So by now you might have heard –most probably from by your stockbroker before he jumped to his demise– that the U.S. Economy is going through a teensy bit of a rough patch and that we’re all going to be living in cardboard boxes –and not the posh corrugated kind– by the end of the year.
Okay, so maybe it isn’t that bad, but y’all, it’s not great.
So how does one stay superfanstastic in the middle of a recession?
The smart big girl –who has wisely created a wardrobe of high-quality, timeless staples during happier times– will hunker down and ride it out in style. Restrained luxury should be her keywords. This is not the time to spend $300+ on a pair of DSQUARED sneakers that look just exactly like a pair of Chucks. Actually, never is the time to spend $300+ on a pair of DSQUARED sneakers that look just exactly like a pair of $40 Chucks. People who do that are…well, let’s say they’re the swans of the shoe-buying world (language warning on that one, btw.)
She will, however, take advantage of a little shopping schadenfreude.
Right now the British pound sterling –which was at 2:1 against the dollar not that very long ago– has stumbled significantly. Now the exchange rate has the pound at just about 1.5:1 so for those of us who make regular purchases in pounds (or maybe who are still bitter about paying NINE FREAKING DOLLARS for an impossibly tiny tin of tepid grapefruit juice the last time we were in London) it’s like all of the United Kingdom is on sale which means:
HELLOOOOO DUO BOOTS!
Spendy but worth every penny, Duo offers a line of custom fitted shoes and boots. If you don’t have one pair of perfectly fitted leather tall boots (and please, don’t ever use the word “stompy” around me. That “stompy boot” ship has sailed. In 1993.) then you are missing a considerable piece of your shoe wardrobe. Buy the best pair you can afford in the most classic style you can find. They’ll earn their keep in less than a year, I promise you.
Duo offers more than just tall boots though. Browse their selection of shoes and low-rise boots.
I do not approve of these shoes, but if you’re going to sin, sin boldly:
These have a brogue-ish charm to them and I like the Chie Mihara-ness of the heel. A good every-day shoe that still manages to be special.
NOW we’re pulling into Plumcake Junction:
I love these Livorno boots. They’re undeniably sexy and a little dirty without crossing the line into Ping Pong Trick. For a big girl, this is just the right amount of metal detailing. Too little and it gets lost, too much and you’re a clydesdale.
If you’re tall or have long legs –I’m looking at you, apples– these are a great choice:
A pair of classic but high fashion custom-fitted suede boots for under $200 including shipping??? Sign. Me. Up.
For our shorter-legged sisters (of which I am one. I’m tall but it’s all torso.) these very well might be The Perfect Black Boot:
Actually, I think this might be The Perfect Boot, period. It’s got a good heel, but it’s substantial so you’re not going to be teetering around (it’s easier to walk in heels when they’re attached to boots. No risk of falling out) the lines are immaculate and they will make your legs look about twelve miles long. You could get away with murder in these boots. Glorious.
yay england 25% off!
Comment by Deborah — January 13, 2009 @ 10:23 am
You’re right, that last pair is The Perfect Boot. I mean, my God, they look like they could go everywhere and do everything…and then still have time to do your laundry for you. Ohhhh, the boot lust is strong today.
Comment by ChloeMireille — January 13, 2009 @ 10:52 am
Oh, bless you, Plumcake. I have been searching half-heartedly for a really good pair of boots for weeks, nay months.
I will be in Savile Row, credit card in hand, by the end of the week.
Thank you!
Comment by sasha — January 13, 2009 @ 11:22 am
You guys (including those of you who are heel-shy): I ordered the navy Ravenna in this Duo sale on NYE, a very basic flat boot, and they came yesterday. You have no idea. The fit is GODLIKE and the leather is wonderful and will last forever. It’s a great, great value at 85 pounds. FYI the navy is extremely dark, near-black, really only not black if you put it right next to an actual black shoe. I am a cheerful navy-with-black wearer and will go ahead and wear them with a black top and contrasting skirt, or even with a black skirt if I can get one that’s absolutely matte, as well as with actual navy or whatever other color. But more to the point I’m trying to talk myself out of buying like three more pairs of boots because it is a DREAM COME TRUE and exactly as awesome as I thought it was going to be these last couple of years of coveting.
Comment by Violet — January 13, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
Well it just so happens I purchased a pair of boots AND shoes from DUO not too long ago! Thank god for christmas $$$. The shoes are the same as the brown pair you’re showing, only I got the black and white version (Daisy)! They are divine!!! With a pair of black fishnets ….. I feel like I should be performing a burlesque act on stage! God I love them! The boots are the Monza’s in brown. NEVER have I gotten boots to fit over these calves of mine and they zip up perfectly! Even over jeans. Definitely worth every penny (or is that a shilling???) that I spent.
Comment by AquaMarine — January 13, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
I suppose I shouldn’t mention that my license plate is “STOMPY”, huh? Ok, so I’m a goth who listens to industrial music (thus the stomping), so there’s my excuse!
I’m in love with those purple MARIA booties. *droooool*
Comment by Synnamin — January 15, 2009 @ 1:55 am
Bah. my lust for the purple ones has been quashed. a zipper?? seriously?? BAH!
Comment by Synnamin — January 15, 2009 @ 2:02 am
Because CLEARLY what’s awful about those boots is the ZIPPER!
Comment by Plumcake — January 15, 2009 @ 11:31 am