Long leather gloves at Bloomingdale's

Although they're a little pricey at $198, these 12-button long leather gloves from Bloomingdale's are really appealing.  Sadly, they're only currently available in brown and red.

However, if you're going to show these long gloves modeled, don't show them scrunched to the max!

Extreme thigh-high boots - "Kane" by Report Signature.

Under the category of "boot looks I'll never be able to pull off" come these very memorable "Kane" boots by Report Signature.  First of all, they're not new, and in fact, I found a 2009 photo shoot on YouTube featuring them.  However, I'm not sure if I've ever featured them on this blog before.  And they're definitely blog-worthy!



The fact that these have straps at the top of the shafts that allow a belt to be attached remind me of vintage "Wild Pair" chap boots.  For the record, I've tried those and found I'm not leggy enough to pull off the look.  If I could pull this look off, I'm thinking it would be fun to debut them at a Halloween party paired with a catsuit for a very sexy Catwoman costume.

Below is the aforementioned photo shoot video.  Oh, and the long black leather gloves are a VERY nice addition to an already incredible look!


Another nice, but short, video of these boots strutting!

SHOPPING: It may still feel like summer, but at least the boots are out in stores!

With temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, it was refreshing to see a nice selection of boots on display at our local Marshall's and TJ Maxx stores last week.  Both stores I visited had boots in boxes, with a sample on display above the boxes.  Unfortunately, the TJ Maxx display was fairly unorganized and more difficult to shop than Marshall's.  As someone who doesn't normally store boots in boxes (except the few pairs of higher-end boots I own), I miss the old days when these stores used to just display pairs of boots out in the open, whether by standing them on shelves or hanging them from a rack.  Nothing is more frustrating than thinking you've found the perfect pair in your size only to open the box and find it's the wrong color or style.  However, there is something to be said for that lovely leather aroma which wafts out when you open the box!

Back to what was on display at Marshall's and TJ Maxx, it's obvious that riding-style boots and other knee-high boots with flat heels will continue to be a big trend again this season (even Costco is carrying this style!).  Of course, I tend to gravitate toward the heeled boots, and the ones that caught my attention at both Marshall's and TJ Maxx were the Michael Kors "Lesly" boots for $179.99.  A little pricey for these stores, especially considering that I'm seeing similar prices online.  Although I've never been a flat of platform soles, I do like the stacked heels on these.  I found some photos of the boots being very nicely modeled on the My Style Snapshot blog.  I'd like to find a pair of great stacked heel boots this season, but something a little more conservative like these gorgeous vintage Anne Klein boots currently listed on eBay (if they were anywhere near my size, I'd have snapped them up for sure!).

Marshall's also had some nice Ralph Lauren black leather dress boots with fairly conservative spiked heels.  I didn't catch the price, but I'm always a sucker for a nice pair of black leather dress boots!

Here's to cooler weather coming soon so that we can really start appreciating this season's boots!

Great Bloomingdale's sale graphic

I like the graphic for Bloomingdale's "Big Brown Bag" sale, especially the outfit on the model.  It's hard to go wrong with a blazer, leggings, and tall boots.  I really like the boots and they remind me of my current favorite Dolce Vita "Donnie" boots.

Best ad campaign ever?!

Kudos to the art design team at Fernando Berlin, a German maker of high-quality thigh-high boots and long leather gloves.  They seem to have captured a very popular leather fantasy, as in being seduced by a gorgeous woman wearing a mask, catsuit, long black leather gloves, and stiletto thigh-high boots.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I went to the website and found out there's a video and the photo shoot revolves around a lap dance while being handcuffed to a chair.  Sigh...

EXPIRED DEAL: Lauren Urstadt black leather opera gloves for $99 on Gilt

I'm bummed that I missed the sale on these Lauren Urstadt black leather opera gloves on Gilt. I definitely would have snapped up a pair for $99.




These appear to be very well-made and the perfect length for wearing extended past the elbow or scrunched below the elbow. The elastic at the wrist is also a nice touch.




Very nicely modeled, by the way! They really rock the look of the "little black dress!"

The Boot Shop at Gilt.com

The current "boot shop" sale on Gilt.com features a very nice leather shorts and over-the-knee riding boots look as its header.

ARCHIVE: The Velvet Assassin

A few years ago, a videogame called "The Velvet Assassin" was released. What's sexier than a spy in all black leather? This would also make a great Halloween costume!

The first photo is a prototype of what the character was supposed to look like for the videogame.


These photos are from a ComiCon type event where a model dressed up where attendees got to pose with a model dressed up as The Velvet Assassin. Talk about a great modeling gig!