In A Bind

When the idea of a straight jacket starts to hold a certain appeal, blame the fashion industry for transforming a sinister icon into an alluring autumn must-have!

The Grand Mademoiselle is hooked on all things buckle-laden, multi-strapped and tightly wound. A handsome leather corset belt can be liberating, offering a dramatic mood lift by nipping the waist and creating the illusion of an hourglass where none exists. Cinch yourself into the studded, tri-buckled version by Linea Pelle and savor the incomparable joy of being constricted by good taste.

If donning straps and leather buckles about the waist goes against your style grain, follow the Grand M’s footsteps and fasten on a pair of Dolce Vita Dancer flats. The affordable price and sumptuous leather outsole ensure fashion freedom, despite the devilishly restrictive design.




If the ankle strap is not your scene, opt for the luxuriously hard-nosed Jeffrey Campbell Flapper, which seamlessly incorporates a hint of the punishing and unspeakable with the everyday, witnessed by the over-sized metal buckle accenting an otherwise mundane leather skimmer.




If you itch for something more than a flat, consider transitioning to cooler temperatures by wrapping your calves in the raw leather flaps of Jeffrey Campbell’s Mario boots. The tight, knotty, slightly frantic Mario encases the Grand M’s desperate little piggies in a snug-yet-comfortable envelope of squeezing, stylish satisfaction.




What makes this bindingly brilliant trend work is the contrast between hard and soft. Mix strict accessories with lenient garb and find yourself inducted into the inner ring of the style know-it-alls. Pair exacting and slightly severe shoes with easy and gentle get-ups. The Grand M will wear her tough Dolce Vita Dancers with a pleasantly mild gray cashmere shift. She will punch up her subtle, ivory silk blouson with Jeffrey Campbell’s Flappers, paired with a quiet, high-waisted eggshell pencil skirt. Her Mario boots will give an otherwise sleepy pair of breezy Bermuda shorts the perfect edge.

Tote the newly minted Car Shoe Calfskin Shoulder Bag or Jimmy Choo’s iconic Belted Bowler to complete your ascension into fall fashion madness.

These gorgeous bags are available for the Grand M at Neiman Marcus, and all shoes can be found at Barefoot Tess.

Life's Grander In Wonderland

In the past, the Grand Mademoiselle has been faintly disheartened by the frumpy, bookish quality of the size 12 Mary Jane. Nothing screams "I'm selling out" more than a chunky standard heel and basic black strap, bereft of that special "It" quality that the Grand M thrives on.

Leave it to Chie Mihara to change the Grand M's narrow mind and broaden her horizons by adding a dash of whimsy and injecting a much-needed ray of light into the run-of-the-mill Mary Jane. How do you update a studious, if not slightly dull classic? By adding sweet cut-out details, a stacked heel, patent-leather buttons, or by transforming basic black into a dazzling matte shade of lipstick-red with contrast stitching and an abundant, rounded toe.









Chie's Lumi, Jane and Guel all make the Grand M dream of Alice in Wonderland, who chased the White Rabbit in a pair of black Mary Jane flats. Dear Alice craves a world of her own: a world of nonsense wherein there's more to life than logic and lessons. With their strange proportions and romantic design, these Chie's transport the Grand M into her own Wonderland and simply beg her to fall down the rabbit-hole. There's a good reason why that Cheshire Cat is always grinning ... life's Grander in Wonderland!

All of these gorgeous Chie Mihara's are available for the Grand M at Barefoot Tess, www.barefoottess.com