Summer Office Shoes

July 30, 2011 Comments (0)

Shoes are an easy way to infuse your fashionable sense of style into your office attire. There’s nothing like a pair of fabulous shoes to take your work basics from drab to fab, and this season there are plenty of awesome shoes that will amp up your style in the work place. From light neutrals to texture, look for interesting shoes that will add new dimensions while still maintaining an office-appropriate look.

Cage Effect
The Estrella pumps from BCBGeneration have cage details with cutouts throughout the body of the shoe. These shoes have a major platform, a fabulous 5-inch heel, and they’re available in camel and gray—both go-to neutral tones for summer and on into the fall. These pumps are perfect because they give a new spin to the basic office pump. Wear them with a shift dress and a lightweight cardigan or a wrap dress for a comfy look that’s office ready.

Low Key
The Sigrid pumps from Ralph Lauren are fit for those who aren’t used to heels or want a more comfortable heel on a daily basis. The Singrid pumps have a low 2-inch heel and rounded toe. The soft gray color works with brights for summer and can also be mixed with basic pieces you already own. Don’t worry about the suede fabric. Suede and leather are both a total go for fashionistas, evening during the summer.

Shine On
The Della d’orsay pumps from isola are a brilliant way to inject some drama into your work wardrobe. These shoes showcase a mix of colors (tan and black; and red and black) on the patent leather upper, hitting on the colorblocking trend perfectly. The Della pumps have a manageable 3-inch heel and peep-toe detail, and you can up the ante when wearing these shoes by pairing them with bright colors, sleek pieces, and a structured handbag. The look will be smart, yet fashionable, making them a perfect fit for the office.

Samantha Cabrera

Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.

 

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Make Your Sandals Glow with Self-Tanner

July 29, 2011 Comments (1)

Nothing can make a fabulous pair of sandals look less so than legs and feet that aren’t quite ready for the spotlight. We all know the importance of a summer pedicure, but did you ever think about using self-tanner to improve the look of your feet? A little glow (or a lot, depending on your preference,) can go a very long way toward helping you create the perfect canvas to showcase your sensational summer sandals. 

Prep Work
Self-tanner is all about the prep work. You must exfoliate your legs thoroughly to get rid of any patchy dry skin. This will ensure a smooth, clean surface that will promote clean color development and help prevent streaks. If you don’t have an exfoliating product on hand, mix olive oil with sugar to mimic a scrub and get rid of dead skin. Pay extra attention to your knees and the ankles as these areas tend to be extra dry. Apply a thick layer of moisturizer after exfoliating and allow the lotion or cream to sink into the skin and dry before applying self-tanner.

Application
How you apply your self-tanner is just as important as how you prep your legs and feet. You want to work quickly and from the bottom up. A mousse or gel tanning product works best, but creams work too. Start by applying the tanner to the palms of the hands and work in a circular motion, buffing the product onto the legs and feet. Start at the tip of your toes and move upwards to the ankles, then the lower legs, knees, and then finishing at the top of the legs. Try to do the bulk of the blending with the palms of your hands for a streak-free application. Using your fingers can sometimes result in streaks.

Maintenance
Keep your self-tan looking fresh by moisturizing regularly. Once the color starts to fade, exfoliate and start from scratch. You can also add gradual self-tanner every few days to keep your color looking dark without having to apply a heavily pigmented tanner all at once. Try out your glowing gams with sandals in metallic shades as well as turquoise and neon hues for maximum exposure.

Samantha Cabrera

Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.

 

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Easing into Higher Heels

July 28, 2011 Comments (0)

Wearing high heels can make you feel sexy, sophisticated, and above all else, much, much taller. But if you feel awkward in heels, slipping on a pair may make you feel off balance, uncoordinated, and, well, not so sexy. Here’s how to ease your way into higher heels, so you can eventually run down the street like Carrie Bradshaw chasing her boyfriend’s dog (was anyone else amazed at SJP’s skills in that scene?).

Start Small
Remember that standing on your tippy toes while walking isn’t normal. Start with small heels, around two inches or so, to let your feet ease into the awkward position. From there, you can move up in the world so to speak by choosing 3-inch heels. Platform shoes are also a great way to ease your way into feeling comfortable with extra height, but remember that stilettos don’t have a platform.

