In Their Closet

Heel(s) of the Day – Rachel Rachel Roy Footwear

2010-07-30T11:00:05-07:00

I’ve been an avid fan of Rachel Roy ever since I first heard about her 2 or 3 years ago. Besides being a talented designer, she’s an incredibly beautiful woman with a multi-cultural background and . Rachel launched a lower-priced line last year called Rachel Rachel Roy with most items ranging from $40 to $150. Personally I am in love with this line! I’ve fallen in love with the RRR dresses first, but now I am coveting the SHOES! Aren’t these absolutely amazing? Swoon!

Go Shopping:

Real vs. Steal – Mulberry Oversized Alexa Leather Bag

2010-07-30T10:30:36-07:00

A good friend of mine recently bought a Mulberry Bayswater (a gift to herself on her birthday) and for a week straight everyone oohed and ahhed over it at the office. It is a spectacular bag, to be sure, but I think this new Mulberry takes the cake: the Alexa – a slouchier, more casual version of the Bayswater named after British style export Alexa Chung who is a true devotee of the Mulberry brand. If you haven’t heard tell of this bag yet, you will. Speculated to be the “It” bag of the moment, the Alexa sold out instantaneously on NET-A-PORTER after being added last week. Restocks are supposed to follow soon, but even still, this beautiful creation is way out of my sad little budget.

Mulberry Oversized Alexa Leather Bag
($1.250, NET-A-PORTER)

Alexa Chung Loves Mulberry

Dorothy Perkins Chain Strap Satchel

UPDATE (07/30/2010): Another Alexa alternative by Dorothy Perkins. Not quite as spot-on as the Oasis one, but still a great alternative. Available in tan or cream. PSST! International delivery is half-price until Monday.

Dorothy Perkins Chain Strap Satchel
(£25, Dorothy Perkins)

Oasis Sasha Satchel

UPDATE (07/28/2010): Feast your eyes on the most awesome Mulberry Alexa knockoff to date. OK, the color of this Alexa steal version by Oasis isn’t spot-on, but the rest: Wowzers! And believe it or not: the bag is under $60. How great is that?

Oasis Sasha Satchel
($58.96, ASOS)

Dorothy Perkins Padlock Satchel

UPDATE (07/15/2010): OMG, I just came across these amazing and very affordable Alexa bag look-a-like by UK retailer Dorothy Perkins. Shipping to the USA is also quite OK at £10 (~$15).

Dorothy Perkins Padlock Satchel
(£28, Dorothy Perkins)

Topshop Buckle Strap Satchel

UPDATE (03/31/2010): Check out this amazing Alexa knockoff bag by Topshop. It does miss the cute twist lock, but the overall look is still super similar. A little pricey at $170, but only about 1/10 of the original.

Topshop Buckle Strap Satchel
($170, Topshop)

New Look Twist Lock Satchel

Now admittedly the knock-off potential isn’t immediately obvious here, but look closer. UK retailer, New Look, has created what is clearly their take on the Mulberry Alexa – Alexa’s younger sister, if you will. We’re loving the twist-lock and the oversized buckles. This tan/gingerbread color is a great match for the bag pictured above, but if you check out New Look’s site you’ll see that the other colors offered (brown, ecru and black) very clearly reference the Alexa; and the price is truly fantastic!

New Look Twist Lock Satchel
(£15, New Look)

Fab Friday 5 – Vanessa Edition

2010-07-30T07:00:43-07:00

When I heard about Fab Fridays, I was psyched. Super psyched. Why? Well, when I love things, I love them hard. Head over heels, obsessive kind of love. If it’s food, I eat it until I can’t look at it anymore. If it’s a type of clothes, I fill my closet with it until it’s out of style. So you can imagine the speed at which I immediately came up with my list… then spent an hour cutting it down.

The Breakdown:

Popbar, NYC, $3.99 – As a kid, I loved ices. As an adult – same story. So of course, Popbar is one of my favorite stops in NYC – fresh made fruit ices and homemade gelato all on a stick with delicious toppings. Definitely try the coconut half dipped in milk chocolate.
Pretty Little Liars – I’m a sucker for a good teenage TV drama and this one lives up to my expectations. Pretty Little Liars is about 4 girls dealing with life, love and the mysterious murder of their best friend. I never thought something on ABC Family could scare me silly!
Magnes Sisters Dancing in the Streets Bag, $312 – I bought this bag in smokey grey as a birthday gift for myself. I said it was for fall. Well, it’s July and 94 degrees and I’ve carried it almost everyday since. The shape is stylish, but professional and unique with great fold-over detail. My iPad slides in perfectly and I love the extendable strap to wear it messenger style.
Keds Champion in Silver Metallic, $45 – Just like I swore I’d never wear leggings again… Keds are back, too. I’m loving the Champion style in silver metallic. They look great with dresses and shorts, plus they make we want to hit the playground during recess. Ahhhh, nostalgia!
Rain Couture Rain Bag, $35 – These last few weeks we’ve had some amazing unexpected and brief thunderstorms. I love how the sky can fall for a few minutes and then be back to sunshine. The only problem is when I’m outside with nowhere to stash my designer purse. Rain Couture has seriously saved me this summer! I keep my clear bag inside my expensive bag for these emergency situations.

