The cast of The City has returned for Season 2 of the MTV show (technically Season 3, but whatevs) and, as always, I’ve got an eye on these ladies’ style, particularly their cute shoes.  We haven’t seen any of those shoe close-up shots they’re known to do on the show so far (after the first two episodes anyway), but I do know that some people are interested in the shoes worn in the promo pics for the show.  They definitely have some standout pairs going on in these photos and I’ve attempted to find out which shoes they are and lookalike versions that are also hot, but cost a fraction of the price.  Here’s what I found for Whitney:

Whit looks really amazing in this shot.  She’s got legs for miles and they end with one of the hottest designer shoes of the moment, the Fendi Cinderella:

Fendi somehow manages to make a huge clear platform heel look, well, classy and  Whitney is donning a gorgeous light blue version of this frothy concoction.  There were many colors featured in the Fendi Spring 2010 show, but the only one I’ve seen for sale is the blush version at Net-A-Porter.  It’s $1,195 and nearly sold out.  There’s also an alternate version of the Fendi Cinderella at Saks Fifth Avenue for $1,140, but it’s almost sold out as well.

Now, it’s not an easy thing to find anything that remotely resembles this shoe.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see a knockoff at some point, as we usually do, but I haven’t seen anything so far.  However, I did find some shoes that incorporate some of the elements of this pair resulting in a similar look:

The Bebe Scarlett Scarf Sandal reminds me of the Fendi sandal more than anything else I’ve seen, even though the colors are bold and bright rather than subtle and soft (it would still rock with a white outfit like Whitney’s though).  It comes in black or pink at Bebe for $179, but unfortunately they are almost sold out.  However, they do re-stock styles from time to time, so hopefully we’ll see it available in more sizes again.

The Touch Ups Celine Heel is available in black or silver for the base and it comes with four different multicolored scarves so you can change up your look.  You can get these for $69.99 at Shoebuy and coupon code MOM takes 20% off for a limited time, making them $55.96 with free shipping.

The Colin Stuart Canvas Lace-Up Sandal is sold at Victoria’s Secret for $68.

The pretty Zigi Soho Fabulous in black is dramatic and airy, making it a viable alternative for the Fendi pair.  Get it at Journey’s for $49.99.  You can also check out the somewhat similar and even less expensive Patent Ruffle Lace Heel at GoJane for just $21.80.  It comes in a wider variety of color options.

Update: I ran across the Aldo Nelton and it also reminds me somewhat of the black Fendi Cinderella in wedge form, minus the super-high clear platform of course.  It’s $80 at Aldo.com.

Update 2: Check out these shoes from Bakers for more options: The Scarfy WP (pictured above) for $59.99 in ivory or black, the Star for $49.99 in black or the Tonya for $49.99 in orange, turquoise, white or multi.

Whitney also rocks a good-girl-gone-bad look in another promo photo, which features the Giuseppe Zanotti Zip Cuffed Jewel Sandal, available at Neiman Marcus for $1,360 or Zappos for the same price.  Here are some similarly sexy looks for less:

ZiGiny Erratic for $199.95 with free 2-day shipping at Endless.  Update:  Here are a couple more lookalikes for this pair that are much more affordable, the Black Strappy Stud Ankle Heel at Americlubwear for $25.99 and the Celeste Yama-10 Jeweled Open Toe Sandal at Urban Originals for $28.90.

Nine West Inquisat for $129 at Ninewest.com.  Get 20% off at checkout until 5/9/10, which drops them to $103.20.  They ship 5/18/10.

ALDO Tinder in black for $69.98 at Aldo.com, reduced from $90.  It also comes in beige for $59.98.  Use coupon code FSNEWMAY10 for free shipping.

ZiGiny Gaga for $53.95 at Karmaloop.  Apply coupon code CLINTON to take 20% off, making them $43.16 (list price $180) plus shipping.  That’s the best price I see, but sizes are limited.  Amazon also has them for $77 with free shipping.

Of course, we also have the cage heel Whitney wears in the intro of The City, during the opening credits where she’s stepping out of a taxi cab.  This promo was shot quite some time ago and the shoe may have been the Dolce Vita Cher, which basically isn’t available any longer, but luckily this kind of caged, ghillie tie style is still popular and available from other brands. Here are a few I’ve seen:

Chinese Laundry Lucky Strike for $80 at Shoes.com.  Apply coupon code MOMSAVE20 for 20% off, making them $64 with free shipping.  The coupon expires 5/9/10.

Nine West Jemmia for $89 at Ninewest.com.  They qualify for an extra 30% off and an extra 20% off at checkout until 5/9/10, which reduces them to $49.84 with $5 extra for shipping.

