diane von furstenberg Archives | Letters from the City

I wore this out to dinner with my cousin to one of those farm-to-table restaurants. I had the best foie gras ever (including France) and my Bloody Mary-ish martini was so good. This dress was probably a poor choice for dinner– it’s not forgiving through the waist and I thought I was going to have to roll out of the restaurant after dinner. I used my turtle pin to hold the sash in place because it looks better with only one knot, although it always comes undone then.

My favorite way to carry a clutch is with the chain still attached. I just drape it over the top and carry as usual. I like the way the chain looks and I can still hang the bag on a chair at dinner instead of searching for place to put it or sticking it on the chair against my back.

Diane von Furstenberg dress, Stuart Weitzman shoes, Rebecca Minkoff bag, old turtle pin.

Another year. I first wore this dress one year ago. Not much has changed except the hair and accessories. I’m headed out of New York for a thoroughly boring weekend in the country… but if left to my own devices in New York I will go shopping. And it will be bad (Bergdorf Goodman and Lanvin kind of bad, most likely).

This is what I wore to the bridal shower last Sunday, for the second of my friends in my immediate age group to marry. I’ve been getting to wear my favorite shoes again now that the weather is turning– nude patent just doesn’t seem to work during Northeast winters. And this week’s FBFF is about shoes! A topic I’m sure is very near and dear to many of our hearts.

1. What is your go-to pair of shoes?
My nude patent leather platforms from Sofft. I think I’ve worn them about 200 times in the past year. Okay maybe not that many, but I wore them practically every day from April – October. I’m considering buying this season’s updated model with a peep toe.
I don’t tend to spend a large proportion of my wardrobe money on shoes because more expensive shoes tend to be narrow and I just can’t wear them. I was fortunate to go to a Manolo Blahnik sample sale a few years ago but I couldn’t get my feet into any of the shoes!

I apparently missed the memo about bright shoes for the bridal shower…

2. What goes into your shoe buying decisions?
Quality, price, and the balance. I can’t wear any shoes that make you feel like you’re leaning forward, it’s just too uncomfortable for me. My feet are a Disaster-with-a-capital-D from ballet and I have a very unstable left knee. I’ve learned to spend a little bit more for quality shoes and it definitely helps me out.

3. The majority of the shoes in your closet are what color?
Black. I even have a ton of black sandals, I guess it’s just a thing?

4. When it comes to design shoes what are your favorite brands and why?
I like Frye, which is pretty much the only brand I’ve stayed with from high school on. They’re (generally) comfortable and well made. Cole Haan has decent comfort as well, but I have the hardest time tracking down shoes in wide widths, even at the stores. I like Sofft for casual, comfortable shoes and Ferragamo for classic shapes. Dream shoe wardrobe-wise, I would want them all to be Cole Haan, Stuart Weitzman, and Salvatore Ferragamo (all make shoes in wide widths).

5. If price wasn’t an issue, you’d own which shoe?
Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Sandals or custom Sergio Rossi. I was incredibly tempted by YSL platforms last year (not these Tribute sandals but similar) but the price of YSL shoes is kind of killer at $700+. Maybe someday. I’ll have to start filling a very large jar up with spare change for shoes…