Just for kicks (get it) here are some of the Jeffrey styles

It is official

We are done writing Spring and Summer merchandise!  Now it is time to sit back, relax, and watch the styles roll on in.  And what a great season it will be, seriously, everything that is coming in is killer.

So what can you expect from Thom Brown for the coming season, here is a consolidated list:

• Lots of Aztec / Mayan / Tribal prints on heels and flats
• Some neon too!More smoking slippers, this time in suede and with SPIKES!
• Petite cutouts & mini-floral prints
• A modest amount of glitter
• Awesome colors like turquoise, orange, and deep blues
• More Nightwalks
• More Litas
• Even more spikes
• Jeffrey Campbell sneakers

The bottom line is styles are already arriving in the store, so bring on the warm weather!

Spring Spring Spring, it is coming!

It is around 50 degrees in Boston right now and it is January.  What is going on?  Perhaps I should be concerned, but I really just hate the cold.  It snowed over the weekend, and while it was rad, and me and my roommate gawked at the sky for about an hour that night, as it was the first legitimate snow we have had this winter, once it starts melting, I don’t want to see it anymore.  So this abnormally high temperature, and this news of New England having one of the warmest winters in recent years, is more like music to my ears.

Ever since FFANY, I have been eagerly waiting for some of the spring merch to start coming in to the store, and last week I got what I wanted.  These.  Enigma, wow, A+.  Its really a great when you forget about things that you really liked when you first saw them but they just managed to escape you in the interim.  My mom pulled one of those at Christmas this year, it was awesome.  And it happened again with these shoes.

A shoe reminiscent of the Jeffrey Campbell Foxy, but for much less, this is a killer style.  The mustard yellow is a great color for this spring, and basic black is always a win.  Either color is equally great in my opinion.  But oddly enough, I am really wanting the mustard yellow.  What a contrast to my usual, all black everything, attire.

Be sure to check these shoes out at ThomBrown.com, or stop in one of our locations and try on a pair!  If you get them today and you are in Boston, the best part is that you can even wear them today…if you are feeling ambitious enough!

Tis the season for Post-Holiday sales!

How many of you did this happen to, go out to buy presents for all the important people in your life, and somehow you wind up buying more stuff for yourself then for other people?  Free People got to me with their sale, and Armageddon in Harvard Square just had too many records I couldn’t resist (if you have never been in this record store and happen to like punk/metal stop what you are doing and go there now).  I did get all my shopping done, but only after several bank transfers and pit stops.  Perhaps even better then the relief of finishing your Christmas shopping, is the reward of post-Christmas sales.  Consider it a huge pat on the back for making it through yet another holiday season.  We kicked off the sale at the store the day after Christmas, and its been wild ever since.

Believe me when I say that more than half of the shoes in the store are on sale currently, and they will stay on sale until you guys get them out of here, so get to it!  It can be a little overwhelming at first, so lets just give you some highlights, my personal take on which sale items you should jump on ASAP!

There are awesome deals on upscale brands like Pikolinos, Everybody, and Timberland.  We even have the Tardy by Jeffrey Campbell on sale!  Be sure to check out other sale items from Steve Madden, Chelsea Crew, and Chinese Laundry.  Head to ThomBrown.com or stop in one of our stores and check these sweet deals out!

Thom Brown Holiday Gift Guide: Take 2!

Cougar – The Pillow Boot

Just the other day we got tons of styles from Cougar that have tons of present potential with this guy as the numero uno!  Cougar brought back their iconic style, The Pillow Boot, for this winter season and Thom Brown has ’em.  If you don’t know much about the style, here is a brief history lesson, don’t worry you won’t be graded on this (its my finals week, I had to make a joke somehow).  The style was originally launched in 1976 in Canada, the original color being what you see here.  The tan leather style is a limited edition style, they only made 900 pairs of these babies!  The red lining on the inside is an awesome accent for the shoe, definitely an eye-catcher.  We all know how much winter can suck if your shoes aren’t good, well you need a good jacket too, but that’s beside the point right now.  These boots are 100% guaranteed waterproof!  Amazing.  Don’t bother with the spray, you won’t need it for these.  If that isn’t reason enough to accept that these boots are awesome, and would make for an even more awesome present, I just don’t know what will get you on board.  These boots won’t stick around for long, note the 900 pairs, so invest in this ASAP!  Whoever has the honor of getting a pair will be so stoked.