Real vs. Steal – Alexander Wang Zoro Angular Acetate Sunglasses

2010-07-30T04:00:23-07:00

In case you didn’t get the memo, the 2010 designer darling is Alexander Wang. And why not? Aside from his clothing lines, his bags are legendary, his shoes the definition of urban cool, and—mark my words—his Zoro Angular Acetate Sunglasses are going to be iconic. In 20 years’ time, your girls are going to be scrambling for their very own vintage pair. They are the cat eye of the noughties.

Alexander Wang Zoro Angular Acetate Sunglasses
($325, NET-A-PORTER)

P.S.: Also available at Shopbop & Tobi.

Lady GaGa Loves Alexander Wang

Sunglass Warehouse Style #31202 Cat Eye Sunglasses

If you’re digging the Wang frame, but don’t have the cash (or the courage) to sport them, the #31202 Cat Eye Sunglasses by Sunglass Warehouse are a fantastic alternative. They have the same, delicious hard angles, just slightly less extreme. And for less than $14? That’s a pair you don’t have to be Beautiful Dirty Rich to rock. Available in red tortoise, brown striped & zebra print.

Sunglass Warehouse Style #31202 Cat Eye Sunglasses
($13.56, Sunglass Warehouse)

Real vs. Steal – Yves Saint Laurent Essentiel T-Strap Sandals

2010-07-29T04:00:30-07:00

YSL. In my head, that stands for yummy shoes, love!—and these Essentiel T-Strap Sandals by Yves Saint Laurent are a stellar example why. Have you ever seen a heel like that? Totally swoon-worthy. And with a price tag of $895 it’s not just the heel that has me gasping for air. Dang.

Yves Saint Laurent Essentiel T-Strap Sandals
($448, Madison LA)

P.S.: Also available at Matches Fashion.

Kate Hudson Loves YSL

Bebe “Iris” Architectural Sandals

Question: Is it blasphemy to think a Bebe sandal looks better than the shoe it was inspired by? Because if loving the Bebe “Iris” architectural sandal more than YSL is wrong, I don’t want to be right. Although Iris is not a t-strap, she does have that architectural heel, and blessings be, the price is also well under two bills. From the moment I spotted this shoe it has been haunting me. I waitlisted myself for it, got my notification, and they are currently en route to me. If they look half as good in real life, you’ll be seeing them again in a photo…on my feet. Available in dark gold and black.

Bebe “Iris” Architectural Sandals
($159, Bebe)

Real vs. Steal – Acne Atacoma Lace-Up Wedges

2010-07-28T14:00:30-07:00

Acne‘s Atacoma wedges have been lusted after and obsessed over countless times after Alexa Chung has sported a pair on her now cancelled MTV show. They sold out as soon as they hit the virtual shelves of several online shops, have been restocked again, then sold out again. If you are a EU size 37 you can still get them for a steep $620 (€430) at MyTheresa. Cheap, I know!

Acne Atacoma Lace-Up Wedges
($620, MyTheresa)

Alexa Chung Loves Acne

ALDO “Sandidge” Platform Wedge Shoe Boots

UPDATE (07/28/2010): Ahhh, I wish I had posted these ALDO shoe boots earlier. Now they’re sold out in many sizes. Sorry guys, my bad!

Aldo Sandidge Platform Wedge Shoe Boots
($151.61, ASOS)

P.S.: Also available at Amazon.co.uk for £90.

Jeffrey Campbell 99 Lace-Up Wedge Booties

UPDATE (07/28/2010): Here’s Jeffrey Campbell‘s 2nd generation version of the 99 zip wedge which is sold out everywhere by now.

Jeffrey Campbell 99 Lace-Up Wedge Booties
($170, Singer22)

Jeffrey Campbell “Raid” Platform Booties

UPDATE (04/14/2010): Jeffrey Campbell still comes up with variations of Acne’s Atacoma inspired platforms. The newest style is called “Raid”; a sister of their Alexa bootie with a pewter metallic platform. Available in black or white.

