{ a blog all about the love of shoes }
August 23, 2011 
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Flatforms have popped up in fashion magazines and on blogs. You’ve seen them. They’re those platforms with no heel (or a very subtle cutout at the sole). They add inches to your legs and work well for those wanting a trendy addition to their wardrobes this summer. If you’re a fan of tank tops and shorts, flatforms may be the answer for taking your look from drab to fab when the heat is on.
Tank Tops and Shorts
Flatforms are ideal if you want one pair of shoes that will update your summer wardrobe. (We like the Aviana style from Steve Madden.) Yes, you can rock flatforms with tank tops and shorts. Think about it! Flatforms aren’t fancy. They’re functional with an edge. Grab a pair in a colorblocked pattern to wear with neutral tops and bottoms. A flowing tank top and denim or twill shorts work well with flatforms for day, and if you’re looking for something a little dressier for night, opt for a printed blouse and dressy shorts with your flatform sandals.
Maxi Dresses and Skirts
Flatforms were made for maxi lengths, which are very popular this summer. There’s nothing like a little dramatic fashion in a sea of boring clothes in the summer. During the summer, everyone is all about comfort, and a maxi dress or skirt with flatforms is just as comfortable as a casual outfit or your favorite T-shirt and shorts–but more fashionable. You can inject a little fashion in your life without feeling fussy, and the ideal way to do it is with maxi lengths and flatforms.
Mini Dresses and Skirts
Flatforms are all about impact. They make the same dramatic impact with mini lengths as they do with maxi dresses and skirts. You don’t have to go super short, but mid-thigh is a good place for a pair of flatforms to work. Prints are adorable in a mini length and reduce the sexy feel, especially if you’re wearing a mini skirt during the day. Look for eyelet, seersucker, or madras for mini skirts to work with flatforms when the sun is up (check out the Dragon style from Juicy Couture). For evening, bring out a mini dress in hot pink or canary yellow. When worn with bronzer and flatforms, you’ll look hotter than the temperature feels.
Samantha Cabrera
Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.
August 22, 2011 Comments (0)
When you feel ballet flats are too stuffy for a hot summer day, boat shoes are always a good choice. But don’t let the name mislead you. Even if you don’t live anywhere near a body of water, these sleek, nautical-inspired shoes are a great easy-to-wear option for a casual day around town.
With a Skirt
You may think that wearing boat shoes with a skirt is a bad combination, but it’s a look that really works. Mix the Bonnie Boat shoes from Rockport with a casual twill, cotton or denim skirt that doesn’t show off too much skin (a mid-length hemline that skims mid-thigh would work best.) A skirt with a straight fit or a few tiers of fabric will create a fabulous silhouette. If you want to go trendy, try a tank top with a lightweight jacket over your skirt, and if you want a classic look, opt for a T-shirt tucked into a skirt.
With Jeans
Boat shoes are easy to wear with jeans, but you have to choose the right leg opening. Go for skinny- or straight-leg jeans, and since you’ll want to show off those boat shoes (we love the Amherst Boat shoes from Timerland), leave the flared jeans at home. White jeans create a crisp look that says Jackie Kennedy. Light jeans and dark jeans also work with boat shoes, as long as the style is sleek. Fold or roll the hem of your jeans for a playful look, but you don’t want the pant legs to come up too high. Fold or roll just above the ankle for a casual chic look.
With Shorts
Shorts get a bad rap, but this season there are plenty of grown-up versions on the market. Designers are realizing that we aren’t all 16 and are therefore making shorts with longer hemlines and with more flattering fits. To go with your boat shoes, look for twill or chambray shorts with flat, trouser-style pockets (they don’t add bulk). If you’re a traditional gal, stick with a V-neck T-shirt or loose oxford on top. And for those who play with fashion, go for a printed tunic and finish the look off with a pair of Magalie Boat shoes from Merona.
Samantha Cabrera
Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of beauty and fashion.
August 19, 2011 Comments (0)
Colorblocking has been a major trend for summer, and you can expect to see it run into autumn as well. And why shouldn’t this trend continue from one season into the next? Bright blocks of color can be just the thing to add a special spark to the classic drab colors of fall. Here are a few of our favorite shoes that are infused with fabulous blocks of color that can see you through the rest of the season and beyond.
Flirty Color
For a flirty look, try the Pop peep toe pumps from Faryl Robin. These shoes mix gray and chartreuse suede for a trendy look, and with these colorblocked shoes, you can play with bright colors on your clothes or go neutral. For day, try a navy dress for the office or a khaki-colored suit, and when evening rolls around, go with a button-up shirt with a relaxed fit and rolled-up boyfriend jeans. You’ll want to toy with the colors of the shoe, so blue, yellow, shades of bright green, and chocolate brown are great options.
Office Color
The Barbarella pumps from Rockport incorporate shades of blue, along with slate gray and a swatch of beige. These colorblocked pumps are ideal for the office. Wear them with a fitted suit in a light shade or a wrap dress. Keep with cool tones when wearing the Barbarella pumps. Shades of blue work well, but you can also play with orange or yellow. When wearing these pumps on the weekend, go with a luxe cashmere T-shirt and slim cropped pants or skinny jeans.
Neutral Color
For colorblocking without such a bright burst of color, try the Abel pumps from DKNY. These cool pumps have a pointed toe and 3-inch heel. The shoes have a camel cap toe and bone-colored body, which means that the sky’s the limit when it comes to the colors and clothing you can wear them with. Try them with red for the office, and with hot, vibrant shades when taking on the night. The Abel pumps feature a simple design, so they’re easy to wear with dresses, skirts, and pretty well any type of pant, from dressy to casual.
