Soulful Soles: June 2011

6.23.2011

Budget Buster vs Bargain Buy: Jeffrey Campbell Edition

Left: Prada Platform Brogue $795
Right: Jeffrey Campbell Ad Long $165

Some say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. While I am not sure that everyone in the fashion industry would agree there is something to be said about making high end fashion ideas accessible to the masses.

While I find knock offs that try to pass as the real thing super annoying sometimes I am on the fence about brands that take high fashion ideas and turnout something similar ( sometimes very similar) at a much more reasonable pricepoint. The peeps at Jeffrey Campbell, on the other hand, seem to have no problem with this practice whatsoever. In addition to their own unique designs they continually turnout lower priced versions of designer footwear.

I am currently lusting after their Ad Long, an excellent stand in for the Prada Platform Brogue that I have had my eyes on. In addition to the Ad Long I've included some other JC imitators below for your viewing pleasure and I'll leave it up to you to decide if they are cool or not.

Left: Charlotte Olympia Bananas is My Business Shoe $1700

Right: Jeffrey Campbell Fruit Bowl Shoe $159

Left: Yves Saint Laurent Gipsy $795

Right: Jeffrey Campbell Jenna $145

6.07.2011

Budget Buster vs. Bargain Buy: Neon Lasercut Clutch

Top Left and Bottom Right: Christopher Kane Leather Laser Cut Clutch
Top Right and Bottom Left: Deena and Ozzy Laser Cut Clutch

I love fashion and inevitably each season I develop a mad crush on many of the lovely pieces that float down the runways although I know I will never be able to afford them. It is almost as if the insane price tag makes me covet them even more. One of my favorite designers, Christoper Kane, sent some of the most lust-worthy items down the runway for S/S 11. I was especially smitten with the neon lasercut leather and lace pieces.

Naturally, my heart skipped a beat last week when I came across a clutch version of the neon lasercut leather sold exclusively on Net-a-Porter. While the $530 price tag is only a fraction of the apparel items in the collection it is still, sadly, WAY out of my budget. Lucky for the bargain hunter in us all Deena and Ozzy has turned out a worthy look-alike that is a mere $39.

When I find a bargain item that helps me recreate the runway looks I love I feel like I have won the lottery. For that reason I have decided to start a new regular feature called Budget Buster vs. Bargain Buy to share my discoveries.

Hope you enjoy!

Photos via Net-a-Porter and Urban Outfitters

6.04.2011

Soulful Soles Featured in IFB's Links la Mode

This week I was fortunate enough to have my blog featured in Independent Fashion Bloggers Links a la Mode for the second time. If you haven't already, check out my post on up and coming denim brand, Raleigh Denim as well as the great post by the other featured bloggers below.

Windows Into Our Worlds

Edited by Meghan Donovan of WIT & Whimsy

I've said it before, but one of the reasons I love fashion blogging so much is because it has the power to be very personal and connect you with people whom you may never have met otherwise. This week's Links a La Mode shows you just how intimate one's blog can become when you open up your readers to visits to neighborhood boutiques, DIYs done on a rainy Sunday or similar styles perfected by fellow bloggers. Our blogging allows for little windows into our worlds and its often what makes writing and photographing for posts so very worthwhile.