Hot Styling Tips for the Holidays

It is hard to believe that another year has come and gone, and here we are in the middle of the holiday season! Here are some tips to get you through the season in style.

Let Your Lingerie Show

Katy Perry & Blake Lively

The idea for this styling tip is to take something otherwise conservative and add a little interest by strategically letting some lace slip out. You can see the lacy ladies combined their outfits with nude pumps. Gorgeous!

Patterned Tights

Sarah Jessica Parker & AnnaLynn McCord

Patterned tights are not hard to find right now. These add incredible interest to a solid black dress. Pair yours with these beautiful black satin pumps from Betsey Johnson.

Pencil Skirt with Fitted Shirt

Jennifer Aniston & Scarlett Johansson

Here is a great look for work. Wear this style with strappy heels or even patterned tights and some booties!

Go Sheer

Drew Barrymore & Maggie Q

These sheer tops look so cute with trousers! Go sheer with your shoes, too, with these ruffled booties from Chinese Laundry! (These look pink here, but ours are actually tan.)

Add Texture

Minnie Driver & Hilary Swank

Velvet is so luxurious and popular this season! Stay on top of this trend with these gorgeous green booties from Poetic Licence.

What we are thankful for...

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the past year and to think of all the things we have to be thankful for. At Solemates, we are thankful for you! Without you, none of this would be possible. As our customer, you are our most valuable asset, and you are responsible for helping us take care of the things we as individuals are most thankful for--our families and our homes. Thank you! We are also thankful for fashion and the freedom to express ourselves, and for all the little things that keep you coming back for more. Here are a few of our favorite things!

We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday, and we give thanks to you for being such an amazing customer!

Naughty Monkey: Sleek

Our shoe of the week is the Sleek boot from Naughty Monkey! This flat boot is adorable in gray leather with buckles and straps across the ankle and an exposed zipper up the side. Too cute!

Shocking Shoes!

We stray from our fabulous collection of shoes to showcase some real stunners! (Of course, our shoes are stunning, but in a totally different way.) One thing is for sure, these shocking shoes make a statement, and are slightly on the border of complete non-functionality, but for all shoe, fashion and art lovers, they sure are fun to look at!

These shoes, designed by Kobi Levi, are meant to imitate a sneaker stepping in gum. It really doesn't get much more creative that this! Kobi Levi designs a lot of very interesting shoes. You can check out his blog HERE.

I love the idea of the spiky fur mohawk blurring behind you as you walk in these creations from Yves Saint Laurent. You can snatch a pair of these for about $935.

The combination of red lips and black pumps couldn't be better! Designed by Italian designer Alberto Guardiani, these babies will only set you back $410.

Alexander McQueen's shoes are nothing short of art! The black boot on the left retails for $4,195, and the price of the gold shoe is only available upon request. Alexander McQueen is also responsible for the shoes often seen on Lady Gaga that have come be known as "armadillo" shoes.

Several variations of this shoe was seen on the Fall runways presented by Mui Mui. These Crepe Natte' lavender square toe pumps with metal floral detail can be purchased for $895 at select Mui Mui boutiques.

These are too much fun! I love the details. The Cadillac Heels retail for $1,895.

Nicole: Bask Boot

In keeping with our chain theme this week, we are making the Bask Boot from Nicole our Shoe of the Week!

Trend Report: Chains

Chains are usually thought of in the sense of their practical uses: towing a car, locking a gate, hanging a light fixture. But, these industrial links have a strong presence on the fashion front, too, most notably in accessories. They add edge and toughness to a look, and are the perfect embellishment to create ultra-femme meets tomboy. Here are some of our favorite chain looks!

This boot from Naughty Monkey is one of my favorites! I love the rust colored leather with the bronze chain detail and the wedge heel. It's the perfect color for fall and a great transitional piece for spring.

This little wedge pump from Not Rated is business in the front and party in the back. Wear these by day with a black trouser and by night to spice up a little black dress. I am in love with the details on this one from the variegated grey leather to the multi-chain covered wedge. Fabulous!

The chain on this boot from Nicole is extra special because it can be removed and worn as a bracelet. These boots are super cute with or without the chain and are the perfect color to wear with black or brown. I love this boot with some dark skinny jeans, screen print tee and chunky knit cardigan. It's such an effortless look.

And last, but not least, the Entourage pump from Naughty Monkey. This heel is such a showstopper! I love the sexy edge it adds to an otherwise conservative dress. It perfectly displays the beauty of chains and their fashion forward applications!

