Al-Amirah Lala -- B.T.O #3

[Manolo the Shoeblogger]

Manolo says, it is time once again to play Build the Outfit!

This time, the challenge is the opposite of the first week, which was then to build the outfit that would go with the exceedingly colorful and expensive shoes.

This week, the Manolo asks you to build the outfit to go with the more restrained and affordable shoe, the Lala from the Al-Amirah, the classic peep-toe, ballet flat.

The best part of this contest is the prize, the Laura Vanderhook the designer and owner of the Al-Amirah has graciously provided the gift certificate for one pair of the shoes from their catalog.

Post your outfits below. On Friday afternoon the Manolo will announce the winner!

[la petite chou chou]

Gracious Manolo,

Do you have any other instructions for us, or any back story?

[enc]

Now, normally I fail to see the "logic" in the sleeveless turtleneck sweater, because to me, one feature is mutually exclusive of the other. That said, however, I came up against a problem when I was searching for my ideal cashmere turtleneck sweater: no one's showing long- or 3/4-sleeve this early in the year yet, so I thought I'd throw caution to the wind and include one here. Oh, and I'm not much of a jewelry girl, so I hope you all can use your imaginations. I'm thinking maybe an armful of thin gold bangles on the right, and a nice gold tank watch à la Cartier on the left.

Here are the links:
(It's an expensive outfit!)

Sweater:
http://www.us.purecollection.com/index.php?p=LK-219-BLUSH-08

Trousers:
(ignore the fact that their stylist obliterated any sense of how the trousers look in the main photo--look at the one on the right)
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574491599265&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446165858&R=430976536027&P_name=Piazza+Sempione&sid=1131D79488E6&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1181610536857

Clutch:
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446160012&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574490543155&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1181610805255&ev19=1:5

[OceanSunfish]

This is the outfit I picture:

Elie Tahari clementine stretch charmeuse 'Petra' blouse
Parameter ivory linen belt pocket shorts
Fendi brown 'Spalmati'  print 'Selleria' shoulder bag
Argento Vivo 2-ton leaf cluster earrings and leaf charm necklace

[jennye]

This is my very first post on the Manolo forums - be gentle!  I've been reading the blog for a couple years now, and had to post when I saw the chance to possibly win these fantastic shoes.  I had a great time putting together this outfit.  I chose more of a summer-into-fall look, with a somewhat bright top and low-key accessories.  It's a fairly expensive outfit, except for the Target shades

Top (in Mandarin Orange):
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=85279&CategoryID=3536&PageID=3536*1*24*-1*-1*-1*16


Jeans:
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=80991&CategoryID=3389&AdID=6094&PageID=3389*1*24*-1*-1*-1*9


Bag:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2927340/0~2376779~6008000~2376804~2378312?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2378312&P=1


Jewelry:
http://www.lordandtaylor.com/gifts/OnlineShopping/LT?DSP=4&PCR=21:201691:200084:200295:201298&IID=2007236&c=1

http://www.lordandtaylor.com/gifts/OnlineShopping/LT?DSP=4&PCR=21:201691:200084:200295:201642&IID=2009152&c=1


Shades:
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_1/602-7826908-1840648?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0002GKLT2

[Katie]

Hi, this is my first post; I'm a virgin here so take it easy!

Here's my outfit.  The Amazon Bag is found at:
http://www.amazon.com/Trendy-Brown-Leather-Pocket-Handbag/dp/B000RDKERY



Cheers,
Katie

[J-Dog]

These shoes make me want to take a long leisurely stroll through the city on a hot summer day -- and stop on a park bench under a tree to cool off with an ice cream!

Outfit for strolling the city (on a budget!):
Newport News White Stretch Wrap Shirt: http://www.amazon.com/Stretch-wrap-blouse-misses-WHITE/dp/B000N9WI8K/ref=sr_1_61/103-8193246-1466234?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1181615182&sr=1-61
Banana Republic Martin Matador Cropped Pants in Mahogany: http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=21902&pid=486542&scid=486542012



Jewelry to add some color:
We Dream in Color Naiad Twin Necklace: http://wedreamincolour.com/jade/verdigris_000.html
Fragments Baylu Vermeil Turquoise Circle Earrings: http://www.fragments.com/catalog_detail.aspx?c=earrings&id=53056




The Shoes, of course:


And a bag in which to stash a good novel (The Consolation of the Shoes, perhaps?):
Anthropologie Homerun Carryall:
http://www.anthropologie.com/jump.jsp?itemID=17839&itemType=PRODUCT&iSubCat=326&iMainCat=325

[Purly]

IMHO the best way to wear these shoes is with a combination of neutrals and their matching metallic tones. Peep toes are great for summer, so this outfit is geared towards a nice night on the town in the summertime.



