Whenever we usher in a new season, we always see various opinions on what’s “in” right now.  But, one trend that is undeniably huge for fall is military inspired fashion.  We’re seeing military looks everywhere and the best thing about this latest craze is that it can be applied in so many different ways.  You can draw inspiration from the huge variety of military styles seen throughout the years - modern or retro - and opt to go for a literal or a more subtle interpretation of the look.  For shoes, think structured and streamlined with multiple buckles, lug soles, brass buttons, lace-up detail and similar adornments in colors like olive, tan and navy.  Of course, you can always mix it up with some pretty, girly details, like the Kardashians by Bebe Eva does above.  The olive color, lace-up front and star studs convey a military influence, but the super-high heel and shiny metallic ankle cuff add a nice dose of glam.  You can get it at Bebe for $228 and it also comes in black.  Here are some more styles I’ve been taking a look at:

Boutiqe 9 Olita in black for $230 at Nine West or in gray for $230 at Piperlime.  The jagged sole is definitely similar to many Camilla Skovgaard styles.

The 80%20 Bernie for $198 at Karmaloop.  Coupon code SAVE20 takes 20% off and gives free shipping (expiration unknown) and that drops the price to $158.40.

The Very Volatile Warrior for $90 with free shipping at Piperlime.

Guess Owens for $138.95 with free 2-day shipping at Endless.  It comes in navy, red, black or gray.

Steve Madden Biing in taupe or black for $149.95 at Steve Madden.  Get free shipping with coupon code SMFREESHIP at checkout.

Seychelles Romance for $140 at Karmaloop.  Coupon code SAVE20 takes 20% off and gives free shipping (expiration unknown), making them $112.

Nine West Buren for $138.95 with free 2-day shipping at Endless.  It also comes in black and dark brown.

Bamboo Humble 05 OTK boot for $46.50 at LuLu’s.

For even more options, check out the military shoe picks at Shoes.com, Piperlime and Steve Madden.

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I’ve noticed plenty of shoes in the news lately, so I thought I’d gather up some of the latest, most interesting things I’ve seen, mix ‘em up real good and have a little Shoe Buzz roundup.  We’ve got a new Hollywood flick about shoe addicts, “granny” footwear having a fashion moment, a Dolce Vita budget line and more.  So, what are we waiting for?  Let’s dig in:

As a shoe lover, I get giddy when I hear about a new movie that’s all about the shoes.  Especially when the lead actress is none other than Oscar-winner Halle Berry, who is set to star in the movie Shoe Addicts Anonymous.  The film, which will be out in Fall 2011, is a comedy based on the book of the same name by Beth Harbison.  Apparently won’t be much of a stretch for Berry, who “loves shoes” according to a producer.

Dolce Vita is the latest company to collaborate with Target on an affordable fashion line, which is fittingly called Dolce Vita for Target.  There’s a selection of five different styles available at Target’s website, most of which are very menswear-inspired, and all at much more budget-friendly prices than the usual Dolce Vita fare.  The Dolce Vita for Target Buckle Ankle Boots pictured above are $34.99, which is the highest you’ll pay for any of the shoes available right now.  They are expected to be in stores by August 22.

My very cool mom, who is always on the lookout for shoe-related info for me (thanks Ma!), let me know that Worishofer shoes were just featured on the CBS Today Show.  The German-made line of “granny” shoes (their description, not mine) are well-known for providing a high level of comfort.  Ruthie from Styleite.com was on hand to provide tips on how to wear them without looking, well, geriatric.  One shoe featured was the Worishofer 583 lace-up sandal (pictured above), which was paired with jeans and looked pretty cute.  Apparently, the “sandals so ugly they’re stylish” (again, their words) are a celeb fave and the brand, which has been available in the U.S. since the 1970’s, has been enjoying a nice surge in popularity in the past couple of years. You can find Worishofer at Endless from $42 - $75.