 GoJane Laced-Up Cage Heel for $22.60.

Finally, we have the shoes Whitney wore for her Whitney Eve fashion show in Bryant Park.  According to Whitney’s blog, her outfit is Whitney Eve and the shoes are from Lanvin. It looks like this Lanvin high-heeled sandal for $430 at YOOX, but this one is in black and only one size is left.  Here are some alternatives:

Betsey Johnson Gemma in gold leather for $86.25 at 6pm.

Luichiny Gal Lop in champagne for $45.87 at Amazon.

Nina Clova in gold satin for $79 at Shoes.com.  Coupon code MOMSAVE20 takes 20% off until 5/9/10, making them $63.20 with free shipping.

Next time, I’ll talk about more shoes from Erin, Olivia and Roxy from The City, plus shoes from MTV’s The Hills.

Photos from MTV.com

Happy Earth Day everyone!  Today is a day of environmental awareness and there’s always changes we can make to benefit the planet, even with our shoes.  Shoes generally aren’t considered highly wasteful products since we tend to wear them for long periods of time and then we might give them away for someone else to get additional use from them; however, it’s still a smart idea to opt for shoes made of recycled materials that would otherwise go to waste, organic shoes that are produced without chemical pesticides and shoes made from sustainable and/or biodegradable materials, even if it’s not every pair in our closet.  In doing so, we support the companies that produce products in ways that are better for our planet and we might find that more and more companies will do the same.  We can also save some green in the process and I’ve found some online shoe stores offering discounts today in celebration of Earth Day:

Simple Shoes takes 20% off regular or sale items with coupon code FOLLOWSIMPLE (exp. unknown).  Simple Shoes strives for 100% sustainability in the materials used to produce their shoes using their Green Toe “good, better, best” method.  See more details here.

Planet Shoes specializes in selling eco-friendly shoes and they are taking an extra 15% off select Earth Day Shop items when you apply coupon code earthday2010 through 4/22/10.  Plus, if you buy a pair of shoes and a tree to plant for $1, your donation will be matched by participating brands.

ShoeMall takes 15% off select eco-friendly shoes with coupon code EARTHDAY until 4/27/10.  Shipping is also free.

Shoes.com takes 15% off sitewide with coupon code EARTH on 4/22/10 only.  Plus, for every pair of shoes purchased today, a tree will be planted through their partnership with Plant-It 2020.  Note that the Naya Shoes I mentioned yesterday are not eligible for coupon discounts and other exclusions apply.

Piperlime takes 20% off flat sandals on 4/22/10 if you apply coupon code SWEET at checkout.  Shipping is also free.

Endless.com offers $25 off select earth friendly shoes $125 or more and free overnight shipping on new styles.

Since Earth Day 2010 is coming up tomorrow and it’s the 40th anniversary of the special day, I decided to turn the Star Designer spotlight on a brand-new line of eco-friendly footwear called Naya Shoes.  Naya, which is the Hindi word for “renewal” according to WWD, was officially launched on March 4 of this year by Brown Shoe, a company that operates Famous Footwear and Shoes.com and has a brand portfolio that includes Naturalizer, Via Spiga, Franco Sarto, Carlos Santana, Fergie and more. 

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Naya is the first company-owned (i.e. not licensed) brand launched by Brown in about ten years, so it’s definitely a rare venture for the company.  But the line is also unique because they’ve set out to make shoes that are cute, comfortable and environmentally friendly all at once.  It’s a tall order, but I have to say they’ve done a great job.  When I first came across a Naya pair, I definitely noticed the appearance of the shoe initially, which was exactly their intention.  Pat Hogan, general manager of Naya, tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that they were ”focused first on designing ‘beautiful’ shoes — and then looked for sustainable and biodegradable materials that could be used. The shoes are also created with comfort in mind.” 

According the the Naya Shoes website, they employ the use of the following materials whenever possible:

• Chrome-free or vegetable-tanned leathers
• Natural, organic or sustainable fabrics
• Heels made from sustainable bamboo
• Biodegradable latex foam cushioning
• Natural cork and rubber footbeds
• Outsoles made with recycled materials
• Nickel free metal buckles
• Recycled paper boxes
• Water soluble glues and cements

I’m definitely in support of shoes that can potentially benefit the planet and Naya shows that being fashionable and environmentally-friendly can go hand-in-hand.  I’m especially liking these styles:

Naya Atwood for $120 with free shipping from Shoes.com.

Naya Fowler in tan or black for $110 with free shipping at Shoes.com.

