{ a blog all about the love of shoes }
July 25, 2011 
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White shoes set the stage for a steamy summer. Wear them with all-white outfits or to add an even brighter note to bold dresses when the heat is on. White shoes are easy to wear in the summer and when in doubt, we suggest a platform or wedge heel. The lift will not only give you great height, but it will also help keep your white shoes clean.
Cool and Casual
For those who want white shoes that can go almost anywhere, the Tinsley wedges from JellyPop are a great pick for day-to-day casual shoes. These faux cork wedges have a substantial platform and wedge heel with white straps across the top of the foot. College kids and moms alike can slip these wedge sandals on and be out the door in seconds. Try the Tinsley wedges with basic pieces, like tank tops, T-shirts, shorts, and capris. If you decide to dress up a bit and wear a sun dress, these wedge sandals will still fit the bill.
Uptown Chic
Go chic with the Whitnee sandals from Dirty Laundry. These sandals have a faux wood cone heel for a sexy spin. If you can wear open-toe shoes to the office, the Whitnee sandals are a great option as they marry comfort and fashion. For the work place wear these sandals with a jersey wrap dress or a feminine blouse and tailored slacks. Wear the Whitnee sandals out on the town with a peasant top and dark skinny jeans to channel the ‘70s trends we’re seeing this season without going for a literal interpretation.
Flat Out
The Palesa Cutout sandals from Mossimo are an affordable way to try out the white shoe trend. These sandals have cutout details throughout the upper portion and a zipper at the back. They work with a blouse and jeans for day and can go out at night with a simple sheath dress. Bright white sandals like these show off a bold pedicure, so opt for colors like orange and blue to accent these stylish shoes.
Samantha Cabrera
Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.
July 24, 2011 Comments (0)
You might be the type who’s more comfortable in athletic and performance shoes, but as you know, you can’t wear them all the time. Dress shoes for the athlete are hard to come by, but if you ignore shoes marketed as such and just go with your gut feeling, things will be easier. As a comfort junkie myself, these are my top selections.
Stretchy Shoes
Shoes with a stretchy upper mold to the feet better, which is much more comfortable. If you don’t wear leather, as a vegan or otherwise, then this is a particularly useful tip: Simply find shoes in stretch microfiber that stick to the curves of your feet. Stretchy-upper shoes can look sueded or can be bought in a patterned fabric. For summer, I like stripes.
Natural Shoes
A natural shoe is one that’s been manufactured from responsible material or that uses an eco-friendly technique. Natural shoes are less likely to chafe or blister the feet than synthetic leather, and they are often constructed using more intuitive design techniques. These shoes can remain perfectly comfortable for much longer than your average shoe.
Flexisoles
Sneakers have great shock absorption; ballet shoes move with the feet. To replicate that ease of movement one gets from athletic shoes, flexisoles are certainly the way to go. A flexible sole on the shoe means that even if the shoe is dressier than usual, it will feel more like a sneaker that’s molded to your feet.
Plain Shoes
Skipping the bells and whistles on a pair of shoes often means that you’ll be more comfortable. Plain shoes without thick laces, decorative details, or complicated closures are less likely to rub, bind, or pinch, particularly if the shoe has a rounded toe. If you need to add pep to your footwear, you can always aim for color.
Adjustable Pumps
I have a wonderful pair of pumps with multiple straps running across the upper, and they are amazing when my feet start to swell in the summer heat. Look for shoes with buttons, laces, or even hidden Velcro tabs that can be adjusted. Undo a few Velcro straps and then readjust them in the middle of the day, for example, and you have a comfortable, perfectly-fitting shoe again.
Mei Sawyer
Mei Sawyer is an internationally published fashion journalist.
July 23, 2011 Comments (0)
Mixing textures for summer is a great way to rev up your wardrobe. It’s tricky to do, but it’s also great for those who love solid pieces. The mix of textures adds dimension without having to play with bold colors or prints, keeping you in your fashion comfort zone while looking trendy.
Day Looks
For day, mix suede shoes with frothy fabrics. Think chiffon, silk and poly-blend fabrics that have the same airiness of these materials. When we think of suede, we tend to think of heavy fabrics that work in the winter, so when wearing suede in the summer, go in the opposite direction. Ruffles, sheer fabrics, and washed silk are favorites for tank tops, and you can mix them with denim and your suede shoes during the warm weather months. You can also wear these same feminine tops with twill shorts or cargo pants this summer.
Nights Out
For evening, think of the sultry fabrics normally associated with night. Leather (faux or real), lace, and silk contrast suede shoes in a stylish way. When mixing fabrics at night, keep the shapes simple. Try a stretch sheath dress with leather panels or a lace tank top with skinny leather pants in the cool of the evening. It’s this juxtaposition of mixing materials, while maintaining classic shapes that will wow a crowd.
The Shoe to Choose
For this trend, we love the Yaneli wedges from Nina. These wedges are easy to wear because the fashion-forward silhouette makes any outfit on trend. The suede fabric in a light cream color also makes the shoes on point for warm weather outings. Be sure to treat light suede shoes with a leather protector before taking them out on the town.