Seen on The Cut: You can combine a love of pretty shoes with a love of smelling pretty with the new fragrance called Beyond from Anna Dello Russo, who is currently Editor at Large and creative consultant for Vogue Japan.  The almond and vanilla scented perfume will be housed in a golden shoe, which I imagine would be a nice little decorative keepsake once the fragrance runs out.  It will be available by the holidays.

Is there a correlation between an economic downturn and an upturn of heel height on shoes?  Apparently so, as this New York Times article explains.  During a recession, we typically see higher heels, like the over 5-inch heel on the shoe pictured above, which was created by Salvatore Ferragamo during The Great Depression.

There’s a new trend for au naturel, prehistoric-inspired shoes, like the one pictured above which will be available at a store near you this fall.  Ok, I’m kidding…this is actually thought to be the world’s oldest known leather shoe that was recently discovered perfectly preserved in a cave in Armenia and estimated to be 5,500 years old.  These are considered to be very high quality for the time and were likely very expensive.

Finally, we have a resource for buying and selling shoes online.  I received an email from Ellen at If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit, which is an auction site where people can sell, swap or shop for shoes.  She let me know that there’s a coupon code SOLES for two free listings and you can also use coupon code SHOES to get five more free listings (expiration unknown).  Update: The SOLES coupon is available indefinitely, while the SHOES coupon is good for 12 months. 

That’s all for now, but have a happy Wednesday!

Halle Berry image from People.com.

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I talked about some coupons that take further discounts on sale and clearance shoes yesterday, but we have another sale on a sale with even bigger total savings to discuss today.  You may know that Martin + Osa, which is owned by American Eagle Outfitters, is closing and they are continuing their Final Sale by taking steeper markdowns on their merchandise than we saw before.  This includes their selection of women’s shoes and it gets even better when you get a whopping extra 50% off your order automatically at checkout.  The selection of shoes is certainly getting limited at this point, but there’s still some great deals to be had.  Case in point: The Dolce Vita Ivory flat sandal in pewter (pictured above) is marked down from $130 to $59.95, but drops to just $29.98 at checkout.  I checked around and other stores that carry it still have it listed in the $125-ish range, so it’s definitely a bargain.  You can also get Havaianas Slims and other flip flops for $7.48 after discount, plus more styles from brands like Dolce Vita, Schu, Rough Justice and Dulce at super-low prices (none are over $30 after the savings).  Note that all sales are final and shipping adds $7.  The expiration, if any, is unknown.

Update: The sale expires 7/28/10 when the store will be closing its doors.

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*Update: This post is from 2010.  Check out 2011 4th of July shoe sales*

It’s 4th of July weekend and time for plenty of fun, but it’s also a great opportunity to save some dough all-American style, especially right now while we’re starting to see big markdowns on summer merchandise.  Independence Day sales are literally everywhere and there are definitely some great shoe sales that have already started, so I thought I would round them up into one big list for anyone who might be shoe shopping this weekend.  I’ll also be updating this list over the next few days anytime I come across more sales and coupons.  So, without further adieu, here’s the rundown of what I’ve seen so far:

American Eagle is having one of their awesome clearance sales right now that also applies to their selection of clearance shoes.  You get an extra 30% off automatically at checkout for a limited time, but then you can also apply coupon code 32944527 to get another 20% off (expiration unknown).  That makes for some super-low prices on their selection of flats, flat sandals and sneakers, like the AE Grommet Sandal (pictured above) that’s on sale for $19.95 and drops to just $11.17 after the code.  Availability can be limited for some styles, so it’s best to shop by size in the top right to narrow it down.  Shipping adds $7, but it’s free if you buy 3 or more items until 7/5/10.

