White Out:
Speaking for all the lovely ladies (and gents) who like to wear all black, all the time, I know how it is to love how it makes one feel- especially in Portland, where you don’t see much all-black ensembles. As some-what of an extremist, I wanted a twist, a slight alteration to my dark wardrobe- and then I discovered the color white; a color connected to many connotations, and most definitely the opposite of black. But because of the stark opposition, I started really digging the notion of wearing all white- it has become a fad, that is, well, sort of bad*ss. A fad that connects even to the good ole days of the accidentally fashionable Doc wearin’, city slickin’, stud reppin’ punks.
Stop It Right Now is my all-time favorite individual fashion blog- this gal’s style is impeccable, mixing skate chic with goth/ punk fever, yet can slip into a silk Celine dress and rep it just as hard as her Creepers. In this look, she pulls off the all-white ensemble perfectly, all that’s missing is our super fab Jeffrey Campbell Zuma wedges in an icy grey to complete the look!
xx- Leslie
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Today on Manifesto’s Blog:
A few tips from Sally on how to shop for the ladies on your list this gift-giving season.
Click here to check it out!
Essential Fall Shoes
It’s my favorite time of year folks! Me and Fall, we get along just fine. Luxuriously soft sweaters, fluffy blankets, cozy layers and lots of leather suits my pasty skin just swell.
It was on a recent Fall day that a few fashion forward friends and I, all snuggled up in the aforementioned layers and blankets as it were, sat around discussing what we consider to be the Essential Fall Shoe.*
If you’re looking for a shoe that can work for years (in terms of longevity in the quality and the style), you need to look for something chic. There are always piles of trends to wade through to find something that works best for you, but we narrowed it down to a few that could work for just about anyone:
1. Biker Boots. The biker boot is more of a classic than most people think. It’s all about adapting it to your personal style. Biker styles get an A+ for adding a bit of edge to overly girly outfits, being built so sturdy and doing a surprisingly top-notch job of keeping your feet warm. Plus the stovepipe cut is great for a wide range of calf widths. Avoid any styles that are overdesigned (too many buckles, etc.) or too shiny.
(L-R: Bronx, at pedX & Manifesto; J. Shoes, at pedX; Jeffrey Campbell, Manifesto)
2. Ankle Booties. Most ankle booties are a bit of a give and take come Fall; while they offer less protection from the elements, they make up for it in an array of extra fun styles since they are so on-trend this year. But don’t let that scare you; If you pick a high quality pair in a style you love, you can wear them for years! From flatter than flat to sky-high heels, this style looks great on everyone and translates well from day to night.
(Clockwise from top: Diba, Jeffrey Campbell, Clarks, all at Manifesto.)
3. Knee High (and Higher) Dress Boots. This season offers a bigger array of styles, silhouettes and details than I have ever seen. Buckles, pleats, ruching, decorative zippers, buttons, heels, the list goes on and on. The trick with a dressier or trendier boot is to make sure you find a pair that can be incorporated into your wardrobe with little to no extra effort. Basically, look for a pair that matches your lifestyle and the rest of your wardrobe.
(L-R: Miz Mooz, at pedX, coming soon to Manifesto; D-Segno, at pedX; Bronx, at pedX & Manifesto)
4. Flat Riding Boots. There’s so much I could say about the ubiquitous riding boot, but since they’re the perfect boot and all, I’m sure you already know, right? They’re flat, so they’re comfy, flattering and versatile. A great riding boot can take you from day to night with a costume change- some dark skinny jeans tucked in and a gauzy blouse are so sexy! To get more mileage out of this style, look for a great foot bed, sturdy leather, and no more than two embellishments.
(L-R: Camper, at pedX & Manifesto; Gee WaWa, at pedX; Bronx, at pedX & Manifesto)
5. Menswear Inspired Shoes. I think there is something undeniably sexy about a woman in menswear. Think about Katherine Hepburn, Lauren Hutton, Madonna in the 90s… They oozed sex appeal without donning more feminine looks. The look is very understated, and therefore makes a statement- a bit like you rolled out of bed looking fabulous and wore your boyfriend’s shirt to work. A menswear-style shoe has the same appeal. From high heeled wingtips to flat styles identical to your boyfriend’s, this is a great option when the weather won’t accommodate your favorite strappy pumps. Try them with everything- jeans and a cozy sweater, tights and a sweater dress, suits for work… Have fun!
What are some of your essentials for Fall?
xoxo,
Sally
*Everyone does this, right? Right?!
To the customer who was asking about Camper shoes (and all other Camper fans), we just got some new styles in at Manifesto!
Today on the Manifesto blog: Mani = Paul Newman! Click here to check it out!
we have big news!
After working hard for seven years on our lady shoe game, and dipping our toes in the water of men’s shoes, we are excited and proud to announce that we’re having a baby! It’s name is Manifesto, and it’s going to live on Mississippi Ave. Manifesto is going to be a boutique that has an awesome selection of shoes and accessories for both men and women, so the fellas don’t have to feel neglected any more.
Just as pedX believes that style and comfort aren’t conflicting ideas, and offers the goods to you at different, accessible price points, Manifesto hopes to do the same on Mississippi with a much bigger selection of shoes and accessories for men.
pedX is alive and well, and hopefully we will see you all there and at our new location. We are still working hard on our new spot, toiling away and decorating, but we are opening in mid-August and a grand-opening event will soon follow! Stay tuned for updates on the shop and details about the grand opening (I heard there was going to be a DJ and cake!)
Thank you for your continued love and support (now follow it up with a manly pat on the back. Good talk.)
