Leather and Lace

Oh, I know, here I go banging on about my boot obsession again. And yes, I'm afraid you are quite right.

My lovely friend and loyal CONC reader Kirsty drew my attention to the pair of Clarks boots below and I have to say I really love them.

It is funny how you can go from fairly indifferent to rabidly excited at the click of a mouse, but it has now made me think of little other than lace up boots. In a fashion sense, at least. There are one or two other thoughts drifting around between the ears once in a while.

I was just reading an article about how the Steampunk look is forecast to become a major trend and I can definitely see the link with these be-laced boots. I had a pair of lace up boots when I was at school that had a distinctly Victorian school ma'am air about them. Boy do I wish that I had foreseen this moment and hung on to them because they are just what I want now.

I suppose that what they say is true, if you wait around long enough everything comes back into fashion. But if I hung onto everything I ever bought just in case I rather suspect my house would look like one of those lived in by an extreme hoarder. Or even more like one... and that just wouldn't do.

(Images via Clarks)

Pony Up

(Image via Clarks)

I have not been overly tempted to go shopping recently. For a number of reasons. I don't have a job. It is too hot to be in the shops when you can be under a tree reading a book in the shade. I'm not going on holiday and so am not in the market for racks of sale clothes that are only suitable for Marbs. The autumn and winter collections are starting to come in and I have absolutely no interest in thinking about that yet. I am happily sweating and working on my tan right now, thank you very much.

But the tide might be starting to turn because I have seen these Clarks shoes and I love them. Not quite enough to wish that it was suitable whether to wear them, but enough to dream about snapping them up and then taking them out and stroking the faux pony until such a time as I might be able to wear them at a suitable temperature. It is always this time of year when I start lusting after things that are wildly unsuitable but that you just have to have in case they are snapped up before you can buy them and then you live in regret all winter, knowing that item would have made your life 100% better. Hmm, do I put too much importance in clothes?...!

Open Sesame

(Image via Clarks)

Larks a lordy! My feet are sweating in this heat like no bodies business and my smart(ish) work shoes are rubbing.

I need to find an alternative asap. Something open to the elements but smart enough for work. I think these might be just the ticket.

Serin(dipitous)

(Image via Clarks)

Would I be laughed out of town for wearing these, the Clarks Serin Wedge, because I looked too much like an old lady?

I think these look super comfortable but are a bit less casual than a flat. Am I deluded? Are they all comfort and no style?

Please feel free to put me right.

Naked as the Day I was Born

I am wearing the most darling pale yellow dress to my friend Amelia's wedding in South Africa in a couple of months. Pairing it with an off white blazer that I just happened by in Comptoir des Cottonniers. I couldn't help it, it was love at first sight.

So now I have just one dilemma. What shoes to wear. I am really over the nude shoe. I think they have died a death. Killed, I'm afraid, but the Royal Family's dependence on them. If it's alright for them, it almost certainly isn't alright for me.

So I thought grey. And it does seem as though it might be a mini trend because they are quite a few options about. I tried on the top two from Kurt Geiger which were lovely. But the slingbacks wanted to hurl me out of them, just not secure and very, very high.

And the top pair wanted to cut my foot in half. Even in the shop where I wore them for about two minutes. So I said no to them. And that's what stated me thinking. Hey! I've had a though! What about being comfortable?

Revolutionary, I know. But how about it? Would it actually be possible to wear a pair of heels that didn't make you want to slice your own feet off?

So, do you know what I did? I went to Clarks. Home of the comfortable shoe. And I found all these treasts.

So, sure, they aren't Nicholas Kirkwoods, but they aren't hideous either. And can you imagine just how comfortable I would be in them.

I could stand around and dance and be happy all evening. I won't even know myself.

And I think what I might compromise in style I would more than make up for in enjoying myself because I wouldn't spend half the evening tottering around trying not to go over on an ankle.

(Images via Kurt Geiger, Clarks)

 I know this isn't the sort of talk you expect from me, but, hell, I'm getting old, and having happy feet makes for a happy me. And who can argue with that?

Flat Out

(Image via Clarks)

Jeez Louise! I know I wanted a job, but I don't think I was prepared for this.

I am so busy that I didn't even get an opportunity to eat my sanger at lunch today. And while I know that there is a huge amount of unemployment I'm not convinced that this is the job for me.

Not least because I have to wear flat shoes. I am up and down stairs all day with arms full of legal files. If I carry on wearing heels I'm going to go over on an ankle.

And I haven't been earning for a couple of months so I didn't want to splash out. So instead I went and spent £20 in the Clarks sale on these montstrosities. Aren't they hideous? Seriously, the things we do to earn an honest crust.

Miamour

My utterly delightful friend Mia is a fan of comfortable shoes. But she is also a fan of looking utterly fabulous. This is a combination that pleases me as it is a direction that I am hoping to move in. And you know what her secret is? Clarks.

Yes, you heard me right, Clarks. Home of the sensible shoe is now also home of the fabulous shoe. Truly! I mean it! Would I lie to you?


(Via Clarks)

And she has these, in the cognac (which is a much more fabulous way to say beige, isn't it?) which I love. They are super comfortable, not too high, really flattering on the ankle with the low strap and will go with everything. I dragged her all round NY trying to find them. But look they have them in the old country too. What joy!

I know I should probably get the cognac too as they are much more practical, but look how pretty they are in raspberry. Because, after all, if they are comfortable and sensible then I need for some part of the equation to be utterly frivolous. This is me writing, obviously.

Desert Island

(Via Clarks)

Gah! It looks like it is going to be baking hot but stormy and wet in New York. This is not a good meterological combo for me.

So my main dilemma is footwear. Would a desert boot work? Cute with corduroys and dresses, no? Plus if I spray them up good they should keep my feet relatively dry.

Yup, I've convinced myself, so off I go. Plus I like the aqua colour rather than a more conventional tan.