Much to my dismay, DOC MARTENS are back.

Yes, I’m serious. Everyone from the editors at Marie Claire to the designers showing their wears at NYFW are toting Docs as the biggest fashion “Do” this season.

I don’t know if I’m alone here, but the only time I’ve ever briefly considered these to be cool (after CDs were invented, at least) was when I saw Sienna Miller rock them in Nylon Magazine.  But come on; she’s also wearing a tutu and trying to lick her foot. She’s obvi the only (and I do mean ONLY) person who can pull that off.

Why would this pedophile-in-a-trenchcoat footwear make a comeback ever again in 2010? Why do things like this even MAKE comebacks? Is there a fashion-comeback god that just decides to bring certain (bad) trends back? Wasn’t there a reason they, like shoulder pads, went out of style in the first place?

Not only are Doc Martens back, but they’re back with a bang. As in, team-up-with-a-hot-designer bang.  That’s right, Jean Paul Gaultier has designed his own line of the boots (whyyyyy!?!?!?!). And for a wild night on the town, don’t forget to pick up some shiny, metallic, star-printed, or patent leather boots.  Or mary-janes. Or heeled boots? I mean really, would anyone spend $130.00 on a pair of eyesores like that?

I realize that Uggs, gladiator heels and Sperry’s have been around for a while and it’s definitely time for a new trend in footwear. But I’d rather wear my torn up and stinky Uggs than tuck my skinnies into a pair of these.

Only problem? I’m not sure I can pull them off. Dear gods of fashion, help me – I’m torn!

Love it:
I’m super short, so the idea of little boots with big heels makes me really happy. There are so many cute and reasonably priced options out there, I’m surprised I still don’t own a pair. I don’t know about you, but those over-the-knee boots that are so popular this fall sort of terrify me. How the heck can a short girl pull them off? And won’t “over the knee” on most people just mean “up to my crotch” on me!? That’s why I’m thinking ankle boots for fall.  Sliding into a pair can immediately update an otherwise drab outfit. They look great with tucked in skinnies, or even with a dress. They immediately make you look more stylish, even if the rest of your outfit is less than exciting. Plus, you can wear them in slightly warmer weather, which is more than I can say about Uggs.

Loathe it:
For some reason, when I think ankle boots, I immediately think of Barbie. Or runway models. Though I like the idea of ankle boots, I think they may be just too trendy for me to pull off. Also, when I’m in the market for a new pair of shoes, I like them to be both stylish and practical. Though these boots satisfy the first requirement, I don’t see them surviving my heavy partying schedule. Or real life, for that matter; those babies will not be able to survive a Boston winter.

So, what do you ladies think? Do you own a pair? Should I grab one for myself?
Help!

I live in my Rainbows. Period. No matter if it’s spring or fall, cloudy or sunny, hot or cold. No matter if I’m heading to a class, rocking out at a concert, or lounging by the pool. My Rainbows are constantly my go-to shoe, but sometimes – I admit – they’re just not a very good shoe choice.

So, my dear Rainbows, I’m totally torn…

Love Em:

There’s many reasons why 99% of the time you see me (and the majority of the other girls on campus), I’m in my Rainbows. They’re arguably the most comfortable shoes ever made, thanks to the leather construction and cushioned sole that molds to your feet (you can even see the layers of leathery softness!). And if you want more comfort, you can even buy ‘em double-layered! Can you say “heaven”?

Rainbows come in a ton of varieties. You can choose your color (white, brown, or black), material (leather or cloth), and straps (thin or thick). Not that it matters; whatever you choose, Rainbows always match your outfit and make you look 100% Cali-cute!

Even better, the people behind the flip flops are so sure of them that they even include a lifetime warranty for the odd chance that the straps break or the stitching comes undone. And seeing how often I wear them, that little guarantee makes them pretty perfect.

Loathe em:

Once you break them in, Rainbows are super comfy. Until you break them in, though, these flippies cause some serious pain and oozy blisters. Especially right between your big toe and the little guy next door. So. much. pain.

The price tag for these casual flip-flops is also a problem: $50!? For flip flops?! Flip flops that cause your feet to ooze and bleed? Yes, they are good quality sandals, but it’s not like sandals offer any quality support for your feet! An article in Newsweek cites research that shows flip-flops actually alter the way you walk, resulting in shorter steps and more stress on your joints that can cause even more pain (aside from your blisters).

And although you’ll want to wear them everywhere (after you break them in…and break your wallet buying them), you really shouldn’t wear them when it’s raining, snowing, hailing, or your playing beer pong/flip cup; once they get wet, your feet turn brown. And stay brown until you literally scrub them raw. And definitely not good for super long walks or hikes. Although, I may be the only one who ever tried that one…

So Rainbows, I’m torn. What do you think about these flippy-floppies?

Pop quiz! Who makes the ugliest shoes on Earth?Ask anyone this question and they’ll give you one of two answers. Uggs. Or Crocs.

Now, I will happily argue to my death that Uggs are not that ugly and I will continue to wear them despite what anyone says. But Crocs? Disgusting rubber, brightly colored Crocs? I wouldn’t even be caught dead in them. After all, when I think of the average Crocs-wearer, I think of grubby little kids wearing orange shirts with bright yellow Crocs (always clashing) with those stupid little charms stuck in the holes. Or their plain un-stylish parents.

Do I fall into one of those categories? I think not.

So imagine my surprise when I was browsing the shoe store the other day and saw a super cute pair of boots that were made by Crocs! “No,” I thought to myself. “It couldn’t be. Crocs makes ugly rubber sandals. Crocs don’t make fashionable, totally cute boots for women!”

