Fall 2012 Runway Trends - Bordeaux

The beauty of the bordeaux trend is that it looks great on all skin types.  It's a flattering color. There are so many items to be found in this rich, deep red.  You can take your pick. Select a little with a scarf, shoes, or a top or go all out with a dress, or skirt.  Try a hint of bordeaux with deep red lips or nails. It's simple to make this trend work for you.  I'll be embracing the bordeaux trend every weekend during football season.  My favorite team, the Washington Redskins, is all about the burgundy and gold.  If you still own a vintage Etienne Aigner bag or shoes, now is the time to pull them out.

Express Ruffle top / Asos Peplum top / Ann Taylor skinny pants / ASOS lace skirt / Chinese Laundry platform heels / Elie Tahari smoking slippers / ASOS cross body bag / ASOS studded clutch purse / Vigotti ballet flats / Asos Textured Knit Snood / Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, Crush / L'Oreal Polish Haute Couture Red

I selected a few items that are perfect for fall.  They are an affordable way to embrace the trend without blowing your budget.  You can select an item or two and still have money left to try out the other fall trends, I'll be featuring this week.  Go girly with a lace skirt or stay menswear comfy with smoking slippers.  A simple top is an easy way to wear bordeaux.  Just throw it on with your favorite jeans. Work or weekend, everyone looks great in bordeaux.

Sandals for Everyone - aka FU Mother Nature

Last week I was running around sporting my cute new silver Nine West wedge sandals. On Monday morning I woke up to a freezing house and the weather report saying that the DC area would have highs around 46 degrees for the day.  Folks living in western Maryland and West Virginia could look forward to snow!  It's April Mother Nature! Are you giving us the finger? Are you laughing at us mere mortals who are packing away our winter coats? The weather was absolutely beautiful on Saturday.  Sunday we got rain and then Monday, BRRR! In honor of my love of warm weather and my wish that it will be warm again soon I've picked some of my favorite low priced sandals of the spring and summer. Wishful internet shopping all around!

1) Kelly & Katie Sydney Sandal: DSW - $34.95

2) Exclusive Flat Sandal Gold: Target - $16.99

3) Mossimo Supply Company Whilhemina Flat Sandal: Target - $19.99

4) Mossimo Flat Gladiator T-Strap Sandal: Target - $19.99

5) Rosette Sandals: Forever 21 - $14.80

6) Serpent Sandal: Alloy - $14.90

7) Mrkt Holly Suede Sandal: DSW - $69.95

8) Xhiliration Teresa Espadrille Wedge Sandals: Target - $24.00

 9) Mootsie Tootsie Tinsy Platform Wedge Sandals: Kohl's - $34.99

During the summer I live in flat sandals.  I have to admit, I'm not a flip flop girl.  Flip flops are great at the beach but I don't wear them unless I'm around the pool or the ocean.  I prefer sandals with straps.Just because I love the flats doesn't mean I forgo the drama.  Extras like fun colors, tassels, rosettes, metallics, animal prints, and embellishments give me the fun without a heel. 

I hadn't planned to include any heels in this post.  My heart always gravitates toward the beautiful high heels but when I go to my closet, I come away with the flats.  That's why I love wedges and small platforms.  They feel higher but with more stability.  I can't do the 2 inch plus platforms.  My weak ankles take those as an invitation to kiss the ground.  I roll my ankle every time. But I thought I'd show you girls who love the flats, what I use as a compromise.  

I also hadn't planned to feature any shoes over $50 but I just had to include the Mrkt Holly Suede Sandal.  I bought this very sandal last summer in nude.  I love it!  The foot bed is soft, the platform and heel are forgiving which make them easy to walk in and stay in all day. This season DSW has them in cobalt and fuchsia. 

Are you buying new sandals this spring?  What is on your list?

ShoeMint - The Latest Addition to the Box

Part of my Black Friday excitement involves the launch of ShoeMint, the new venture from Rachel Bilson, Steve Madden and BeachMint (the company behind JewelMint, BeautyMint and StyleMint). I'm sure you've seen the other shoe membership sites that have popped up.  I checked them out and wasn't happy with the quality, selection or the way their sites functioned.  You all know I love JewelMint and I'm very excited with the preview of the shoes I've seen so far. If their other ventures are any indication, the quality and styles available should be great.

They are running a contest, you can win a YEAR OF SHOES (contest ends today) or credits toward your first pair of shoes.

• Sign up at ShoeMint to be entered to win
• Increase your chances by referring friends!
• For every friend that registers, you will receive an additional entry
• Just by referring 2-4 friends, you automatically get $25 off your first pair of shoes!
• No purchase necessary to enter

ShoeMint members receive insider trend reports and style tips priced at an affordable $79.98. Membership is free, returns are easy and there is never an obligation to buy.

