Dear Fashion Police ...

Where are the spectators?

By Jeannine Stein
Los Angeles Times Syndicate

Dear Fashion Police: When I was 10 years old, I couldn't wait to grow up to be able to wear spectator shoes. I finally got my wish and bought them in all colors. Lately, however, I have not been able to find spectator shoes in any color at any store in the United States or Canada. Do you know where I can find them? I'd like to have a pair in black-and-white and brown-and-white.
-- On a mission

Dear Spec: What a stylish little girl you must have been! When we were 10, we couldn't wait to grow up so that we could write a column about people who dress badly. Oops -- we mean helping people who dress badly.

As for your spectators, have no fear, they live! This classic shoe (for both genders) became popular in the 1920s, and has endured eight decades and several variations, looking stylish all the while.

A basic spectator has dark strips of leather (usually black, blue or brown) on the toes and heels, and the rest of the shoe is usually ivory or white. Variations include pumps for women, and lace-up oxfords for men and women. Spectators are usually thought of as a summer shoe, but for cooler months we've seen black-brown combinations.

At Nordstrom's online store (http://www.nordstrom.com) we found the Mezlan Astaire, an oxford in black-and-bone or brown-and-bone, for $140. For a funkier look, try the thick-soled Doc Martens spectators in black-and-white, for $125.

At Shoedini.com (http://www.shoedini.com) there is the Mezlan Miranda, an oxford in blue-and-white for $140, and the Mezlan Baker, a spectator mule in blue/bone and camel/bone for $135.

Send letters to Fashion Police, Los Angeles Times Syndicate, 145 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, California, 90012. (Questions and observations of general interest will be addressed in the column.)

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