Samantha Cabrera
Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.
July 22, 2011 Comments (1)
We all have friends who wear outrageous shoes, ones that catch our attention in a negative way and remind us to never, ever step out in that style if we can help it. You’ll find too-high heels in the office, flat-out unattractive shoes that should be sealed in a closet, and awkward sandals in this group. Let’s play the Classy or Trashy shoe game and see what you’ve learned about footwear mistakes.
Classy or Trashy? The Stiletto
The verdict: Classy with restrictions. Consider color and upper when it comes to your stilettos, and you’ll be alright. Calfskin is buttery and looks stunning with anything; cream leather with a peep toe is great for summertime. Steer clear of red patent leather and pleather versions. And no matter what style of stiletto you’ve got, please, please, please don’t wear them to the office!
Classy or Trashy? Satin Uppers
The verdict: Classy with restrictions. When you’re going to pick out a pair of satin uppers, you should aim for a sparing version in low-luster satin. Ones with bows and embellishments are great when pared down, and staying aware of proper proportions will help you flatter your feet.
Classy or Trashy? Open-Toe Flats
The verdict: Classy! With a nice pedicure and a cute skirt, these shoes are a good trade if you can’t wear strappy sandals at work. Open-toe flats are comfortable in a fabric upper, sophisticated in leather, and they provide great ventilation in the summer.
Classy or Trashy? Thick-Strap Sandals
The Verdict: Classy when casual. Sandals with thick straps are great for low-key wear and work perfectly with the wide-leg jeans trend of the season. While thick straps aren’t good for dressing up, they look more than perfect with a wrap skirt or short shorts. Look for ones with a trim heel to cut down on bulkiness.
The next time you shop for shoes, take a moment before you whip out your credit card and ask yourself, “Are these classy or trashy?” You’ll cut down on misguided purchases extremely quickly with this technique.
Mei Sawyer
Mei Sawyer is an internationally published fashion journalist.
July 21, 2011 Comments (0)
If you’re headed to the beach, you know that stilettos are not the answer to your particular footwear question. Of course your inner fashionista may not want to pull out the rubber flip-flops either. It’s all about function and style when choosing sandals for the beach, and here’s a look at some of our favorites that fit the bill.
Woven Up
Add texture to your look with the Fionnaa from Steve Madden. Woven leather is a great way to add texture to your beach look, and these sandals can also go with your evening dinner attire. This means they’re an ace pick for beach vacations. The soft nude color looks great with all skin tones as well as swimsuits and cover-ups. If your swimsuit has tribal touches, like wooden accents or beaded detail, the Fionnaa sandals fit the exotic vibe of beachwear that is trendy for the season.
A Small Step
Low wedges are also a smart option for the beach. They offer subtle height without causing you to sink into the sand. The Palm Beach Demi wedges from Michael Kors are a great fit for the beach because of the easy access zipper at the back of the sandals. These sporty sandals fit swimsuits with a more active vibe. If your swimsuit is for function and not so much for show, the Palm Beach Demi wedges will work fabulously. They will also work well with casual shorts and capri pants.
Rolling Stone
If you want to add a splash of color to your beach garb, the Plato sandals from Apt. 9 are a sure thing. These flat sandals have a faux cork sole, giving them an organic look that matches up with beach life. These thong-style sandals have stone details at the toes with bold color, and work as well on the beach as they do with a maxi dress and stone jewelry for a dinner on the patio.
Samantha Cabrera
Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.
July 20, 2011 Comments (0)
Bright flats add that little zest that some of us need on a dreary day. They add a fun element to your outfit and can be worn to the office as well as casual outings with friends on the weekend.
Get the Blues
A bright blue pair of shoes can jazz up your work outfits and also work with all-white looks during the summer. We love the Peach flats from Restricted, which aren’t really peach at all! They’re blue patent with a bright yellow bow at the toe. The flat bow makes them modern and wearable for the office, plus they’re playful enough for jeans and tailored shorts. The Peach flats also feature a pointed toe, so try them out with a print top and skinny slacks for a spin on the classic Audrey Hepburn look. On the weekend, swap those slacks for white skinny jeans and wear a loose white tunic on top.
Mellow Yellow
Yellow is a major trend this season. The Rosalita flats from Penny Loves Kenny have a floral detail at the toe. We love them because they have girlie details without being over-the-top. The tonal detail adds texture and the bright yellow hue will work with a myriad of neutrals in your wardrobe. Try yellow shoes with blue and white, orange and white, or grass green and khaki. The Rosalita flats make great every day flats for moms or college kids who want a fun pair of flats to take them through the season.
Shine On in Red
Patent red shoes can add drama to your office garb. The Amy flats from Audrey Brooke are patent red leather with a flat flower embellishment at the toe. The shoes have an almond toe, making them ideal for pairing with slim or wide-leg pants. Red works year round, but during the warm weather months, play up the color by wearing it with other bright shades. Think white, royal blue, magenta, or purple.
Samantha Cabrera
Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.
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