Kate Moss was spotted leaving the John Frieda salon in London today, but it’s not her hair that caused us to look twice. (Um, definitely not the ‘do; perhaps she just got a conditioning treatment?) Maybe only a supermodel can get away with pairing black denim hot pants with tights, a leo underneath a blazer, and a rockin’ python bag all at the same time, but knee-high, slouchy brown boots are accessories that look good on everyone. We were trying to think of which high-end designer made these when we remembered our recent over-the-knee boot gallery and realized that, save for a slight color discrepancy, Kate’s boots were kind of spot-on knocked off at, wait for it ... Victoria’s Secret. With the huge demand for mega-high leather boots growing by the increasingly cooler-out day, we’d advise you to click over there and snap up the Devon boot ASAP. Because the majority of other options out there cost as much as, well, as much as Kate Moss’s actual boots probably did.

Watch out Manolo Blahnik. You’ve been put back on the shelf.

While Carrie Bradshaw originally gave the heels their fame with her shoe obsession and fashion sense, it seem she’s moved on. In the upcoming “Sex and the City” sequel, Sarah Jessica Parker’s character has given up fawning over Manolos in favor of red soles from Christian Louboutin. Is this the result of too much complaining over unwanted fame from Mr. Blahnik? Either way, the “SATC”-obsessed are sure to attach their heel addiction to the iconic Louboutins just as fast as they did to those Manolos.

Last night the Obamas hosted a dinner for the G20 summit, and, naturally, Michelle was expertly styled. Reports The New York Times:

“Mrs. Obama [wore] a taupe, pink and green patterned cocktail dress with straps. Pink patent leather two-inch heels. Hair pulled back in a full, bouffant faux-ponytail. Long pearl necklace, pearl earrings. No stockings.”

Aside from the fact that Michelle Obama hasn’t fully transitioned to her fall wardrobe (no tights!), we were more struck by her shoes ...

Crazy shoes. They’re all the rage! Last week, we admired Rodarte‘s urban glamazon heels that could have been made from leftover parts found at the local mechanic’s. Yesterday in Milan, Miuccia Prada debuted a series of Lucite and plastic chandelier shoes with a rainbow of heel colors and swinging crystals. Equipped with what looks to be a velcro strap, the Prada footwear looks somewhat comfy—at least they didn’t send the models tumbling, as did Rodarte’s Nicholas Kirkwood stilettos. After the jump, two more highlights of the over-the-top heels trend!

This season on the runways, Marc Jacobs made a bold move when it came to footwear. Instead of the normal heels that designers show as part of their collection, he decided that flats are in for spring. Women all over sighed that their feet could take a break from the stilettos, at least according to Marc.

But despite the pain, aren’t the added few inches powerful? Don’t you crave looking straight into the eyes of your male counterparts at work? Christian Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, and Manolo Blahnik are all empires built on the idea that women want to wear heels, desire the intense heights, and simply feel dressed down in flats.

“Wait, this is a shoe?” the guys at Gizmodo wonder. Apparently, yes. Created by London-based architect Julian Hakes, the Mojito shoe is barely there footwear for the high-tech minimalist. The heel is made of carbon fiber, which makes it strong and springy; there’s rubber on the bottom, I assume to stop slips, and leather on top, for a bit of cushion. It’s called the “Mojito” because it looks like a lime twist you get in your drink. Of his shoe without a foot plate, Hakes states this is the “most simple, elegant yet poetic expression of the forces at play within the materials used.” Looking at it, I can’t quite imagine wearing it, but I’d like to try it. [Gizmodo]

If you’re like me, you’re probably super excited about the fall weather and on the hunt for the perfect pair of boots to wear with skirts and dresses (and pants too, I suppose). While I haven’t found my perfect boots yet, I did find this interesting pair by Colin Stuart at Victoria’s Secret. Booties and zippers are both hot trends this season, and these combine both of those elements, along with the option to wear them as taller boots that can also be slouched down. They’re perfect for girls who spend lots of nights at their boyfriends’ and don’t care to lug around multiple pairs of shoes—or spies who frequently change disguises. [Victoria’s Secret]

I’m totally guilty of becoming obsessed with three or four high-end fashion finds at a time. Recently it was a black Alexander Wang cocktail dress. The week before that it was a See by Chloe tulip skirt. Both of which I could never, ever afford. Luckily, I’m equally obsessed with trolling the internet to find cheaper versions of my objects of desire. One item I had been thinking about for quite a while was a pair of Repetto oxford lace-up heels, which would have cost me about $300. I almost considered shelling out for them, knowing the purchase was an everyday classic and the good brand would last and be comfortable.

Yet, the oxford heel is redundant in fashion today. So against my better judgment, I sneakily settled for a pair from H&M. I even went against some of my own advice, having blogged in July about how fakes and knock-offs really show off cheap details.

I used to pride myself on my unsurpassed skill when it came to walking in ridiculously high heels. None of that wobbling around and tripping all over myself business. So when I had ankle surgery last December, the recovery period was a bitch. Aside from the almost two months on crutches, there have also been the six virtually heel-less months since. I can whip out my lower ones for a couple hours at this point, but beyond that my leg starts giving out spontaneously, sending me into an incredibly attractive floor-ward dive. People love it.

