Social Stylists

Shop. Style. Connect.

Posts Tagged ‘OTK’

What’s Your Boot Personality?

November 9th, 2009

Shopper: I want to buy a pair of boots.
Salesperson: What kind of boots do you want?
Shopper: What boots are in style?
Salesperson: What kind of boots do you want to be in style?

Boots are definitely the item of the season. But which style you choose is really about your personality and what fits into your life. Let’s look at the options:

Stuart Weitzman Thigh High

Thigh high –
This says, I’m confident. Could also say “I want to be noticed” if you go for a substantial heel. There is also the option of the thigh high with a flat heel for those that want to go to the extreme but then back off from the total commitment. Overall, the person that buys thigh high boots is bolder than most. It’s no coincidence that celebrities are embracing this trend.

BCB Generation - OTK

OTK (over-the-knee) –
I like adventurous fashion but not ready for the extreme of thigh highs. I’m almost there, but I’m still slightly cautious. I don’t want too much attention – look but don’t stare.
Basic Tall –
I play it safe. I don’t throw money on every new trend. Since the basic tall boot is always in style, these are still a good investment.

MICHAEL - Michael Kors Riding Boot

Riding Boots –
Yes to fashion, but functionality is important – Give me fashion and give me a life. (This person probably also has at least one other category of boots).

Mid-calf-
Best done as biker boots with the metal accents. On Trend Talk, one of the comments was that this look can go into warmer weather.

DSquared 2 Ankle Boot

Booties – I’m not sure, do I want shoes or boots? I want versatility (or I have amazing legs that I want you to see). My favorite booties are ones with animal prints. Patent also makes a great statement with short boots.

So, what’s your choice? What do you think it says about you?

All of the boots shown are available at Zappos.com

No comments »

Posted in Shoes, Trend Talk

Tags: Boots OTK Stuart Weitzman Thigh High Boots

Waiting for sales to start?

November 4th, 2009

When the fall shopping season started, I read the articles that said shoppers shouldn’t expect the same deep discounts they found last year. I thought that was good, last year was excessive. Many retailers went out of business because of the steep markdowns. I felt guilty at some of the prices I paid.

But I also don’t want to be the one poor sap that pays full price when waiting a couple of weeks would get me the item I love at 30% cheaper.

Stuart Weitzman 50/50 OTK Boots

Now we are approaching the sale season. Stores are starting, or getting ready to start, their fall markdowns – many have already been doing “special” promotions here and there. But inventories are running thin. I know in my store, we are out of a few of the season’s most coveted pieces.

Then a hard lesson for myself – the one item that I had my heart set on for the season was a pair of Stuart Weitzman 50/50 over-the-knee boots. These boots are at Zappos, Shopbop, Nordstrom’s, Bloomingdales, etc. The problem for me is that every store is sold out of my size. Yes, if I were a size 5 ½ I could still get those lovelies. But as it stands now, I’m out of luck because I didn’t want to be the one that paid full price unnecessarily. My fault, I know. They were the subject of so much attention, I should have known better.

The truth in retail is that fashion pieces are bought early. Those of us that want the best items are going to have to pay full price. So if there is something that you love, you want, but you are waiting for it to go on sale, know that you risk losing it. There is a price for getting exactly what we want – and sometimes it’s full.

So maybe retail is on the comeback after all and that is worth losing my boots over.

1 comment »

Posted in Shoes

Tags: Boots Nordstrom OTK over-the-knee boots Sale Shopbop Stuart Weitzman Zappos

Getting Comfortable in Fashion

October 9th, 2009

Fall fashion buying is in full swing now. We are busy trying to figure out where to put the hard earned dollars. It’s the time in the season where we go back and forth – is it worth it? How do I make the most out of my purchase?
Buy something that makes you a little nervous. Not something crazy that makes you blush, but something that pushes your comfort envelope just a bit. If it’s bold, it is probably on the front end of a trend. You’ll get a much longer life-span out of it and get a better return-on-investment.
A few suggestions:

OTKs (over-the-knee boots). Yes, tons of celebrities are wearing them and they are all over the magazines. But I just read women are skittish about these for fear of looking trampy. First off, OTK does not mean thigh-high. Save that for Victoria Beckham, Eva Longoria, and the likes. Second, go for flats or a 1-inch heel. One of the nicest things about this trend is that finally you can walk in something that is the hottest trend going (I’m talking to you Louboutin).

Flat Over the Knee Boots

Leather dress. It doesn’t have to be skin-tight. With a little bit of draping they look chic and classy with a little bit of edge. Still scared of the all-over leather look? Try a leather shirt. Notice I said “shirt” not “bustier.” Or try a leather skirt that you can tone down easily with a sweater.
Just put a little leather in that wardrobe.

Leather Dress by Alice + Olivia

Red handbag. It goes with everything and anyone can wear a red handbag. Not everyone can pull off a red coat or a red dress, but we can all do the red bag. It gives a pop of color to any look. If four years of owning a handbag boutique taught me anything, it is that after the standard black bag, a gal should add a red bag to the closet.

Leopard print coat. Animal print always adds some sass. If you are afraid of a coat or jacket being too much, add leopard in a shirt (you can cover with a blazer) or in a bag. Adding it in shoes isn’t very risky so might not get you the same life span of going bolder.

So push yourself just a bit, buy something that isn’t a duplicate of what is already hanging in your closet. If we always play it safe, we end up with stale style.

No comments »

Posted in Animal Print, Fashion, Handbags, Leather, Shoes

Tags: 7 for all Mankind Alice + Olivia Boots Leopard Print OTK over-the-knee boots Red Handbag