Guess.com is also having a sale on a sale and it takes an additional 50% off already-reduced items.  Browse their women’s sale shoes and, if you see something you like, you’ll see the price slashed in half at checkout.  I like the femininity exuding from the Guess Journ, which features eyelet cutouts and a corset-like lace-up detail on the back.  It’s available for $89.99 in black or white, but the price is reduced to $45 after the discount.  If you spend $100, get free shipping with coupon code FREESHIP100 for a limited time.  The sale expiration is unknown, but it’s likely for the upcoming holiday weekend only.

If you’ve got your mind set on a pair of Chinese Laundry shoes for less, shop Chineselaundry.com and get 30% off any sale shoes when you apply coupon code CL30SALE at checkout.  Make a dramatic statement in the Chinese Laundry Slippery Slope, which has a mix of exotic patterns.  They’re marked down to $69.99 (regularly $119) in black or brown and, after the code, they’ll be yours for $48.99.  The code expires 7/12/10.

80’s Purple offers cutting edge shoe brands like 80%20, Dolce Vita, Industry, Report and more and you can get an additional 25% off your purchase with coupon code fireworks during their Red, White & Purple Sale.  The Dolce Vita Niko wedge in black or brown is priced at $172, but it falls to $129 after the code.  The sale expires 7/5/10.

Shoemall is having a Fourth of July shoe sale and it takes 20% off your purchase via code JULY4.  It applies to regularly-priced items only and shipping is also free.  If you’ve had a gold glitter pump on the brain since Sex and the City 2, you might like the Steve Madden Caryssa platform pump.  It’s $129.95 before the code and $103.96 after.  The coupon expires 7/6/10.

Steve Madden is taking 40% off clearance shoes when you apply coupon code 40CLEARANCE at checkout.  Get a nice price on a clog with plenty of edge, the Steven by Steve Madden Durann, which is so on-trend and marked down from $149.95 to $99.99.  After the coupon, get them for $59.99 in black, brown or red.  The coupon expires 7/11/10.

Koh’s has a new coupon that takes 20% off any purchase, including shoes.  Enter TOPSECRET during checkout to get the discount, which you can even apply to Skechers Shape-Ups (just tested it and it worked).  The Skechers Shape-Ups Action Packed High-Performance Shoes are on sale for $99.99 (originally $109.95), but they are $79.99 after the code, which expires 7/4/10.  Update: This code is now expired, but use code JULYSAVE for 15% off until 7/11/10.

Bloomingdales is having a sale that takes 25% to 40% off select items, including women’s shoes.  On top of that, get another 15% off when you use coupon code SAVE15 in the shopping cart.  I checked it the sale and there’s definitely plenty of low prices going on, but one in particular is the Corso Como Notable studded wedge.  It’s already marked down from $159 to $59.62, but it goes even lower to $50.68 after the coupon, which expires 7/5/10.

More sales & coupons for shoes:

Lord & Taylor: Buy more and save more on select sandals: 30% off one pair, 35% off two and 40% off three.  If the shoes you want don’t qualify for this discount, get 20% off regular, sale and clearance items instead with coupon code JULY4 until 7/5/10.  Some exclusions apply.

Shoebuy: 20% off with coupon code JULY4 and free shipping.

Macy’s: Extra 25% off clearance shoes (prices reflect discount) and free shipping on $99 or more with coupon code FIREWORKS until 7/5/10.

Shoesteal: Extra 20% off with coupon code JULY4 until 7/5/10.

6pm: Select Gabriella Rocha shoes for $19.95 or less and more brand sales.

Nine West: 50% off select styles, plus an additional 20% off if you buy any 2 pairs.  Discounts show at checkout.

Kenneth Cole: Select shoes get an additional 40-50% off at checkout.  Eligible items are marked with the discount amount.  The sale expires 7/8 at 3 am ET.

Aldo: Extra 20% off women’s sale pumps, shoes and boots (excludes sandals).  The discount is already applied to the product price.

That’s all for now, but be sure to check back for more shoes sales for the 4th!

