Etsy Tuesday: Overshoes

Recently I binged on Mad Men, watching Season 1 to Season 4 in a marathon session, in anticipation of the upcoming season. Unfortunately filming was delayed so I'll have to wait until February for my next fix. But one thing I noticed when watching was how impeccably dressed and coifed everyone was. You'll rarely see some rushing from the house in a pair of sweat pants or with their hair casually pulled up in a pony tail.

With the beginning of Indian Summer here in San Francisco, I've been dreaming of cooler weather and wondering how Betty Draper would keep her shoes from being soiled. While today's finds aren't Mad Men era, they're from the 1940s - 1950s, I was amazed to see how women protected their leather shoes.

Finds (from top clockwise): Brown Rubber Galoshes, L'Enfant Terrible, $42; Black Rubber Overshoes, c.1940s-1950s, Spazzy Meal Ticket, $70; Gray Day Galoshes, c.1950s, Fanciness Vintage, $48.

What do you think? A fad you're glad is in the past? Or, something you'd try to keep your feet dry?

Ciao Bella!

Eden

 

Credits: Collage created by Eden Hensley Silverstein for A Timeless Affair. Photographs taken by their respective Etsy sellers: Fanciness Vintage, L'Enfant Terrible, Spazzy Meal Ticket.

Tuesday Shoesday: A Touch of Gold

Julia and Simon were married last year in Italy. For their one year wedding anniversary, they held a second celebration in the Bay Area and invited all of their friends. I had the honor of being able to capture it.

Today I share their shoes with you.  

Tomorrow I'll share the cake and the decorations.

Ciao Bella!

Eden

 

Credits: All images taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for A Timeless Affair.

Tuesday Shoesday: I Miller Shoes

There are lots of shoes on Etsy. Some are from yesteryear designers while others are from discount outlets; the buyer definitely needs to beware. One of my favorite brands that I've yet to score a pair from is I. Miller Shoes - a high end designer.

The Finds (from left to right): Color I. Miller Advertisement, c.1951, $6.99, mirluck; I. Miller Advertisement, c.1961, $9.95, genpaper; 2-page I. Miller Advertisement, c.1954, $10, devocanada.

From Shoes A-Z: Designers, Brands, Manufacturers and Retailers by Jonathan Walford, p.116:

"Israel Miller was born in Russia and moved to the United States, where he was taught by an Italian shoemaker in New York. In 1880 he established what would become a family company, opening a store and factory on 23rd Street, making and selling theatrical footwear. By the 1940s the company had become known for its fashion footwear, created by freelance designers such as Andre Perugia and David Evins, as well as its own growing studio of talent, including Margaret Clark. The company is often remembered for hiring the young Andy Warhol in the late 1950s to dress windows and produce charming shoe sketches used for Christmas greeting cards."

The Finds (left to right): Color I. Miller Advertisement, Date Unknown, $10, devocanada; Color I. Miller Advertisement, c.1958, $10, devocanada.

"Expensive, but wait 'til you wear it."

The Finds (left to right): I. Miller Advertisement, c.1950, $10, devocanada; I. Miller Advertisment, c.1958, $9.99, 237; I. Miller Advertisement, c.1961, $10, devocanada.

"Light and Lovely" "Sleek New Mobility" "Built to Comfort, Coddle, and Make the Most of Your Foot"

In 1958, Millerkins, a walking-suit pump, cost about $20, roughly $154.35 today (calculated via DollarTimes). Today, vintage I. Miller shoes can be found from $24 to $120, or even lower in thrift shops.

The Finds (top, clockwise): Brown Gray Lizigator Purse, Deitsch with matching Pumps, I. Miller, c.1950s, $60, NorthStar Vintage; Tan Lizard Pumps, I. Miller, $110, Sweet Trash Vintage Clothing; Midnight Blue Suede Sandals, I. Magnin & Co. I. Miller Beauty Shoes, c.1940s, $58, Thirteen Bees Vintage; Navy Peep Toe Slingback Pumps, I. Miller, c.1950s, $24, Thunderbird Vintage.

Have any vintage shoe designers caught your eye?

Ciao Bella!

Eden

 

Credits: All collages created by Eden Hensley Silverstein for A Timeless Affair. All product images taken by their respective eBay: devocanada, genpaper, and mirluck; and Etsy sellers: NorthStar Vintage, Sweet Trash Vintage Clothing, Thirteen Bees Vintage, and Thunderbird Vintage.

Tuesday Shoesday: Courage to Wear Leopard

Krissia and David's attire was coordinated in black and cream, even Krissia's shoes.

"I think every woman should have leopard, but not every woman will wear leopard. You have to have courage to wear leopard." 

-Rachel Zoe

Did you wear white or colored heels?

