Introducing ShoeHorn

People have asked why gentlemen's shoes have not so far had a look-in on ShoeClub. The answer is very simple: they tend, unfortunately, to be boring. However, being an equal opportunity shoe-lover, I am happy to finally remedy this situation. As it happens, Mr ShoeBlogger (or as his mother calls him, ShoeHorn) has a bit of a rep for fancy footwear. This morning, heading off for a day watching the Test Match at the Oval, he unveiled these rather splendid box-fresh patchwork camouflage Converse All Stars. They are way cool. Sadly they don't seem to come in girls' sizes – now that's definitely not cricket.

Peachfrog finds

One more Williamsburg discovery to share from my visit to Brooklyn: Peachfrog is a designer discount boutique at 136 North 10th Street, between Bedford and Berry. A cool but welcoming space in a former spring-roll factory, Peachfrog stocks designer names at 70 to 90% off retail prices (the name comes from a Chinese talisman for financial good luck). The staff are friendly, and their selection of fashion and homeware is great. I restricted myself to one pair of blue leather high-heeled Harajuku Lovers Kasi platform espadrilles, originally $90 but less than half that here. They're perfect for lounging on a Chinese lily-pad, preferably sipping a peach martini...

Second-hand score

I'm not always a second-hand shoes fan, but once in a while you do come across something very special (and clean). Combing through the racks at Beacon's Closet in Booklyn on Friday I found them: black patent platform slingbacks by Tara Subkoff for Easy Spirit. For the uninitiated, here's Wikipedia: ''Tara Subkoff was co-founder of the clothing line Imitation Of Christ, which remade old clothes into new works of fashion. Chloë Sevigny was creative director and Scarlett Johansson walked the runway in Subkoff's designs. Subkoff also collaborated with shoe company Easy Spirit. In the spring 2003 IOC show, topless models in very abbreviated shorts pranced around while pushing shiny vacuum cleaners: very David LaChapelle meets Vanessa Beecroft. In 2009, Subkoff was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor that threatened to become fatal within two years. The tumor was successfully removed, and Subkoff recovered.'' She is launching a new label, called Imitation. And these slingbacks are a delight. Not least because of the price: originally $430, at Beacon's Closet they set me back $29.95.

Gold chain #7: Beacon's Closet

In February this year, Brooklyn 'vintage boutique' Beacon's Closet came top of Time Out New York's readers' Ten Best Shops. Located on North 11th Street, just off trendy but friendly Bedford Avenue, it's a big, airy, well-laid out store, jam-packed, as TONY puts, it with 'mountains of vintage and a killer shoes selection. (You just have to dig).' A good place to browse on a gorgeous Friday afternoon. Did I score? Wait and see...

We're not in Kansas now, Toto

Thursday night, 10pm, leaving the restaurant in Little Italy: spotted these fabulous red-satin-and-glitter bow-front peep-toe platforms. Their owner, a vision in black frou-frou, burgundy pedi and ankle tattoos, waiting for the lights to change on Mulberry, was totally unfazed at being pounced on by a smitten shoe blogger demanding photos. ''Of course, love!'' Back in the New York groove. Love it.