I had a pretty bad habit which I'm in the process of curing. That is, extending brand name snobbery to various high street stores. Whilst I love what the high street has to offer, there are certain ones which I hold in higher estimation. This is an absolutely appalling attitude to take as every retail store is trying to up their game in these volatile times. For example, Topshop, Zara, H&M are all on the 'good' list and I used to venture into THOSE high street stores first because of their supposedly more 'fashion-forward' pieces. This is just not the case anymore so my new agenda is to scour EVERYWHERE and explore all possibilities and ignore those previous stigmas like.... Mango having awful quality, Warehouse looking a little wag-ish/cheap. None of that
So, I'll just throw this first bit of exploration out to you all as it was my first time delving in the the website of....wait for it.... Victorias Secret. You may come back and be aghast at my strange delight with it. Now, seeing as I live in the UK, my only real knowledge of Victorias Secret is where in a random Friends episode, Chandler seemed pretty chuffed to receive the latest Victorias Secret catalogue. I gather it's a little bit raunchy and they use some sooper-sexy models. None of that of course should peak my interest but I surf on over to their shoe department and find they have a delectable selection of ankle boots that are ticking all my requirements for boots buying for the new season. I did have to go through the site with a fine toothed comb to really make sure I wasn't just seeing things and that I'm not buying into pleather tack. For not too much money, even with shipping and a useful 20% discount on boots, you get...
... these ankle boots with the buckled straps that come in a chunky heel or a thinner one...
...ribboned shoe boots in different colours of satin with patent touches and *gasp* the ones on the right are from...dare I say it...J-Lo's range of shoe boots. I need confirmation here... am I the only one being taken with the multicoloured ribboned ones, that combo of purple, violet and teal seeming rather appealing?...
...knee highs that have features reminiscent of certain shoes on the catwalk. I have in the past objected to very expensive knitted slouch boots as I do ponder whether it's better to just wear ankle boots with some nice thick legwarmers but these ones being not that expensive and seeming rather lush and thick (scraggy thin knits just won't do) are again quite appealing. The patent combat boots in two lengths if elevated a few inches could be passed off as Chloe and if you didn't want to look like a scary giantess, again these are affordable viable options...
...finally, the two boots I'm torn between and coincidentally on a back order. Yes, those Balenciaga-hoof boots have gotten a pretty darn good replica here by Sam Edelman in my opinion. I was baffled as to why it got so much attention/hating when one of the Olsen twins (the fact that I don't know which one just goes to show how clueless I am as to what the celeb circles are up to fashion-wise...) nabbed the Balenciaga ones from AW06-7 and wore them with, I think, great aplomb. Then there's another slight nod to Balenciaga with some lace-boots with a buckle at the top in suede, except sans peeptoe. I am doubting whether having hooves as feet is a practical possibility but despite them being 'oh my god - so last season', I'm still fairly set on clumping about in them. The lace-ups are a more wearable option and they are VERY reasonable with the great exchange rate at the moment but but but...
...the side of me which has no experience of Victorias Secret and not knowing whether it's the equivalent of me buying shoes from the local pound shop in the UK has put a damper on pressing that order button. One step at a time I guess. I may be exploring all avenues but parting with the cash? I'm just not quite there yet.
