Riding off into the Sunset

On this last day of my salute to riding boots, I'm going to take a look at a few of the offerings from Ralph Lauren. Since the label is known for their equestrian inspired style, one would be remiss in not looking to Mr. Lauren for a fine riding boot.

Here are a few of the Ralph Lauren riding boots:


Lauren by Ralph Lauren "Willa" riding boots (shown in two toned dark brown/burnished calf color)
$200 USD at various department stores


Lauren by Ralph Lauren "May" riding boots (shown in dark saddle with gold-tone hardware)
$198 USD at Bloomingdales


Ralph Lauren Collection "Serana" riding boots (shown in dark oak)
$1100 USD at Bloomingdales

I like that Ralph Lauren gives a nice range of price points for their riding boots between the Lauren by Ralph Lauren and Ralph Lauren Collection labels. Of these three, I think I would go with the Willa style, although I can't say that I'm in love with any of the styles. The Willa is a nice, basic, utilitarian riding style boot, so I think I could get the most use out of it. It will definitely do the job. I love the hardware and leather embellishments at the top of the May boot, but they lose me at the bottom of the boot. The design of the stitching and the height of the heel make it look too much like a Go-Go boot and not enough like a riding boot. The Serana, while clearly beautifully made, is just a little too hardcore for my taste. I want a riding "inspired" boot that makes sense in the city while I'm shopping or going to lunch. These, with their serious hardware, seem out of place anywhere but firmly placed in the stirrups atop one's favorite equine pal.

So now I will have to stew over all of the great riding boots we've looked at this week and try to figure out which ones will be making an appearance in my closet very, very soon! See you next week!

Giddeyup!

Today I shall continue my salute to the riding boot with two more styles that I feel have that perfect blend of style and practicality. The first comes from Celine:


Celine leather riding boots
Black leather riding boot with brown leather contrasting panel at top of boot and Celine logo.
$750USD at www.net-a-porter.com
Though I often don't like two-toned boots, the subtlety of the contrasting colors works with these boots and also makes them very versatile in terms of wearing them with black or earth toned outfits. (Yes, all black boots could be worn with earth tones just fine, but brown boots would be a little less fabulous with a black outfit.)

Next, this lovely offering from Chloe:

Chloe camel Equestrian flat boots
$998USD at www.net-a-porter.com

I think these are FAB-U-LOUS! Love the originality of the camel color, the curvature in the stitching, the delicacy of the sole (not at all big and heavy). They are beautifully crafted and the soft, buttery leather is just delicious!

Tomorrow I will have a couple more riding boots for us to savor, then next week will begin the big job of catching up on the top designers' Fall/Winter shoe collections. I'll highlight the fabulous (Rickard Shah, ahhhh) down to the just plain odd (that's right, I'm looking at you, Christian Louboutin!) So many shoes, so little time!!!

Finally, from our reader mailbag:
A UK reader writes in asking where to find the fabulous Rickard Shah shoes featured in the "Kelly Hearts Rickard Shah" post. Thank you for your note! As I have only bought Rickard Shahs in the US, I don't have any personal knowledge as to where to get them in the UK, however, I have written to the company via their website, to see if they can answer your question. Hopefully I will have an answer for you shortly (and we'll get to see how good their customer service is!)

*******UPDATE************

I heard back very quickly from Binith Shah, himself! Apparently in the UK, one orders directly through Rickard Shah in Florence. Email and phone number is available on their website: www.rickardshah.com

Since I have been so out of the shoe loop these past 11 months, I have also apparently missed out on a new line Rickard Shah has come out with called Rickard Shah PURE, which launched in Los Angeles last week. You'd better believe there will be further information here immediately!!!

Cheers!

Back in the race!

Well helloooooooooooo there! After nearly a year's hiatus, I am back and blogging about my second greatest love - shoes!! (The title of my greatest love has now been claimed by the reason for my hiatus - my new baby daughter! And yes, she already has an extensive collection of baby shoes!) :)

Now that my feet are back to their pre-pregnancy size (thank goodness! If they hadn't gone back and I could no longer wear the shoes in my collection, that would have pretty much been the end of me.), I have decided it's time to search for a celebratory pair of shoes! Currently my obsession is with riding boots. As much as I am devoted to heels, I think a pair of flat boots is a necessity. Plus they are so stylish!! They are truly the perfect Fall/Winter accessory. These don't come cheap, but are really worth the investment. They are a timeless style that can last a lifetime, if you get a good pair. That said, a good pair can be found at various price points.

The mother of all riding boots, in my humble opinion, are the Hermes Kelly Jumping boots. They are gorgeous!!! They are stylish!!! They are EXPENSIVE!!! (YEEOUCH!!!) They are also very hard to find photos of, so here's what I could come up with:

The Kelly Caleche ad which features the gorgeous boots in brown:


A closer shot of the boots in brown, highlighting the removable Hermes clasp, which is the same style as the one on the Kelly handbag:


The boots in white on white with calfskin and croc:


Can't say that I'm a fan of the white on white with the croc. White boots, in general, don't do it for me. I'm also not a fan of the contrasting textures on the riding boots. I prefer the cleaner look of using all one type of material (plain calfskin or all croc are groovy.)

If the pocketbook would allow, I would love these boots in black or brown leather. Since they are starting at $1750, they will probably have remain firmly in dreamland for now, but ahhh to dream...

More riding boots to come tomorrow!