Missoni Hombre Cowl Dress, Pianegonda Trait D'Union Multi-Strand Circle Bracelet , Pianegonda Gold 'n Soul Earrings, Chantecaille Luminous Eye Liner, Kooba Mimi Small Cinched Satchel

[la petite chou chou]

Ok...I put a lot of thought into this. The shoes appear to be brown and gray tweed so I have gone with the brown theme. They seem to be a bit textured like fall so I wanted to reflect those types of colors.


Anthropologie

The Shoes

Banana Republic

Guess

Banana Republic

Target

The total comes to just under $280. There didn't seem to be any price boundaries, but I wanted it to be a practical, wearable outfit whose pieces could intermix with the rest of the wardrobe.

[Valkyria]

I put the subdued flats with a dark pair of seven jeans
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod40660029&parentId=cat6070731&masterId=cat1910732&index=6&cmCat=cat000000cat000001cat000111cat000118cat8710735cat1910732cat6070731

I added the colorful cami to bring color and excitement to this outfit
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod41490008&parentId=cat6530740&masterId=cat7690734&index=6&cmCat=cat000000cat000001cat000111cat7690734cat6530740

I then put in a white hobo bag and stylish sun glasses to pull the look together
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod35850172&parentId=cat13030751&masterId=cat13030740&index=16&cmCat=cat000000cat000141cat13030735cat13030740cat13030751

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod38040069&parentId=cat9270738&masterId=cat9270731&index=66&cmCat=cat000000cat2830732cat2830735cat9270731cat9270738

[raquel]

i thought of a casual shopping trip with girlfriends, hence the simple outfit.

since the shoes are brown, i wanted to keep the colours to white, yellow and brown shades. the whole look is very light-hearted as no accessories are included. it's girly yet simply chic for spring/summer.

TOP:
Edun 'Eyre' V-Neck Blouse ($155.00) - Nordstrom

SHORTS:
Billy Blues Roll Cargo Shorts ($98.00) - Nordstrom

BAG:
Chloe Maggie double-frame bag (£1,313.61) - net-a-porter



- raquel

[atari]

Disco Criss-Cross Top - $17.80 from Forever 21


Pointelle Corset Cardigan - $49.99 from Urban Outfitters (this would be left open)


White Linen Cuff Shorts - $79 from Bebe


Zelda bag - $59 from Anthropologie


Climbing Vine Earrings - $148 from Anthropologie

And, bien sur, les chaussettes!


And topped off with a great big pair of sunglasses!

Two-Tone Butterfly Sunglasses - $14 from Urban Outfitters


I didn't see a price limit specified, so I splurged on some things. The total came to (including the shoes) $402.80.

[DoraLong]

I didn't bother with addition, as the total is more than my car is worth... but that's the fun of it!

The simple yet super fantastic wrap dress from the one and only DVF!



The iconic Hermes bag



The accessories from the brilliant Elsa Peretti







The Armani shades

[sam]

Here we go for this week... I found this one to be a bit of a challenge, as I wanted to dress it for Fall/Winter (probably because it is Winter here) - but knowing that many of the readers are in the Northern Hemisphere I didn't want it to look too severe... Enjoy.

top: Urban Outfitters



skirt: Ann Taylor



bag and earrings: Anthropologie





necklace: JCrew



and the shoes...



Also, thanks Manolo for continuing to post these fun diversions!!!

[Mrs. Peperium]

These are the perfect shoes for a crisp Fall Saturday morning breakfast in the breakfast room with my husband. Yes, a crackling fire is a must as is the smoked salmon.

Outfit:

My husband's Glen plaid viyella robe:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Viyella+robes&btnG=Google+Search

with the Al-Amirah Lala clasic peep-toe ballet slipper.

jewelry: wedding ring
make-up: no
hair: toussled