SPRING IS OFF AND RACING!

Here in Australia we're heading into Spring time, and if you’re anything like us, Spring means picnics, long leisurely walks, and most importantly - Spring Racing! Believe it or not once a year we have a horse race that stops the entire nation, the Melbourne Cup, and it’s right around the corner.

Attending the races is a commitment to style and elegance, as fashion and horse racing have gone hand in hand for over 100 years. What better way to celebrate the rites of Spring than by designing some gorgeous shoes to top off your outfit?

Trying to nail the perfect look for you can be like entering a maze - lots of fun, but tricky to navigate. Here are our tips to planning an outfit that will ensure you are outstanding in the field.

Know your shape and dress to suit it - When in doubt, get something tailored to fit you.

Dress for the Day - For Derby Day it's striking black and white, on Oaks Day go for a floral, feminine look and for Cup Day make a bright, colourful statement (extra points for incorporating yellow - the official colour of the Melbourne Cup!)

Choose your headwear carefully - While a gorgeous piece of headwear is an essential part of our outfit, don't treat it as an additional feature but as an integral element in your total look. Whether you decide on - a fascinator, a hat, a floral crown, a beret, a bird' nest or even a laurel wreath - make sure it complements and adds pizzazz to your outfit.

Go easy on the make up - Less is best for a day in the sunshine. Use powder to set off your foundation, and opt for false lashes instead of a thick coating of mascara. A defined lip can really set off your look, and is fairly easy to maintain.

Shoe selection- Wear something you know you will be comfortable in and make sure you can handle the heel height you select. There's nothing classy about leaving the track with shoes in hand at the end of a long day!

Sometimes it’s ok to break the rules - Despite what we’ve said above, the most important rule is to wear what you love and feel great in! If you feel best with your legs on display, we say roll with it! And while traditionally prints were avoided or treated with caution, with the recent popularity of digital prints this rule is old hat. Make the most of it with a fabulous monochrome dress!

Our trend picks for the 2013 season? Be daring and pack a punch with a bold bright hue, or keep it timeless and chic with monochrome.

TREND PICKS FOR SPRING RACING 2013

Black and white is also one of this season's biggest trends. Either wear it all over or pick one of the gorgeous structured white dresses currently available and punctuate it with eye-catching monochrome accessories.

JODIE'S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE - ANNOUNCING OUR BRUNCH CHALLENGE WINNER!

It's been another exciting two weeks at Shoes of Prey HQ as we were all keen to see your Brunch shoe designs. The brief for this challenge called for you to express your personality through colour and style and boy, did we see some some amazing designs! The winning shoe not only met all the requirements but also was neutral enough to go with all our different styles.

Congratulations to Patricia K. for this winning design!

 
 

Once again, a huge THANK YOU to all you awesome designers who entered the competition. Here are some of our favourite entries for you to enjoy, buy or customise!

BROWSE & CUSTOMISE THE BEST ENTRIES

 
Kristin S.

 

 
Andrea S.

 

 
Nivya R.

 

 
Leah M.

 

 
Natalie K.

 

 
Danielle L.

 

 
Josana S.

 

 
Shari-Marja A.

 

 
Georgy T.

 

 
Valeria L.

 

 
Katherine M.

 

 
Louisa F.

 

Summer Kicks Series: The PF Flyers Vintage Center Hi Sneakers

This post brought to you by PF Flyers. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Men’s Style Pro.

Center Hi Vintage Sneakers – PF Flyers | Black & White Joggers – Grungy Gentleman | Grey Side Zip Hoodie – Zanerobe | Hunter S. Thompson Aviators – Boast USA x Reds

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To kick off the MSP Summer Kicks Series, we present the Center Hi Vintage sneakers from PF Flyers. Over the last two years, PF Flyers have been featured four times on Men’s Style Pro and I have to say I’ve become quite fond of the brand because of simplicity of their designs. Having the opportunity to grab a pair for this feature, I was immediately drawn to the Center Hi Vintage style because they’re the perfect summer hi top sneaker. Where most people gravitate to ostentatious designs & colors during the summer, I’ve decided to follow suit with PF Flyers’ mantra and unfollow the crowd and keep my shoe choice simple, classic & personal. 

