Favorite Blogger: Jane from Sea of Shoes

At Shopbop, we spend a lot of time reading magazines and blogs, chalking it up to research (it is, we swear). And though our list of bookmarked sites is long, there are a few favorites we can’t help but check out every day. This week, we’re talking to the stylish ladies behind some of our favorite fashion blogs.

Incredible style, an enviable wardrobe, and a successful blog all before the age of 18? This is the life of Jane Aldridge, the stylish blogger behind Sea of Shoes. The Texas teen has been featured on countless websites and, most recently, in fashion’s bible, Vogue, for her fashion-forward, often daring sense of style. We talked to her about blogging, travel, and the things fashion fetishes are made of, shoes.

You started Sea of Shoes in 2007. What made you decide to launch a personal style blog?

I was inspired by my favorite bloggers like Kingdom of Style and Style Bubble. There were far fewer fashion blogs back then. Mine started as a fun weekend project.

Your style is so sophisticated for someone so young. What role do you think age plays in personal style?

I guess the older you get, the more sure you are of what you like and don’t like. For now I am happy to experiment with lots of different things.

You’re the epitome of a jet-setter. How do your travels to New York, Paris, Tokyo influence your style choices?

The biggest influence of travel on my style is that I love to shop for one-of-a-kind pieces when I’m abroad! But traveling definitely broadens your perspective on fashion, and it’s interesting to see how everyday fashion differs so much, especially in Paris and Tokyo.

Your focus, shoes, is the fetish of many a fashionable woman. What do you think it is that draws so many women to shoes?

Shoes say everything! To me, shoes are special because they are all so different, and beautiful shoes are so rare. Each shoe has a personality of its own. The fact is that there are a lot of ugly shoes in this world, and maybe that’s what makes beautiful shoes so special to us.

Jane Aldridge from Sea of Shoes. All photos courtesy of Sea of Shoes.

You and your mom were featured in a Daughter’s Take/Mother’s Take spread in the August Vogue. What was it like to shoot outfits for fashion’s biggest glossy?

Incredible! We shot in June and we got to use a Vogue trailer full of next season’s clothes and shoes. We were freaking out!

Your style really runs the gamut—one day eclectic, next streamlined. Do you have one main influence, or do you draw your inspiration from many sources?

I take my inspiration from the clothes themselves. I’m always trying to re-imagine my favorite pieces in different contexts.

You’ve already accomplished so much with your blog. Where do you see your fashion future taking you post-high school?

My ultimate dream would be to design shoes. Even if this dream never comes true, I’ve got a lot of other exciting projects to keep me busy. College is definitely in my future, too.

What’s the one thing you must have this fall?

I would like to get a great vintage YSL dress.

For more from Jane, visit SeaOfShoes.typepad.com.

Comments

[Leia]

Great interview! Jane is one of my absolute favorite bloggers. I loved getting to know her a bit more :)

[Sutton]

Jane always has great photos, and I enjoy her style very much! And it is double lovely that so much of it is done with her mother!

www.stylesubstanceandsutton.blogspot.com

[Sister Wolf]

I love how a 17 year old girl can look 30, so effortlessly. She's a genius!

[Closet Cravings]

Jane has a really mature sense of style for someone so young. She had a little cameo on last night's epi of The City - it was a nice little surprise.

Women love shoes because of our Cinderella complex, and because a great shoe always looks great on - even our "fat" days.

[Michelle @ Glisters & Blisters .]

great interview ! i've been an avid fan of Jane's blog ever since . she's very inspirational . her pictures are perfect and her style is just very unique (not mentioning her massive designer shoe collection)..

i loved her feature in Vogue very much . it's kind off a grown up take on mother and daughter thing and the results weren't childish at all ! they are actually advice that all mother and daughters can take :)