V is for Vivika

VIVIKA-205 Black Vegan Leather - $165.95

Call off the search parties, stop scouring the internet and endlessly walking through shopping centers looking for the best boots for winter! They have been found, tried and tested by me and I can honestly say the Demonia Vivika Boots are hands down the best boot for daily winter wear.

 

I've been hunting high and low for a pair of stunning black boots that will fit like a dream, have a medium sized heel for daily work and play wear and a lace up front in order to fit both my and many different sized legs.

The Vivika Boots feature a 3 Inch (76mm) block heel with a rounded toe for extra comfort. There is nothing worse in winter than trying to squeeze into a pointed toe boot with warm socks on. These are a lace up style boot that hits mid calf so they can accommodate so many different leg shapes due to being adjustable by the laces.

The faux leather is soft and so comfortable and like all Demonia shoes they are very true to size. I wear a 10AU and I always order a 10US in Demonia styles to get my perfect fit.

Styling wise the possibilities are absolutely endless. For these images I styled the boots with my favourite winter stockings, a swing skirt and all the layers I'll be wearing and needing come this winter. But brighter colours, prints and patters look brilliant with these black boots.

Looking to pair your boots with pants or jeans? These look absolutely amazing with skinny jeans and leggings. So bring on winter, all those winter warmers and endless styling opportunities. Luckily in Melbourne this week the weather has been cool enough so I've worn these twice already!

Own your style!

For this shoe orientate post I wanted to show two pairs of my new favourite shoes that sum up my personality and style perfectly. I'll forever be a mix of pinup, punk and gothic styling and I think these two styles capture that effortlessly.

 

 

Bettie Page BP401-SELENE Green - $102.00

If you are on the look out for perfect retro styled heels look no further. I'm completely and utterly obsessed with every release from Bettie Page as they focus on all of those little details that make us swoon.

With a stunning cross over peep-toe, polka dot printed inner and sling back these 4 inch heels are perfection! Emerald green has to be my all time favourite colour and these pair perfectly with so many prints and items in my wardrobe.

 

The delicate green ruffle has to be my favourite feature on the Selene sling black as it's those tiny yet perfect details that make Bettie Page shoes simply stunning.

I wear BP shoes in my standard size 10 and these fit so comfortably and well. Perfect for work and play and barely feel like you're wearing heels.

Demonia EMILY-340 Floral Fabric - $172.00

 

Next up we have a style I've been lusting after for months!! Emily is a funky mid calf 2 inch platform boot that I'll be wearing TO DEATH this autumn and winter. Covered in bold silver buckles and straps these are the perfect casual boot for me.


The dark floral print paired with vegan leather in black makes these a little dark yet sweet and I can't wait to style these over skinny jeans or with stockings and skater dresses. The styling options are infinite, and I think I'll even try some clashing prints!

Don't let the laces and buckles scare you though as these feature a bold silver zip at the back. So once you've adjusted these to fit you perfectly you can simple zip in and out. I've noticed that many of the Demonia boots I own have this feature and it makes life so much easier.

As with the Bettie Page style I'm wearing these in a 10US and they are brilliant. Roomy enough for normal socks and so comfortable almost like wearing a sneaker.

On Thursdays We Wear Black

This year I have a goal - to fill my spare room wall to wall with bookshelves full of shoes and I'm well on my way due to my footwear obsession. This past months order my styling goal was to get two pair of striking and brilliant looking black shoes - a classic black pump for wearing and pairing with everything in my wardrobe and a super high yet comfortable ankle boot to pair with jeans and more gothic looks. I'm focusing on my two favourite brands right now: Demonia and Pleaser's Pink Label.  



Demonia CAMEL-203 Black Velvet - $158.00

I'm completely embracing my love for chunky heels and lace up gothic styles at the moment and these new Black Velvet boots from Demonia are pure bliss. While this babies look damn heavy they are actually super lightweight as are every style I find from this label.





The Camel is a swing back to the 90s with a little more refinement and a sleeker shape. Featuring a
5" (127mm) and a Chunky Heel, 3" (75mm) Platform these will add that extra height you are after without feeling any fear of toppling over. They are so unbelievably comfortable and I can run, walk and jump about like crazy without any issues. For Demonia styles I wear a size 10US and I find this fit to be spot on.

While in the 90s I was a fan of Doc's, at this time in my life I'm still loving boot style but I'm always in need of a bigger height and this chunky heel platform combination just make me swoon. Now if Demonia released a to the knee version of this I'd buy it in bulk and wear them to death all winter.

Styling wise I love to pair the Camel with a thick winter stocking or fishnets and wear them with little black dresses or even a floral skater dress and black leather moto jacket. They also look absolutely amazing when worn with skinny jeans. 

