Got a passion for fashion, but refuse to suffer for it? Then compromise, as in a stylish flat leather boot. These Sigerson Morrison back zip, hidden heel boots pair perfectly with a skirt or over your favorite skinny jeans. This way you keep your killer fashion sense, minus the pain.

On the first day of Christmas, I hope my love gives to me... (okay sing it with us) one pair of Giuseppe Zanotti Crystal-encrusted Fish-bone Ornament Sandals. On the second day of Christmas...

With only a few weeks left to shop for the holidays, the Couture team is continuing our coverage of great gift ideas that fit any recessionista's budget. We are loving the Guess Arm Candy Faux Skin Patent Leather Satchel, Han Cholo Sterling Silver Turntable Ring, Boss Hugo Boss Multi Stripe Tie, RSVP Tivoli Zip-front Calf Leather Shoe Bootie.

Chunky heels have the right amount of feminine flair and, because of the thicker heel, all day comfort. These Marc by Marc Jacobs Criss-cross Strap Stacked Heels are perfect for taking you from your day into the evening. Pair them with tights, a short sleeve turtleneck sweater and a skirt for a business casual, or wide-leg jeans and a
funnel neck top for a funky chic look for grabbing drinks with friends after work.

From its humble beginnings on Scottish battlefields in the 1500s, to designer runways for Fall 2008, tartan and tartan-esque plaid have made a huge fashionable resurgence. Couture is loving the definitive plaid on lace up ankle boots , on stylish flats, on chic tunics, wrap braelets and shoulder totes. Our pics (from upper left): Disney Couture Pirates Wrap Bracelet with Swords, Brixton Red Plaid Hooligan Hat, Jean Paul Gaultier Tuile Plaid Tank, J. Renee Scottie Plaid Skimmer, L.A.M.B. Rose Suede and Plaid ankle boot, and Roxy Crimson Make It Happen Shoulder Tote.

What is more ideal than a soft leather, slightly slouch boot for fall? Absolutely nothing. Couture is loving this light grey Belle by Sigerson Morrison style. Perfect for the stovepipe jean, long T-shirt and short leather bolero look, or with tights paired with a short cable knit dress.

Don’t get caught spectating on the sidelines! Get in on the action and join the pack sporting modern oxford-inspired shoes. Oxfords, once thought of as stuffy shoes only to accompany suits, now dresses up jeans or adds a funky twist to a button down and slacks. Our favorites: Harrys of London Reagan.

The lovely shoes of Stuart Weitzman are always in the news, what with all of the bevy of beauties that wear his shoes, how could they not be. One of the latest sightings were Angelina Jolie leaving Nobu in New York City, sporting a pair of Weitzman's hummus patent Sashay peep-toe pumps and Mrs. Jay-Z (Beyonce, of course) rocking a pair of Stuart's pewter Wicky sling-back peep toe platforms at the Bermuda Music Festival. So, how lucky are you that we carry those very shoes? Um, very.

Wore heels continually for all of fashion week? Check. Breaking in new shoes all day at work, and now your feet hurt? Check. The prescription used to be a few days wear of ballet flats, those soft, flexible slip ons that gave instant relief to aching feet, that is until now. French shoemaker, Repetto, has released an updated version of the jazz lace up shoe, incorporating the same flexibility, kid soft leather and the versatility of the classic ballet flat. The original jazz lace up was created by founder Rose Repetto for her daughter-in-law, ballet dancer Zizi Jeanmaire, but found its true iconic status in the ‘70s when Serge Gainsbourg — famous French Musician, lover of Bardot and Birkin, father to ‘It’ girl Charlotte —was introduced to them by his then girlfriend Jane Birkin. However, the ongoing celebrity love affair with the jazz shoe did not stop with Serge. Modern-day fashionistas like Kate Moss, Agyness Deyn and, of course, Charlotte Gainsbourg keep the cool cache of wearing them alive. p-1203’s modern take has funky, vivid colors, patent and kid leather options, but keeps the original concept in place with the same lace up design, flat heel and light as a feather feel. Should your aching feet desire to be ensconced in a pair of these shoes, they are available at Open Ceremony in NYC and Comme des Garcons in Paris.

Sharp, bold, unconventional and retro, a architectural heel is a edgy twist on a traditional heel pump. These Robert Clergerie Jul Pumps, for instance, give a pencil skirt or jeans a playful yet sophiscated feel.

Need a serious splash of color? Put hot pink on your feet. These pumps by Kate Spade make any little black dress or monotone outfit stand out instantly in a crowd.

Remember when 'duck' boots were a Darien, Connecticut style staple? Remember when they were worn with curduroy pants, puffer vests and Fair Aisle sweaters? Well, neither do I, but that is what I am told. Fast forward to today and the steadfast staple of yesteryear is making a very chic come back. Designers from DSquared to Michael Kors, to a few mass retailers, injected the shoe/bootie with a much needed style cache with improved upper materials, playful color combinations (think tartan and tweed), and a fashionista's best friend, a high heel. However, some design detail echos of the past are still visible within the new incarnations, the rubber sole, the lace-up and hook-and-eye closures, along with the constrast stitching. Oooooh la la!

Zappos has been in the news a lot lately. First our wonderful segment on Oprah, then a little dollop of cream on top with our shopping shout out during a segment on E! News' November 2 edition for great shoe finds under $100. Ms. Giuliana Rancic was going down the list of names, places and faces and then low and behold, a Zappos plug for our very own Steve Madden Arizonna purple fringe suede boot. Mrs. Rancic added another little 'get thee to the site' shopping twist, by mentioning that the shoe is a favorite of everyone's teen queen favorite, Miley Cyrus. So folks, when you are making your list and checking it twice, noting who is naughty and nice, remember it's Z to the A to the P to the P to the O to the S, which of course, means sanity for all, that and your shopping can remain stressless.

Target has done it again, the designer coup this time is the New York based designing duo Sigerson Morrison. The duo known for their stylish, ‘I can walk all over Manhattan’ flats, funky boots, edgy booties, brings their fabulous flair to Target with a line of styles that runs the gamut from embellished flats to d’Orsay-inspired velvet pumps. Sigerson Morrison is quoted in Target’s print ads as saying, “to us, designing a rocking, edgy, totally affordable shoe is the best kind of challenge.” For the masses, that is the best reason to buy them, well that and Target’s motto of expect more and pay less.

DSQUARED2 is bouncing everywhere lately – Paris and Milan for fashion weeks, and lately, Hong Kong, to open a new 2,727 square foot, two-level store at Central On-Lan Street. The store has ready-to-wear clothes and accessories, and also fitting rooms with leather-trimmed doors surrounded by tree trunks and birch trees. It can’t be a DSQUARED2 store without a touch of wood, great clothes, amazing accessories and fabulously eclectic decorations.