September 23rd, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

It’s a tough dilemma: you have to be on your feet all day, working or walking around.  And it’s not even that you want to be comfortable, it’s that you need a comfortable shoe or you absolutely will not survive the day.  This is when you wear sneakers.  Coming to this decision is not easy because you want to look cute and you feel like the sneakers will make you look like an American tourist in Europe or like you’re about to compete in the Iron Man.  Cute sneakers do exist though, sneakers that will match your cutest looks.  The trick is knowing what kind of sneakers to wear and what to pair them with.  If you can do this, you’ll look current and cool and people won’t even know you chose those sneaks to be comfortable.

Here are some suggestions.

September 22nd, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

The long awaited HBO series Boardwalk Empire premiered on Sunday night.  I’m excited about the show, which includes Omar from The Wire and Al Capone as a baby gangster, but what I’m really excited about are the clothes.  The roaring 20′s are in full swing in this period series and the outfits are absolutely stunning.  Additionally, the lipstick is always very red, so expect that to be even more of thing than it already is, i.e. get march right down to the Five and Dime (fine, CVS) and get yourself three shades of Revlon Color Stay.

So, want to drink bathtub gin, attend a Vaudeville variety show , and dress like the ladies in Atlantic City in it’s heyday (nylon stockings!)? I can help you with one of those.

September 21st, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

School has started up again, and suddenly it’s back to all-nighters in the library, extra long dorm room mattresses, and dining hall diets.  Inevitably, you’ve got people asking you, “So, what’s your major?”  The picking of the major can be stressful before you realize it means a whole lot less than you think it will (I have a theatre major friend who now works for Goldman Sachs.) But once you get over the struggle of picking the major you’re free and clear.  All you have left to do at that point is find the shoes that match the major…oh, and study.

Don’t worry.  I have suggestions on the shoes.

Political Science–You’ll probably go to Law School.  You’d better get a head start on the professional footwear.

English–The most traditional of academic majors, sport the old school collegiate look, tweed, plaid, trousers, and a vintage leather messenger bag. (I’m jealous.)

Visual Arts–Anything goes in the studio, just make sure it will look cool splattered with paint, or clay, or whatever weird and innovative medium you’ve decided to work with.

Archeology–Go for utilitarian-chic.  It’s in style right now and you might as well make use of your field clothes.  That vest with all the pockets has never been cooler. Pair it with a fur collar and you’re golden.

Psychology–You’re probably saving your money for grad school. It’s always important to look stylish, but you have to do it on a budget.  Staples are of the utmost importance to you. With an LBD, a black blazer, and a great pair of skinny jeans, you’ll be set.

Communications–Your look should be very sharp and cool, while keeping it functional.  Your internships at radio stations, television networks and internet start-ups will probably have you running around a lot.  Skinny black pants, flats, and blazers are a great uniform for you.

Art History–Wear anything that will look good with the huge rock you’re about to show off, so…just look cute. We all know you’re here to find an Econ major and get your MRS. (Just kidding!) (Sort of.)

No matter your major, you can find the shoes at Barefoot Tess!

September 17th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Once in a while a shoe style comes along and you’re like, “I want to wear them, but how?”  The first time you wear them, you have to plan your whole outfit around them, but eventually you’re wearing them all the time with everything and they just work.  This was oxfords for me.  Now I’ve got the hang of them, and I’m trying to figure out other things, like how I can go to school, do my laundry, see my friends, and still have time to watch Pretty Little Liars.

TMI?  Just check out the oxfords.

September 16th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Check it out, the 80%20 ‘Chaia’ are a Lucky editor’s pick!

Multiple times a year the girls at Barefoot Tess head off to New York or L.A. or Las Vegas on a very serious quest for amazing shoes.  We talk to countless designers. We take into consideration the fact that we’re only stocking extended sizes, we think about what our customers will want a few months from now, and we do a lot of talking about what’s hot.  We only stock stuff that we would want in our own closets and so we’re really excited when the industries most influential fashion editors think the same way.

We already knew that these hidden-wedge booties were a must-have staple, but it’s nice to have a little encouragement from the ladies at the top.  Thanks, ladies!

Get your 80%20 ‘Chias’ at Barefoot Tess.

September 15th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Usually when you think of a professional painter, you think of someone sitting in front of a canvas or standing over a big mural, but not Amanda.  She’s definitely a professional painter, but her medium is better than the average painter’s–it’s sneakers!  The Parson’s graduate painted her first pair of sneaks as a gift for her boyfriend and she found her calling.  Amanda’s work has been featured in galleries across the country.  It’s unique.  It’s her passion. It’s awesome.

As Amanda told the NY Times, “People have approached me about manufacturing deals, but I’ve had to explain that you could never really reproduce what I do, because at the end of the day it would cost too much,” she said. “I would have to make more basic pieces, which isn’t really who I am. I’m really passionate about the art side of it.”  She does make customized sneakers for individual customers though, which retail at a couple thousand a pair. (If only I could afford it!)  She hopes eventually to get into boots and heels. (If she gets into boots, I might just spend my rent money on them.)

