Pot of Gold by Seychelles

Don't Touch Me Lucky Charms: The Pot of Gold by Seychelles will have you fending off your own treasure seekers.

Why is it called "Pot of Gold"? The metallic gold peeking out from under black? Is the black satin reminiscent of a pig-iron cauldron? Was it designed by wily leprechauns? (Wait, we like this.) Seychelles has hit the jackpot with a shoe that tweaks everything just right and just lovely. Perhaps the most lovely aspect is the return of black to spring. This is a welcome relief from the pastels and neutrals that so often dominate. Our staffer, Ashley, also picks up on this in her post on spring bag trends. That this is done by also carrying over the holiday metallics is simply (and literally) brilliant.

The "just right" we love about Seychelles, as long as we're counting the ways, is how small details are tweaked to make a stand-out shoe, as though someone designed a pretty awesome shoe and went to bed, at which time the cobbler's elv— leprechauns finished the job in the night, elevating it to a masterwork. The four-inch heel is not an extreme height, but the balance of this height with its conical thickness is spot-on. The lift feels significant, but the silhouette seems low and effortless. It's polished, but not too sleek—the edging of natural leather knocks the glitz down a peg. This is not a look begging for affirmation.

In fact there is something overall "edged" about this shoe that thrills us. We like our photographer David's interpretation above: the shoe harshly spotted on a gritty floor. Not the place you'd expect a rainbow to end. It feels like a WeeGee crime photo, or the late-night mugshot of a celebrity. And that's what we like about Pot Of Gold: it continues to reveal itself to us. The semi-open forefoot is a nice transition look from dead winter to high summer. A golden T-strap bridges a cut-out toe and heel cup—all the more opportunity to show off golds and blacks, satins and leathers while appearing to give nothing away.

The funny thing is that Pot's black and gold really are neutrals (oh, you wily leprechauns!). They have more affinity for spring than you'd think at first blush. You can dress this up in cold weather with bright tights for a fun and warm look and, later, bare your legs and put the pizazz in your skirt or dress for clear and bright spring days. It will behave under denim, but we don't think you'd be doing it justice. After all, with a look this rich you're sure to have admirers asking after them. Your response? Somewhere over the rainbow, naturally.

 

Gypsy by Seychelles

Seychelles Seashells ... : The Gypsy makes us want to wander to exotic locales.

Yes, please!

Oh, drat. We got ahead of ourselves. What we meant to say was, "Yes, please!"

There we go again.

It's hard not to get so excited when the object of our acquiescence is the Gypsy by Seychelles. According to their website, Seychelles's spring theme is La Femme Qui Voyage, to which we reply "Oui, s'il vous plait!" One. Track. Mind over here. The theme of traveling is welcome. We want a trip. We need a trip. And we want the Gypsy on our feet – this aptly named heel being a joy in which to wander about feeling exotic.

What's the cause of our single-mindedness? The passion starts with a blood orange-red suede upper, gathered and stitched into a corrugated kind of cool and finished with a matte gold buckle. We like the coverage over the front of the ankle. The foot looks wrapped in soft suede. Swaddled. Cradled. You don't wear the Gypsy so much as luxuriate in it. Luxury isn't price; it is the quality of our comfort: looking better and feeling better amplify each other. This shoe has that. A stacked leather heel looks great and is balanced by a modest hidden platform and a cushioned insole. The nap of the suede and the brushed finish of the buckle enhance the rich, warm tones. The swaths of leather coyly reveal your foot.

It's winter here in Chicago, but we're wearing this now. Play off the tight pleats with luxe socks or leggings ... or both for an ultra-layered look. Spring's shaping up to be more casual, more local, more personal. The Gypsy's bold color both singles you out and taps into ethnic/tribal trends – the exoticism of far-away local places. It will work well with statement wood and cloth jewelry and look at home beneath shorts or floaty dresses. (Of course, no one will object if some skinny jeans found their way in.) Come to think of it, the Gypsy would be just perfect for your trip to see Chris Ofili's exhibition at the Tate Modern.

It's nearly February. We're restless, curious. Call it wanderlust. Call it we're-tired-of-wearing-wellies-every-day. Maybe ahead of ourselves is exactly where we are supposed to be – somewhere off in the spring with a shoe that's lusty and laidback, luxe but easy, richly colored and detailed. Doesn't that sound perfect right about now?

Yes, please.

Belle by Seychelles

Les Deux Belles: The Belle by Seychelles is (almost) the cutest thing we've seen.

As luck would have it, shooting the Belle coincided with the arrival of this adorable little puppy. So the question arose, "Qui est la plus 'belle?'" While Ginger melted our hearts in a way even shoes can't, we didn't think our jewelry buyer would quite appreciate our stealing her new best friend. Sigh. Seychelles it is.

We don't feel like we're settling. The Belle is a delightfully retro peeptoe pump from a small company we absolutely love. Seychelles is inspired by the mix of vintage glamour and modern design, by classic film, photography and literature. It's sex appeal and intellect. We love Belle's modern details like the tapered four-inch heel that continues the curve of the upper in one long slice; we adore the chocolate patent buttons that remind us of a fusty Victorian buttonup.

Antique gold leather lining, patent trim on buttons and toe and the heel-high upper are nicely balanced with revealing cutouts, trim modern lines and a top-notch construction. The blend of old and new here just feels fresh and versatile. We can see these worked back to your holiday dressy outfits as well as under jeans and leggings. Either way you go, a perfect compliment here is estate jewelry like bold, gem-encrusted rings, brooches and statement bibs and necklaces. The perfect compliment, that is, if you don't live with an eleven-month-old Bischonpoo bundle of cuteness.