The Closet Coach

Or: The dress that made me buy Spanx.

I bought this cute little dress at H&M a couple of summers ago. Maybe it was my recently developed “Mad Men” fixation, but I liked the mod ‘60s look of it.

One wear convinced me, however, that it would require equally vintage undergarments. Or the modern version thereof. (Yes, ladies, Spanx are just a more technologically advanced girdle!)

I don’t usually wear this dress belted, but on this day I thought I’d try out my new red Target belt.

The grey in the dress made me think of my Nine West gladiator sandals, which are not only grey but embellished with circular beading, echoing the pattern.

By the way, as you can tell from my non-shorter haircut, I’m using up the outfit photos I shot pre-style update!

• Do you think this dress works with a belt?
• What about the shoes?
• What’s the garment that first sent you shopping for Spanx?

Dress: H&M (no longer available; similar,
Tahari, $128 from Zappos)
Belt: Target (similar, $25 from Kohl’s)
Shoes: Nine West (no longer available; similar, Cynthia Vincent, on sale for $118)
Tote: Kate Spade Shady Side tote (I got it on sale; similar, $325 from Zappos Couture)
Outfit Level: 3.

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

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Yesterday I was talking about the lesson I learned about sizes and shopping when I found out I wear a smaller size at Calvin Klein in a dress than I do in pants or shorts. Today’s outfit post is from the first time I wore my spankin’ new dress on Sunday.

We went to church in the morning and met my father-in-law for a Father’s Day lunch in the afternoon, so it was a perfect day to test-drive a new dress.

With such a neutral color, I wanted to amp up the accessories. This wood and turquoise necklace from Stella & Dot seemed like a good companion piece.

Shoes were trickier. I have a pair of light tan slides (barely visible in my first outfit post) but they didn’t seem to go with the style of the dress.

My only other non-black dress shoes are dark brown mary janes and they felt too heavy and dark for summer.

So I pulled out my orange gladiator sandals from Kate Spade. They’re such an unusual color that I don’t wear them frequently, but I think they work here.

Still, I think I’m now on the lookout for a pair of fierce shoes in a nude or sand color (like the ones on the model at the Calvin Klein site).

• What do you think? Do these shoes work with this dress? What would you wear with it?

Dress: Calvin Klein fit + flare seamed dress ($129.50; 40% off through 6.23.11)
Shoes: Kate Spade, Illia ($225; no longer available)
Necklace: Stella & Dot Charlize wood necklace ($59; no longer available) Similar: Mocha Disc Necklace ($44)
Outfit level: 4.

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

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My summer shoe wardrobe tends to be exclusively devoted to sandals, and the flip-floppier, the better. (Or their more work-appropriate cousins, thong sandals.)

But sometimes I want a summer shoe that’s a little more substantial, and a bit higher in the heel, while remaining foot-friendly. Enter the wedge!

Because the bottom of the sole is still a single piece of material, wedges are more stable than a standard heel in the same height. If you keep that height to a couple of inches or less, you can easily walk to work in the morning without limping home in the evening.

Look for soles that are cork, rope or fiber; these materials just say “summer,” don’t they? Upper construction can range from a very sandal-like thong to a more foot-enclosing espadrille style, but anything made from brights or cottons will take you from the office to the pool in a breeze.

I’m eyeing those adorable Sperry Santa Rosa wedges.

What are your favorites?

Summer wedge shoes shopping list

Here’s where to get these cute, walkable shoes. (Some links are affiliate links.)

Sperry Top-Sider Women’s Santa Rosa Sandal
$90 - endless.com

TOMS wedge shoes
$69 - nordstrom.com

Michael Michael Kors “Violet” Sandals
$135 - endless.com

River Island lace up sandals
$52 - asos.com

Dorothy Perkins black wedge
£32 - dorothyperkins.com

Espadrille sandals
$66 - topshop.com

MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Women’s Palm Beach Wedge
$89 - endless.com

Kenneth Cole Reaction – Far Chase (Yellow Leather)
$49 - zappos.com

LAUREN by Ralph Lauren – Charla (Black) – Footwear
$79 - zappos.com

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Thong Sandals for Summer by closetcoach featuring kate spade sandals

Amanda, aka Dumb Mom, of Parenting by Dummies was wondering the other day about alternatives to flip flops.

Since I can never resist an opportunity to talk about shoes, today’s Ask the Closet Coach is inspired by her post. Let’s talk about sandals that are as comfortable as flip flops, but don’t look like they belong on the beach (or, worse, in the shower at the pool).

As I’ve said before, the key is to find a sandal in the shape and style of a flip flop, but constructed in material other than rubber, preferably leather. In other words, a thong sandal. Embellishments also go a long way to making a sandal look more chic, and less cheap.

Here are a few to try:

Flip Flop Alternatives

• Calvin Klein’s Jade, $48 at Zappos
• Tommy Hilfiger’s Tutti, $29 at Zappos
• Nine West’s Nelia,$49 at Zappos
• Kate Spade’s First, $250 at Endless
• Cole Haan Air Astoria, $125 at Endless

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