Ciao Bella!

Eden

 

Credits: All images taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for A Timeless Affair.

Tuesday Shoesday: Authentic Vintage Reproductions

Not everyone sees finding the perfect vintage shoe in the right size as a thrill. I can go for months on the trail of a shoe in my size that I'd stumbled across in an old magazine or photo. Not all of my searches end with the shoes on my feet; sometimes I go home barefoot.

Those that Got Away (top, clockwise): $70, KBickert; Palter/Deliso, New York City for Harzfeld's-Kansas City, $99.75, Jeri's Custom Originals; $98, Wildfell Hall Vintage.

If you find yourself with an affair looming (remember my 1920s gala?), check out Re-Mix Vintage Shoes. For those lucky enough to live in Beverly Hills, you're not far from their storefront. For everyone else, the Internet is your friend.

They have bar straps and t-straps.

The Finds: Ritz, 1920s replica, Gold Metallic (shown), Matte Antique Silver (shown), Sizes 5 1/2 to 11, Made in Spain, $198; Balboa, Late 1920s/early 1930s replica, Dark Brown/Antique Brown (shown), Ivory/Antique Parchment, Maize Luggage, Metallic Gold (shown), Black (shown), Sizes 6 to 11 with half sizes, currently unavailable.

And of course, they have Mary Janes.

The Finds (top to bottom): Deco, 1920s replica, Luggage Brown/Chocolate Brown trim (shown), Bone/Chocolate Brown Trim (shown), Antique Olive/Dark Brown Trim, Black Suede/Wine Trim, and Grey Suede/Black Trim, Sizes 6 to 11 with 1/2 sizes, $194; Promenade, Grey/Antique Black, Dark Brown/Antique Luggage (shown), Sizes 5 1/2 to 11, $194, Colors 30% off $136.

Do you have any favorite vintage reproduction shops? Have you been happy with the quality?

Want more shoe candy? View my previous Tuesday Shoesday picks.

Or, check out these other blogs:

Blush Printables, Brancorpa,

La Petite Coquin, Landlocked Bride, 

Life in the Super Burbs, Magnolia Rouge, 

Marry You Me, Postcards & Pretties, and

Santa Barbara Chic.

Ciao Bella!

Eden

 

Credits: All images taken by Re-Mix Classic Vintage Footwear or respective Etsy seller. All collages created by Eden Hensley Silverstein for A Timeless Affair.

Tuesday Shoesday: Shoes A to Z

I stumbled across this book awhile ago, Shoes A-Z: Designers, Brands, Manufacturers and Retailers.

I've found it a great resource as I come across shoe brands in thrift stores or on Etsy that I'm unfamiliar with. The pages are full of gorgeous shoe candy and vintage advertisements as well as descriptions of what each brand focuses on.

New to me brands that I've found in Shoes A-Z are Palizzio (a balance of practical style with high-fashion colours and details) and Penaljo (walking shoes and stylish low-heeled casuals). Brands I've learned more about are Amalfi, Encore Shoe Corporation (Pappagallos) and United States Shoe Corporation (Joyce).

What tools do you use to research your finds?

Ciao Bella!

Eden

 

Credits: All images taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for A Timeless Affair.

Tuesday Shoesday: The Roaring 20s

In a couple of weeks, cubes and I are attending a 20s themed party; the perfect excuse for a new pair of shoes! (Also a great reason to watch one of my favorite all time campy musicals - Thoroughly Modern Millie!) Of course the shoes need to represent the period, so off my fingers went.

First, I discovered that with the rising hem lines (up to the knees) of the 1920s, shoes became a fashion accessory. Second, I learned the shoes were designed with me in mind!

"One of the most remarkable of this decade’s shoe styles was the ankle strap button shoe. The T-bar shoe was also popular, along with shoe trimmings of sequins or similar materials (Source: The People History)."

"High heels and buckled footwear were considered to be an ultimate fashion statement ... Peep toe heels were also popular (Source: Buzzle.com)."

"Bar shoes became all the rage for they didn’t fall off your foot while dancing the night away. T-straps were popular too for the same reason and were worn primarily with afternoon gowns. In the twenties, shoes were all about the strap (Source: Head Over Heels History)."

For inspiration, Vintage Textile has galleries of the best items they've sold from various periods.
Their 1920s collection is amazing.

Armed with a few general guidelines it was time to find a vintage (or retro) pair of shoes or a modern representation. I, of course, gravitated towards Mary Janes.

The Finds (top clockwise): Diamond Shine Mary Jane Pump, Clarks, Red Patent Leather, Black Leather, Black Suede (shown), Dark Grey, Blue, $51.98 to $76, endless.com; Artisan Diamond Sparkle Pump, Clarks, Burgandy (shown), Black Leather, Black Suede, Pewter, $94.95, endless.com; indigo, Clarks, Champagne Plush Sateen (shown), Black Leather $90 to $99.95, endless.com.

