Do you know a peep toe pump from a platform shoe?  Do you know a stiletto from a sling back?

Shoe Terminology 101:

The Stiletto:  Stilettos are long, thin, and super-high heels  found on boots and shoes.  Stiletto heels may vary in length, from 1 inch to  10 inches or more if a platform sole is used…however, we’ve come to think of stilettos as being extremely high, with a pencil-thin heel.

Peep toe:  Not quite an open toe, and not quite a closed toe heel, the peep toe offers just a glimpse of your toes and your pedicure (make sure to have one if you opt for the peep toe).    Since it’s not quite an open toe, many times you can pull the peep toe off in the corporate world.  It can be professional when done properly.

Sling backs, an ultra classic.  What makes them a sling backs?   It’s the strap around the heel that makes it a sling back.  Otherwise, this would be a platform pump.  The sling back is a super sexy option, and makes your legs look long and shapely.

The platform:  Almost no heel has gained as much popularity in the last five years as the platform heel.  Once a choice of exotic dancers everywhere, platforms hit the Hollywood scene, and crossed over into the luxury set.  Platforms are actually more comfortable than you might think.  The front base of the heel creates the illusion that your foot is arched far more than it is.

The Wedge:  So the 70s called and demanded to be relevant again.  And that’s exactly what happened.  We embraced the wedge heel again as if were were tree-hugging-hippies in 1976 and added our new millennium chic twist.  The results have been phenomenal, and the wedge is relevant again.

Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl, giving us his best Gordon Gekko impersonation.  I adore this look!  This over-the-top style is amazing…and so hot!  It screams sexy.  Love it!  I especially love the fact that the style continues on to another generation. 

The consensus on the newest trend, the maxi dress is…..He says, “no way!”   She says, “I love it!”  That seems to be the latest consensus from an unofficial poll I’ve been taking about the latest trend in women’s fashion, the long maxi dress.  From Rodeo Drive to your street, the maxi dress is making a fashion statement.  The question is, what is the statement?  Women seem to think the overall statement is cute and comfortable.  Men seem to think the overall statement is frumpy and unflattering.

A wildly popular trend now, the maxi dress is being worn by women who want to be cute and comfortable at the same time.  However, the negative input by the men may have you changing your mind….along with your dress.

Every male I had asked about this new trend gave a luke-warm response with, “it’s okay, but not form-fitting enough.”  Some even responded with “dresses like this need to be burned.”  Ironically, I couldn’t find one male response that said, “gorgeous, sexy, I love it.”

Women, on the other hand, simply loved the maxi dress.  Women find this dress to easily transition from casual to dressy.  The biggest response I received from women was “it looks so comfortable.”

What do you think about the maxi dress?  Love it or lose it?

   Have you ever considered vintage?  I truly appreciate vintage…vintage linens, vintage dresses, vintage magazines, vintage jewelry, etc.  This vintage Vogue magazine reminds me of my senior year in high school.  In 1986, my home economics teacher had scads of vintage magazines around the room, magazines from the 70s.  I would pour over them and fall in love with the fashion and with the notion of being an independent woman with ultra style and class and dancing at Studio 54.  In 1986, I was quite certain that I’d move off to New York the next year to be a fashion designer.  I had no doubt that I’d make it.  I had planned on being a Rockette, you know, as a side career to support myself in New York…at least until my name was synonymous with Gloria Vanderbilt. 

Not only would my home economics teacher let me day dream and share my vision of my oh so successful future, she encouraged it.  Never once did she question if I’d be a successful fashion designer, or even a Rockette, for that matter.  I think she liked seeing a student dream big and she supported it fully.  It was a very special time in life, filled with hope. 

I applaud those who teach kids to dream big.  My teacher inspired me and made me feel I could do anything I wanted to do.  She made me believe in myself, and even let me turn in sketches of dresses for grades.  She taught me the beauty of vintage, taught me to appreciate beautiful old objects such as pressed napkins and gorgeous tablecloths, and made the 1950s housewife seem like someone I aspired to be…that along with the fashion designing career and Rockette gig on the side. 

Discover vintage.  You may just fall in love with vintage style.  I did.