Naya Alamosa in red, black or taupe for $120 with free shipping at Shoes.com.

Naya Salida in brown, black or nickel for $110 with free shipping at Shoes.com.

Naya Timpas in yellow, green or brown for $124 with free shipping at Zappos.

Naya Arvada in white, red, brown or black for $124 with free shipping at Zappos.

Naya Arnelli in brown, white or black for $125 with free shipping at Shoes.com.

Naya Shoes are available at all of these online shoe stores, but it’s worth noting that if you purchase Naya from Shoes.com during the month of April, they will plant a tree for each pair.  Also, Naya will give away a free pair of their shoes if they reach 1,000 Facebook fans by April 22, and they’re really close to reaching that now, so be sure to become their friend and you just might score a pair for yourself!

Spring always brings a surge of vibrant color to our lives and, naturally, those bright hues tend to show up in what we wear quite often.  Shoes, of course, are no exception.  While neutral shoes are on-trend this year and they work well with many looks, you have to admit it’s fun to forget about being sensible once in awhile and go for a pair of wildly colorful shoes, which are always in style when things heat up.  You can opt for one bright solid color at a time, which works well, or you can go all-out and get a pair that incorporates a rainbow of colors all in one.  Case in point: The Charles David Tangier (pictured above), which I absolutely adore.  It’s available at Zappos or Endless for $215 with free shipping.  In my mind (or in a figment of my imagination maybe), the classic Rainbow Brite doll would rock these like no one’s business - after getting all grown up and developing a serious love of fashion, of course. 

But, seriously, rainbow shoes can actually be quite versatile due to the range of shades you have to work with.  Cute summer tops and dresses in simple, solid colors tend to work best, but you can always be creative and mix it up, even with patterns in some cases, for an even bolder fashion statement. 

Let’s take a look at some more multicolored shoe options we have to choose from:

Faryl Robin Owen for $189.95 with free shipping at ShoeMall. Coupon code NEXJUMP takes 10% off, making them $170.95.

Jessica Bennett Myrtle for $144.95 with free shipping at Shoebuy.  Coupon code EASTER takes another 20% off until 4/9/10, which drops them to $115.96.

BCBGeneration Devona for $110 with free shipping at Shoes.com (limited sizes left).  Get 20% off with coupon code MSAVE at checkout, which reduces them to $88.  There’s also a few sizes available at Heels.com for $112.99 and Amazon for $110.

Luichiny Many Moons for $89.95 with free shipping at Shoebuy.  Coupon code EASTER takes another 20% off until 4/9/10, making them $71.96.

Gabriella Rocha Rosalie for $109 with free shipping at Zappos.

Finally, we have the Icora Kismet wedge, which is primarily neutral, but it has pretty multicolored rhinestones along the t-strap and a funky cutout wood heel, a sure standout.  Get these for $49.99 at Journeys.  If you buy 2 pairs, get $10 off your order for a limited time.

Update: I had to add this super-affordable option, the Anne Michelle Inferno 19, which is available at Urban Originals for $21.80.

As any reader of this blog knows, I love to get a great deal on a pair of shoes.  While I don’t have a “That’s so last season” mentality when it comes to my purchases and I often scour sale and clearance shoes for hidden rock-bottom gems, I do have to admit that there’s something especially gratifying about getting a new arrival at a great price.  Even more so when entering a season like spring, which always comes with a plethora of irresistibly cute and bright sandals to choose from.  So, I had to scope out the current spring shoe sales that cut the price, but not the style.  Here are a few that I found:

Famous Footwear is having their buy 1 pair of shoes, get half off the second sale, which is already quite a deal.  However, you can also apply their 15% off BUNNY15 coupon code until April 3, which takes even more off your total.  One of my current shoe crushes is sold there, the Chinese Laundry Bellevue (pictured above).  It’s a super-sexy, strappy sandal in a nice versatile shade of brown with a cork heel and front straps that extend down to the platform sole.  It’s offered for $59.99, but you can get it for $50.99 after the coupon code. 

Or, add another pretty pair like this pink ruffled Madden Girl Setra for $39.99 to your order:

Then you get half off the Madden Girl pair, making it just $20.  Apply the coupon code and get both pairs for a sweet $67.99.

Another sale on new shoes is offered by Shoemall, which takes $20 off $80 using coupon code TAKE20 until 4/3/10.  I’m all about the tad pricey, but awesome Report Signature Elinor (pictured above) for $224.95.  Get them for $204.95 after the code.  Here are a few more of my picks from Shoemall:

The Chinese Laundry Head Over Heels is somewhat reminiscent of the Betsey Johnson Alison I mentioned yesterday with its black lace and tie detail, but this pair is more affordable.  Get it for $99.95 before coupon and $79.95 after.