Now, thanks to H&M, while you sing to Chester French’s “The Jimmy Choos,” it is possible to dance about in your own pair of reasonably priced Choos. We told you the great news back in July, but today, images are finally leaking onto the internet, including amazing over-the-knee boots that are kind of necessary for your fall wardrobe.

Check out these uh-may-zing heels by Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte’s spring 2010 collection. This season the Mulleavy sisters were inspired by Death Valley— the clothes have a “Mad Max”-meets-“Blade Runner,” neo-primitive, apocalyptic look. To match the urban guerrilla theme, Kirkwood, who’s known for his over-the-top footwear, created these Hermes-esque-leather-and-metal-spike-studded stilettos. The heel appears to be made out of nuts. Now, that’s hardcore. Take a closer look at Jak & Jil.

We find the word “shootie” (a combination shoe-bootie) deplorable. Can we stop with the made-up names, already? But the footwear itself is pretty cute. Like Tsubo’s Hepti heels, which have an understated design and come in this unexpected color pairing. Seriously, how often do you see a shoe in olive gray that’s lined in pale neon green? The supple suede is highlighted by curved ribbing along the back and heel, but no element of the shoe outshines the others. The Hepti is a complete package that gets attention without having to scream, “Look at me!” We’ll wear them with long, fluid pants in a coordinating tweed or with tights in a similar olive green and a dress or skirt. [$145, Tsubo]

We’re giving five readers a pair of Tsubo’s Hepti Heels (which haven’t even hit their website yet!), but you have to work if you want your feet to look good. The five best commenters for this coming week—from today, Friday, Sept. 18 through Thursday, Sept. 24—will be awarded with a set. So, be as clever, smart, and original as you can! Click HERE to read the official rules.

God we love the odd fashion video. Usually, they’re pretty artsy and avant-garde, but somehow we missed the video that everyone’s favorite shoe designer made for the opening of his new Rodeo Drive store earlier this month. It’s a pretty straightforward (not to mention totally entertaining) take on Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” ahem, until it turns into something totally unexpected involving singer Mika. And we don’t wanna ruin anything, but you already may have guessed the murder weapon in this version. [Chic Report]

It will soon be the 70th anniversary of the “Wizard of Oz” premiere. (Damn, Dorothy, you done got old.) In celebration, Swarovski has teamed up with a handful of shoe designers including Christian Louboutin, Betsey Johnson, and Oscar de la Renta to reinterpret the ruby slippers for the modern age. We’re melting at the sight of what they came up with! Diane von Furstenberg‘s cute round pump is subtle with delicate crystals on the toe. Manolo Blahnik went super sexy with a pointy toe adorned with a Poinsettia-like pin.

We’ve got to admit that the gang over at Refinery29 has got us beat these days when it comes to borderline creepy love of footwear. While we’ve just been obsessing about shoes online, they’ve been tracking the best ones down in real life, too. And what better time to stalk hot shoes than during Fashion Week, when the stylish masses congregate in a few different spots around the city? Looking for badass shoes at a Fashion Week party is like spotting a douchebag in a club: easy as hell. Reap the rewards of their stalking here. [Refinery29]

There’s truly nothing more obnoxious than wearing new shoes for a week only to find that a few days of running around has taken them from pretty to tired-looking. Fortunately, this particular form of trauma is easily avoidable. After the jump, tips on how to keep your new shoes looking spankin’ fresh a whole lot longer.

Perhaps you recall Mary-Kate Olsen stomping all over town in a pair of extra large Balenciaga platform booties that, despite their hefty price tag, sold out everywhere. That was back in 2006, but flash forward to 2009 and Sam Edelman, shoemaker to Victoria’s Secret catalogues and the Home Shopping Network, is the one enjoying all the glory (and smash sales) now. In ‘07, Edelman crafted the best knockoff out there, but since it sold out so quickly, it’s been reissued for a whopping $345 (it was originally $170) and has been dubbed the Zoe boot. Movin’ on up! And ya know what? Not only are fashion bloggers hailing it as the shoe of the season (wait, again?), but it’s already sold out on Zappos! I spotted the shoe with my own two eyes in Soho in NYC this weekend, but I’m not sure if I’m sold on it, even though I’ll def cop to sort of wanting a pair. (Mostly for the height factor, truth be told.) But all of this fawning over the shoe seems a little crazy at this point, right? If you’re interested, they’re taking pre-sale orders (!?) for the shoe here. Is this Frankenstein-looking number really covetable or is this just another case of much ado about nothing?

High-heeled shoes have gotten pretty artsy lately, with naked goddesses, guns, and even a lack of heel replacing the basic pump. But design duo Azumi and David (A’N'D) have recognized the beauty of the regular ole heel, removed it from its usual companion, the shoe, and hung it on a chain, creating these delightful, tongue-in-cheek necklaces. We don’t know about you, but we have a particular pair of shoes that keep failing us. The next time they do, we might have to rip off the heel and make a necklace out of it as payback for breaking on the way to a job interview and a first date. [Azumi and David]