Tiptoe in the Tulip...Shoes

Graceful, glamorous shoes are harder to come by than one might imagine. Severe stilettos, pointed toes, and countless buckles make modern women's shoes look tough... like they might shake down my vintage shoes for their lunch money if I closed the closet door and left them all in the dark together.
That said, this week is discovered Marcello Toshi footwear on sale at Bad Joan. And I realized just how graceful shoes can be, and why there are so many parallels between fashion and architecture. My favorites are all flower-themed, but designer Kerry Clarkson Valdivia does fabulous other looks as well. It's been a while since I've browsed a whole shoe collection and not been able to pick a favorite because I just loved them all.


Neutral-colored shoes are coming back in style now, and are great to wear with a dress--they make your legs look like they go on for miles. This pair has the soft rounded toe in the front, but then a cascading drop of crocheted roses down the heel adds something (besides the obvious) to grab a little attention as you walk away.
Wearing this shoe is like standing in the center of a blooming flower, or maybe even a seashell, a la The Birth of Venus (personally, I recommend wearing a little more clothing). Plus, the neutral color makes it a unique shoe that actually works with everything in your closet, unlike those "unique" neon yellow wedges I bought two years ago that only kinda go with one or two outfits.


Kitten heel, rounded toe, rounded petal details, neutral color... this has 50's glam written all over it. And maybe "Lucy Ricardo" written on the bottom (anyone else remember that episode?). Of course, 50's glam means they're still suitable for cleaning the house in.

Of course, a lot of the 50's housewives were former Rosie the Riveters, so maybe us modern girls would be better off holding onto our own lunch monies when the lights go out.