December 25th, 2010 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

So we’ve all got the day off because it’s Christmas. And when I say ALL, I mean ALL. Literally everyone’s off and therefore, all of the stores are closed. The thing is, hardly anyone is spending the entire day with their family unless they’re all cooped up in a remote cabin, and depending on what that family is like, I’m not really jealous.  Maybe they’re playing board games all day and really enjoying each other’s company, and then I sort of with I were them.  In any case, we’ve all got a bunch of free time on this Christmas day, which to many of us (concentrated most highly on New York City’s Upper West Side) this is just another Saturday.

I don’t know about you guys, but when I have some leisure time on my hands, I like to go shopping.  There are really only two options for shopping today. 1. Mill around Walgreens and Select CVS’s across the country (Thanks Huff Post) and 2. Shop online.  This may or may not satisfy the same urges, but at BFT we’re offering 25% off the entire site and free shipping on all of it, so I think we’re probably hitting the mark.

Other things to do today:

1. Eat at a Chinese Restaurant (I’d do this if every restaurant were open)

2. Go to the Movies (See a triple feature–it’s so fun)

3. Shop at Walgreen’s (They’ve actually got some pretty nifty stuff)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

June 10th, 2010 by The Barefoot Intern: Eliza Zweig

Happy Birthday to Natalie Portman today!

Although assuming by her petite stature that her feet don’t quite fit Barefoot Tess standards, her sense of style and superb acting skills make her an icon to all.  Her memorable performance in “Garden State” had quite an influence on all its viewers.  In fact, after seeing the movie some people even threw out the notion that New Jersey is the “armpit” of the United States (although “Jersey Shore” brought the state’s reputation back to square one…) “Closer” is another movie that resonates with people after they’ve watched it, and her role certainly contributes to this phenomenon.

She’s even expanded her versatility to our favorite subject, SHOES.  Ms. Portman has revealed to the world her green side and is in the process of promoting Vegan shoes. Her passion of protecting our furry friends is contagious, and if you’ve fallen under her spell you should take a look at the Vegan shoes that Barefoot Tess has to offer!

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

Paris: Bensimon

Los Angeles: Ed Hardy

Brooklyn: Simple

Rome: Superga

Amsterdam: Blowfish ‘Hackysack’

San Fransisco: Blowfish ‘Homie’

All OBV available from Barefoot Tess!

August 10th, 2009 by admin

Up until a couple of years ago, gray wasn’t really on our fashion radar. That doesn’t mean that our wardrobes didn’t contain a few items in the shade, but suffice it to say these less-than-key pieces more likely bore the design stamp of Mr. M.J. Soffe than Mr. Marc Jacobs. But, as in the case of many fashion trends, all it took was one paparazzi snapshot of Kate Moss — frolicking in a perfectly slouchy pair of slate skinnies — to turn us onto a whole new range of possibilities for this versatile neutral. Designers have clearly felt the same way, and so for the past few seasons, it’s been out with the sweats and in with a bevy of great gray separates, outerwear and even formalwear that we’re totally “sweating.” And now, for fall, the color has finally started cropping up on a large scale where we’ve wanted to see it the most: on shoes of all shapes and sizes.

Gray footwear is pretty user-friendly, as it pairs nicely with literally every color of the rainbow, so it’s hard to overdo it. That said, we’ve made sure to equip ourselves with a broad range of styles, to accommodate both those who want to make a big splash (think the knee-high Tashkent boot) and those who want to tread more lightly (try a simple but stylish pump from our signature Barefoot Tess line).  For the most effortless (and comfortable!) interpretation around, look no further then the Japanese bootie from All Black, which is equally on-point with a funky floral dress/denim vest combo or with jeans and a classic white tee.

August 3rd, 2009 by admin

Like most avid followers of fashion, we weren’t initially keen on the notion that the worldwide economic crisis would have an effect on the fall lines. Indeed, for those of us recent college graduates who are currently being forced to endure an endless procession of ill-fated job interviews in itchy black skirt suits and sexless pumps, the runways are now, more than ever, where we look for a healthy dose of fantasy and whimsy. Thankfully, we have been relieved to find that designers were able to strike the perfect balance between eliminating the frivolity of seasons past and retaining in their clothes the sense of fun and adventure that keeps us interested in the first place. From big-shouldered blouses and beautifully constructed biker jackets to boudoir-inspired eveningwear and dramatic forties silhouettes, fall’s trends prove that “recession dressing,” as it’s been called, can take on a tone that is sensible and serious without being somber.

Speaking of serious, among the most seriously sexy trends to crop up in recent years is the over-the-knee boot, which is gaining huge momentum as colder months approach. This look proves to be surprisingly versatile, particularly as the intense (albeit cool) “dominatrix” styles of F/W 2008 make room for softer interpretations and even – in the case of Prada’s delightfully fun mid-thigh waders – outdoorsy takes on the trend. Taller ladies especially will find that their already willowy limbs appear positively model-esque in a minidress and a great pair of over-the-knees, such as Tashkent by Cheyenne’s “Berlin” or All Black’s “Long Boot,” both available at Barefoot Tess. Just because the times are bleak, doesn’t mean our wardrobe prospects have to be too.

May 1st, 2009 by admin

It’s time to vote for your favorite Shoe Me Your Style image! The person who submitted the picture with the most votes will win the grand prize of a $150 shopping spree to Barefoot Tess!