Unfortunately none of these styles by Clarks were in my size; I really loved the Artisan pumps. For the time being, I'll be doing some more Internet surfing.

Any ideas where I can find cute Mary Janes with a reasonable heel and button detailing? In a size 6.5 or 7?

Finally once you've got your shoes picked out, don't forget this other fashion tip: the color of your nylons.

"Stockings shaded with a skin tone were worn with knee length dresses rather than the traditional black shade (Source: Buzzle.com)."

Want more shoe candy? View my previous Tuesday Shoesday picks.

Or, check out these other blogs:

Blush Printables, Brancorpa,

La Petite Coquin, Landlocked Bride, 

Life in the Super Burbs, Magnolia Rouge, 

Marry You Me, Postcards & Pretties, and

Santa Barbara Chic.

Ciao Bella!

Eden

 

Credits: All product photographs taken by their respective sellers, Vintage Textile and endless.com. All collages created by Eden Hensley Silverstein for A Timeless Affair.

Tuesday Shoesday: Flat Roundup

I have a really hard time trying to find cute flats. This week I came across a few options from Jeffrey Campbell that are perfect for the summer.

The Finds (top clockwise): Canary, Red, Blue (shown), $104.95, SoleStruck; Sofia, Pink Suede (shown), Beige Suede, Black Suede, Red Suede, Lori's Shoes; $100; Mindy 2, Brown (shown), White, $99.95, Nordstrom; Southern Exposure, $106.99, ModCoth; Lookbook Oxford, Pink/White (shown); Grey/White, $109.95, Nordstrom; Delta, Red Cracked Patent, $62.95 (regularly $113), Blue Fly.

I'm debating whether or not to get the Lookbook Oxfords in Pink/White to wear to a summer wedding.

Want more shoe candy? View my previous Tuesday Shoesday picks.

Or, check out these other blogs:

Blush Printables, Brancorpa,

La Petite Coquin, Landlocked Bride, 

Life in the Super Burbs, Magnolia Rouge, 
Marry You Me, Postcards & Pretties, and

Santa Barbara Chic.

Ciao Bella!

Eden

 

Credits: All images taken by their respective sellers, Blue Fly, Lori's Shoes, ModCloth, Nordstrom, and SoleStruck. Collage created by Eden Hensley Silverstein for A Timeless Affair.

Tuesday Shoesday: These Shoes Were Made for Walking

Saturday we got back from our honeymoon in Puerto Rico. When we left I'd had this plan of sending trip reports via my iPad. The rain, though, had other ideas, knocking out the Internet at the house we'd rented. What this means is that I have a bunch of posts related to our honeymoon that I'll be sharing over the next few days and week.

Today's Tuesday Shoesday around the blogsphere so I thought what better way to start recaps than with a post about shoes. (In addition to running shoes and a pair of Puma ballet slippers, I brought two pairs of vintage sandals and the heels from my bridal shower.)

When making my selections, I thought about what activities we'd be doing and the colors of the separates I was bringing. What I never thought about, was the surface I'd be walking on or the weather.

While the cobblestone roads in Old San Juan were very picturesque, they would have been impossible for me to navigate in my Fergie pumps (4-inch stiletto heel). My sandals were perfect - the heel was sturdy and designed so that it didn't get caught. Where my sandals ran into a few problems were with the humidity and the standing rainwater. In the humidity the insoles came completely unglued. Luckily this affected look more than comfort or my ability to walk in them. My Pumas became my go to shoes as the humidity didn't affect the newer glue. (They also dried out very nicely and quickly after I stepped into a two inch deep puddle.)

Did you have any shoe mishaps on your honeymoon?

Throughout the rest of the week and some of next week, I'll reveal what purse I chose for the trip and why I loved my Mission Workshop tote (you guessed it, more of Anne Fogarty's Wife-Dressing tips) as well as share some tips when planning your honeymoon (we inadvertently chose a lot of activities that weren't rain friendly) and show you some sights from Puerto Rico. (I'll be recapping our adventures with food over at Recipes for the Good Life.) In case you're impatient and want to see more of our honeymoon now, I've created a gallery on Flickr.

Ciao Bella!

Eden

 

Credits: All images taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for A Timeless Affair.

Tuesday Shoesday: All About Coral

I've got my shoes covered for our honeymoon but that hasn't stopped me from daydreaming.

The Pick: Style No. 1216, Sigerson Morrison, Coral Leather (shown), Military Green, Black Leather, 5.5M-11M, $375, Made in Italy.