Check back Thursday for an all new shoe of the week, and get ready for some major cuteness throughout the month of November! We've got some real treats for your feet!

Nicole: Cocoon Boot

Over the knee boots are one of this fall's newest trends. This boot from Nicole can be folded down to go under the knee, or pulled up to go over the knee. It's amazing with skinny jeans or a skirt/dress.

All About UGGs

Anyone who has ever put their foot inside a pair of these incredible boots or slippers is sold for life on UGG®. They are extremely comfortable and so warm! This post is for those who are not sure whether to get some or not, for those who think they are UGGly and refuse to get them, and for you UGG-lovers out there--you just might learn something new about your beloved boots.

A Little History
UGG® Australia began in 1978 when Brian Smith, a young surfer from Australia, took a trip to California with a bag full of sheepskin boots. The brand really took shape in California as Smith perfected the boots. Deckers Outdoor Corporation acquired UGG® Australia in 1995 and expanded the brand. Under Deckers ownership another boot, slippers and a few casual shoes were added. In 1998, UGG® took its first steps into the world of luxury footwear and Nordstrom was the first high-end department store to be known as an UGG® destination.

UGG® boots turned out to be a great fit alongside other high-end brands and established its reputation for luxury, quality and comfort that the company still stands by today. In 2003, UGG® Australia was named "Brand of the Year" by Footwear News magazine.

UGG® is also responsible for creating an entirely new category of footwear. Sheepskin shoes have been seen on the runways in Milan, Paris and all over the world. They are also one of the newest staples that most women find essential for their fall/winter wardrobe.



It's all in the sheepskin...
UGG® Australia uses only the highest-grade sheepskin available. Most UGG® products are made from twin-face sheepskin. Twin-face sheepskin is treated on both the fleece and the skin sides. Grade-A sheepskin is extremely dense and soft, providing the ultimate level of comfort and durability. Lesser quality materials and synthetics are coarse, scratchy and suffocating on your feet.

UGG® Australia's sheepskin breathes naturally, wicking away moisture and allowing air to circulate freely which keeps your feet dry. The thermodynamic qualities of sheepskin keep your feet close to your natural body temperature regardless of the temperature outside. Because of these properties, UGG® shoes can be worn yearround.

How to Find the Perfect Fit
Any UGG® product should be considered as an investment. As with any investment, you want to make sure it lasts you for a long time which is why the fit is so important. UGG® shoes should fit snug, but not to the point that it sacrifices comfort. The leather will give as you wear them, and we usually suggest going down half a size from what you would normally wear.


UGG® footwear is designed to be worn barefoot to maximize the cushioning and warmth of the sheepskin. Remember, sheepskin has thermodynamic and wicking qualities, so your feet will not sweat which makes socks unnecessary. The wool will keep your feet warm in temperatures as low as -30°F and cool in temperatures up to 80°F. The fleece footbed will mold to your foot creating a personalized arch support.

Avoiding Counterfeits
The best way to avoid wasting your money on counterfeit boots is by purchasing them at an authorized UGG® Australia retailer, like Solemates! If you didn't buy them from us, here are some things to look for.

1. The sole of authentic UGGs are recessed. If yours have a totally flat, smooth bottom, then they are fake. Real UGGs also have a very flexible sole that is easily bent back and forth. Any boot that has a stiff, rigid sole that will not bend, is a fake.

2. Fake UGGs do not run a size larger like authentic ones do. We always suggest purchasing your UGGs so that they fit very snug, even going down a size because real UGGs stretch and mold to your feet.

3. The label on the inside should stay "Made in China." UGGs were originally manufactured in New Zealand and Australia, but they have been manufactured in China for the past 3 years. Anyone claiming that the boots they are selling are made in New Zealand or Australia is selling counterfeits.

4. The natural fur lining should be full and a creamy color with no stray hairs or shedding. You should also be able to brush it with a wide tooth comb with a lot of difficulty.

5. Real UGGs are made of one solid piece of twin-faced sheepskin. Fake UGGs are usually made of two separate pieces of material, an outer suede-like material and then fur fibers on the inside, and are sewn together around the edges.

If you did not buy your UGGs from us, or you purchased them from an un-authorized dealer, there is a good chance yours are fake. Check over them, and compare them to pictures here. If yours are counterfeits, you are missing out on an amazing product, and you should come let us introduce the real thing!