Or, get all ruffled up and fabulous in the Fergie Henney in red or black for $94.95 before coupon and $74.95 after.

Shoes.com still offers coupon code MSAVE, which takes 20% off your order at checkout.  That cuts the price on the BCBGeneration Belboa, a cute flamingo pink knotted wedge, from $99 to $79.20.

Finally, there’s Payless.  We all know that Payless Shoes offers very low prices to begin with, but they also have a coupon code in the mix.  Get another 20% off your total by applying coupon code 32219 until 4/4/10.  The Stella Gladiator Sandal in black, brown or pewter is reduced from $22.99 to $18.39 after code.

Please note that all coupon codes and sale prices are subject to change at any time.  Happy shoe shopping!

Did you know that today, March 20, is officially the first day of spring?  To celebrate the end of dreary ol’ winter and usher in a bright new season, I thought it would be appropriate to talk spring shoes trends today.  I’m not one to follow every trend to a T, but I certainly find it fun to keep up with and I take it into consideration when making my own shoe purchases.  I’ve been keeping my eyes out for the latest in shoes this season and, I have to say, there are many different accounts of what’s hot right now.  But, there are a few that stand out as being generally agreed upon and a few that I would consider shoe subtrends - i.e. those smaller, fringe trends that provide plenty of variety and help round things out.  So, without further adieu, here’s a rundown of the spring trends I’ve found and my favorite examples of the shoes that incorporate them:

Neutrals 

Neutral shoes were big last year and they are back again this year - and for good reason.  Neutral shoes go with virtually everything - including those little pastel sundresses that so don’t work with our dear friend black.  Even though metallic sandals provide a similar level of versatility, neutral shoes have a nice bare leg effect when you pick a pair that is similar to your own skin tone.  Some even say it has a slimming effect, which certainly doesn’t hurt either.

Go for a classic silhouette you’ll wear again and again with the Nine West Escher taupe peep-toe pump.  Endless has it for $78.95 with free overnight shipping.

Go for a little more drama in the design with the Chinese Laundry Lucky Strike, available at Shoes.com for $80 with free shipping.  Get 20% off with coupon code MSAVE at checkout, making them $64.

Feminine details

This is one trend I’m personally loving.  Shoes that incorporate details like ruffles, flowers, bows and lace bring out your girly side and just make you feel pretty.  You can’t go wrong with that.

Combine the neutral trend with feminine flowers in the Kelsi Dagger Belize, which is available at Piperlime for $135 with free shipping.  Can I say just how much I love this pair?  Yes, this is true shoe love for me.

Go for girly-with-edge in the ruffled Jeffrey Campbell Quarry with the infamous unicorn heel.  These are available at LuLu’s for $139.  I love these with the lace tights.

The ruffled and zippered Dollhouse Kirna is super-lovely and nicely affordable too.  Get the best price at Shoes.com, where they are available in black or fuschia for $50.  They drop to $40 when coupon code MSAVE is applied at checkout.  Endless has them in more color options - green, black, blue, pink and white - for $51.95 with free overnight shipping.

Wedges

Wedges are always in, but particularly so this spring.  I love wedges because they give you flattering height, but they tend to be more comfortable than skinny heels.  Plus, they work well with many spring looks and can typically be dressed up or down.

Combine the neutral trend and the wedge trend with the Sam Edelman Kyla, which is offered at Shoes.com for $149 with free shipping.  They drop to $119.20 when coupon code MSAVE is applied. If they don’t have your size, try Zappos for $149 with free shipping.

Combine the feminine detail trend with the wedge trend (and get a great deal to boot) with the SM Ven Rosette wedge in six color options for $39.95 at DSW.  Coupon code KCOOK34 takes $5 off, making them $34.95, and code FREESHIP gives free shipping (enter both at checkout).  Expiration for these codes is unknown.

Oxfords

The oxford jazz flat seems to big right now and, to be honest, I’m personally not a big fan of this trend because I don’t find it very flattering.  However, I have seen oxford flats look pretty cute with cuffed jeans, so it can work with certain looks.  If I were to apply this trend, I’d go for an oxford with a twist (and a heel) in this awesome pair:

Get a variation on the traditional oxford style with the addition of lace and a unique heel with the 80%20 Hope Oxford from the Ce Ce Chin Collection (find more available color options here).  You’ll combine the oxford trend and the feminine detail trend with this shoe, which is available at Karmaloop for $175.  Coupon code CLINTON takes 20% off, making them $140.  The coupon expiration is unknown.