My how time flies!

So essentially the holiday season is here.  I am asking myself where did the time go?  It feels like just last week we were gearing up for Black Friday, and now its December 12, and I have no holiday outfits and no presents.  Oops.  Time flies I suppose!

Actually, time really has flown because it was only about a week ago that I went to FFANY in NYC to look at new merch for the store come spring, and let me tell you, there are a lot of things to look forward too.  Given that the winter weather has finally set in, we could all use a little something to look forward too.  Tons of tribal prints, raffia wedges, and laser cut-outs are just some of the things to be expecting from the new styles that will be arriving as early as March!  So stoked.

But there are also going to be some new new additions to the Thom Brown family… drum roll please!

While browsing the Steve Madden show room, we stumbled upon a fantastic new line, maybe you heard of it.  The Freebird collection by Steve Madden is something totally new from them, and I love it!  We are getting three styles in at the store, as seen to the left.  How gorgeous are these boots?  These babies are handmade boots, made in Mexico, and the quality is through the roof.  The weaving and the colors are amazing, making for great personal style.  These are hitting our store in early spring so be on the lookout for sure!  Sizes will be limited to one pair per size (womp-womp) so if you are loving what you see, snag ’em fast!

The news doesn’t stop there!

For sometime now, there has been talk of Swedish Hasbeens arriving at our store.  Well the day has finally come, three styles will be hitting the shelves mid-spring!  You can’t get much better when it comes to quality then this brand.  These shoes are all handmade from the best materials around, and they age with wear and tear to make a shoe that is a unique fit for you and your style.  The leather and wood darken the more you wear them, and the wood will give and mold to your foot, providing you with personal comfort of the highest level.  Swedish Hasbeens are definitely something you should check out if you have not heard, and if you know of them and love them as much as you should, then you definitely have something to look forward too this spring at Thom Brown.  As I said, we are getting three styles around mid-spring seen to the right.

Stay tuned for further updates about these new brands if you see something you like!

Obsessed

We just got the Jeffrey Campbell Night Walk in black suede this morning and all of us here at Thom Brown are loving these fierce shoes!  Check them out at ThomBrown.com!

Trend Report: Smoking Slippers

As all fashion lovers know, every season new trends emerge.  Some stick around for a long time becoming more of a fashion staple while others only have a shelf life of the season.   But, more often than not, these trends always loop back around at some point.  This season, the trend that I am really digging and think will stick around for awhile is the smoking slipper.  Think Hugh Hefner swag with a sexy sultry feminine spin.  We beat our feet up all day and night wearing sky high pumps, and trust me I am guilty as charged when it comes to that crime, so why not reward our feet with comfy and uber trendy flats!  The versatility of these slipper styled flats is probably the coolest part.  With such a variety of styles and fabrics it is simple to dress them up or down.  Here are three styles that we have at Thom Brown and ThomBrown.com that are really kicking ass in sales and should probably be your next purchase!

1. Ritzy by Wanted
This shoe is in every way shape and form a mirrored resemblance of the Rebecca Minkoff smoking slipper.  The cushioned sole makes this an excellent all day walking shoe, and the glitzy fabric allows this shoe to easily transition into the nightlife!  Pair these with black skinny jeans and your favorite bulky fall sweater.

2. Elegant by Jeffrey Campbell
Heres a shocker, Jeff totally nailed ANOTHER trendy style! 🙂  The beige leather upper is detailed with silver- toned studs.  The whole smoking slipper is modeled after a grandfather-esqe slipper, but I can guarantee g’pops would NOT be rocking these!  These look absolutely killer with colored knee high tight, skirt, and a fun patterned long sleeve shirt.

3. Hollis by Bass
These are the most elegant of the 3 pairs.  They fully capture the vintage vibe with the tapestry fabric that decorates the exterior.  The interior is cushioned with man made materials and provides comfort every step.  The 1/2 inch heel gives the slipper a more professional look.  Turn heads with dark denim skinny jeans, a simple button up blouse, and a large European inspired scarf.

Getting Low for some High Class Fashion

7am.  It is approximately 30 degrees outside, and I am lacing up my shoes to go for a run.  Needless to say, I am not happy.  In fact, I am far from happy.  I throw my iPod on shuffle and hope for the best to get me through the next 5 miles.