Rocking a pair of high tops in the summer can be a dreadfully hot experience, but, with a canvas uppers and a light-weight rubber sole — these kicks are extremely light. As a white shoe fan, it’s definitely refreshing to see true white canvas pair with the natural/off white of the soles for a bit of color variation — which really plays into the vintage aesthetic. 

Finding a balance between sportswear, streetwear & menswear is often seen as somewhat of an impossible task. While searching for a pair of hi-tops that met all those needs and were summer ready, my eyes were immediately drawn to all the white sneakers on the PF Flyers site. The search was also hinged upon leather & canvas sneakers. There was no doubt that the leather center hi’s were more formal & traditional “menswear” appropriate, however; the white canvas Vintage Center Hi hit the market of the summer hi top. 

Below you’ll find some style tips and notes about rocking the Vintage Center Hi sneakers and some more reason why I chose them.

Style Tips & Notes to Rocking the Center Hi Vintage Sneakers

• ​These sneakers pair perfectly with jogger pants, so this is a time to experiment with both trends (hi tops & joggers)
• The hi-top neck/ankle of the shoe is slender, which means the taper of your pants should complement it
• They’re a blank canvas in regard to color, so pair them with just about everything in your closet (color or style-wise)
• Pay homage to their classic basketball style by pairing them with athletic influence apparel like vintage tees or modernizing them with a side-zip sweat shirt & joggers 
• The simple black & white PF Flyer ankle patch is a true throwback to the original patch 
• White canvas is option hard to maintain. Treat these sneakers with waterproof & stain repellent to extend the life of your kicks
• Wearing jeans or chinos? Cuff your pant legs meet top of your sneakers
• And yes, you can wear them with shorts. For a flash of personal style, flip the ankle of your sneakers down
• You may never play a game of basketball in these vintage style sneakers, but, if you’ll be attending game these should be in your footwear rotation

Check out PF Flyers on Tumblr or shop now and cop a pair of PF Flyers for yourself.

What Does Your Favourite Mocks Colour Say About You?

According to the theory of chromotherapy, the colours you love most may say a lot about your personality. This could mean that, with so many fantastic colours to choose from, there really is a pair of Mocks for everyone!

So, what does your favourite Mocks hue say about you? Read on to find out, and let us know if we got it right!

If you sport a pair of Oxford Green Mocklite Classics on your feet, chances are you’re often trudging through the woods, rambling through fields and wallowing in the mud, as people who love the colour green are said to be extremely close to nature. According to chromotherapy, green is also a peaceful colour that brings calmness and harmony, so you’re also likely to be a laid-back lad or lass who everyone will love to be around! Oh, and don’t forget – our Mocklite Classic styles for men and women are not only durable and lightweight but also completely washable, so you can get them as muddy as you like on your next outdoor adventure.

The coolest colour of all, blue, is said to be preferred by people who are faithful, loyal and practical. You’re likely to be the member of your friendship group who always organises the festival trips and nights out, makes sure everyone has a fantastic time, and takes control when things don’t quite go to plan. What would your friends do without you? With a pair of men’s or women’s Classic Canvas Mocks in Buenos Aires Blue on your feet, you’ll always be ready to take on your next challenge in comfort and style.

The song ‘Mellow Yellow’ wasn’t entirely accurate as according to chromotherapy, people who love the sunniest shade are far from chilled-out! If you’ve added a pair of men’s or women’s Mocklite Classics in Monte Carlo Mustard to your shoe collection, chances are that you’re energetic, curious, cheerful, creative and love to travel. And what’s more, you have the perfect shoes to explore all those new places in!

As the colour of love, it’s no surprise that people with a penchant for red are said to be passionate, energetic, courageous and strong. Good luck to anyone who tries to hold you back! With a vibrant pair ofmen’s or women’s Mocks Classic Canvas in Havana Red on your feet, the world will be yours, and you’ll look as great as you feel.

Clean, crisp white – the colour of simplicity, truth, and our fabulously fresh Brighton White Mocklite Classics! If white’s your colour of choice, you’re likely to be a straightforward, honest person, and as white is also believed to be a spiritual colour, you may have a great connection with your own mind too. Lucky for you, our soft and flexible men’s and women’s Mocklite Classics are just perfect for slipping on after your next gruelling yoga class.