If like me, you can’t spare the cash, try these from Barefoot Tess:

September 11th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

Tall girls rejoice: this season is exploding with trends that will really flatter the tall girls and leave your height-challenged counterparts in the dust.  Following is a list of this season’s hottest trends that are much better suited for someone with long legs. Don’t be surprised when you see your short friends with long faces.

1. Over-the-Knee Socks: You’ll be able to pull them all the way up and still show some nice skin between your skirt and your legs.  This look has a very wide spectrum that ranges from sexy to adorable.  It all depends on what you’re wearing with yours socks.

2. Pleated Trousers: These pants are the very epitome of chic, but no one thinks they’re all that flattering.  They often look silly on short girls, so not only are they intriguingly cool, they’re a nice way to show off your height (and your sense of style.)

3. Lace-up Boots:  They hit only a few inches above the ankle, so on shorter girls they have a cutting-off effect, but tall girls have the leg length to wear them with ease.

4. Long Striped Dresses: No need to explain.

5. Flat Booties. Your short friends might look stumpy, but not you.  They’re great with skinny jeans and dresses alike.

Shoes available from at Barefoot Tess!

September 10th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

You’ve heard of days-of-the-week panties, but probably not about days-of-the-week boots.  The panties just have the day printed on them in different colors, which is useless and once you open the pack it’s hard to keep them and your laundry cycle in sync and it’s just a mess of panties and days and you end up wearing the yellow Tuesdays on a Friday and feeling foolish because who cares if nobody else knows when you know in your heart of hearts that your underwear are a lie?  Throw them out!

Here’s something easier, more appropriate, and more fitting to each day of the week: Boots!  Every day has it’s own personality and so does every boot.  Honestly, I can’t believe no one has matched them up before.

Monday: This is the most somber day of the week.  You have a lot of work ahead of you and you’re nostalgic for last weekend because it was more fun than work.  You need a boot that’s structured.  You need a boot that’s professional.  You need a boot that can lift your spirits, but it can’t be too festive because no one wants to be cheerful on a Monday.  It’s like seeing a Christmas tree in mid-January.

Tuesday: Once Tuesday arrives, you’re really enmeshed in the throws of the week.  You have to be ready for anything work or school or life throws at you.  Therefore, the Tuesday boot should be one that is extremely versatile because who knows where the week could go at this point? It’s anyone’s  guess.

Wednesday: Wednesday is when life starts to feel fun again. Suddenly post-work drinks seem like a possibility. Additionally, it’s a good first date night because it’s not a weekend when you’d inevitably be missing out on a friend’s party, but you’re also not telling anyone they’re so unimportant that you’d relegate them to a sad Monday or a boring Tuesday when most of your friends are ordering in and lounging in their apartments anyway. Date night means something sexy, but subtle.

Thursday: It’s almost Friday and everyone’s spirits are high.  This means happy hour.  You may end up at a hot spot, and even if you don’t, you should look like you belong at one. Thursday boots are sophisticated and chic.

Friday: A day where the excited energy fills the office, Friday is bliss.  If you’re taking a weekend trip, you leave tonight.  If you’re staying in town, you’re going out on it.  And you can dress casually at work. Friday boots are edgy.

Saturday: If there were ever a day that deserves two boots, it’s Saturday.  The day is yours to shop and wander and go places like outlet malls or Ikea and the night is yours to dance until it’s no longer night. There’s time for a costume change, so no need for a transition boot today. Day boots are cute and comfortable and pair beautifully with your warn-in weekend jeans. Night boots are glam and of course fab.

Day

Night

Sunday: Sunday is a day made for strolling–strolling to brunch, strolling through flea markets, strolling down the aisle at the movies with a jumbo bucket of popcorn in one hand and a cup of diet coke larger than your bladder in the other. Sunday boots are casual and luxurious for a day of pure leisure.

Click the pics to shop the shoes!

September 9th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

A new season is upon us and of course that means new clothes.  You’re dying to pull on a pair of riding boots and rock a boyfriend cardigan, but calm down.  If you wear all of your new fall clothes at once, come October you’ll already be repeating outfits. And that’s not going to be good for anybody.  Instead, you should introduce your new fall clothes piece by piece as a means of transitioning your summer pieces into the new season and extending the “I’m wearing new stuff, doesn’t it look great?” period well into November.  By that time, you’ll only have a few more weeks until you walk around in your brand new Christmas/Hanuka gifts all is new again, including the year.

Here’s are some suggestions as to how to transition your summer staples.

The Cut-offs: Instead of a tank and sandals, wear them with a pair of oxfords and a cardigan.

The Sundress: Wear a denim work shirt over it and pair it with lace-up boots.

The Tailored Shorts: Wear it with tights, an oxford shirt and boots.

The Sequined Skirt: Wear tights, heels, and a big v-neck sweater.

The Tank: Layer that baby!