Jeffrey Campbell “Raid” Platform Booties
($159.95, Solestruck)

P.S.: Also available at Karmaloop.

Jeffrey Campbell “Alexa” Wedge Booties

UPDATE (03/07/2010): Jeffrey Campbell has another Acne Atacoma knockoff called “Alexa” which used to sell at LF, but is now available on eBay only.

Jeffrey Campbell “Alexa” Wedge Booties
($90-$335, eBay)

Jeffrey Campbell 99 Zip Wedges

While these wedges by Jeffrey Campbell are not as high as the Atacomas and also don’t have the silver platform, overall they are still a good and affordable alternative.

Jeffrey Campbell 99 Zip Wedges
($140, Singer22)

Runway to Real Way – Alexander Wang S/S 2010

2010-07-28T11:00:39-07:00

Runways are styled for pictures, people are styled for living. So, understandably, it sometimes takes a little tweaking to get one to live in the other’s world. This is a perfect example. Alexander Wang has proven that a little leopard goes with everything, but in our case the shorter and more structured jacket will create a look worthy of a few thumbed up Facebook photos.

Go Shopping:

SHOES: Promiscuous Trecey Leopard Booties, $67
TOP: Topshop Caged Corset Top, $65
JACKET: Topshop Cotton Jersey Bomber Jacket, $100
PANTS: Topshop Cross Front Extreme Hareems, $80

Real vs. Steal – Sergio Rossi Cachet Peep-toe Suede Slingback Pumps

2010-07-28T04:00:25-07:00

Is there anything more feminine than a pretty pink heel? The first time I ever encountered a pink heel, it was on a Barbie—well, before she was shod in Louboutins, of course—and since Barbie is the ultimate girlie girl, I think the answer is most definitely YES! These pink suede Sergio Rossi peep-toes indulge the grown-up Barbie girl in all of us, don’t they?

Sergio Rossi Cachet Peep-toe Suede Slingback Pumps
($695, SOLD OUT)

P.S.: Available in peach suede at The Shoe Box.

Celebrities Love Sergio Rossi

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Bebe Neve Snakeskin Platform Heels

Do the Sergio Rossi Cachet Peep-toe Suede Slingback Pumps have your heart skipping a beat? They certainly had that effect on me. And at $695, yeah, well, my heart felt that too. But it’s all moot since these lovelies are gone, baby, gone. Instead, feast your eyes on these Neve Snakeskin Platform Heels by Bebe. They’re available in fuchsia, blue suede, or black leather. Ken not included.

Bebe Neve Snakeskin Platform Heels
($149, Bebe)

Obsession of the Day – BB Dakota Fall 2010 Collection

2010-07-27T14:00:17-07:00

I know we’re in the middle of summer with most of us dressing in airy summer dresses, tank tops, denim cut-offs & flip flops. Or bikinis. So it naturally takes a lot to make me crave anything that’s non-sleeveless. But as soon as I laid my eyes on these items from BB Dakota‘s upcoming fall collection I was madly in love. Not only because these are all absolutely stylish pieces, but also because almost all of them are under $100 except for the leather jacket which is admittedly a little steep at $300. I’m not ready to part with my sundresses just yet, but I know I’ll be just as happy when fall rolls around.

Go Shopping:

JACKET: BB Dakota Hinsdale Jacket, $90
LEATHER JACKET: BB Dakota Manderson Leather Jacket, $300
BLAZER: BB Dakota Douglas Blazer, $95
GILET: BB Dakota Ashland Faux Fur Vest, $90

Real vs. Steal – Alexander Wang Alla Peep-toe Wedges

2010-07-27T05:00:17-07:00

Finally! I’ve gotta tell you guys, I have been anxiously awaiting the “knock-off” version of the Alexander Wang Alla wedges for months now and judging from the amount of emails we’ve received on this shoe, I’m not the only one. These super cute wedges are not only super pricey but also super sold out. I initially saw them on Khloe Kardashian (the leopard version) and it was love at first sight. Since then I’ve been both stalking them on eBay (totally fruitless) and looking for “steal” versions (also completely pointless)…

Alexander Wang Alla Peep-toe Wedges
($525, NET-A-PORTER)

Joan & David “Opal” Wedge Booties

Well our patience seems to have paid off. Joan & David‘s “Opal” Wedge Booties are not the cheapest steal we’ve ever featured, but gosh, they’re good, aren’t they? In all the most important ways, these booties are an awesome knockoff of the Allas. Beautiful shape, rich color, peep-toe… half the price… now all we need is a leopard version. For now though, I’ll take the black leather or black suede.

Joan & David “Opal” Wedge Booties
($260.95, Endless)

P.S.: Also available at Zappos.