Samantha Cabrera
Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.
August 18, 2011 Comments (0)
Neutral sandals work for every occasion, but the trick is to find pairs of neutral sandals that have a personality of their own and make a style statement. Whether you love texture or a major wedge heel, we have three neutral sandals you’ll love to wear during hot weather.
Woven Lady
We love whiskey tones for a neutral summer shoe. The Hetta Jasmine sandals from Ann Taylor will work into your summer wardrobe seamlessly. Double straps sit at the ankle, and woven leather straps cross the top of the foot. These darling sandals have a 1 ½-inch heel which makes them perfect for day or night. In the day, we suggest sporting them with a bright tank and skinny cargo pants. And for evening, feel free to bust out your favorite white dress and load up on gold jewelry for a look that’s stylish, yet low key.
Cone-y Island
Some of us need a little support when it comes to summer sandals. Enter the Rimsy sandals from Jones New York. These sandals have a cone heel, which offers more support than a stiletto. Leather straps round the ankles and a zipper sits at back for easy access. Sometimes cage-like sandals can be constricting for the foot, but because these only have cage detail at the top, your feet won’t feel sweaty or overheated as you make your way through the city.
High Rise
Corso Como is known for fashion-forward shoes, and the Nectar wedges will be your go-to sandals for the rest of the summer and even the early warm days of fall. The soft gold leather creates an array of straps across the top of the foot, and the high espadrille wedge heel has a platform for easy maneuvering. These sandals have an adjustable buckle closure at the ankle and will work with dresses and skirts, as well as cropped pants. You can also channel the ‘70s trend this season by wearing the Nectar wedges with a print peasant blouse and wide-leg jeans.
Samantha Cabrera
Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.
August 17, 2011 Comments (0)
For the remaining days of summer you’ll want a light yet professional shoe look for the office. For those days when sandals just won’t do, you can always look to a pair of gray office shoes. Gray shoes are an easy way to make bright or printed dresses a little more summer friendly, and there’s nothing like a pair of gray pumps to make your outfit look on point. Here are a few of our favorite gray shoes for the office this season.
The Classics
For a classic pair of pumps with an exotic twist, try the Haya pumps from Pour La Victoire. These gray pumps are on the lighter side with a rounded toe and an easy-going 3 1/2-inch heel. The shoes are embossed for a lizard skin finish, which adds texture to your look. Summer is all about the luxe factor, from silk dresses to opulent jewels and exotic (or faux exotic) skins. You want to keep the lines clean and modern, but feel free to experiment with texture and bold color. The Haya pumps allow you to do that with ease since they’re luxe enough to garner attention, but don’t steal the show.
Just a Peep
Reach for a peep toe with the Ramonna pumps from Jessica Simpson. These smart pumps have a subtle peep toe and angular detail at the vamp. The 3 ½-inch heel is easy to get around in whether you’re going from meeting to meeting or spending the day in the office. Try the Ramonna pumps with a shrunken suit or any wrap dress in summer’s favorite colors, like red or orange. The subdued shoe brings the color down a notch, making intense hues far more wearable. Bonus points for the Ramonna pumps—you can wear them at night with a blouse and skinny jeans.
Wonderful Wedges
If you want something a little less conventional, look to the Edie wedges from Pour La Victoire. These are more of a taupe gray than a true gray, but fit into the neutral color family of shoes that are trendy this season. The Edie wedges have a pointed toe and covered wedge heel that measures in at 3 ½-inches. Wear them with your wide-leg trousers or skinny slacks, and don’t be afraid to sport them with a brightly colored full skirt. The Edie wedges can easily transition to the weekend. Just add rolled-up boyfriend jeans.
Samantha Cabrera
Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.
August 16, 2011 Comments (0)
If you want to turn up the heat this summer, it’s time to reach for a pair of major platforms. There’s nothing like making your shoes the focal point of your look, and we love how Jessica Simpson is always wearing major platform wedges and heels when waltzing around Cabo or trekking through an airport. She’s only one of the designers offering an array of platform sandals that will make you feel so hot in these remaining days of summer.
Star Studded
Get edgy with the Jessica Simpson Kory platform sandals. These show stopping sandals are gorgeous and will be the icing on the cake when it comes to maxi dresses and tribal print skirts for summer. These platform sandals will add drama to the most basic outfits. Available in black and nude, these sandals have gold stud details along the platform and heel. And for under $60 the price is very budget friendly.
Spot On
A leopard print can sometimes be a little too much for day, but when it comes in the form of a platform wedge, it’s just right. The Steve Madden Fllora is a wedge with an attitude. The sizeable 4 ½-inch wedge platform is just the lift you need to make a black maxi dress or black tank top and white jeans come to life. The Fllora wedges are available in black, white, and orange, but the leopard will get you noticed in a crowd.
Made in Suede
Add texture to your look with the Bebe Austin platform sandals. Suede straps wrap around the ankle and sit across the top of the foot. Studs add flair to these platform sandals that garner a ‘70s feel for summer. Wear them with a jumpsuit or romper, or opt for a loose tank top and wide-leg pants. The heel has a slight architectural shape that gives them a modern twist, and these suede platforms can be mixed with crochet, woven fabrics, eyelet, and lace.
Samantha Cabrera
Samantha Cabrera is a freelance writer who covers the best of fashion and beauty.
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