American flag image courtesy of PatriotIcon.org

The Fourth of July is coming up this weekend, which for many of us means the 5 F’s will be in effect: Food, Family, Friends, Fireworks and Fun.  Part of that fun, in my opinion, is going ALL out in the patriotic spirit of Independence Day by wearing traditional red, white and blue.  Of course, you can always opt for shoes in these colors that will have you looking firecracker hot.  One of my favorites is the Charles David Tapestry (pictured above), which is available at Endless for $122.47, marked down from $174.95.  It ships free via overnight shipping, so there’s still time to order before the holiday weekend.  I also found more options that range from casual and fun to dressy and fab that I think are perfect for the day.  All are from Endless and have free overnight or 2-day shipping as noted:

Jessica Simpson Bobcaty in red for $44.21 with free 2-day shipping.

Spring Step Gardenia in red for $52.46 with free 2-day shipping.

Pilar Abril Magnolia for $71.25 with free 2-day shipping.

Pilar Abril Verbena for $54.60 with free 2-day shipping.

Apepazza Topazio for $74.96 with free 2-day shipping.

Nomad Footwear Sparkles flip flop in red and blue for $23.77 with free 2-day shipping.

Poetic Licence Star Gazing in black, pink or grey for $97.95 with free overnight shipping (no red, white or blue, but love the stars).

Naughty Monkey Rain Dance for $70.95 with free overnight shipping.

Have a happy 4th!

I recently purchased these Skechers Tone-Ups Ninjafield shoes in silver because I’m trying to up my game, so to speak, in the exercise department.  I’ve been watching the rapidly growing fitness footwear market for quite some time now with plenty of interest, but also a healthy dose of skeptism.  It seems like every shoe company around that has anything to do with athletic or comfort shoes - i.e. Skechers, New Balance, Reebok, Earth and more - now offers lines of footwear that tout bold claims like weight loss, muscle toning and tightning, calorie burning and more just by wearing them regularly.  And though these shoes often receive positive reviews, it never seems all that clear if they actually cause weight loss or if they really change the shape of your legs over time.  But, I do want to believe that a pair of shoes could be my magic bullet (ha), although the price points have kept me at bay until now.  I just don’t want to shell out the big bucks for shoes that would normally cost much less without all of the promises, i.e. $50-$60 for flip flops and $100+ for tennis shoes that might be half as much without the marketing hype.  However, I must admit, it’s not too much to pay if they actually work, so when I found the Skechers Tone-Ups Ninjafield at Famous Footwear marked down to $29.99 (originally $54.99) and they had a coupon for another 20% off that reduced them to $23.99, it was a no-brainer for me to try them out.  At that price, you can’t lose.

So far, I’ve been super-happy with my purchase.  I think they’re cute for a casual shoe and they felt great from the moment I tried them on.  They have a cushy midsole that I can only describe as like walking on a mattress (in a good way).  The marketing booklet I received with my order says that the midsole is made of a double layer of high-tech polymer with varying thickness from heel to toe and the gradual variation causes three distinct areas of compression: a firm toe area for maximum control, a stabilizing middle and a softer heel strike that causes more effort with each step.

I’ve been wearing them regularly around the house and for doing things like running errands for a couple of weeks now.  I can definitely say that these shoes are very comfortable.  I went out for one of those long power-shopping trips recently and I typically feel plenty of tension and fatigue in my feet at the end of the day (more or less depending on my shoes) but I felt absolutely none of that when wearing the Tone-Ups.  I definitely give them a thumbs up for that. 

As far as toning and weight loss goes, it’s hard to say.  Obviously it takes time to see any dramatic differences, but I do feel like I’m standing a bit straighter and a couple of times I felt some muscle activation in my calves that I didn’t notice with other shoes.  All in all, I am feeling stronger, but I’m also doing other types of exercise, so I can’t give full credit to the shoes at this point.  However, I do like them enough that I’m considering buying another pair.  I’ll give it some more time and keep you guys updated if I see additional results.

