Step Up Your Summer Style with Burgundy Shoes

Summer shades traditionally lean towards lighter colors, including pastels, whites, and a range of vibrant hues. Classic summer palettes also include blues and the ever-versatile black.

However, fashion trends are constantly evolving, In recent months there has been a shift towards incorporating typically "fall" colors like greys and deeper reds into spring and summer collections. This trend adds a touch of sophistication and unexpectedness to warm-weather wardrobes. Given the cyclical nature of fashion, it is possible these shades were hot in previous summers, but I do not recall.

In September 2023 when Gucci’s new creative director Sabato De Sarno introduced the Spring / Summer 2024 collection, a new color collection was also introduced. The collection is called Gucci Rosso Ancora Selection.

According to the Gucci website, Gucci Rosso “… is a signature hue inspired by the elevator interior of the Savoy Hotel where Guccio Gucci worked as a porter.” It resembles a burgundy. I’ve seen it referred to as a deep black cherry and it is beautiful! The Gucci Rosso Ancora Selection includes shoes, handbags and accessories. One of my picks of this selection is the Signoria, a 1 3/4 inch kitten heel slingback with a lovely gold chain detail on the back. It is a great everyday shoe and looks like a shoe for wearing all day. The price is $1,150. The link

is here: https://tinyurl.com/huak3skc

Mules are an excellent option for summer wear. Their backless design makes them comfortable in hot weather, allowing feet to breathe, and they are convenient to slip on and off. These patent leather mules named Aurora, part of the Malone Souliers collaboration with Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, are a stunning summer shoe with a pointed toe. They come in a bordeaux shade, have a 2.7 inch heel, and feature an instep strap for a secure fit. The price is $775. The link is here: https://tinyurl.com/yfhjs82e

If pumps are preferred during the summer and looking for a more affordable option, Reformation’s Skylar pump is a fantastic choice.

The fabrication is a crinkle patent leather and the shade is called rum raisin. Although slightly darker than the other options shown here, it still provides a rejuvenating addition to a summer shoe collection. This pointy toe shoe has about a 3.7 inch heel. Loving the heel! The price is $298. The link is here:

https://tinyurl.com/5n95yd6k

Are you including bordeaux in your summer wardrobe, or are you thinking about it?

IT'S FLAT TIME OF THE YEAR...

I am constantly searching for a fashionable pair of flats, and these are my preferred shoes during the summer, particularly for the increased walking I do in New York City compared to winter.

Ballet flats, a classic have been my choice for years, but I am willing to explore new styles. This season, slingback flats are trending in both stores and online, and I have now embraced this style! Here are a few that have captured my attention.

Square toe shoes have been trending in the past few seasons, but I only bought a pair this season. Even more fashionable are the ones with a slingback design.

This two tone pair, with a great gold embellishment by Balmain looks to be versatile. With a sophisticated patent toe cap, you can wear these with a casual or a dressy outfit. This is the Eden style in two-tone leather The cap is patent leather.

The price is $795 Here is the link: https://tinyurl.com/yhd4upek

Balmain's website shows an all black version that is also available.

Sheerness is a popular fashion trend that you can incorporate into your footwear collection, especially perfect for warm weather! This mesh (polyester upper and leather trim) slingback with a square toe is by Rag & Bone, known for their stylish clothing and shoes. This shoe is named Astra. The price is $328 The link is here: https://tinyurl.com/y3j7sjf2

Having a metallic shoe in your shoe collection is fantastic. This particular pair is made of silver leather and features a two-tone buckle. Mixing various metal colors is an excellent way to add some flair to your outfit. This slingback, in laminated leather is named Voyou and is by Givenchy. The price is $950. The link is here:

https://tinyurl.com/2s3nuvww.

A similar version of this shoe is available, a sling back pointy toe with a three inch heel. The price is $1,095. The link is here:

https://tinyurl.com/3jej7k7u

One final item to mention is a pair of recently purchased slingbacks from my favorite shoe store in New York City, Diane B. Shoes which has two locations - one situated on East 73rd Street and Third Avenue, and the other on East 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue.

The majority of this store's shoes are private label; but I believe a good number are created through collaborations with renowned brands like Roberto Festa. Additionally, the Diane B. Shoes collection includes highly regarded brands such as Pancaldi, Giuseppe Zanotti and Fratelli Rossetti.

Season after season, Craig Blattberg, the owner, consistently presents shoes that are current without being excessively trendy. The issue I have with Diane B. Shoes is that I adore nearly every shoe I try on!

Denim remains a popular fashion trend, and I was delighted to come across these adorned black denim slingbacks. The style, named Cally is also available in navy and in beige. The Diane B. Shoes website does not have these posted to click on. In the website ,these shoes are found by scrolling to page 16 in the pdf and page 28 in the Spring 2024 Catalog . The price is $398. The link is here: https://tinyurl.com/yc4e3nx6 (I'm sure you will find other pairs of shoes you love on your way to seeing Cally!)

There is a wide variety of styles, colors, and price ranges available for flats. Which ones do you prefer?

WHY NESPRESSO DIDN'T HIT THE SPOT FOR ME TODAY

The majority of my blog posts focus on sharing positive experiences with a product, a brand, or a shopping experience. Spreading positivity is a key aspect of my content. Nevertheless, occasionally I also write about less pleasant experiences that have room for improvement.

Today I learned the buying process at Nespresso's Madison Avenue New York City boutique changed. The new way of shopping is not an improvement. It was fine the way it had been for years. Today's shopping experience left me wondering what Nespresso was trying to accomplish with these changes.

Prior to today, buying packages of coffee

pods was simple. I walked in, stood in an organized line and waited for my turn. The process was smooth and the wait was not noticeably long. The sales associates who helped me were efficient and to the point, answering all my questions quickly and clearly.

Today's Nespresso shopping experience was more of a hassle than a pleasure. I believe it went against the brand image that Nespresso believes it has.

Rather than standing in a line to be helped by a sales associate, you are asked to go to a board and scan the image. The image to scan is shown here.

Once completed, you then wait to be called. There was a problem with my scan and it did not register on the main greeter's iPad. (I don't know what the main greeter's official title is). She noticed her list did not include me so she entered my name in her iPad and I waited.

The wait was not long. However, these are the two most off-putting aspects of the new way to buy in the Nespresso boutique:

(1) There is not much room to wait in the front of the boutique. The previous buying process had people in an organized line. Now people are standing around, as if waiting for the track announcement at Penn Station.

(2) When it was my turn, my name was called. While Nespresso might be glad I came, I don't want everybody to know my name! Please, no need to hear names being called.

After I approached the sales associate, the transaction proceeded normally without any issues. However, I am wondering why Nespresso now requires customers to complete additional steps to gain shopping privileges.

Additionally, how does the new approach of having people standing around and being asked to move aside for others to reach the sales associate improve upon the previous organized waiting line?