ShopDiary

Topshop Does Balenciaga

OK, but when are they releasing their version of those black and white knee high gladiator boots? They need to step up their game, you know.

Splurge vs. Steal: Flower Thong Sandals

We all know that florals are one of spring’s biggest trends. Chanel’s camellia clipped black thong sandals are a subtle way to wear the trend. They’re new for spring, gorgeous and … sold out in most stores. You’ve got to admire (and envy!) the savvy gals who already got theirs. Or you can try your luck on eBay and get it for more than the retail price of $345.

J. Crew’s Posy Capri Sandals look similar and are almost a third less than Chanel’s. The posies are actually white enameled circles sewn together to look a flower. They’re available in select stores now or online for pre-order at jcrew.com for $118.

Tory Burch’s Patent Breely Thong captures the look but with same color floral appliqués and thong straps. I’m sure Tory Burch diehards will love it and won’t mind the $175 price tag.

Twelve by Twelve Does 3.1 Phillip Lim

I loved 3.1 Phillip Lim’s Jester Trapeze Dress for Fall 2007. Sadly, all I could do was drool over it as $836 was way out of my reach and even the sale price of $418 was still too much.

When I saw this ruffled collar polka dot shift dress from Twelve by Twelve today, it wasn’t hard to tell where the inspiration came from. As you probably know, Twelve by Twelve is the higher priced line from knock off fast fashion chain Forever 21.

Their dress however does nothing for me. If they were to copy something, they could have gotten it right, no? I would have preferred the sheer tulle overlay over silk. And as Fashionista pointed out, they should be knocking off things faster. Because at this point in time, trapeze dresses are sooo last season.

Hahaha. I’m just sayin.

Tory Burch Lizzie Jacket

If you still haven’t gotten over the school blazer trend from last fall and was not lucky enough to pick up a Balenciaga jacket at the Barneys New York Warehouse Sale (now on its last few days in New York!), then perhaps now is the time to spring for the Lizzie Jacket from Tory Burch. It comes in plain navy and a white rope print, both with white contrast trim. The jacket costs a hundred dollars more than J. Crew’s Lexington jacket (the navy is sold out, but it still comes in ivory) at $375 but it’s the closest lower priced alternative to the Balenciaga jacket down to its double breast collar, contrast trim and angled closure. And with the weather warming up, the light cotton canvas will be perfect for spring!

p.s. Gossip Girl returns in April!

Forever 21’s Version of Louboutin Lapono Shoe Boots

Christian Louboutin Lapono Shoe Boots

I stumbled upon the Forever 21 store that just opened at Hollywood and Highland yesterday. Everything was shiny and new, including black patent heels that closely resembled Christian Louboutin’s Lapono Shoe Boots. While Laponos sell for $775, Forever 21’s version are only less than $30.

Forever 21 Photo © ShopDiary

Forever 21 © ShopDiary

Splurge vs. Steal: Gladiator Wedge Sandals (Balenciaga vs. Nine West)

Last summer, celebs like Christy Turlington, Courteney Cox and Mary Kate Olsen trotted on and off the red carpet in their Balenciaga gladiator wedge sandals. Those quickly sold out and are impossible to find. But of course Nine West adapted the design at a much lesser price and even those are not available in stores anymore. Thankfully, Zappos still has them fully stocked in several colors and sizes.

I personally shied away from last summer’s super flat gladiator sandals but the added lift of the wedge makes legs more flattering so I am considering getting a pair of these in the colors pictured below. They also come in silver, bronze, and gold reptile and are $92.95 at Zappos.com.

Nine West Heech in Black Leather

Nine West Heech in Light Brown Leather

Nine West Heech in Taupe Leather

Photo Sources 1, 2 and 3

Splurge vs. Steal: Black and White Woven Gladiator Sandals

Sigerson Morrison. Photo from Style.com

If you fancy Balenciaga’s black and white woven gladiator boot but are a wee bit unsure about committing to a pair and the likely sky high price tag, then perhaps these sandals by Sigerson Morrison will do. They’re a tad understated and wearable while retaining the black and white weave details similar to the high end designer label. However, $495 is not really a steal when compared to Balenciaga’s $700 price tag so it depends on your preference. Proceed with caution though and buy only if you really, really love. Then be prepared to wear them with bright florals. Otherwise, don’t.

Balenciaga Spring Summer 2008. Photo from Style.com

Sigerson Morrison. Photo scanned by ShopDiary from U.S. Vogue February 2008

Paris Hilton Knocks Off Louboutin and Gaetano Perrone for Té Casan

I haven’t really paid much attention to the news that Paris Hilton will be debuting a shoe line in February. After all, the socialite and prolific businesswoman already has her name attached to fragrance, clubs, jeans and what-have-you. So shoes are probably a natural progression for her ever expanding empire.

But when Kat of Style Scoop posted a few styles from Paris’ shoe line today, two of the three shoes pictured caught my attention. They are almost identical replicas of designer shoes. One is the limited edition Diana by Gaetano Perrone for Té Casan that quickly sold out last fall. Paris was even pictured in a pair of those gorgeous satin heels herself (someone dig up this photo, please!). Her shoe line calls the satin-wrapped platform pumps style “Vogue” and are $94 at Kitson. Another style are red ribbon espadrilles from two years ago that author Julie K. Dam raved about in her blog. Here’s a pic of Julie in her Louboutins. They were originally $400 and went on clearance for a little over $100.

Anyhow, it looks like Paris is following in Jessica Simpson’s footsteps in more ways than just launching a line of footwear.

Splurge vs. Steal: Quilted Wallets

Marc Jacobs’ quilted wallets are relatively affordable at $28 each. They come from the designer’s “Special Items” section, which are actually the rumored third tier line, and are sold at Marc by Marc Jacobs stores. Although they are pictured here in a pearlized finish, they also come in metallic and patent versions which are very much like what you’ll find at fast fashion chain Forever 21 for only $6.80. I haven’t seen Forever 21’s version in person but as Marc’s wallets are made in China, I’m sure there isn’t that much of a difference, save for the price and label.

As for Marc Jacobs’ third tier line, business partner Robert Duffy says “it is happening right now” as quoted from Fortune Magazine:

An example of Duffy’s don’t-bother-asking-so-they-don’t-get-a-chance- to-say-no approach is the way that he and Jacobs are toying with producing a third, even lower-priced line to compete with the Gaps and H&M’s of the world. Jacobs and Duffy are excited by the idea, but LVMH isn’t interested because it’s a luxury-goods company. When asked about a third line, Stalla-Bourdillon is dismissive: “Maybe it’s better not to think about that subject.”

Eventually, he says, LVMH will hear about the third line enough times that it will want to explore creating a new set of stores. “Then I’ll say, ‘All right, explore it.’ And then I’ll show them that it’s already here.”

Splurge vs. Steal: Erickson Beamon Necklaces

In last night’s episode of Gossip Girl, Blair Waldorf got one of the things she wished for her seventeenth birthday: the Erickson Beamon diamond necklace that she put on hold earlier. As they say, diamonds are a girl’s best friend and Blair was not one to resist the lure of sparkly jewels. I’m not going to say more than that in case you didn’t watch the show yet. But how many 17 year olds get diamond necklaces for their birthday? I know, I didn’t. Ah, such is the life of Manhattan’s young and wealthy Upper East Siders! Don’t get envious though because you can have an Erickson Beamon necklace without breaking the bank. More »