Fashion and Style Quote of the Day (#10)

“You can never take too much care over the choice of your shoes. Too many women think that they are unimportant, but the real proof of an elegant woman is what is on her feet.”
—Christian Dior

 Oh shoes... I love them so.  My shoe obsession has been well documented here on RGR.  I purchase shoes in all price ranges but I firmly believe that shoes should be in good repair.  They need to look well cared for and not worn down.  Once they get to the worn point, they either need to be repaired or retired.  It's hard to let go of a favorite pair but if they don't look good it's time to let them go. Great shoes can be found in all price points. My biggest pet peeve is that some people think that basic rubber flip flops go with everything.  It takes just as much effort to slip on a flip flop as it does to slip on a pair of cute flats.  Don't get me wrong, I love flip flops at the beach in the summer time.  But there are some places that flip flops just aren't appropriate.  Like at the White House. 

There are too may great shoes and too many would love to have.  It was hard to narrow it down but here are a few of my favorites this season, from inexpensive to outrageous.

Kenneth Cole Reaction Pace First $69.99

Carlos by Carlos Santana Driskal Black Studded Bootie $99.95

Zara Pointed Court Shoe with Studs $49.90

J. Crew Viv Metallic Flats $188

Christian Louboutin Croisette Leopard Calf Fur Flat $795

Valentino Rockstud Strass Studded Slingback $1295

Moment of Lust - Celine Luggage Tote

Women's Wear Daily declared the Celine Luggage Tote, the 'It' bag of NY Fashion Week.  I've been lusting after this bag for a long while now. It's one of those classic bags that will never go out of style. It comes in lots of colors.  If you can get one, usually via a waiting list, you'll pay $2,500 or more.  I spotted one on Overstock.com for just $2,669.  Of course it was sold out but it's not like I would have grabbed my credit card, even if it were available.

In addition to being seen on many women walking into the shows at Fashion Week, magazine editors, and socialites, it has been on the arms of lots of celebrity fashion darlings.

Nicole Richie

Reese Witherspoon

Kourtney Kardashian

Leighton Meester

Until recently, my search to find a similar bag of good quality hadn't come close.   This time I'm being really picky. I want a bag that is leather and will last. Even though I can't afford the $2,500+ price tag, I still want a bag that has the same qualities. Then I heard about the J. Crew Tillary Tote. At $328 the bag is still pricey but it's leather, a classic style and there is nary a logo or trendy accessory in sight.  The Tillary has all of the markers of a long term investment bag. It comes in blue and tan.  I love the blue but either would be a great color I'd used often. Maybe it would be worth saving all of my shopping money over the next few months to purchase it.  If you are lucky enough to order it now, it will be shipped in May.  So even this great classic bag has a bit of a wait list.

J. Crew Tillary Tote

Change and Good Sense Have Come to Washington

I've admired Michelle Obama's style throughout the campaign. She is a master of mixing high and low and she wears what she likes (even if it's off the rack). She wore several dresses during the campaign from nationwide retailers like White House/Black Market, H&M and J. Crew. You have to admire a first lady that knows what looks good on her own body and doesn't feel the need to break the bank in order to impress. The dresses and accessories she's chosen sell out immediately. If you try to find the J. Crew gloves that she wore yesterday, you won't be able to get to the page at all on the J. Crew site. The traffic is too high. J. Crew was even bombarded with requests for the coats that Malia and Sasha Obama wore yesterday.

The First Lady chose an unexpected color for her Inaugural outfit. It's been described as lemon grass. She paired the sheath dress, cardigan and coat by designer Isabel Toledo with leather gloves and coordinating pumps.





According to the designer, the dress and matching coat were made of a combination of fabrics—lace over wool, both of a slightly shiny, pale green-gold hue. The designer added a lining of pashmina and handquilted cotton for warmth at the request of Mrs. Obama. The First Lady paired the ensemble with green patent-leather Jimmy Choo heels that were custom-ordered and olive, leather gloves by J. Crew.

Her gown was also by an up and coming designer, Jason Wu. The custom designed ball gown was a fresh choice. It reflects her young attitude. The ivory, off the shoulder gown with embellishments and crystals flowed beautifully as she danced with her husband.



Mrs. Obama also wore her best accessory, her toned arms. They are always in fashion.



If you can't afford the gown or the suit, which I can't, you can always go for great accessories.

Even though the exact gloves worn by the first lady are sold out at J. Crew, Nordstrom has a great pair. This style comes in many colors (including Moss) for only $59.90 and they are cashmere lined.



Her shoes were custom ordered Jimmy Choos. Of course Choos are always my first choice. I love them. I just can't afford them on a regular basis and these days not even that often. If you're on a budget like me, check out these pumps by Nine West. For only $62.06 at my favorite online shoe store, Zappos.com. They come in many colors including dark green and dark blue croc. The blue looks teal to me. They aren't patent but there are some patent options in other colors.



Jill Biden also chose a great ensemble for her swearing in attire. Her red coat and black boots looked classic and sexy without being over the top or outdoing Mrs. Obama. That's a classy move any day.



Kudos to both ladies for staying true to themselves and their own sense of style. They prove that you can look your best at any age, any size and any budget.

Innaugural photo credits: washingtonpost.com