Here is a little sneak peak of the collection.  I can't wait to get the wedges in maroon and leopard. They are fantastic!

Check out ShoeMint today and sign up for info on their great shoes (there is no obligation to buy).

Frugal Fashion Friday - Loafers

I've featured loafers in a two of my posts recently (Five Ways to Update and Just One Item). I love the high heeled versions but I also love the low ones too.  They are a classic shoe that will never go out of style. You can't go wrong with adding a pair to your wardrobe.  Luckily,  I already own a few pairs of loafers (high and low).  I'd love to add these Alexander Wang Anais heeled loafers to my collection.  The metallic finish is modern but the style and cut are classic.  At $650 they are way out of my price range.

I went in search of a few alternatives. I love the metallics but I know they aren't for everyone.  Loafers can be found in all colors, heel heights and price ranges.  These are my favorites.

Loafers for All by realgirlrunway featuring high heels

I don't currently own any metallic loafers.  They are on my hunting list but I'm looking for just the right pair at the right price. Are you going to be wearing loafers this fall?

Happy Shopping Real Girls!

Friday's Fancies - DC Fundraising Chic

I did a little contributing post on GalTime.com today.  There is a weekly post titled Friday's Fancices.  It is the brain child of fellow blogger, {av} of {long distance loving}. The idea is to create a Friday outfit with a limitless budget. It's exciting to pick items just because you love you them and not think about the cost.

Well you know I couldn't just leave it at that. I love a challenge. I recreated the outfit, RGR style.  I got the same look for just a few dollars more than the cost of the blouse in the original outfit! I even threw in some neutrals from the Spring Picks list.

Here is my Frugal Edition.

Friday's Fancies Frugal Edition Political Fundraiser by Real Girl Runway featuring a sequin skirt

Now click over to GalTime.com and check out the original outfit with Balmain, Alexander McQueen, diamonds, and Christian Louboutin.

Spring Trend - Flatforms

One of the accessory trends that has been all over the runways is the flatform. What? What you say is a flatform? It's a platform that is essentially a flat. It's not really surprising because 70's influenced fashion is back in  big way this spring. I remember when I was a kid, begging my mom for a pair of platforms. I was still in elementary school and she wouldn't let me buy the high shoes I really wanted. My platforms were only about an inch and half high. It was just the start of many debates over clothes, shoes and fashion that my mom and I would have over my childhood and teenage years. I'm sure I'll tell you the story some day of the ripped jeans.

Now that I'm a big girl, I can wear lots of big girl shoes. I'm more than  little excited that I was two years ahead of the flatforms trend when I bought these Michael Kors shoes in two colors. They are great with skirts and with my pants with longer hems. They are fairly high but I can walk all day in them. Some of the runway shoes look really clunky. The trend for less options I've found cost less and have less of the "wood block on your foot" look. I even found a pair of Michael Kors McGraw slingbacks, in teal.

Cooperative wood sandal

$39 - urbanoutfitters.com

Cooperative platform shoes

$59 - urbanoutfitters.com

Amazon.com: Naturalizer Women's Kasson Sandal: Shoes

$27 - amazon.com

Crown Vintage Peace Platform Wedge Sandal - DSW

scene7.com

Michael Kors McGraw Heels, Pumps Blue

$48 - bohoshoes.com

The quintessential 70's flatform is the Dr. Scholl's sandal. My cousin Laura, who was and will always be a fashion icon to me, wore them all of the time (in the 70's). You can still get them online for $49. When I was a kid, Dr. Scholl's sold them in drug stores for less than $10.

Fashion Week: Day 2 and 3 - White on a Pedestal

I'm still reviewing the dailies from Fashion Week days two and three. There are two truly recurring themes during the first three days of Fashion Week; white will be big next spring and platforms are here to stay. Almost every show I've reviewed so far has a ton of white pieces. There are tops, pants, dresses, skirts, in every style and configuration you can imagine and white is present in many collections. Lots of designers are also showing platform shoes. This isn't about making the girls on the runway appear taller. The average fashion model is 5'9" to 5'11".

Below are three different takes on the white trend. Left to right are: Derek Lam, Cynthia Rowley and Jill Stuart. Bright white is the most prevalent shade on the runways so far but I really love Cynthia Rowley's whimsical take with the burn out polka dots as well as Jill Stuart's pleating and ruffles. The shades are also a nice departure from the bright white with the dove hue of Rowley's dress and the ivory of Stuart's.



photo credits: nymag.com