ACCESSORIES

You may shake your head ‘no’ automatically at the idea of a duffle bag, but that’s before you see what Valentino does with one. Voila! Here’s the ultra-shiny Side-Bow Duffle Bag by Valentino ($1,495.00) at Bergdorfs. The sturdy top handle and black color make it refined, while the large bow and shine make it fun to carry. All eyes should be on you, yes?

Yes please! The BCBGMAXAZARIA Women’s Leather Bow Clutch comes in two color combinations (well, one is just black/black – but that’s a technicality!). I’m loving the pewter version ($248.00) available at bloomingdales. It may be small, but there’s a big impact.

The Christian Louboutin Patent Bow Clutch ($910.00) at Bergdorf Goodman is available in nude and hot pink, as well.

Do you have to buy something for a little sister, younger cousin, or any other means of young girl? When I was little I would have loved the deliciously pink and poufy Juicy Couture Bow Rhinestone Mini Fluffy Bag ($125.00) from bloomingdales.

Much love,

Sofia

Stop shirking away from statement jewelry and go buy something extravagant and magnificently huge. The criteria is, the piece has to WOW people. It has to be so bold that it can carry your entire ensemble if you want it to.

Something interesting about statement necklaces is that there seem to be some that are made like bibs, and I don’t like those. Instead, I like the large necklace pieces that offer a conglomeration of jewels put together almost haphazardly. This is why I love the Burberry Faceted Necklace ($1,995.00) from Neiman Marcus. The color scheme keeps it from looking too ‘thrown-together-by-mistake’.

Love at first sight! I love the Pearl Dangle Necklace by Ten Thousand Things ($1,675.00) at Barneys New York. I think you could wear this with everything, you just need the confidence to be THAT glamorous.

Below are six pieces I think qualify as excellent statement jewelry pieces. Click on the image to get the details on each.

Much love,

Sofia

New York women will never give up their love for iconic black, no matter the season or year. Statement shoes? Huge right now. Why not try one in black? The best news is that because you’re working in black, you can get away with larger sculptural features that won’t overwhelm the look of the shoe. Just like a little pair of black lace panties, these all have an understated (but undeniable) sexy vibe.

I have suggestions for different price ranges. The end of summer never seems like reason enough to stop getting pedicures with pretty polish colors, so show off yours in a peep toe heel.

Embellished heels draw attention to your legs, and are so fun. But don’t worry – I don’t plan to ever recommend a pair of reverse heels. I don’t know how people walk in them, and I don’t think they’re all that pleasing to look at. No lie, I seriously saw a tutorial on how to walk in them on YouTube. Shoes aren’t supposed to need manual’s!

NEW! Alfani “Jillian” Evening Pump ($69.00) at Macy’s

Prada Scalloped Peep Toe – Black ($890.00) at Barney’s New York

Prada Ruffle Peep Toe ($650.00) at Barney’s New York

GUESS by Marciano ‘Nisadora’ Slingback ($109.95) at Nordstrom

Much love,

Sofia

Some of even the most fashion-forward women may not want to partake in the major footwear movement towards oxford-style booties, or shoe booties at all (although how you get through winter without boots is beyond my personal comprehension). But for the sake of the traditional femme, I’ve found some options for you to to enjoy. Colored suede on a shoe gives you some rich drama without making you try to figure out what to wear with an oxford bootie.

The ruby red Magic Pump by Franco Sarto ($99.00) at Macy’s is ridiculously reasonably priced. Note the detailing on the heel. Moving onto the Suede Boots (yes, I included a boot option, but it’s not ‘very booty’!) by Chloe ($585.00) at Saks Fifth Avenue look basic enough to wear with most of my wardrobe, and yet they’re interesting enough to wear as a statement shoe with the flap element.

Then there are two options with buckle straps that I grow increasingly fond of with every look. The Miss Sixy Christine Mary Jane Pump ($129.95) from Nordstrom is a hybrid of young and mature tastes all in one. My favorite shoe here is this last one. It’s royal purple, which is the gotta-have-it-now color for fall ’08 in terms of trends and allover beautification. Michael Kors has gifted us with the Hannah open toe Mary Jane Pump ($109.00) found at Macy’s. Oh, they are divine.

Much love,

Sofia