Shimmer Shoes

August 8, 2011 Comments (0)

The end of summer and early fall will bring a slew of party invites. Whether you’re going to your best friend’s wedding or plenty of cocktail shindigs, you’ll need dressy shoes that can handle as many parties as you can! Think metallic for the season. They’re sexy. They embody the party girl spirit, and they add glamour to your look without going overboard.

Sparkle Stones
There’s nothing like a little bling on your footwear to say that you’ve arrived. You don’t have to go for mega sparkle for a special occasion—just a little shine will do the trick. The Rena sandals from M by Marinelli are a sparkling pair of shoes that will stand out under a full-length dress or provide shimmer when worn with a cocktail frock. The shoes have metallic silver leather straps across the top of the foot and large stones streaming down the front. The adjustable buckle closure ensures the shoe will stay put through a night of dancing.

Slide into the Gold
A slip-on pair of shoes are perfect for a special event because they’re less constricting. The Quelle shoes from Jones New York are a slip-on dream with wide gold straps across the top of the foot. The shoes have a subtle 2 ½-inch heel and go beyond a size 10 (which is rare for dressy shoes). The Quelle shoes are also available in black, but for special occasions we suggest going for the gold. Wear them with red, grass green or royal blue.

Bronze is Best!
If you’re over silver and gold, but still crave warmth, look to bronze. The Kali sandals from Via Spiga are showstoppers that work with a cocktail-length hemline so you can show off their flirty appeal. The Kali sandals have a zipper back for easy access and ruched leather straps cross the ankle. The sandals have a manageable 3-inch heel that lets you breeze through a night of dancing.

Samantha Cabrera

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

 

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Shoes for Colorblocking

July 1, 2011 Comments (0)

Colorblocking is a fun trend that won’t cost you a fortune to try. Take a bold top, bright bottoms and a statement shoe for a look that’s runway ready, but still fit for real life. We love the colorblocking trend because it can be worn to the office or to a party. Colorful shoes are a brilliant way to try the trend and here are a few of our favorites that are sure to steal the show when worn with bright pieces.

Wild Party Nights
When it’s time to go out, work colorblocking into your evening look for a little fun. The Dejana 2 Taffeta peep-toe booties from Boutique 9 add color and a trendy silhouette. The shoes have a peep-toe and zip at the back for easy access. A bit of texture accents the top of the foot and the bubblegum pink color allows you to try the colorblocking trend with a girlie twist. Try a yellow blouse and a gray pencil skirt with these bright pink booties.

Remember that dressy shorts are also hot this season, so land yourself a pair in canary yellow or grass green and try the opposite hue on top when wearing these whimsical booties.

Calm Casual Days
If you’re going casual and need some colorblocking, look no further than the Gummie flats from Madden Girl. These jelly flats with a peep-toe and large floral decoration are available in kelly green and royal blue, making them prime candidates for colorblocking. Because these flats are so kitchy, you want to keep your outfit chic. Try a bright boatneck and equally vibrant capri pants to balance the sweet flats. A shirt dress is also a great option and additional colorblocking can come from a skinny belt cinched at the waist in a contrasting color.

Office Attire
For colorblocking at the office, you want to keep the style of the shoe fairly traditional. The Loveme pumps from Michael Antonio are fabulous for work and play. These platform pumps can be worn with a bright sheath dress and colorful cardigan or a shrunken suit with a vibrant top underneath. The Loveme’s are girlie, but still work for the office. Pair subdued colors for colorblocking with this pink shade, such as cobalt, gray and green.

Samantha Cabrera

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

 

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Wild Ones! Go High Fashion with a Hint of Leopard

June 3, 2011 Comments (0)

Leopard is here to stay. While other prints come and go from our wardrobes, leopard prints are a staple. Depending on your body shape, it can be difficult to work leopard into your clothing, but wearing it on your shoes is a simple feat of fashion. Leopard wedges and heels add pizzaz to your wardrobe year round, and here are a few of our fashion-forward picks.

