A Little Slice of Shoe Heaven

Piperlime.com...my new mecca for shoe selection. Now, I have been a Banana Republic girl for quite some time and I have to say that the addition of a shoe specific site to their family of stores a few years ago (I honestly have no idea when it came into being) was genius. Even more genius is that when you are selecting outfits on BR.com, they so nicely give you the option of finding shoes to match on Piperlime! My husband is cursing those people as we speak....

Anyway, if you are killing some time and feel the urge to do a little shoe shopping from the comfort of your couch, I highly recommend Piperlime as your first stop. Just in case you need some actual convincing to visit, here are a few reasons that Piperlime gets a Shoegirl Gold Star:

1. Free Shipping and Free Returns--now who doesn't love that


2. I heart their search options--not only can I search by the basics of size, color etc, but I can actually break my search into shoe use. My favorite categories are "Comfy and Cute," "At the Office" and "Real Steals." Unlike some of the competitor sites, I never feel overwhelmed with the selection because my search returned 600 pairs of shoes. You may have loved a shoe on page 10, but who can remember when you end on page 43!


3. Rachel Zoe's Picks: Now, I don't know how many of you actually know who she is or watched her reality show (which was a little bit like watching a cranky train wreck) but, she certainly has taste. This category is a great way to get a feel for what you are going to see this season without having to read every issue of Elle. And, yes she does highlight the stunning $500 shoes, but she also has a bunch of shoes in the $100 range as well.


4. Definitely something for everyone: The site has brands of all price ranges and styles. Anyone can shop here--particularly because of Reason #1, FREE RETURNS!

So, while you are waiting for the SuperBowl to start this lovely Sunday afternoon, take a quick peek at what's new for the season on Piperlime.com; you just might fall in love.

Size Really Doesn't Matter

I have a feeling that a lot of my pet peeves and frustrations about both the fashion industry and women's skewed perceptions of themselves will come to light very quickly. So here's issue one:
I will never understand the tunnel vision that overtakes a woman when she sees the size on a piece of clothing. Why on earth do you care if that reads a 6 or a 10? Because honestly, one store's 6 is another store's 10. If you haven't figured it out yet, this sizing convention was most likely created by men and is adjusted based on a stores' clientele. Retailers want women (I should say people, but this tactic is pretty much geared towards women) to buy more--and women buy more when they think they are skinnier and have lost weight. I realize that is screwed up, but it sells product.

No one ever listens to me when I say this, but I am going to try again. Buy clothes that fit--all that matters is that they make you look and feel like a superstar. Fit the widest part of your top or bottom and go from there. It took me a long time to learn that; I have a broad back and big shoulders, so finding tops has never been a walk in the park. But I know that if they pull, gape or if I can't raise my arms, they don't fit. And if they don't fit, I am never going to wear them, let alone make them look good.

Don't limit your potential because of a random even number. As a side note, if you are over 18, the numbers should be even. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 are for juniors.

When I am picking out clothes (and I range from a 6 to a 12 depending on the piece of clothing), I look for a few major indicators to tell me to go a size up:

• Gaping at the chest--If I'm going to be rebuttoning or pulling on a shirt all day when I wear it, it probably isn't going to do me any favors
• Pulling at the hips--whiskers at the crotch and hips are friends to no woman
• Shoulder seams that hit between my neck and my shoulder--I prefer having some sort of mobility in my upper body. Shoulder seams are there for a reason...to sit at your shoulder.

The concept is not new, just hard for women to accept. The outside world doesn't see the number on your label; they just see an amazing fit. So why shouldn't you?

Snip snip

Ok, ladies, listen up. You know when you buy a coat or a skirt that has pleats of some sort, there are those little threads that are lightly tacked in that hold the bottom of the pleat together? Well, there is a reason they are lightly tacked in---because they are meant to be cut out before you wear the garment!


Clearly, this is a pet peeve of mine. You are doing a disservice to the lovely piece of clothing you bought by not letting the pleat open up, and frankly, you kind of look like you have no idea what you are doing when you get dressed. Seriously, you cannot tell me that you thought the coat was supposed to have that bubble effect on your backside when you bought it. So, is this just laziness or do people really have no idea?


This will not solve any of the important issues that the world is facing right now, but please, I beg you, let the pleats go free.

Shoegirl Goes Blog

Well, as my name implies, I may have a slight issue with shoes. Not the kind of issue where I have 400 pairs in my closet (only because I can't afford to), but the kind where I seem to have the need to stop in every shoe store I pass. In most cities, that wouldn't be such a big deal, but in New York...well, the temptations (which I prefer to call opportunities) are endless.

And, if my obsession were limited to shoes that would be one thing, but of course, a killer outfit is not created by shoes alone. I have whole-heartedly embraced my sister obsessions with clothing, jewelry (preferably unique and handmade), and bags. Happily, I have a very patient husband who has yet to sign me up for Shopaholics Anonymous.

So, that leads me to the reason for this blog. I love all things style-oriented. I have watched every What Not To Wear ever made (but no, I am not so obsessed that I participate in the site's blogs or chat rooms). I adore Tim Gunn and think Season 2 of Guide to Style was so much better than Season 1. I don't claim to know a lot about high fashion, but I do understand what makes a body look good and that it doesn't have to cost a fortune. And I truly believe that the way you look makes a profound difference not only in the way you are perceived and approached by others, but more importantly in the way you feel about yourself.

I have no idea what this blog will become, but it was born out of my desire to share my thoughts and observations on subjects near and dear to my heart--style, shopping and of course...shoes.