Taking Care - Snakeskin Shoes and Accessories

Snakeskin is a designer favorite for shoes and accessories and is frequently a popular choice for fashion-conscious shoppers but it does require special care and maintenance to keep up it soft and supple.  

J.Crew Snakeskin Valentina Pump in Casablanca Blue

Snakeskin is a surprisingly durable material with interesting and unique characteristics thanks to the natural skins used in construction.  Properly maintained, snakeskin goods can keep their new appearance and provide many years of use.

Closeup of the scales on the blue Snakeskin Valentina pump

Snakeskin by nature is very absorbent but the drawing in and releasing of moisture can cause it dry out and crack, not to mention the possible watermark stains left behind.  It's never a good idea to set your handbag on the floor because floors are filthy and besides the risk of stains there are other things you may inadvertently pick up, like bacteria and viruses.  I highly recommend a purse hook to keep your bag away from the perils of a dirty floor.  To avoid other moisture, if at all possible do not use snakeskin accessories when there is any chance they will come into contact with moisture like rain, snow or perspiration.

Chloe Small Betty Satchel in Python

Of course no one can predict the weather (or life for that matter) with 100% accuracy so if your snakeskin item does get wet, quickly wipe it with a clean, dry, white cotton cloth.  If you don't have a cloth available you can use tissue to gently blot up the moisture.  Remember to always wipe in the direction of the scales.  Never wipe against the scales or you may end up lifting the scales and permanent damage could result.  Once you've dried as much as possible with the cloth let the item air dry naturally, indoors, away from direct heat and sunlight.

Closeup of the scales on the Chloe Betty handbag

For regular cleaning take a soft cloth very lightly dampened with water only - no soaps or detergents - and wipe in the direction of the scales to remove any dirt and debris.  Follow with soft dry cloth to pick up any remaining moisture, wiping again in the direction of the scales.  Then do the same as if your item was accidentally wet, let it air dry naturally, indoors, away from direct heat and sunlight.

Once dry, condition using a product specifically made for snakeskin.  I use this product by Totes that cleans, conditions and protects in one step.  Apply the product to a soft, dry, white or light-colored cloth and first test in an inconspicuous area to ensure that dye is not removed or the skin is not discolored.  Let it dry thoroughly.

If the product dries without leaving any marks then proceed with the rest of the item.  Work the product gently over the snakeskin, applying evenly over the surface.  If your item has a shine then wait for the product to dry slightly and buff with a soft cloth in the direction of the scales.  If your item has a matte finish, once the product is absorbed just leave it without polishing.  If you're conditioning a large item like a handbag, finish one side before starting another and allow the bag to rest after a couple of sides so that the product has a chance to dry thoroughly and evenly.

As far as what type of cloth to use, soft white or light-colored flannel is best.  Whenever I stay in a hotel I always toss the complimentary flannel shoe-shine cloths into my suitcase to be used at home for cleaning, drying and polishing and they are great for silver polishing too.  Alternatively you can use pieces of old flannel or jersey, recycling those worn out pajamas and t-shirts.  Just be sure that they are clean and you use cloth that is not heavily dyed in order to avoid color transfer.

Color transfer from blue Valentina pumps

Speaking of color transfer, it's possible a small amount of dye may transfer from the snakeskin to the cloth when conditioning and that is fine but if there is a lot of transfer then discontinue the process and try a different product or leave the item as it is.  Never rub excessively hard, use a light touch.  A foamy product gets into the cracks and crevices better than a liquid or cream so it makes your job easier.


And just one more note about color transfer.  Denim transfer is extremely difficult to remove from snakeskin so you would be wise to wear your dark rinse denim with something else.




A few other tips:


Do not use products made for regular leather or suede on snakeskin as it may cause the skins to wrinkle and/or the scales to lift.

Snakeskin is thin and is often given body by reinforcement with regular leather, particularly around high-stress areas the the main compartment of a handbag.  The snakeskin can leech moisture from this leather so it should also be conditioned with a regular leather conditioner but be careful not to apply any of the leather conditioner to the snakeskin.

Chie Mihara

Leather that is embossed to look like snakeskin, like these Chie Mihara sandals, should not be treated with products for reptile skins, they should be treated with the same products used for leather, suede or nubuck, whichever finish is used for the leather. 


Always store your snakeskin items in a dustbag or box, in a cool dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.


Do you have any snakeskin in your wardrobe?

Pack Your Bags!

Today I am leaving on a business trip to Hamburg and Amsterdam for two weeks.  My new position was supposed to require less travel but it doesn't seem to be working out that way.  Quelle surprise.  Oh well, at least I am always prepared with my travel essentials so I don't have to worry about the little things.  I just have to check the weather and the agenda and choose the appropriate wardrobe, which is pretty easy for me.