Right now I'm really feeling coral; I can't picture myself sporting the color but I appreciate its boldness.

I discovered Sigerson Morrison on Ill Seen, Ill Said last month. If you haven't read Jane Flanagan's blog yet, I highly recommend it. My two favorite series are Inspiring Women and Where We Blog From.

Have you added any coral to your wardrobe?

Want more shoe candy? View my previous Tuesday Shoesday picks.

Or, check out these other blogs:

Blush Printables, Brancorpa,

Demoiselle, La Petite Coquin, Landlocked Bride, 

Life in the Super Burbs, Magnolia Rouge, Marry You Me, 

Peach Bride, Postcards & Pretties, 

Santa Barbara Chic, Simply & Forever, and Swatchbook Weddings.

Ciao Bella!

Eden

 

Credits: Product images from Sigerson Morrison.

Tuesday Shoesday: Step Lightly

With the exception of Cover Girl and Nina, the others featured in this 1963 American Girl magazine have come and gone: Sandler of Boston, Jacqueline, Trim Tred, and Glamour Debs.

Finding cute shoes with a kitten heel is a daunting task these days; there seems to be much less variety. None the less I took up the challenge. Here's the best of what I found.

The Finds (clockwise): Bouillon Buckle Flat with 1 1/4" heel, 35-42M EU, Black, Black Leather, Retro Red, Espresso (shown), Ecco available at Endless, $119.95 on sale for $75.99; Indigo with 1 1/4" heel, Purple (shown), Clarks available at Zappos, 6-6.5M, 9M, 10M, $90 on sale for $65.50; Jimena Suede Kitten-Heel Slings with 1 3/4" heel, Grass Green, Carrot, Desert Bloom, Canyon (shown), Talbots, 5-11M, $129; Itsonn Flat with 1" heel,  5-11B, Black (shown), Light Green, Yellow, Nine West available at Endless, $79; Doreen with 1 1/4" heel, Black (shown), White Pearl, Trotters available at Zappos, 5-13M, $78 on sale for $62.40; Joana fine leather with leather soles with 1 3/4" heel, Dusty Cameo Rose (shown), Dk Sweet Almond, Black, Talbots, 6-10N, 5-7M, 6-10W, Purple (shown), $129.

While I was able to find similar styled shoes, you'll notice that I was unable to match the heels. Also, unlike the 1963 shoes, not all of the options would work for a wedding.

Where do you shop (search) for "walkable" heels? 

Want more shoe candy? View my previous Tuesday Shoesday picks.

Or, check out these other blogs:

Blush Printables, Brancorpa,

Demoiselle, La Petite Coquin, Landlocked Bride, 

Life in the Super Burbs, Magnolia Rouge, Marry You Me, 

Peach Bride, Postcards & Pretties, 

Santa Barbara Chic, Simply & Forever, and Swatchbook Weddings.

Ciao Bella!

Eden

Credits: Shoes photographed for American Girl by Charles Varon. Product images taken by their respective sellers: Endless, Talbots, and Zappos.

Tuesday Shoesday: Spectator Pumps

Are you a fan of Gossip Girl? If so you might recognize today's pick, the Claudine Pump from Coach (spotted on The Purse Blog). Blair sported them. (Yes I'm a little obsessed with Coach at the moment - last Thursday Purseday I featured two classic Coach station bags.)

I couldn't believe it when I stumbled across these shoes from Fall 2008 - still available new - on sale for under $100. If only I could walk in a 3+ heel; these are 4" platforms.

The Find: Claudine Pump, Coach, available at Shoe Metro, $74.99 (various sizes only) and Amazon, $76.79 to $131.99 (various sizes).

Two-tone spectator oxford pumps were hot in the late 1950s, early 1960s (as well as the 1980s).

Etsy Finds: Size 8, Bandolino, Italy, $38, Vintage at Wimberley; Approximately size 8, c.1980s, Germany, $20, Sticky Stuff; Approximately size 5, $28, So Passe; Size 7.5N, Nordstrom, Italy, $34, The Loved One.

I know today's pick isn't very Spring, but it rained yesterday and it's gray and foggy out so I'm not feeling Spring at the moment.

Want more shoe candy? View my previous Tuesday Shoesday picks.

Or, check out these other blogs:

Blush Printables, Brancorpa,

Demoiselle, La Petite Coquin, Landlocked Bride, 

Life in the Super Burbs, Magnolia Rouge, Marry You Me, 

Peach Bride, Postcards & Pretties, 

Santa Barbara Chic, Simply & Forever, and Swatchbook Weddings.

Ciao Bella!

Eden

Credits: Product images by Shoe Metro or taken by their respective Etsy sellers: Vintage at Wimberley; Sticky Stuff; So Passe; The Loved One.