I'm a firm believer that if you drop any money on a Halloween costume it should only be on things that you're going to wear afterward, too. I'm also a queen of the last minute and just now getting serious about it. I'm considering going as something really traditional—like a ghost or a witch, but a really good ghost/witch—and these shoes totally fit the bill and certainly qualify as something I will wear long after the fact. They're even listed as "white witch" boots on Maiden Rapture Vintage's Etsy site.

Ooh, I love! They're like a much more affordable version of these. And they're in my size. Back off. I'll cut you!

Sarah Mirk posted earlier about the "Ready to Roll" matinee bike fashion show at Portland Fashion Week last Saturday, but there was one last minute addition that didn't make it into any of the credits: Jeff Mandel, of ExIT Shoes, who I once profiled for the Merc—he's a completely mind blowing shoe maker in the old school style, trained in Europe, and he had two pairs of shoes in the show, which he says were inspired by classic cycling shoes. Peep them as they appeared here and here, and get the close up on my favorite of the two right over here:

So, I am going to Seattle for just a couple days, for (non-fashion related) work. However! Whenever I visit a city I am always interested in shoes that I can't buy in Portland (I have learned the hard way what it feels like to have paid unnecessary sales tax and it is an experience I find disproportionately depressing). I honestly have spent hardly any time in Seattle despite its relative proximity, so I am looking for a little guidance. A quick look online yields Lamb's Ear, which looks promising, but I am way interested in other suggestions, too.

So into this Rachel Comey mini-boot from the new fall offerings at Stand Up Comedy, the muted red, the contrasting toe, the buckle, the sturdy, sculptural heel... yum.

Fans of Carson Ellis' work, most notably for the Decemberists (decorating their posters and album covers, bearing the lead singer a son), here's your new must have in the shoe department:

You'll not only get to wear one of your favorite PDX artists every other day (it's not good for you to wear the same shoes all the time), but their sale helps benefit The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. You can pick 'em up here.

I saw these the other day on High Snobette:

And while I'm really more of a vicarious sneaker person, I liked 'em at first glance. And then doubt set in. To twee or not to twee, that is the question. More shots after the jump. Oh, and they don't drop until November 1st, but when they do, you can buy them here.

Perhaps. And Ezra Klein's reaction seems right on:

Looking back, the fact that people bought 100 million pairs of the ugliest shoes ever made, and then began buying charms in order to add gaudiness to the monstrosity, should have been evidence that the amount of money sloshing through the economy had made us lose our minds.

I'm not much of a sneaker person (the high heeled versions are generally an abomination, and they pretty much all are manufactured under circumstances that put my faint liberal heart on high alert), but I just received the look book for Converse's fall styles, and there's pretty much only one I think worthy of note: They collaborated with Woolrich (no Pendleton, true, but an American institution nonetheless) to make some woolly versions of the classic low- and hi-tops. The question that then remains is whether the whole workwear/neo-grunge embrace of buffalo checks and such that gained traction during the latter half of '08 will have enough momentum to remain cool come fall. Me, I just like the red ones.

I'm leaving for Mexico in a few days, and so despite the rain coming down outside I've got warm beaches and bikinis on my mind, not to mention shoes. Here are a couple I've been eying online, for the high roller, and for the low.

A couple high ones from Halo:

Just when you thought the Snowpocalypse was over, you wake up this morning to slurpy, slushy sidewalks and puddles two to four yards in diameter. It's one thing to wear high heels on a bike, or in the rain, but unless you're into falling on your keyster and ruining your shoes (there's nothing like a broken heel to ruin your day), there's just no getting around the necessity of boots you can walk on ice and through slush in. Take stock of your options now, and make sure you have at least one waterproof pair, at least one with treads, and plenty of low heels to help you balance.

This is what I opted for today on my walk to work. The basic wellie is a sound investment for these climes, with waterproofing and treads (they did great when the 'lypse was in full effect and the ice had created its own topography over all the side streets. Didn't fall once.) Parallel (1122 NW Marshall) carries them.

Frye boots are another classic that works year round. Everyone I know who has these has had them for at least five years. Imelda's (3426 SE Hawthorne, 935 NW Everett) stocks them.

If you're in the market for something less basic, here are a few that are stylish but not too treacherous:

These are by Georgina Goodwin, and are 60% off right now at Olive.

I think these No. 6 boots are brilliant. You can find them—along with a delicious shearling-lined tall version—at Stand Up Comedy (811 E Burnside), where they are 30% off (you can get 40% off your purchase if you buy two eligible items, 50% if you buy three). While you're there don't forget to huff on the Six Scents unisex fragrances. It's a limited edition (this is Series One) collection of designer/perfumer collaboration, and they're really remarkable. My favorite is #3.

These Momas from Halo (1425 NE Broadway) are very Dickensian and kind of goth. It's a good option if you want to keep a nice shape on your legs while still protecting your wool tights from the spray of passing cars.

I love these New Balance kicks in this rich red leather. Available now at Local.35.

Speaking of which, did you know their birthday is coming up? Party on Thursday at the store (details in the next issue of the Merc)! See you there. In the meantime, you might want to peep the suspiciously vast sale section of the store...

You'd better be registered and ready to vote (if you haven't already), because Olive Shoes is offering a whopping 40% off their entire stock of shoes until election eve, and it just wouldn't be honorable to take advantage of such-a-deal without actually participating in the Democratic process. Act now before these beautiful lines get snatched. Ahem, may I suggest The Obama by Coclico? The gold power boot does look rather victorious, doesn't it?

Hit the break for my other, less presidential, favorite picks.

It's been a while since I've posted a Shoe of the Day, but with the weather getting chilly, I am melting at the thought of pulling on these handmade shearling-lined boots by No. 6. It is piloting me into covet-mode. They're available now at Stand Up Comedy (811 E Burnside). I love that you can wear them two ways. So cute...