If you’d like to try out your own pair of Skechers Tone-Ups for less, you can still get the Skechers Tone-Ups Ninjafield in silver for $29.99 at Famous Footwear with $4.50 for shipping.  Apply coupon code DTWB291 until 6/30/10 to get 20% off your order.  Or, get them at 6pm for $20 with $6.95 extra for shipping (Update: Sold out at 6pm).  Here are some more low prices I found:

Skechers Tone-Ups Strength Train in hot pink and white for $20 at 6pm (Update: Now $14.95).

Skechers Tone-Ups Hotness in bronze for $35 at 6pm.

Skechers Tone-Ups Glamgirl in black, red or navy for $49 at Shoes.com.  Apply coupon code VISA for 20% off, which reduces them to $39.20 with free shipping.  Or, go to FinishLine to get them in black for $29.98 with about $7.99 for shipping.

Skechers Tone-Ups Candy Bar in silver or bronze for $29.99 at Famous Footwear.  Apply the code mentioned above for 20% off, which makes them $23.99.

**Note: Please excuse my slowdown in posting over the past week or so.  I’ve been having some internet issues, including several bouts of no internet service at all (lovely) that prevented me from updating the site as regularly as I normally do.  Luckily, I had a technician out today and it appears to be fixed (fingers crossed), so I should be good to go.**

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Cheap Chick is back in business today, this time searching for shoes that are perfect for both the active summer lifestyle and the good ol’ wallet.  She scoured her favorite bargain shoe store, 6pm, for the latest in good-looking casual shoes that are priced under $25 for those who need to satisfy their shoe shopping cravings for less.  We’ll see flip flops and flats, but there’s a couple heels thrown in for good measure - because that’s how Cheap Chick rolls.  Here’s what she found:

These Simple Glider shoes have an MSRP of $100 and they feature a leather upper and full grain leather lining and topsole, plus environmentally-friendly recycled materials used in the midsole and outsole.  They look pretty comfy too.  Get this pair for just $19.95 in black or brown.

Here’s another pair of eco-friendly shoes from Simple, the Simple Undertoe.  These shoes are made of natural materials like organic cotton, bamboo, jute and recycled tires.  They have a MSRP of $75, but are marked down to $19.95 in brown multi or pastel multi stripes or in solid black, natural and brown color options.

Lose the heels, keep the style with the Franco Sarto Journal strappy flat thong sandals, which feature a leather upper.  Choose from black, pink, blue or brown for $20.70 (MSRP $69).

Add some bling-bling to your casual look with the Volatile Partay, which comes in silver, blue, black or brown for $24 (MSRP $59.99).  There’s also a red version for $30.

Here’s another sparkly option, the Skechers Grace Kelly sequined wedge flip flop.  Get it in brown with bronze sequins for $22.20 (MSRP $37).

Get a flip flop from the folks famous for their sheepskin boots.  Ugg may be a love it or hate it kind of brand, but you have to admit these look super-comfy.  The Ugg Tasmina flip flop in mango is offered for $25 (MSRP $50).

If you practically live in the water all summer long, you might like the Terrasoles Beyond flip flop, which has a anti-microbial footbed suited for going from wet to dry and back again.  These come in pink, black or green with black sole for $22.43 (MSRP $39.95) or get a pink pair with white sole for $17.55.

Keep your casual look super-classic with the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Seasonal Ox for $22 (MSRP $44).  I love the sky blue color, but it also comes in dark pink for the same price.  There’s also a light orange version or a white pair with neon pink laces and trim, each for $26.40.

Now for a couple of heels under $25:

Nine West Jai black leather peep toe pump for $23.60 (MSRP $59).

RSVP Hana in red or black satin for $23.46 (MSRP $65).

Shipping adds a flat-rate $6.95 to any size order at 6pm and prices can change at any time.

Have a happy Saturday!

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