Another Style Star!

Congratulations, Nicole!

Our second Style Star left in style with the grey Big Buddha bag, a badge of customer loyalty and a bonafide Style Star. Dreary weather and the pressure of publicly announcing her love of Lori's and Big Buddha didn't hold her back. We like that kind of moxy.

One left! Who will claim the cognac bag? Make your way to the Armitage store and announce to the staff, "I am a Style Star!" We'll take your picture with the bag and send you out into the world just a smidgen more stylish.

Style Star!

Congratulations, Angela! Our first Style Star braved the weather and the madding crowds to announce herself a Style Star to the staff.

Having proved her loyalty, we bequeathed to Angela this beaut of a mid-size day bag inspired by the famous Valentino original.

Like it in grey or cognac? There's one each left. Make your way to the Armitage store and announce to the staff, "I am a Style Star!" We'll take your picture with the bag and send you on your way, basking in the glow of mutual appreciation.

Free Knees

Last Sunday was a day of unprecedented fall beauty here in Chicago. That, or a cruel joke as the rest of October has proven to be a dreary, overcast and chilly experience punctuated with a pervasive drizzle as if the sky, too, were crying. In other words, typical Chicago.

We here at Lori's are of the "lemonade from lemons" school, so we're making the most of inclement weather by sugaring the pot to giving you more. Buy any pair of all-weather boots like UGG or La Canadienne and we will give you a complimentary pair of HUE black, flat-knit knee socks, a $7 value.

Even leaden clouds have a silver lining. Buy some new boots and we'll throw in a knit one. Offer ends Saturday, October 31, 2009. Enjoy!

Offer is good for online orders placed before midnight, October 31, 2009 only. Not valid in any stores. Does not apply to previous orders. Other restrictions may apply.

Calling All Style Stars!

Big Buddha has given us three day bags to give to our loyal customers. What makes a more dedicated customer than one willing to trek through this dreary weather to the Armitage store and declare themselves worthy of said bag? That's right: prove your loyalty! Here are the rules:

• Contest starts at 11am today, Thursday, October 22 when the store opens
• Walk up to the associate at the register and declare, "I am a Style Star!"
• If any bags remain, choose from the grey, cognac or black.
• We will take your picture with the bag (dress appropriately!).
  
• That's it! Late-comers get the sympathy prize: a Lori's Shoes frequent shopper card.

First come, first served. And only three get served. Gussy up and get yourself over to the store! These are some handsome bags of a medium day bag size, but we're keeping the look secret. You will just have to trust us.

Please note that refusal to have your picture taken will forfeit your winnings. (For the shy we will crop or blur your face upon request.) Accepting the bag constitutes permission for us to use your likeness on this blog; we want to show off our stylish mavens!

This opportunity is valid only with your physical presence. Sorry, no phone-ins or emails accepted, you wily devils! (Don't worry, loyal online customers, we have something in the works for you too.)

Materials, Girl.

Whether you like this season for the rock-and-roll look, the motorcycle chic, the Western thing or the profusion of black, one thing that spans the trends is an emphasis on materials. Functional hardware and hardware that simply looks purposeful are embellishing our boots and shoes. Frye has a lock on the harness ring. Nicole's studded rands are exciting to see and wear. And Jeffrey Campbell ... well, let's just say the Legal zips up any dissenting votes.

The studs and rings and grommets have migrated to accessories as well. We're seeing them on scarves, leggings, bracelets, headbands and, of course, bags. We're liking the mix of pyramid studs and nailheads, or working some black leather with hardware back to a hot plaid scarf to layer in texture and color.

Believing in Zero

We recently participated in "Wine, Women and Shoes," a benefit for UNICEF's Accelerated Child Survival Initiative in 25 sub-Saharan African countries which aims to save 3.2 million children and build health care systems. A staggering 25,000 children die every day from preventable causes. UNICEF's slogan, "Believe in ZERO. 25,000," is a powerful call to action and one we had to get behind.


We donated $1,000 and helped raise thousands more through sales at our booth at the well-attended event at River East Arts Center. Guests mingled with wines and shopping provided by area boutiques and wineries. Shopping with wine to benefit a favorite charity? Now that's a night well spent.

Visit UNICEF

Top Sellers: High Boots, Bright Tights.

We're not sure where you are, but here in Ch-ch-ch-icago the cold slapped down this past weekend and has not abated – good for the marathon, and good for breaking out those high boots and leggings. (Miraculously, we can still see the sun. We give it another couple days.) Cold weather and bright skies make a fine shopping day. We saw a healthy uptick in sales of boots and leggings, a trend worth exploring in more detail as it is one of our favorite looks this season.

Above are some of our most popular (and our most favoritest) selections from last week as fall got down to business.

Leggings by HUE (left to right): Merino Wool Tight - Graphite Heather | Denim Legging - Navy | Super Opaque Control Top Tights - Violet
High Boots (left to right): Restricted Vamp - Taupe | Jeffrey Campbell Wishlist-2 - Black | Jeffrey Campbell A-Plus - Black

We're in love with denim and sweater leggings. These are a nice compliment to motorcycle boots and worker boots. Layer on the texture and keep color shifts within a narrow palette – taupes and grays, grays and blacks, blacks and blacks – to let the texture contrasts stand out. Or take an OTK boot like the JC A-Plus that has all the texture you'll ever need and punch it up with an opaque tight in deep, rich jewel tones.

The Natural: Jewel Tones and Natural Hues Define the Season

Natural colors are all around us this season. Beginning with the lush saturation of jewel-toned boots and bags, coal blacks, timber browns and harvest taupes feel so naturally fall you can practically smell the woodsmoke.

Boots the color of anthracite coal and the rich brown of chestnut are plentiful while a range of ash grays and harvest field taupes remind us of pumpkin picking, hayrides, hearth fires and the slanting rays of sun in the waning afternoon.

Not all is fallow fields: we're mining deep emeralds, fiery rubies and seductive garnet hues amidst the blacks and browns. Found on classic pumps, tall boots and structured bags – often in softer, demure suedes – these rich, vibrant tones have a romantic allure and more than just a touch of fun and spirit. They feel intimate and cozy while speaking to your confident styling.

What are your favorite colors for fall? Take our short poll below!