Um, turns out they do. Crocs actually make several pairs of boots that aren’t just kinda cute, but are so adorable they’re the first thing my eye landed on when I entered the store. I wanted every last pair, but could I really buy Crocs? I mean, they are cute, but they’re still Crocs. Paris Hilton dressed in a nun outfit is still Paris Hilton!

And what if someone were to see me in them?

On the other hand, they are a hot pair of boots. And why do many people wear Crocs in the first place? Certainly not for their cuteness; it’s for their comfort. Allegedly, Crocs are so comfortable, millions of people overlook their hideousness and wear them on a daily basis. (Note: I wouldn’t know; I’ve never come close to even trying on a pair.) If Crocs make ugly comfortable shoes, maybe they also make cute comfortable shoes. And I sure could use a pair of boots that are both fashionable and comfortable.

Maybe it’s time for me to hop on the Crocs train. Looks like all Crocs are not created equal.

Any fashionista knows that these sleek and highly sought-after designs by CFDA award winning duo Kari Sigerson and Miranda Morrison run in the $400-$1000 range, but now you can own your own pair (or two or three) of Sigerson Morrison shoes for just $30-40.

HALLELUJAH!!!

The collection features an array of shoes that not only highlight some of the latest trends – like studded and textured booties, metallic, jeweled flats and pumps, and delicious suede – but the designers wanted to put some oomph in their designs with “lots of glamour and glitz!” says Morrison.

While these designs are perfect for a chic night out on the town, they can also add a little shock value to an every day ensemble. As Sigerson says, “A little studding goes a long way! By day it’s best to mix jeans and a white T-shirt with dazzling shoes.” These designs are in stores and on Target.com already and will only be around until December 26th, so get ‘em as quick as you can!

Even if you are trolling through a college town filled with kids who fully support and expect it, walking home with last night’s hair, makeup and footwear is never your proudest moment (though mastering the Wheelbarrow drunk the night before came pretty close).

Unfortunately, for many college coeds, the Walk of Shame is inevitable, especially when you combine Dollar Pitcher night at the local bar and a whole lot of good looking boys. But just because you are walking home from some dude’s house early in the morning doesn’t mean you have to look that way.

I am a strong believer in preparing for everything, and the Walk of Shame is no exception. Pack a few things before you go and no one will have any idea where you were last night.

First things first, avoid that “going out bag” and opt for something bigger. You probably already have one, but in case you want an excuse to buy something new, I love this new Tycoon Dome Satchel from Juicy. Cute enough for a night on the town, but big enough to pack all of the essentials.

Makeup Remover: The biggest giveaway on a Walk-of-Shamer besides traipsing through campus at 8am is the black eyeliner smudged under her bloodshot eyes. Get rid of that shiz. Toss a travel size bottle of makeup remover (or those handy little pads) into your bag before you go.

Pressed Powder: The morning after a heavy night of drinking leaves your face feeling and looking…less than fresh. And let’s be honest: you don’t want anyone (including that boy) seeing those stress related zits that popped up all over your chin.

Mascara: Bring it along to finish off the “I’m up early to go to the library!” look. This combined with the powder and removal of last night’s makeup will leave you lookin’ so fresh and so clean, clean.

Headband: Even if you didn’t get much sleep last night (you dawg), your hair is gonna be lookin’ a little ruffled in the AM. If you have a pony tail holder with you, use that. If your hair is short, though, throwing on a headband will pull it off your face and give off more of a “I am far too busy/lazy to wash it” look than the obvious “I totally just had morning sex and he didn’t drive me home” style.

Breath Strips: Easier to transport than a toothbrush (and don’t require you to get out of bed to freshen that morning breath!) these little guys are a must-have. You never know who you are going to run into on the street and cigarette/stale beer breath is a huge Walk of Shame red flag.

A Fresh Pair of Undies: You may have just spent the evening doin’ the dirty, dirty, but that doesn’t mean you have to be dirty. Bring along a fresh pair. Also good if things get a little wild and your underwear ends up on the top of a dresser, in the woods or…where the hell did those things go!?

If the weather is warm, tossing in a pair of flip flops and a casual t-shirt is a good idea. Seeing a girl walk arond in a tube top and heels is obviously a clear giveaway of what she was doin’ the night before. (If it is cold out, a simple jacket can cover up the evidence.) You can also take advantage of the more casual looks that are big right now and just opt for a deep-V t-shirt (the American Apparel ones are the bomb diggity) and a pair of skinny jeans for your going-out ensemble.

[Walk of Shame photo courtesy of Owen Yeo on Flickr.]

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2008/09/09/prepare-for-the-walk-of-shame/feed/ 12 Lauren - University of Michigan wos.jpg juicy-bag.jpg makeup-remover.jpg powder.jpg mascara.jpg headband.jpg listerine_pshot.jpg undies.jpg havianas2.jpg tshirt.jpg http://collegecandy.com/2008/09/08/booties-love-em-or-hate-em/ http://collegecandy.com/2008/09/08/booties-love-em-or-hate-em/#comments Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:22:44 +0000 Lauren - University of Michigan http://www.collegecandy.com/style/11939

We all love gettin’ a little booty, and the movers and shakers of the fashion world are taking that to heart. The Bootie is everywhere. It is more than a shoe, but less than a boot. You’ve seen it paired with everything from skinny jeans to skirts. It is all the rage on the Fashion Week runways right now.

But what do you think? Can everyone pull these off? Can you?

Booties: Love em or Hate em?

…

We all love gettin’ a little booty, and the movers and shakers of the fashion world are taking that to heart. The Bootie is everywhere. It is more than a shoe, but less than a boot. You’ve seen it paired with everything from skinny jeans to skirts. It is all the rage on the Fashion Week runways right now.

But what do you think? Can everyone pull these off? Can you?

Booties: Love em or Hate em?

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