month's Fashion Week.

B Brian Atwood sandals, $325, shopbop.com

Click over to Lucky to see and shop the full story.

For more fashion and style from Lucky, here are more Lucky stories.