I usually plan the wardrobe in my head, mulling it over for a few days and then I pack the night before or even morning of the trip.  I've done this so many times now, it's a breeze.  My list this time includes navy suiting separates (skirt, trousers and blazer) in cotton, one pair of lightweight wool slacks, two printed pencil skirts, two twinsets, a Black Fleece navy v-neck cotton cardigan and a few tops that can work with the sweaters or the blazer.

The forecast for the first week looks like rain so I will bring my J.Crew patent Valentina pumps in gray/black animal print.  I like the look of these shoes but they are killer on the feet if I try to wear them the whole day so I'll also bring my Chie Mihara black loafers and navy oxfords.  Some days I will just be going from hotel to office to dinner and back to the hotel all via taxi so I shouldn't get too wet.  Good thing I always book hotels that have a good fitness center.  I spend far too much time sitting during business trips.

I wanted to bring the gorgeous new Porcelain Paisley pencil skirt from J.Crew since it would be great for a couple of office-to-dinner days and I could wear it on the weekend as well but the rainy forecast has totally nixed that idea.  It may seem out of place on a dark, cold, rainy day and I would be very disappointed if I soiled it with a muddy stain, perhaps brushing up against a taxi or something.  Instead I'm bringing navy and dark, although vibrant colors, mostly jewel-toned blues and purples - my standbys. 

Shoe Lineup

I also brought my Chie Mihara Dura sandals (my all-time favorite pair), in case there is a warm day during the second week, and some workout wear and pajamas that I can send to the hotel laundry.  I'll wear a silk sweater over a tee and a pair of comfy, basic jeans with sneakers on the plane.  I'm arriving on Sunday afternoon so I can dress casual and I prefer to keep my look very low key when I'm traveling.  Don't rob me - I've got nothing of interest.

I had a bit of a dither on what trench to bring given the expected rain.  Usually I take one of these Burberry packable nylon trenches that I mentioned in a previous packing post HERE, because they take so little space and I've been fortunate that there's seldom rain when I'm traveling.  This time it's likely to rain in both locations and more than just one day so I am almost guaranteed to need something that is a bit longer and can take a repeated deluge along with some wind and still keep me warm, dry and looking presentable.  

I paired up my J.Crew Icon trenches with some colorful scarves for fun and decided on the black since it is the most practical.  The gray would readily show stains and the short version is too short for over a blazer.  A scarf isn't really necessary but will add a splash of color and I can use it with the rest of my wardrobe as well.  I have a couple of scarves, one that can be used as a wrap and will go with me everywhere, just in case.  I often buy a new Hermes scarf when I'm traveling and bring it home still in the box but I rarely take any of them on trips because they are treasures to me and I'd really regret if I lost or damaged one.

So here I am in the Chinook lounge at the airport, waiting for my plane to board in about 20 minutes.  May as well catch up on my blog reading.  I have a few scheduled posts that will go up while I'm traveling and if time permits I'll put up some travel photos and OOTD posts as well.  

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Reviews - J.Crew Anchor Popover

A J.Crew box arrived yesterday with a few things I wanted to try from recent rollouts.  

The Anchor Popover Hoodie was a favorite of many - except for the price.  It's a bit much for a simple sweatshirt hoodie with an embroidered anchor, although I'll admit, it looks pretty cute.

The copy says it has a slouchy fit but to me it seems to be long and lean.  Nothing wrong with that, it's good to have coverage on one's backside.  It was comfortable but it felt a little hot and a bit synthetic, although it is 100% cotton.  It stretched over my bust nicely and didn't feel like it was pulling or puckering anywhere.  Very soft and cozy for cool summer nights.

When I first saw the Anchor Hoodie online I zoomed in on the fabric and thought it looked like last year's sun-drenched sweatshirt.  

And I was right.  Here is a closeup of the fabric on each.  It's virtually identical.  One difference I did find was that the anchor hoodie shed tons of navy fluff all over everything.  I don't remember the sun-drenched sweatshirts shedding at all, and I have worn them a lot.

Sizing Note: I bought the sun-drenched sweatshirt in my usual M last year and it really stretched out over the day so I bought another in size S and it fit better.  Since the Anchor Hoodie looked like the same fabric I decided to try it in size S and it was the right fit.  I am usually between size 8 and 10 in J.Crew tops, which translates to size M in most knits, but size S was good for the Anchor Hoodie.

