No longer just for the gym, sneakers are undergoing quite the fashion frenzy lately.

Following Isabel Marant’s launch of the cult favorite Bekket, high-top wedge sneakers have taken off.  After seeing the success of the French boho label, other top designers created their own take on the trend.  Marc by Marc Jacobs, Jeffrey Campbell, Giuseppe Zanotti and Chloé are just some of the designers who have added sneaker heels to their collections.

If you’re having scary 90s flashbacks regarding this trend, fear no more! With leather and suede accents and the hidden heel, it is easy to see these sneaker wedges serving as a comfy, chic alternative to booties this fall. Zipper and buckle detailing allow for individual style to shine through.

Celebrity fans of the style include Beyonce, Miranda Kerr, Anne Hathway and Rihanna. No worries if you don’t have the pocketbooks of these ladies, you can still rock the trend with options from Topshop, Steve Madden and Target.

Pair your high-top wedges with skinny jeans and a blazer or oversized sweater for a casual, chic look, or go with a fashion forward approach and pair the wedges with a girly skirt or dress for the perfect elegant/tomboy mash-up.

Photo Courtesy of NeimanMarcus.com/MCT (left) and Ash/MCT (above)

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 -Annie

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I am a sophomore studying Fashion Merchandising and hope to minor in entrepreneurship and/or economics. I am from New Jersey, I say BAYgels and WARDer and I am proud of it. However, unlike Snooks, my style is casual, classic, with a whimsical, romantic twist. I love good food, traveling, DIY projects, music and (surprise)… fashion. I look forward to sharing my thoughts, lessons and inspirations with you. So here it goes!

As much as I hate to see summer time end, I am glad to be back in Kent and away from the Jersey Shore crew that inhabited my home state over three years ago. While I got to spend a week down at the shore, most of my time was spent in the hustle and bustle of New York City for a Public Relations internship with Plomo, an up and coming contemporary shoe brand.

For all of you fashionistas who create trends, investing in a pair of Plomos is a must. The shoes are chic, daring and truly unique. The designers Keltse and Galia gain their creativeness from traveling, food, people and even books they read. While I did not get to spend much time with Galia because she lives in Mexico, Keltse is the epitome of artsy chic. The girl can pull off any outfit and her gaze holds a twinkle that only true artists possess.

The Spring 2012 Collection was inspired by the French Riviera and the Southern Italian Coast. The shoes capture elements of the beach with cork and wooden platforms. Lavender fields, Van Gogh’s paintings and Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’ Avignon are shown through the pale pallet the designers decided on. Inspiration for strappy oxfords in soft gray and beige leathers came from the Pope’s Palace, stone walls and Avignon’s broken bridge. The end result – romantic, mysterious footwear that leaves you asking for more.

For Fall 2013, the girls capture the culture of Merida, Mexico in their shoes. From intricate architecture surrounded by tropical jungles to the local people called yucatecos, Merida was full of inspiration. Loafers, oxfords, and fringed boots in natural and dark earth tones complete the upcoming collection. While a bulk of the line displays a men-inspired look, curvy-silhouettes and pointed toes add a feminine touch.

You can find Plomo Shoes online at these sites: solestruck, piperlime and isaay. The shoes are also in several boutiques such as Calypso and Lulu Brandt. Plomo hopes to start selling directly to their buyers in the spring.

-Alexa

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Hello terrified holiday shoppers!  We all have that one fashionista on our gift list who is impossible to shop for.  Whether they seem to already have everything, or are just way too picky, these personalized, unique gifts will be sure to get some good attention.

Accessories are always a girl’s best friend, so there is nothing more personalized than a name necklace.  These are all the craze at the moment and they, surprisingly, look amazing with almost any outfit.  The necklace comes in silver, gold, or various colors, and it is subtle enough to give a glamorous touch to an outfit.  My favorites are carried by the website www.mynamenecklace.com.

The neat thing about this website is that there are so many different options.  Instead of just choosing the color, you can choose different fonts and sizes, as well as little graphics that can be added.  Swarovski crystals are even an option.  There is no going wrong with a necklace like this.  Oh, and they have free shipping for Christmas delivery!

Being a fashion lover, I know I could never pass up a sweet pair of Keds.  Now, Keds is offering an AWESOME opportunity to design your own pair of sneakers!  You can do it from the convenience of your home on Keds’ website.  Not only do you get to pick the style of shoe you would like to design and the social colors, you can even add your own graphic image.

From the tongue to the insole to the lining and laces, you get to make your own custom shoe for a friend or family member!  It is so simple and extremely fun to do for a decent price.  One-of-a-kind pair of shoes like this would keep your fashion lover excited for days.

Basically, the key to keeping a stylish girl happy this holiday is to be unique.  You don’t necessarily have to get her that $2,000 Louis Vuitton handbag to keep her excited and happy.  Gifts like these will have her jumping for joy.

—Jackie 

Photo from MCT Campus

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