Monsoon menswear: the ultimate wet-look

Dear shoe lovers, after several weeks of loaf(er)ing about in Western Europe, your Shoeblogger is back in the saddle(Oxfords) and keen to get back to work. Work for the next little while takes us to Mumbai, and for starters we’ve got some really rather marvellous footwear for the gentlemen friends of ShoeClub.

Now, I haven’t checked what the weather is up to in London, New York or Moscow, but I can tell you what it’s doing here in Maximum City: it’s raining. It is monsoon season, which means that several times a day progress throughout the city is interrupted by sudden violent downpours. Generally this means being caught in flipflops or sandals and getting a filthy footbath as the detritus of the street washes over your ankles. At this point, one wishes one had worn something a bit less... exposed. A bit more like these gorgeous Just Cavalli black patent loafers, for example.

Their discreet heel and chunky sole raise them above the muck, while their high uppers with the fringed leather tab provide protection from splashes and drips. And they’re so shiny that a bit of rain will just look like meteorological accessorising.

Ditto the Gucci three-hole patent lace-ups below. Very understated, but very luxurious (check out the quilted insoles.) And of course, if they’re gonna get wet then wet-look is 100% practical too.

22 ways to say ooh!

Monday evening at 450 West 15th Street: Phillips de Pury and Swarovski were auctioning 22 little black dresses, each a unique design incorporating Swarovski crystals. A very glittering event in every way.

I had lots of fun at the champagne reception shooting glorious footwear, such as...

...a couple of pairs of marvellous Miu Miu platforms, in red and white satin (above) and pink and black with diamante detail (below).

Also loved these grey mini-polka-dot platform Mary Janes (below)...

...and these black suede studded ankle-strap heels (below).

Below: a gorgeous pair of green camouflage Dior kitten heels. Note the silver Dior dice on the toes.

More Dior: the wearer of the gold gladiator heels below poined out that these were Carrie's wedding shoes in the first ''Sex and the City'' movie.

The gold pumps with the twisted heels (below) are Donna Karan.

I was introduced to the Constanca Basto by Paulina, in fabulous pink snake and black patent heels. Take a look at the website for more gorgeous creations in patterned and coloured patent leather.

Loved these satin slingbacks (below), the black ruffled suede ones and the two-tone strappy heels that follow. These peep-toe looks show why a classic red pedicure is always the epitome of chic – especially when paired with red patent Louboutins.

Graceful ankle-tied pointed heels in grey leather from Gucci (below). The black satin with diamante detail (following) are by a designer who makes exclusive pieces for celebrities and special events – sadly I didn't get tipped the designer's name.

Black multi-strap suede stilettos (below) with zip-up heels look fabulously directional with black lace hosiery.

Below: more zip-up heels, this time on one of my favourite looks of recent times, the cage boot from Yves Saint Laurent. These boots cost over a grand (in sterling!) when they came out last year. Seeing them here made this shoe blogger's night.