The anchor is nicely embroidered and looks like it won't unravel.  It could have been placed a bit lower, I don't like where it lands on me, but that's common with my bust size and chest embellishments like this one.  The hood is wearable for extra warmth or to protect your hair in a sudden downpour and the drawstrings will do the job.  I felt like it was missing the front handwarmer pocket and would have been better if they added that feature.  

The hoodie seems fairly well-constructed but the side seams are not overlocked like the sun-drenched sweatshirt and that concerns me a bit because I have read so many comments venting about splitting seams on J.Crew clothing this season.  Whenever I get something new I go over every inch of it and I pull on the seams to see if they are sturdy.  This one looked OK.  The little bump you see is the knot of the drawstrings that hang down the front.

Overall this item is just mediocre and overpriced for what it is.  I'm glad I tried it because I love the sun-drenched sweatshirt fabric and wanted to see this IRL but the anchor hoodie is not a like-for-like replacement, and certainly not a cut above last year's sweatshirt just because of the anchor and the hood.  I am wearing those old sweatshirts once again this year and they still look decent and fit well so I'm glad I picked them up.

Oh, and of course I bought the Porcelain Paisley pencil skirt that you see in the photos above and I love it.  Bought my smaller size 4 and it fits, maybe even a bit roomy but not enough to size down.  I didn't have time to style it and I won't be wearing it for a while (I'll tell you why in an upcoming post) but I'm happy to have it in my wardrobe and it should see the light of day before the end of June.  I have the perfect linen shirt in Capri pink that the model is wearing with the skirt but I'm loathe to dress in one label from head-to-toe so will likely pair it up with something else.  We'll see.

What do you think of the Anchor Hoodie?  Is it on your wishlist?

Have you bought the Porcelain Paisley skirt (yet)?

Reviews - Baggu For J.Crew

When you go shopping, do you take reusable bags along with you?  I usually forget until I'm at the store checkout.  Maybe a compact and functional design will make it easier to bring them along.  Enter Baggu for J.Crew.

I like the idea of ripstop nylon.  It's lightweight yet durable and also machine-washable, which is very important if you are using the bags for grocery shopping.  

The bag is generously sized at 25.5" H x 15" W x 6" D and should hold quite a bit.  The online copy says it can hold 50 pounds.  It feels sturdy, the handle edges and the opening are basted with self-fabric.  I'm not about to lug around 50 pounds of anything though, that is what husbands are for.

A choice of colors is a nice bonus, especially if you prefer to use specific bags for certain items, such as yellow for breads, green for vegetables, etc.  

There is also a smaller version for girls in both stripe and solid, decorated with a star.  I picked up one of these to try out for size as well.  It is 18.5"H x 10.5" W.  The copy does not say whether it is machine-washable but I am going to try, I just won't put it into the dryer in case it melts the star.

This one is quite a bit smaller and useful for carrying a lunch or even a six-pack.  You could drop the whole thing right into your ice chest and put the empties back into the bag as they are finished.

The large version is more useful for shopping trips and I'll pick up a few more of them with my next J.Crew order, whenever that may be - I don't have anything on my wishlist at the moment.  I think I'm set with the single small one, unless I find myself using it more often.  

The small Baggu folds into a 4" x 4" pouch, the larger into a 5" x 5" pouch.  The pouches are almost flat with the bags inside, making them very portable.  You can scrunch them up to easily fit into a pocket or small purse.  I highly recommend these bags for your own use or to give as gift.


Are you checking out the Baggu for J.Crew bags?  What do you think?

Red, White and Shoe Sale - 30% Off at Shirise!

To celebrate Memorial Day, Shirise is offering 30% off now through Monday, May 28.  As an added bonus there is free domestic shipping on orders over $125 and no sales tax is charged for orders shipped outside of Illinois.  The sale is online only, use promo code 052812 at the checkout.  

If you've never shopped with Shirise, you really should take a look.  They have an extensive range of shoes, handbags and other accessories.  The brand lineup offers everything from Hunter Wellingtons and UGG Australia to Chie Mihara and Kate Spade to Alexander McQueen and Valentino.  The current sale excludes brands Ash, Bottega Veneta and Thierry Rabotin and all sale merchandise.  Adjustments are not available for prior purchases.

Extensive Brand Lineup At Shirise

This is an excellent sale and the customer service at Shirise is phenomenal, they always take care to ensure you are completely satisfied with your order.  I've purchased several items from Shirise, including the Linea Pelle belt that I wore recently in THIS POST featuring the Altuzarra for J.Crew Manon skirt.  