White shoes

Piperlime lists white sandals as a hot trend right now.  To me, there’s nothing like an amazing white pair of shoes for spring and summer, but it can be tricky to find the right one.  There’s always a fine line between a hot pair of white shoes and one that comes across as a bit cheesy.  Here are some that I think fall into the hot category:

The Naughty Monkey Parade is one of Piperlime’s white shoe examples and I’m loving it too.  The brown straps and heel provide a nice contrast for the white base color.  Get it for $80 with free shipping at Piperlime.

Combine the white trend and the feminine details trend with the gorgeous Betsey Johnson Amorita.  It’s available at Endless for $185 with free overnight shipping.

I also like the white version of the Dollhouse Kirna mentioned above, which you can get for $51.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

Tribal

Get a little wild this season with a tribal-influenced pair of shoes, which always add an exotic flair to your look.  Try out the trend with these pairs:

The Kelsi Dagger Grace has a tribal influence with its use of wooden beads, but it gets all dolled up with the addition of sparkling rhinestones.  Endless has it in 3 color options for $148.95.

Combine the tribal trend with the wedge trend in the Naughty Monkey Liggy, which has a dramatic printed heel.  Get it at Shoes.com for $85 with free shipping.  Coupon code MSAVE drops it to $68.

Clogs

Clogs are making a big comeback this year.  If you want a clog with a hefty dose of attitude, try this pair:

Steven by Steve Madden Durann for $149 at Shoes.com.  Coupon code MSAVE takes 20% off, making them $119.20 with free shipping.

Nautical

Get sailor chic this season with nautical-inspired shoes, which are clean, classic and fun to wear.

The Nine West Cawley in navy with cork platform and red heel will have you sailing into high style.  You can find this shoe at Endless for $88.95 with free 2-day shipping.

I’ll be covering any additional shoe trends I see in upcoming Hot Trends features, so stay tuned!

Note: The MSAVE coupon code for Shoes.com mentioned in this post expires 3/31/10.  All prices listed are subject to change.

With St. Patrick’s Day coming up on March 17, I’ve definitely had green shoes on my mind.  While some people don’t necessarily do anything to celebrate the holiday, I think it’s fun to get in the spirit by wearing something green (plus, you’ll avoid a good pinch by St. Patty’s Day revelers on the prowl for anyone not donning the hue).  There are lots of ways to incorporate green into your wardrobe for the Irish holiday, but let’s face it - it’s a great excuse to wear some fabulous green shoes.  Of course, as an added benefit, you can get plenty of wear from a freshly-picked green pair during spring as well.  Here are some of my favorite green shoes that are sure to bring plenty of luck:

So. cute.  The Harajuku Lovers Avallon for $99.95 with free 2-day shipping at Endless.

Fergie Empower in spinach for $99 at Shoes.com with free shipping.  Apply coupon code MSAVE for 20% off, making them $79.20.  They also come in a lighter shade of green called wheatgrass.

Carlos Santana Glamorous for $55.20 (MSRP $110) at 6pm.

Get a little funky with the Naughty Monkey Knot Sure in green.  The best price is at Amazon for $20-$28 depending on selection, but few sizes are left.  Zappos has them in plenty of sizes for $68.95.

Get even funkier with the Irregular Choice Shimmmy, which will obviously stand out in a major way.  Get these for $120.95 with free 2-day shipping at Endless.

Go for simple and sweet with the Miss Me Monet-5 ankle boot for $39.95 with free shipping from Amazon.

Nine West Beaulah for $83.97 (MSRP $119.95) at 6pm.

The elegant Calvin Klein Daliah for $71 (MSRP $118) at 6pm.

This one strikes me as having a true St. Patty’s Day vibe.  The Carlos Santana Rome for $89 with free shipping at Shoes.com.  Coupon code MSAVE takes them down to $71.20.

Spring-ready: The SM Ven Rosette Wedge in green for $39.95 at DSW.  Take $10 off orders $10 or more with coupon code MARCH10 at checkout (must sign in to use codes), making them $29.95.

Michael Antonio Hagen for $64.95 with free overnight shipping at Endless.

Seychelles Yin for $46 (MSRP $80) at 6pm.

Now, here’s a few of Cheap Chick’s picks for green shoes under $25.  These are all from 6pm:

Steven by Steve Madden Tummble for $22.35 (MSRP $149).

Converse Chuck Taylor Seasonal Hi in green for $23.29 (MSRP $45).

Zigi NY Gemma for $17.98 (MSRP $44.95).

Schutz 31601002 for $17.40 (MSRP $116).

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone and may the luck o’ the cute green shoes be with you.