Resort 2013 - The best of the shoes

Now that we've all oohed and aahed over the magnificent outfits of  Resort 2013, it's time to take a closer peek at the individual working parts that added to the overall appeal of each look.

Said individual working parts of those rocking outfits that are on the roster today: shoes.
From seafoam green mules to leather, mid-calf, duochromatic (<-- not a real word, but roll with me) booties replete with a line of stacked bows running from top to toe tip, there are quite a few beauties in this roundup.
(all photos via nymag.com)

 Alberta Ferretti

(I love how the ankle strap is thick around the front of the foot and then thins out above the heel.)

Bottega Veneta

(This is sexy footwear. Classy for sure, but with an edge.)

Balenciaga

(There is leather. There are bows. There is lilac AND creamsicle. There is a heel. The only thing that's missing is the kitchen sink. And I rather like this look without the kitchen sink.)

 Jenni Kayne

(Normally, I greatly dislike heels without backs - mules, if you will - but these shoes I would solely wear throughout the summer if I had them in my possession. What a color! Seriously though, isn't the word 'mules' such an  unfortunate name for such vibrant footwear?)

Jonathan Saunders

(Nothing is overt on this shoe, and I like that. The blue soles of the heels on the left are just barely visible, as is the nude lower portion of the t-strap, giving the illusion of bare skin.)

Marc by Marc Jacobs

(Bronze elevated loafers. These remind me of something that Louis XIV, aka The Sun King, would wear were he still kicking it today. Photo below for reference.)

Moschino

(Gilt-edged and delicate, peep-toed and ankle-strapped. My kind of shoe.)

 Oscar de la Renta 

(Heels that look slightly akin to armor. If ever an army needed to look glamorous, I'm sure Mr. de la Renta would be the ideal couturier.)

Ports 1961

(Every lady needs a pair of nude heels in her wardrobe. These right here are the ideal pair. Unobtrusive, and with a flattering curve to the arch, these puppies get an A+.)

Richard Nicoll

(Minimalism at its finest. The lack of fabric groping the sides of the feet gives the illusion there is simply a heel and two straps.)

L'Wren Scott

(Utterly charming. Each pair of shoes from this show matched the fabric of the dress that they were styled with. These remind me of can-can dancer heels. I would wear 'em in a hot minute.)

Yigal Azrouel

(Ankle straps are the accessory of the season. In this case, with delicate straps reinforced by a sheath of a heel.)

Fall/Winter 2012 - My favorite runway pieces, part two

(all images c/o style.com)

And away we go!

No. 8 - Sachin + Babi dress
The perfectly symmetrical tiles and the small sheer panels of the sleeveless top mesh exceedingly well with the flared a-line black skirt. A look that can effortlessly transition from day to night without much else needing to be added or removed. A++

No. 9 - Sachin + Babi black dress
Much like the Sachin + Babi dress featured in the aforementioned text, this piece makes me want to give a hearty round of applause to the design duo for having created it. The dress itself is lovely, with the leather t-shirt top and a-line, semi-sheer skirt overlay. However, the dress's appeal also lies in the fact that I believe any woman could wear this outfit and completely customize it to her style.

No. 10 - Prabal Gurung peacock dress
The first time I saw this dress, I was reminded of peacocks due to the intricate, feather-shaped lazer-cut shapes in the iridescent blue fabric. I love the small sparkly bits that thin out toward the edges of the dress, seemingly like stars in the sky. I also like this dress because it keeps prompting me to spew metaphors into its description.

No. 11 - L'Wren Scott cape
First off, I've almost never met a cape I didn't like. That having been said (typed) even if I wasn't a fan of capes, there is no way that I'd not like this fantastical, resplendent, furry, royal-hued number. Just imagine the street cred you'd obtain (and fun you'd have, no doubt) if you strutted around in this all day long. It looks cozy too, so it could probably double nicely as makeshift down comforter.

No. 12 - Kevork Kiledjian leather dress
Inspired by the Helmut Newton aesthetic, this dress epitomizes sultriness - no uber-short hems or bared skin necessary.

No. 14 - Juan Carlos Obando mint ensemble
The mint hue of the jacket and skirt indicates a summery vibe, yet the fur keeps the outfit firmly grounded in autumnal territory. The satin flats and full-length sleeves hint toward daytime wear, yet the sternum-exposing blouse and waving skirt hem veer toward after-hours wear.The choice is left to the wearer as to which occasion it will be best suited for.

No. 15 - Juan Carlos Obando t-shirt dress
A t-shirt usually invokes a casual, laid-back appeal, but the wave of the skirt hem as well as the silky finish and slim fit of the dress makes it perfect for a variety of occasions. I'm ticking them off in my head as I type...birthday party, happy hour, date night, basketball game...
Maybe not a basketball game, but who knows?

No. 16 - Jil Sander color palette
What a perfect trio of colors. Palest icy blue, light taupe and Pantone shade 230 combine together to create a beautiful vision in pastel. I am in awe of how delicate thr near-invisible neckline appears. The satin, pointy-toed heels rounds off this ballerina-esque look quite beautifully.

No. 17 - Jil Sander gown
Calvin Klein may have made "the nude dress" popular, but Raf Simons has perfected it. If Grace Kelly were with us today, I suspect she would have gravitated toward this gown.

No. 18 - Hermes suit
I can't even put into word the amazing qualities of this suit. I just keep looking at the photo as if a plethora of adjectives will fly at me, but no. I guess that's the sign of something great - speechlessness (typelessness?)

No. 19 - Christian Dior ballet-esque skirt + lace-embellished top
Frothy, in a word, sums up this punch-colored ensemble. The delicate, semi-transparent skirt is complemented by the structured, lace brocade top. I can see someone like Poppy Delevigne doing her thing in this outfit.

No. 20 - Markus Lupfer sweatshirt + miniskirt combo
I appreciate that Markus Lupfer acknowledged the fact that seasonal runway offerings don't have to follow by-the-book rules for lengths and fabrics. I love wearing cardigans and shrunken sweatshirts over shorts and dresses during summer, so it's a pleasant reprieve to see the pairing of similar styles in his line.

No. 21 - Viktor and Rolf suit
The silky shirt plus the seemingly jersey-like quality of the fabric and the slits in the pant hems lend this look a feminine air while the slashed, pillowy edged sleeves add a Shakespearean element into the mix. An inspired, new take on a timeless classic.

No. 22 - Viktor and Rolf 2-in-1
A cape and a wool trench in one. Be still my heart. Why choose between a cape and a trench at all? Finally a 2-in-1 I'd want to wear. High fashion : Viktor and Rolf :: Loungewear : Snuggie

No. 22 - Luisa Beccaria lace frock
So sweet.

No. 23 - Manish Arora dress
Because this would be a treat to wear. I'm about 99.343% positive that I would smile for the entire period in which I was wearing this frock. The Manish Arora line is always full of fun, vibrant prints. I first learned of the brand through the MAC collaboration a while back, and I've been a fan ever since. Also, those booties.