My running playlist contains a lot of upbeat hip hop, rap, dance and techno… I need that kind of tempo to keep me going.  Girl Talk starts the shuffle.  Perfect.  After about 3 minutes of pounding the pavement, still trying to warm up, I anticipate the song switch, and hope I get another jam to keep my pace up.  Flo Rida -Low.   B-I-N-G-O.  Hi, my name is Brandilee, and Flo Rida is one of my guilty pleasures.  With nothing but myself, the cold morning air, and this 3:51 minute gem of a track my mind gets to wandering.  Apple Bottom jeans.  I remember when this song first came out (back in 2007!) my mom told me she wanted “a pair of Apple Bottom jeans for Christmas” because she heard it in the song and thought they must be hip.  No mom.  Just no.  Nelly should’ve stuck to rapping and left the designer lines to the experts.  Another side note, Nelly: Country Grammar.  Epic album.  Back to Flo though… next line of the song, “Boots with the furrrr.”  Now here is a topic my mind can settle on, shoes.

Boots with the fur are a style that I am totally digging this winter.  Now I’m not talking Snooki fur where half your leg looks like a Yeti, I’m talking very subtle fur.  Fur that says, “Hey I’m trendy but don’t worry I didn’t slay a wooly mammoth to get these on my feet.”  Boots with the fur have been a hot style for a few years now, the dynamic of the trend has evolved and changed a bit each season, and I am really liking where it has gone.  MTNG is a brand that has nailed this trend for fall/winter 2011.  MTNG, more commonly known as Mustang, is a brand that comes from Spain, and they define themselves  by “Music Trend Night Game,” and use these underlying themes to reflect in their stylish yet practical shoes.

My two favorite styles this season are the Armida and the Rabel.  This is a perfect example on how to pull off boots with the fur in two very different ways; however, both stunningly effective.  The Armida is a wedged bootie that gives you both fashion and warmth.  This woodsman inspired  hiker-like boot front is accented with a 2 3/4″ wedge, while the cuffed fold down is lined with faux fur.  Stylish?  Yup.  Warm?  You betcha!  Best of both worlds.  These look adorable with bulky socks, maroon tights, and a big sweater dress.  Now on the other hand the Rabel is a flat practical sleek-looking oxford bootie.  The folded shaft unveils a fleece lining that accents the ankle area.  Very hip.  Bust out the cords for these and pair it with a large plaid shirt, a leather jacket and lots of bracelets!  So much fun!  Both styles add a chic flare to a casual daytime outfit.

By now I’ve nearly completed my run and I couldn’t even tell you the past few songs that played. As I round the corner to my apartment I catch my breath and have to switch gears and start to get ready for work.  But hey, at least I know what I’ll be wearing today!

I DID IT

I have always loved boots.  Flat boots, wedge boots, killer stiletto boots, knee high, thing high, I love them all. The problem?  I do not own any.  Specifically, I do not own any practical everyday chic flat boots (then again I don’t own many practical shoes in general…).

I should clarify, it is NOT because I don’t like them.  Simply put, I just can’t find a pair that I really like on me. Friends of mine have agreed that this is rather odd because I wear just about anything no matter how silly it looks.  I’ve preached many times that its not what you wear; rather, how you wear it (ie- confidence and attitude).  This fall I made a promise to myself to get over my “I’m just not a boot person” attitude and embrace the leathers and suedes and wonderfulness that comes from fall footwear.

As new styles began flooding our shelves there was one pair that caught my eye.  Weeks moved on,  more styles continued coming in, and it was still that one pair that I continued to eye lust over.  4 buckles up the back of the shaft decorate the distressed cherry red leather. Falling right below my knee these trendy riding style boots have answered all my wants and needs.  I tried so hard to convince myself that they made my feet look big, they didn’t fit right with the socks I would wear with them, I really just don’t need boots in Boston… I do this with boys I like all the time, figure out the flaws and move on.  Problem is I like shoes way more than I like boys and these Matisse – Prague boots really have no flaws.

Well, I just swiped the debit card and have taken the leap of faith and made the commitment. I purchased these fabulous boots and i’m already loving fall a bit more every step I take!