What I also love about Demonia styles has to be the little extra effort they put into the detailing on each pair of shoes. The bold silver back zip on the boots means there is no need to lace and unlace these boots with every wear and it look hot as hell!  

Pleaser Pink Label CHLOE-02 Black Faux Leather - $109.00

After adding some work friendly Pink Label shoes to my collection I wanted to get one pair of matte black heels that would suit most if not all of my outfits in upcoming photo shoots. That's when I discovered the Chloe-02 and made grabby hands at the screen.

The Chloe-02 is a style I'm very much like the Bordello Teeze style that I own many colours and prints but with more size options available as the Pink Label shoes are created for size US9 to 16. I wear this label in a size 11US as I do most pleaser styles.  I have a long foot but standard width and this size always works perfectly. 

The fit is perfect and the Mary Jane style is a must have in this range. It's versatile and pairs with all styles of clothing plus looks absolutely adorable when worn with tights or bobby socks. Height wise you have 5 1/4 Inch Heel, 1 1/4 Inch Platform Mary Jane with Concealed PT Pump and they are super easy to walk and stand as that concealed platform really helps equal the height out.

I can't wait to style these for my next few shoots so be sure to check back and see just how amazing they look when paired with full gothic and pinup outfits.

Jawbreaker Clothing

As the years pass and my closet grows and grows with bright pinup styles, I will always have a soft spot for the more gothic styles in perfect curve hugging shapes. Last year, I discovered that Voodoo Vixen, one of my favourite UK pinup stores, have another brand focusing on gothic, punk and alternative clothing. Instantly I fell in love with their pinstripe wiggle skirts and dresses, plaid moto jackets and amazing prints. But there was one item that screamed at me from the computer screen - The Grovel Skirt. 

Grovel Skirt - 36 pound

Demonia POISON-101 Black Vegan Leather Wedge - $137.01

Pinup Girl Clothing Doris Top - $54.00

Stockings ASOS 

The Grovel Skirt is magic. From the stretchy yet figure hugging fabric to the stunning pinstripe print, this skirt was made for curves! A high waist to accentuate my hourglass shape and a built-in belt/braces attachment adds that little extra element complete with eyelets and big silver fastenings. I'm wearing the Grovel Skirt in and XL and the fit is perfect! It zips up at the back and due to the stretch, it's super comfortable and easy to move in, unlike some pencil/wiggle skirts. Jawbreaker clothing's largest size is an XL and I find that to be perfect for my measurements. 

I'm smitten with the bondage features on this skirt and the built-in belt means I can accentuate my waist without adding an extra belt. The fastenings really pop as well and the braces add an extra dimension to the look. This may be the first Jawbreaker item in my collection but can honestly say it's started an new addiction and I can't wait to get more styles and lots of dresses in my collection. My lust list is already huge!

I paired the Grovel Skirt with one of the most beloved tops in my collection - The Doris. Such a Pinup Girl Clothing staple and one of the most flattering and boobtastic shapes!  I love how easily I can wear this blouse with a gothic style bondage skirt then the next day a full 50's swing style skirt or high waisted capris. Shoewise, I knew when I ordered this skirt that I wanted some amazing platform boots and Shoe Me Gorgeous came to the rescue with the most amazing Demonias! 

We have to take a few minutes now to focus on these AMAZING boots! Shoe Me Gorgeous have a huge selection of Demonia boots, platforms and high heels, but there was something that drew me to the Poison-101 wedge, made of stunning black vegan leather with some of the best shoe adornments I think I've ever seen. From pyramid studs to spikes, chains, crosses, skulls, pentagrams, lightening and safety pins, this boot has the lot!! You would think that that all might be a little to much for one pair of boots but holy hell it works perfect! I love to chain, spike and button up my leather jackets so now I finally have a pair of boots to match. 

The wedge style also offers absolute comfort and these are a dream to wear. Making me super tall while offering the comfort of a flat, you can easily wear these all day long. Now I usually would not pair an ankle boot with a fitted skirt but I adore how well these work together and the stockings really complete the whole look. I can't wait for winter to hit so I can wear these with jeans and disco pants! I'm wearing an size 10 as I find Demonia are very close to Aussie sizes.

Just like the skirt starting an addiction, I've now got a huge lust list for more Demonias! I would kill to style these in upcoming shoots :

Demonia CRAMPS-06 Black Vegan Leather Platform Shoes - $128.00 

Demonia TORMENT-700 Black Vegan Leather Ankle Boot - $148.01

I'm such a sucker for studs and spikes, so it's hard not to lust after every single shoe from this range. I need the Cramps to pair with adorable Wednesday Adams style dresses and the Torment Boots are hot hottest heeled platform on the planet. I've need these babies in my life.

Many thanks to Rom Anthonis for shooting these images! They are my favorite from this set and I can't wait to share our the other images we took. A little hint - we went the polar opposite of this blog's theme and styling!