Get Screwy
There’s nothing like a funky shoe that incorporates two trends. The Bangers Mash heels from Irregular Choice feature a fun leopard print and also have a geometric heel with a corkscrew look. They’re interesting shoes that will amp up the style factor of any outfit. If you work in a creative office environment they’re perfect for your 9-5, and you can also wear them on the weekend. During warm weather months, try the Bangers Mash with a sleek sheath dress or an airy blouse and loose ankle-length pants. For cold weather, you can sport the Bangers Mash heels with a bright cardigan over your favorite little black dress and black opaque tights. You can also wear them with a sweater and skinny jeans for an easy going date night look that shows you’re a trendy gal.

Stand Tall
Alice + Olivia are one of our favorite contemporary brands, and now they’re making shoes! The Juliet wedges are decked out in leopard print and have that ultra-high wedge heel that fashion bloggers and editors are after this season. The Juliet wedges work for a glamorous vacation, but also fit the bill back home when worn with a blouson top and shorts. You can take these fierce wedges out at night with a mini dress with loose sleeves or an asymmetrical jersey frock that will be comfy for a night of dancing. What else do we love the Juliet wedges with? Jumpsuits! They aren’t for everyone, but jumpsuits and rompers can be found at all price points this season and work well with an exaggerated wedge like these darling leopard sandals.

Cover Up
If you want a leopard shoe that can withstand all seasons, look to the Annnie lace-up wedges from Steve Madden. These mega wedges are coveted by fashionistas who want to look like a million bucks without spending major dough. The Annnie wedges are available in various colors, but it’s the leopards that have our hearts. The leopard Annnie wedges are the perfect addition to a wardrobe that’s filled with neutral ankle booties. When wearing these lace-up wedges during spring and summer, keep hemlines short and fabrics light. During the fall and winter, you can play with texture like knits and leather.

Samantha Cabrera

 

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Spring Showers: Protecting Your Fave Shoes From Wet Weather

March 16, 2011 Comments (0)

When you’re knee-deep (literally) in snow, it’s hard to imagine that Spring is right around the corner, but with the mercury starting to slowly rise – and for our own sanity – I’m grasping hold of the meteorologists claims that we’re headed for warmer weather and totally embracing the concept of summer shoes.

However, what we always tend to forget is that with Spring comes a whole heck of a lot of rainfall and, while I’m certainly pumped to break out my non-boot related shoe wardrobe, I’d hate to see some of my favorite styles get damaged in a downpour.

Enter the Shuella, a pocket-sized package that, as the creators suggest, serve as a type of umbrella for your shoes. Think of these as a sort of portable rain boot that can be stowed in your purse or desk drawer and busted out when the need arises.

So what do they look like? Essentially Shuella’s – which are worn over your original shoes, whether heeled or flat – are a pair of ultra supple rain boots – available in your choice of hot pink or basic black – that have a wide collar that allows them to be folded over an secured asymmetrically with a trio of Velcro straps. While we don’t think they’re really going to win any style awards, they aren’t all that bad to look at and are certainly practical with a slip free sole. Plus, the makers want you to use these emergency shoes over and over, and enclose a cloth to wipe them down before stowing them in their very own carrying case.

These shoe protectors – which retail for about $50 per pair – have been endorsed by Oprah (which is like the highest seal of approval) as well as the ladies over at Good Morning America, but what do you think? Would you Shuella?

Lianne Woolley

 

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Best Shoes to Wear with Cropped Pants

March 12, 2011 Comments (0)

Cropped pants are hot for spring and summer 2011. Finding the right shoes to wear with them can be tricky. You don’t want the shoes to cut you in the wrong place or else you’ll lose the effortless cool of cropped pants. It also depends on what type of cropped pants you’re wearing. Both fluid and skinny legs were shown on the runways, so there’s a pair of cropped pants that will suit you this season.

Loose Cropped Pants

With loose cropped pants, you want to wear shoes that elongate you. Fluid pants were shown on the runway with stiletto heels and major platform sandals. The shoes you wear with loose cropped pants should mix in with your skin tone or be a stark contrast. If you’re wearing white fluid pants, you can work a pair of nude stiletto heels and if you’re wearing black loose pants, opt for a pair of bright orange wedge sandals. The shoes shouldn’t have a strap any higher than your ankle because this will cut your legs off in an unflattering place and make you look larger than you are. Between the cropped hemline and baggy pant leg, it’s easy to get lost in the silhouette, so be sure your shoes have at least two inches or more to create a slim look.

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