Try Insoles
You can add an insole to make your feet feel more secure when wearing heels. Fit is essential when wearing high heels, but sometimes getting a pair of shoes that fit you just right is tricky. Relieve this problem by adding insoles to your heels to take up that extra space that may make you wobbly otherwise. While insoles with an adhesive can damage the inside of the shoe with time, they’re your best bet for staying put and keeping your feet secure despite the very high heel you’re wearing.

Get Walking
What’s the easiest way to get into those high heels? Start walking around in them! Wear stilettos around the house to get into the groove. Try them with rubber grips on the soles if you’re walking around on carpet or tile to avoid falling down (I’ve seen it happen). Start with your shoulders back and head up and literally strut across the room. You’ll see that this causes you to loosen up and walk with confidence, which are arguably the two key components to comfortably walking around in high heels.

Samantha Cabrera

Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.

 

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Crocs: Branching Out to Include Sneakers

July 27, 2011 Comments (0)

I filled you in when Crocs went from being the favored footwear of the medical professional to something that I, a non-medical professional and die-hard slave to footwear fashion, would step out in. I mean seriously, how cute are these Kaela flats and Mimilita wedges?

Now, I feel that it’s my duty to inform you that the folks over at the famed clog company have put their design hats on again and decided to branch out into the athletic footwear space. The men’s line became available this past spring, but the women’s collection hit stores just recently. And the verdict is: We like it!

At a time where we can purchase glow-in-the-dark sneakers, sneakers with springs or tubes in their soles or even tush-toning trainers, the Croc sneakers have traded in flash for class. Available in slip-on or lace-up styles in either leather or canvas, these sneakers are sporty, lightweight, and perfect for getting you through the remaining days of summer and into early autumn.

If the look of these shoes seems a little dull to you, there’s always the option of purchasing them in a bold hue in order to turn the volume up on your overall look. The sneakers are not only available in neutral shades of white, brown, and black, but you can also get them in bright shades of red, blue and lemon yellow.   

According to marketing chief Andrew Davison, Crocs launched the sneakers in an effort to appeal to all buyers and be a shoe for all seasons. He also noted, or warned depending on how you view Crocs, that over the “next couple of seasons, you’ll see us push the boundaries of what a casual shoe is.”  

Lianne Woolley and Dana Robinson

Lianne Woolley writes for the healthcare industry by day, and blogs about fabulous fashion and shoes by night. Dana Robinson is the Editorial Manager of myShoes.com.

 

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Make Earth Week Every Week

July 26, 2011 Comments (0)

Earth Day may have passed back in April, but you still have every reason to try and make it Earth Day every day. When shoe shopping, try to veer toward brands that use smart materials, conscientious manufacturing, or reduced packaging to help make the world a greener place. To help give you a few fabulous green shoe ideas, we’ve put together some of the greenest and most on-trend options from our eco-friendly retailers. Remember that your small shopping decisions can help make a huge global impact. 

Get Something Whimsical
Indulging your wild side comes easier with green footwear. You can get beautiful, slightly off-beat shoes from lesser-known labels that will still benefit the planet through production or packaging considerations. Just in time for fall you can check out the Jasper ankle booties from Naya in gray, black or red suede. Naya has successfully created a collection of beautiful, comfortable shoes that are made with soft leathers, premium cushioning, and whenever possible, materials that reduce environmental impact. The Jasper has a wooden height of about three inches and a retro lace-up design.

Another great option is the Nefertiti boot from Naya. Once again featuring the supple, luxurious feel of suede, this lace-up boot has a heel height of three inches and features a fleece/fur lining.   

Shop for Basics
Green shoes may not always be the trendiest in town, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grab the basics when it comes to environmentally friendly footwear. Flats are very popular with plenty of respected greener labels, and it’s likely that you’ll find a great pair for running around town on the weekends. Naya offers the Begonia style that combines leather materials with a more delicate, girly shape, and they’re ideal for your busiest days that are chalk full of errands and pickup up and dropping off the kids. And since there are still a few hot summer days on the horizon, the Adria flip-flop from Birkenstock is the perfect choice for lounging around the house or making a quick trip to the grocery store.   

Mei Sawyer and Dana Robinson

Mei Sawyer is an internationally published fashion journalist and Dana Robinson is the Editorial Manager of myShoes.com.

 

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