I plan to take advantage of the sale and pick up one of these Kotur snakeskin clutches, as soon as I can make up my mind and decide which one.  I love blue but I think the natural snakeskin is a bit more interesting and key for me, versatile.  What do you think?  Oh, do you remember when Kotur created a clutch for J.Crew?  The gold frame wasn't my style but it quickly sold out.  If you missed it, here is your chance to pick up a Kotur clutch from a much wider selection and on sale.  

Will you be checking out Memorial Day sales at Shirise or elsewhere?

I'd love to hear what you find.

Always Appreciated!

Whenever my husband travels on business he brings home a wonderful gift for me.  On his recent trip to the U.S. he made a stop at Tiffany.

The little blue bag always holds the promise of a delightful treasure within.

The robin's egg blue box tied up with the signature white satin bow sets my heart aflutter.  It is a special feeling to pull the ribbon that opens a Tiffany package.

His gift to me, Paloma Picasso's Venezia Luce drop earrings in sterling silver.  You can see them HERE.

The Venezia collection was inspired by Venice and these earrings in particular were inspired by Venice's grand hanging lanterns and their fluid spiral patterns.  The openwork design and pivoting fashion in which they gracefully hang enables softly swinging movement that catches the light.  These are just lovely and I will treasure them always.  With each wear I will remember the thoughtfulness and love we are so fortunate to share.  Life is good.


Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Talking Trends - Baroque Pearls

My grandmother and I used to talk a lot about trends, especially jewelry trends.  She loved jewelry and so do I, even though I don't wear a lot of it.  I'm not fond of most costume jewelry, my everyday pieces are mostly Tiffany silver and quite subtle.  I do have a fondness for pearls and I have a few sets of freshwater and one set of traditional, natural cultured pearls that my grandmother handed down to me.  Lately I find myself drawn to baroque pearls, which have been growing in popularity over the past few years.

Baroque pearls are simply irregular-shaped pearls.  They are often the least expensive category of pearls, but each is unique and they can be quite beautiful.  Their affordable price puts them easily within reach.

This 64" long strand of Tahitian baroque pearls is quite versatile thanks to the extended length and the variety of sizes and colors of the pearls.  

The nacre on some of the pearls is quite irridescent with a lot of depth and the unique pearl shapes are very pleasing to my eye.

I find them quite complementary to this navy silk sweater dress from Ralph Lauren.  They add interest without being too flashy against the dark color of the dress.

I bought this 36" necklace that was supposed to be a very rich, deep pink but they turned out to be pastel and looked as though someone had dipped them in lacquer for color.  I thought they appeared very cheap and plastic so returned them without even trying them on.  I paid $7 shipping, just to take a 30-second look.  LOL

The appeal of this classic white 40" strand with a combination of pearl sizes was very strong.  Unfortunately the pearls were strung on the cord without the necessary pearl knot in between each pearl and the strand was tight, resulting in a kinked appearance, especially if I doubled the strand.  I thought perhaps I had received a fluke that had slipped past quality control so I ordered a replacement but it was the same so back it went.

Pearl Knot

The pearl knot has two functions. One is to provide spacing to protect the pearls from rubbing against each other and damaging the nacre.  The other is to secure the pearls in the event the cord breaks, so you won't lose the entire strand.  Neither issue is a major concern with these pearls since they were only $50 but the kinked appearance is definitely a dealbreaker for me.

I already had a short string of turquoise baroque pearls and matching bracelet that I wore regularly as separates or together as a longer strand and you can see them in THIS POST.  The color, shape and sizing is quite consistent on these pieces.  I wanted another version that was thicker and longer, something I could double up for a chunky look.  

I found my necklace in this 40" rope version with a blend of large and small baroque pearls. 

Here is a detail view of the irridesence and various bead shapes and sizes. You may think the vibrant turquoise color would give limited wear but these can provide pleasing complementary or contrasting looks with many colors.  Let me show you.

They can liven up neutrals as well, I plan to wear these under a white silk blouse next week and below is a look with navy pinstripes, a blouse I often wear with the orange skirt in the photo above.

To me the baroque pearls are basically costume jewelry but I really like the fun look and the fact that they are created by nature, even if it is with human intervention.  I have no idea how long baroque pearls will be readily available but they have been around quietly for years so I assume the pieces will be in shops for some time, although may not be considered "current".  I wonder sometimes if items like these will some day show up in a resale shop to be coveted by women seeking a vintage piece, similar to someone looking for vintage costume jewelry today. 

What are your thoughts on baroque pearls?  Do you have any baroque pearl pieces in your jewelry lineup?

Do you wear costume jewelry or prefer the real thing or maybe no jewelry at all?

Are there other jewelry trends you are loving right now?