Time to Buckle Down!

One two, buckle your . . . skirt? Perhaps it's fashion's recent tendency toward tough chic, or the delight in embellishment for embellishment's sake; whatever the reason, buckles are more prevalent than ever!

What CC loves about this trend is the unexpected (and sometimes needless) placement of fasteners once left to the domain of the trench, the belt, and the shoe.

Left: Comme de Garcons buckle coat and skirt... The straightjacket gets a runway makeover?

This photo via nymag.com. All other runway pics courtesy style.com. Assume Fall 2008 where no season is specified.

Right: Christian Dior quadruple buckle-back dress
D&G double buckle plaid skirt
Salvatore Ferragamo double buckle leather coat
Oscar de la Renta Spring 2009 maillot

Jean Paul Gaultier Couture buckle-back vest (left) and side buckle jacket (right)
One Two, Buckle My Shoe!
What CC loves about this footwear is the fact that the buckle it not a mere utilitarian element, but an objet in itself, often proliferated for effect rather than out of necessity.
At left: Anna Sui blue wood heel pump with oversize antique buckle
Jean Paul Gaultier Couture multiple buckle shoe - CC adores how it's paired with monochrome tights!
Viktor & Rolf green metallic strappy sandal
Gucci Spring 2009 triple buckle metallic platform
Jimmy Choo patent multi buckle sandal, at Bergdorf Goodman
Manolo Blahnik buckled d’Orsay, at Neiman Marcus
Juicy Couture Else patent flats, at net-a-porter.com
Naughty Monkey Colorful Talk heels - just $95 at L.A.’s Kitson Boutique. Visit shopkitson.com.
L.A.M.B. Hamura instep strap square toe sling back, at shopbop.com.
Michael Michael Kors Macdowell double buckle sling, at michaelkors.com.
Gucci multiple-buckle glad, at gucci.com
Sergio Rossi purple quadruple strap bootie, via Japanese Vogue – CC looooooves!
Zen and the Art of the Motorcycle Boot:

Marc by Marc Jacobs bump toe boot; this and next 4 at shopbop.com
Jean Paul Gaultier red strap back zip bootie
Marc by Marc Jacobs belted boot
Givenchy suede wedge ankle bootie
Anna Sui patent overlay pebbled leather boot with jeweled buckles
Dolce & Gabbana buckled flat boot, at eluxury.com
Oscar de la Renta metallic python boot. Go to vivre.com.

CC's fave!

If buckled boots aren’t your thing, try a fab fastener on your apparel!
CC loves this look – the buckled ACNE pants are unexpected and sexy! At revolveclothing.com.
Michael Kors wool sheath; this and next at net-a-porter.com
Stella McCartney slouchy D-ring cardigan
Marc by Marc Jacobs Funnel Neck top with adjustable front buckles. This and next at eluxury.com.
Maison Martin Margiela polished brass bracelet with interlocking buckles.
Marc by Marc Jacobs buckle digital watch. Visit shopbop.com.
John buckle-knit cap, at intermixonline.com.
Raina double buckle corset belt, at asos.com.
Frankie Morello oversize buckle bag; photo via style.it.
Fendi white patent beaded B. Fendi bag, at bluefly.com.
Luella buffalo leather bag. Visit Luella.com to buy. Photo via elle.com.

Everything In Between

We’ve covered flats, booties, and over-the knee styles, so now it’s time for the mid-calf roundup: everything from ankle to knee, with slouchy boots included!
Photos in this post via style.com except where otherwise credited.
FROM ANKLE TO MID-CALF:
At right:
Jean Paul Gaultier Couture
Alexandra Neel leather and suede Limousine ankle boot...
If you haven't tried Alexandra Neel before, it's time! Such luxuriously soft leather, CC can attest.
Chloé strap wrap open toe boots; this and next pair at intermixonline.com
Kors flannel rubber booties (CC is oddly drawn to this couturified "mucky duck" - did anyone else call them that??)
Diesel leather and suede mid flat boots with removable cuffs, at asos.com
Lella Baldi multicolor suede boot, via style.it
Manolo Blahnik brown snakeskin boot at Neiman Marcus. How chic and fabulous are these flat boots?
Stella McCartney sculptural wood wedge boots with gray patent leather upper, at net-a-porter.com. CC loves!
Emilio Pucci mid-calf black leather boot with tonal patent straps, at Bergdorf Goodman. (The sole is Pucci patterned - yay!)
BE A SLOUCH!
On the runways: 3.1 Phillip Lim and Balenciaga
Bronx Footwear Linus tall suede slouch rider boot. For this and next pair, visit shopbop.com
Paul & Joe Mighty Scrunch boot with buckle
Primadonna patent boot, pictured courtesy style.it
Bally Margana perforated leather slouch boot, currently on sale! This and next at net-a-porter.com
Stella McCartney Suedette boots
Steve Madden suede slouch boot at victoriassecret.com
Coach Jae boot – would be sooooo cute scrunched down, right?
CC is not normally a fan of the sweater boot, but this Patrizia Pepe platform knitted top boot is so adorable! Go to asos.com to buy.
FOR THE GENTS
Officine fold over high boots, at asos.com.

This weekend, tune in for fabulous lace-up boots and Wellies!!