Comment to this entry with your vote – just write “I vote for _____” (insert the picture title that you choose – titles are written BELOW their images). All votes submitted before 11:59pm EST TONIGHT (Saturday, May 2nd) will be counted toward the grand prize winner.

And the nominees are…

Dolce Vita 'Owl' sandals submitted by Ashley

I love representing my love for animals with the owl sandals from Dolce Vita. A great summer sandal!

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Pare Gabia 'VP Espadrille' submitted by Ashley

One of my favorite pairs of shoes, the Pare Gabia VP Espadrille. I wear them all over while studying here in the south of France, couldn’t be a better style!

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Bernardo 'Brad' submitted by Katherine

Oh how I love my Bernardo ballets,
I walk with them in a wonderful daze.
I show them off to everyone I meet,
Especially cause they fit perfectly on my large feet!

VOTE FOR ME AND MY FABULOUS BERNARDOS

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'All Black flats' submitted by Barbie

Don’t you just love these pointy All Black flats? I do! Vote for me!

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Blowfish 'Mallory' submitted by Marilyn

“Tiptoeing through the Tulips and other Summer Adventures” sponsored by the Blowfish “Mallory”

Shall I wear thee on a summer day?
T’would be lovely to go on a picnic.
Been waiting all year for the month of May,
And the sandals that always come with it.

… I love these shoes

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Dolce Vita 'Mario' submitted by Fran

The Dolce Vita “Marlo” Bootie!

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My favorite pair of boots!
Hope you’ll vote for my picture.

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Barefoot Tess in her noble quest
Travels o’er land and sea
To find large-size shoes
For such as me!

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Barefoot Tess in her noble quest
Travels o’er land and sea
To find large-size shoes
For such as me!

January 4th, 2009 by admin

Hello faithful readers! It gives me great pleasure to inform you that, after toiling in obscurity for the past semester as leading lady in the off-off-off-off-Broadway show titled “Tess Does College,”  I’ll be dusting off my metaphorical tap shoes and reprising my blogging duties for a limited monthlong run. (Incidentally, I’ve been looking to get a great pair of tap shoes made in sizes 11 and up for Barefoot Tess, but that’s a post for another day.)

Fear not — I’m still a happy and healthy full-time student, and am, in fact, returning to Vermont this afternoon. During this all too brief vacation, I’ve been asked countless times by fellow Marylanders how I can possibly stand the winters “up there,” but truth be told, there’s a lot to recommend the cold season at Middlebury. Because we take only one course during our January mini-mester, otherwise known as J-term, there’s ample time left not just to blog, but also to party and ski.

Now, I’m no Picabo Street, but I did grow up hitting the slopes at least a few times every winter, so I’m no snow bunny either. Suffice it to say that if you put me at the top of anything, I can pretty much get down it, though I can’t make any promises about how graceful I’ll look doing so. And yet it’s precisely because I harbor no inflated illusions about my skiing prowess that I’m content to focus my energies on the aspect of the sport which interests me the most: the fashion.

I’m not saying you should go overboard. Striking the ideal balance between fashion and function in the sporting world is difficult, and I’m willing to bet that leather chaps and Chanel suspenders is one those looks (of which there are many) that only Posh can pull off. Being tall adds to the challenge, as traditional ski clothes tend to be cut in the hemline and crotch for women of average height. Thankfully, female snowboarders wear their pants extra long to achieve the desired slouch in the ankles — I’ve been a devotee of Burton’s Guard style for several years, and right now they look fresh in a winter white.

But first, to back up a little ways, you’ll need a really great under layer. If you’re dead set on finding long johns that are actually long, you’ll probably want to look in the men’s department. Personally, my lower body is so narrow that I tend to buy small women’s bottoms and just wear extra high socks, but you can mix and match according to your own formula at Patagonia. I prefer the Capilene 3 weight, which is a bit pricier than the basic stuff but always delivers the perfect levels of warmth and comfort, whether you’re wearing them on the mountain or under your skinny jeans on a subzero day. I’ll be ordering a new set in that gorgeous Shoreline Blue color for this upcoming winter.

Next step is ditching the tattered old Land’s End crewneck you inherited from your brother in favor of something more stylish. Cashmere is a no brainer, and I love this effortless flag sweater from 291, which looks like a much cuter version of your favorite vintage sweatshirt. The piece de resistance of your outfit, though, should be a really fabulous (and fabulously warm) jacket. If you ski at least a few times a winter, it’s worth investing in something top quality that you’ll wear for years, like this gorgeous chocolate puffer from the legendary European outfitter Moncler. I own a similar-looking NILS style, and the chairlift operator at our Snow Bowl always remembers my distinctive fur hood so I don’t have to use my cold and begloved hands to fish out my season pass before each run. North Face makes another great version for under $200.

If you want to inject your ensemble with a little bit of girlie flair, look no further than the Heiress goggles from Smith. The name says it all — choose from more than 30 colors (I like the lavender with platinum lenses on the third row, because they match my purple and white skis). Lastly, enjoy your hard-earned hot chocolate in style by adding a couple key apres-ski elements to your outfit. A fur headband is a luxe and surprisingly affordable bet: The Fur Source offers a gorgeous selection in a veritable rainbow of colors. The finishing touch? A pair of Australia Love comfy shearling boots that will truly allow you to take a load off.