Tricia Lewis, our Fashion Herald blogger, is out on maternity leave. Following is a post from her co-worker Catherine who is filling is as guest blogger.
It's time for a (dum-dum-dum-dummm) 34th Street Shopping Challenge! I want a pair of black boots to get me through the super cold days this winter, and I had just one hour to find them. Stipulations: low heel or flats, no laces, no bows, no more than $80. Bonus points if they're mid-calf or shorter or if they're under $50. Yes, I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm both picky and cheap.
Store 1: Daffy's
Wow, Lindsey was right. This place is full of boots. The size 7-7.5 section was especially large. I found two pairs that I could have walked away in. I'm a big fan of the ones on the right.
Boots with small side buckle, $45.99 (retail at $89)
Slightly Western-feeling boots, $35.99 (retail at $79)
Store 2: Aerosoles
There's no reason cute boots can't be comfortable, right? I wasn't allowed to take pictures in a few of the stores I visited. I promised I wouldn't try to make imitations, but they just wouldn't budge. They can't keep me from using website pics, though! Bwahaha.
Speartint mini-wedge boots, $49.99 (sale, regularly $69)
Risotto knee-high flats, $79.99 (sale, regularly $120)
Store 3: Aldo
Aldo has dozens of styles of boots in store, but a lot of them have embellishments like extra straps. I did, however, still manage to find a few pairs of "simple" boots. I'm the warm person in our office with a fan on in the winter, so I think my feet would be on fire with the plush lining of the Dodds, but I'm all for the Buttitta.
Dodds plush-lined ankle boots, $49.98 (sale, regularly $75)
Buttitta cuffed boots, $80
Store 4: Shoe Mania
I've never been in Shoe Mania before. I'm a little bit of a crowd-phobe, and I think the "mania" in the name has kept me away in the past. I decided to try it after seeing a 50% off (everything!) sign in the window. Yes, I broke my own rule. The second pair is $125. But look at them. Cute!
Suede flats, $40 (sale, regularly $80)
Tall Diesel boots, $125 (sale, regularly $250)
Update: It is my sad duty to inform you that since I visited Shoe Mania last Tuesday, it has closed. No wonder everything was 50% off; strange they didn't mention the closing. Luckily, there's no shortage of shoe outlets in the area. Try Famous Footwear (250 W. 34th St.), Payless (110 W. 34th St. & 484 8th Ave.), Skechers (140 W. 34th St.) and Steve Madden (41 W. 34th St.), plus JCPenney (Manhattan Mall) and Macy's (34th St. & Broadway).
Store 5: Bakers
Bakers became a must-hit store on my list after Vita reported a few weeks ago that boots are on sale pretty often. I just visited the Bakers website and all online purchases are 15% off today only. You might want to stop by the store to try on first.
Sheldon tall suede flats, $69.99 (sale, regularly $89.95)
Capri two-button flats, $69.99 (sale, regularly $129.95)
I found ten pairs of boots in an hour and I only broke one rule. I'm convinced: you really can find anything on 34th Street. I have to confess that after looking at dozens of pairs, I didn't end up buying anything. I do, however, have a pretty good idea of where I'll be going when I'm ready to spend more time trying them on!
Aerosoles, 36 W. 34th Street
Aldo, 27 W. 34th Street
Bakers, 385 5th Avenue
Daffy's, 1311 Broadway
Shoe Mania, 11 W. 34th Street (closed as of 12/15/09)
Tricia Lewis, our Fashion Herald blogger, is out on maternity leave. Following is a post from her co-worker Lindsey who is kindly filling in as guest blogger.
We New Yorkers spend so much time walking around town, that what we put on our feet is as important as any other sartorial choice. On this particular day, I’m looking for the ubiquitous city boot with a twist. I happened to find several treasures at great prices in Daffy’s.
If you want to mix in some flair add these colorful knit tights and you’ve got a winning combination.
Think I"ll focus on 34th Street shoes for the rest of the week as a paean to my currently swollen, dumpling feet. The good thing about the swelling? My feet have filled out nicely, so now I'm practically vein-free, sans laser or other surgery. Always a silver lining...
Zara (5th & 42nd) windows: over-the-knee leather boots, small-stud boots, over-the-knee suede boots.
I twittered about the great boots in the Zara window on 5th Avenue weeks ago, so I thought I should take a closer look at the boot situation at Zara on 34th Street.
If you want the over-the-knee suede boots for $249 (above right), get to Zara on 34th Street ASAP and see if the ones in the window are your size. That's it. I checked the 5th Avenue & 42nd store also, and ditto: just the window pair and none inside. Those sold out quick. The tall leather boots ($189, above left) are diminishing quickly also, so again, get to Zara soon if you're interested. Looks like over-the-knee is a hit for fall.
But booties are a must, too, and Zara on 34th Street has plenty of the above. These three caught my eye ($79.90, $89.90, & $109), and there are lots more studded and sky-high styles. I prefer the simplicity of the suede boot with the commando soles, and am really drawn to the middle ankle boot with the straps. But then I'm kind of tired of the studded, 6-inch heel look. Or perhaps it's my dumpling feet that aren't allowing me to even consider them. Shoot, now I've got to pick up some dumplings on the way home.
Zara, 39 W. 34th between 5th & 6th Avenues
These walked into my office yesterday to brag:
Black buckle boots from Daffy's Herald Square for $40. And check out the whole ensemble:
Lindsey in her vintage 80's Valentino dress with her Daffy's boots. I love how she matched up the boots with this very feminine, 80's dress. Lindsey, too, works outside a lot, and these boots are, in her words, perfect to run around the city in. Exactly. Thanks for doing my work for me guys! I have such great co-workers. Just don't ask me to paint any trash cans or nothing in return, kay?
