RESEARCH - Sea of Shoes

Jane Aldridge for Teen Vogue

You may remember Jane Aldridge of Sea of Shoes from her early days as a TeenVogue.com Best-Dressed Reader. Although she was a young teen at the time, Jane has remained true to her eclectic personal style and, four years later, still considers Levi's 501 jeans to be the wardrobe staple she did back in 2008. The Southern Belle has grown up over the years, and faithful readers have witnessed many milestones, both sartorially and personally. Not only has she appeared on the pages of every fashion glossy on the newsstand, but she also made her debut at the 2009 Crillon Ball in Paris.

Yet, this blogging veteran credits many of her best pieces and favorite looks to her mother, Judy Aldridge of Atlantis Home. This enviable mother-daughter pair makes every day look like a magazine shoot, as Jane and Judy travel to Paris and Tokyo, shop for stuffed animals and vintage pieces, and bake cookies together—always in style and usually in high heels. Spend a few moments in her online presence, and you'll be inspired to go vintage shopping and play dress-up with your mother, too. After all, Mom knows best.

What is the story behind your blog's title?

Well, I love shoes and I love marine life. I wanted an octopus as the logo; I guess that's the real reason I chose it!

If your blog had a mission statement, what would it be?

I hope it's a fun, inspiring read for people to check in the morning when they're drinking their coffee.

How would you describe your style?

I like a mix of over-the-top drama and color with roughed up masculine basics. I love old school super-luxe designers like Arnold Scaasi and Giorgio Sant'Angelo, but I find myself wearing ratty tourist tees and jeans all the time.

Who are your favorite designers? 

Yves Saint Laurent, Lacroix, Louis Feraud, Lilly Ann, Bill Gibbs, Mugler, Giorgio Sant'Angelo, Nicolas Ghesquiere, Karl Lagerfeld, Krizia, Koos van den Akker, Kansai Yamamoto, Schiaparelli...agh! So many!

Who inspires your wardrobe and why?

My mom, because we do all our shopping together! If you let us go into a warehouse with 5,000 pieces of inventory separately, we would choose exactly the same things. We have the same dichotomy of loving totally crazy impractical vintage but wearing old jeans and vintage tees all the time, too.

What are your personal favorite blogs? 

Such a hard question because there are so many but Luxirare, Brook & Lynn, and Cherry Blossom Girl are on a plane of their own in terms of executing their visions. I met Alix on a photoshoot and she worked behind the scenes non-stop taking photos. Her blog has a look that's so appealing and identifiable, she's pristine.

Any advice for anyone who wants to start her/his own blog?

Have fun with it and get creative! Also, familiarize yourself with more of the boring techie aspects.

What are the best aspects of running your own blog? What are the hardest aspects?

The best part is when I get to go on fun trip. The hardest part is keeping on top of email.

What type of camera do you use?

Nikon D300.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

eBay! I also like Vintage Martini in Dallas and American Rag in LA for denim. Thrifting can be extremely rewarding, too, on a good day. Sometimes you hit five thrift stores and come home empty handed.

Are there any trends you are particularly inspired by this season?

Balenciaga pre-fall was perfect. I love Ghesquière so much. I hope next season tops it! His vision of this impeccably dressed super-tough athletic girl from the future inspires me.

What trend from the past would you like to make a comeback?

I like how in the '70s, couture houses like Adolfo and Geoffrey Beene put out breakable sets for their clients, like a skirt suit with a shirt to go with it and an accent scarf and even shorts sometimes.

What clothing item would you say is timeless?

501s. Finding the right pair is like trying to find the Holy Grail. When they are the perfect cut and wash and leg and waist height, nothing is cooler. My mom has a pair like that. I'm still trying to find mine!

What beauty product can you not live without?

I'm really into eyebrow gel. I know it sounds weird, but it's a life saver!