On a more positive note, Kurt Geiger at Bicester Village are doing some amazing sales! Picked up a couple of items today, at an unbelievable price, been looking for a pair of Charlotte Olympia Kitties for ages and finally found my favourite ones there. Also couldn’t resist the Stuart Weitzmans either they were from AW15/16, not shoes I needed but still it was too good to refuse.
Abstract Kitties by Charlotte Olympia (left) and Stuart Weitzman sandals (right) both from Kurt Geiger Bicester Village
The Real Deal
From a Distance
Before even looking into more detail, luxury shoes and bags have a certain presence to it. Shoes have a certain elegance and sleekness to them, bags tend to have good structure even after years of service. Leathers and fabrics will have a depth to their colour.


The Riviera Bag (left) was Made in England during the 1960s, 50 years down the line it’s structurally solid, zips and clasps all still work. Here pictured with Paris 105 by Yves Saint Laurent. The unbranded Snakeskin piece (right hand image) is likely to have been made in Germany in the 60s or 70s, and likewise still in exceptionally good condition.
Hope you get the point

We have six shoes for you today, from high street to luxe by YSL, Rupert Sanderson, Dune, Charlotte Olympia and Chinese Laundry, can you tell which is which? Hint: followers of my blog will have seen all of these shoes featured here and there
My Rescue Kit
Have you ever had a pair of shoes that were just too perfect? Comfortable, sexy, pretty and a perfect way to finish your outfit. For years these were my absolute favourite shoes, however too much love does tend to result in the shoes living a hard life. The trimming and piping has frayed, and even the upper has started to separate from the platform, of the black fabric does show dirt quite easily.

My faithful Multicolour Peep Toes from Head Over Heels by Dune. After three years of wear, the black is now grey, and bits are fraying.
Making Shoe Clips

Red and white, perfect for the warmer weather. The luscious red lips can be clipped to any shoe, or even used as a brooch
A Little Love from Charlotte Olympia
All animals are equal, but some are more equal
We are often told leather shoes are good because they are made of a natural, hard wearing and water resistant material. Traders in the UK are legally required to label the composition of footwear. However in an effort to simplify things for the consumer the system is both unclear and open to exploitation.

If a section of the shoe is made of more than one material, they both have to be labelled, but unlike clothing which clearly defines the composition by percentage, shoes don’t. Potentially a plastic shoe could have a leather trim and still be labelled as being synthetic and leather, without you necessarily knowing which is which.
Bargains in Sale Season
Merry Christmas to all!!!!
You might see a pair of shoes in a magazine and think to yourself that you could never afford them. Totally untrue, there a loads of bargains if you shop smart and make the most of this time of year.