Daffy's Herald Square, 1311 Broadway @ 34th Street
Here I sat at my desk, all wondering "What to blog?" when I looked over and saw this:
Martin, aka officemate, in his Nike Airmax boots. Colorful and waterproof, really good for Martin as he works outside. Bought last year at Shoe Mania on 34th Street but you can still find similarly colorful ones there now, and everything is 50% off (restrictions apply, etc.). I also saw a black pair at Foot Locker on 34th Street if color is not your thing.
What I really love about these is they are men's outdoor boots that don't look like hiking boots and aren't super dull. They don't even really look like boots.
Yeah, my officemate and his boots are #1.
Shoe Mania, 11 W. 34th between 5th & 6th
Foot Locker, 120 W. 34th between Broadway & 7th
I've been trying like hell to ignore the call of the sale boot, seemingly hundreds of them on 34th Street all trying to lure me into pre-spring spending debt. So how could it be that the little corner shoe department, hidden on the lower level of Strawberry in Manhattan Mall, sucked me in and spit me out with two new pairs of boots (almost three)? Incomprehensible. All I can say is visit and see for yourself. I can't believe there's anything left in size 9 but it's true: the elusive sale sizes are there. How much on sale? 50% off the lowest marked price on selected items, which seems to be most of the boots in stock.
Those flat greys are Steve Madden, $35 down from $109.99. And the Blowfish snow boot, an ugg-comfortable boot I'll wear, is just $20. Also seen at the sale: Jeffrey Campbell black riding boots for less than $50, and not on sale, cute Jeffrey Campbell bi-color pumps (under $70). Yes, these are all probably last season but they don't look it.
Tomorrow we'll continue with more Strawberry, as I almost threw out my shoulder thanks to the enormous armful of clothes I dragged into the dressing room (upon exiting said room one is where? On the perimeter of the boot sale. Resistance is futile.)
Strawberry, Manhattan Mall, level 1 & C1, 33rd & 6th Ave
The search goes on…
H&M is the destination for fashionistas trawling on the cheap. Full of stylish hits and the curious trend (see pic on left, love this orange wool thing and yet don't really know what it is), H&M never bores. Some swear by the jeans, 
none of which can be found on the first floor. But there is a pretty dark green suede makeup bag ($6.90), a beautiful white-fringed scarf ($9-ish), sweater coats for around $60, and a sales rack with brightly printed tops and long striped tanks, perfect for 90 degree October days.
The second floor yields some jeans, but not quite what we’re looking for. There are some wide legs, but the zipper features are too much ‘80’s hardware for the office. The Dior-like black satin ankle boots should be snatched up for $34.90 (unless you’re a size 9, which is sadly sold out), 
and the sales rack has lots of bright geometric prints that harken spring 2008. 
With this weather, you could be wearing these for turkey dinner instead of packing them away for next season. Also, there are loads of basic T’s for $7.90 and up. Make them interesting with this cropped, bunny-print cardigan that looks early Gwen Stefani.
Disappointing jeans-wise, but H&M always has something you need. Like the big ’70’s hat that walked right off Michael Kors’ runway. For $9.90 it’s modern retro, especially with a sweater coat, bright tights/leggings, and those “Dior” boots. Yes, leggings, very last season but they’re still practical and they’re still out on the street.
H&M Herald Square, 1328 Broadway @ 34th St, 646-473-1165
New York autumn is a big tease. Gorgeous winter coats, endless bulky knits and sleek cashmeres are everywhere and it’s enough to drive a girl crazy. Why? Because it’s 84 degrees and sunny. But those lovelies tempting you from the windows of your favorite shops as you bake in the sunshine are all harbingers of my favorite time of year: boot replenishing season. And after seeing the Abaete for Payless ad in W, I immediately headed for 34th Street to stock up on the “Linda,” a black patent charmer with Lucite heels. These boots are irresistible; trust me, I’m the girl who swore off Lucite in the 90’s.
Get there soon as everyone deserves a fair shot at the “Linda.” She’s a sure thing with the young beautifuls as this low-heeled, mid-calf boot is modern with a dash of “mod squad.” I've already worn her twice and received one compliment plus several admiring glances. And check out cool Linda's saucy riding boot companion, “Cabri,” the bold owner of an ingenious zipper feature described on the Payless website as the “distinctive zip-off upper shaft” (!). Go, copywriter, go. 
But don't leave without trying on the Lela Rose collaboration with Payless for fall. If Abaete skews hip, the Lela Roses are all girl. Perfect footwear for your cinched-in waists and wide-leg pants of fall are her 
charming flats and wool-twill heels. What did I buy? Well, after brief hesitation (I've learned a lot since the Abaete fall 2006 "black bootie incident", during which foolish me passed up a cool little boot that haunts me to this day) I became the proud owner of an Edwardian ankle boot with decorative side buttons.
And quality control? No worries. If the Lela Rose’s are as well-made as the Abaete's, I'll get a lot of wear from them with low break-in time. I've bought from the past two Abaete collections and have logged many city miles with little to no discomfort. Brilliant for the price range ($25 - $70 this year).
Payless, 110 West 34th Street, between 6th and 7th, 212-947-0306
Turnmill boot by Lela Rose: $40
Addle Hill flat by Lela Rose: $25 (I'd buy it for the name alone)
Linda by Abaete: was $48, now $43.99
Cabri by Abaete: was $70, now $57.99
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