The Closet Coach

Icon

Real-world style advice for your frantic, fabulous life.

Mar 20, 2012 2

Ask the Closet Coach: How to choose the right shoe to wear with a dress

Choose the right shoe for a dress

Reader Marni writes to ask, “I never know exactly which shoes to wear with a dress. How do I know what will look the best?”

Great question! I sometimes have this same dilemma myself, so it’s a great opportunity to refresh both of us on some of the guidelines.

(And–as is true of the Pirate Code–they’re really just guidelines. A true fashionista knows how to break every rule in style!)

So here are some tips for choosing the right shoe to wear with a dress.

  • Style. Let the style of the dress be your first guide. Is it a summery, spaghetti-strapped sundress? Then don’t wear thick, chunky shoes. Is it a sleek little cocktail dress? Then a cotton espadrille won’t work.
  • Season. Match the season of the dress to the shoe. Lightweight spring dress + sandals = yes. Lightweight spring dress + fur-lined boots = no.
  • Color. This one can be a bit tricky. You can never go wrong wearing black shoes with a black outfit, but any other color can veer into bridesmaid matchy matchy territory if you’re not careful. This is where the nude pump trend is especially helpful. Or try a bright complementary color, like yellow with navy or red with neutrals.
  • Occasion. Where are you going to be wearing the dress? The same black dress might call for a pair of pumps in the office and strappy sandals for an evening out.

Now for the rule-breaking: try several pairs on and see what works. That lightweight spring dress might actually look boho chic with the right pair of boots. Flats might look great with a dress you assumed would demand pumps.

Look around for ideas, too. Fashion editors make very conscious choices of the shoes they pair with dresses in magazine spreads. Outfit posts on style blogs or found in Pinterest can give you inspiration.

And if nothing in your closet works with that new dress you just bought? You now have a golden excuse to go shoe shopping!

What to buy

Marc New York safari dress
$72 - bluefly.com

J Crew Elinor dress
$148 - jcrew.com

Oasis bow back dress
$82, sale - asos.com

Stuart Weitzman Littleneck boots
(no longer available)

Tommy Hilfiger Tutti flip flops
(no longer available)



[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

Share the love

Thanks for reading. Did you like this post? Please leave a comment or share it with someone else; just use the handy sharing widget below.

(Want to get more shopping tips and fun insider stuff? Join The Style List. It’s like a secret club in your email inbox! And when you join, you’ll get my free email series, 7 Days to Better Shopping. It’s my gift to you!)

Jun 14, 2011 0

Summer wedge shoes: 9 cute, affordable and walkable options

Walkable wedge sandals for summer 2011

 

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.)

 

 

Share the love

Thanks for reading. Did you like this post? Please leave a comment or share it with someone else; just use the handy sharing widget below.

(Want to get more shopping tips and fun insider stuff? Join The Style List. It’s like a secret club in your email inbox!)

May 6, 2011 0

Friend Friday: It’s all about the shoes, shoes, shoes!

Manolo Blahnik leopard printed mary jane pumps

Oh yes, some day you will be mine.

This week I’m joining the Fashion Beauty Friend Friday club and the timing couldn’t be better because this week’s subject is one of my all time favorites: shoes, darling, shoes.

1.What is your go-to pair of shoes?

Go-to pair? More like go-to pairs!

In the summer, I love my Kate Spade leather thong sandals with ring accent joining the straps. The leather is in a slightly shimmery metallic color that goes with everything and the embellishment of the metal ring makes them look luxurious. They’re like the most chic flip flops ever.

Any time it’s warm, I cannot be separated from my black suede Puma flats. Most flats, alas, rub my feet when I try to wear them without socks; not these. Unfortunately, I don’t think they make the style any more. If only I’d known how much I’d wear them, I would’ve gotten a second pair. (They’re a lot like the PUMA Women’s Saba Suede Ballet Flatso maybe I’ll have to order them to see if they’ll make a good backup pair.)

In cooler and wet weather, I live in an offbeat pair of DKNY boots I bought over 10 years ago on a whim at the Saks Off Fifth outlet store. They’re ankle boots made out of grey vinyl, almost like the material backpacks are constructed from, and the lining is the same material in a pumpkin orange. They sound strange but they look cute on, they’re super practical in the rain and they’re insanely comfortable. I’ve had the soles re-glued once already and, like the Pumas, I’ll cry if they ever wear out.

And in the depths of winter, I wear my North Face Janeyboots practically every day. They’re warm, cute and waterproof. I’ve even worn them in 2 feet of snow. What more can you ask from a winter boot?

2. What goes into your shoe buying decisions?

I have three main criteria: are they a good value, do they add something to my shoe wardrobe and do they feel good on my feet?

Value: If they’re a super trendy style I’m only going to wear a this season and never again, I want to find them in the lowest price possible. If they’re a wardrobe piece I intend to wear for years to come, I’m willing to spend more on a better brand.

Wardrobe: Are they filling in a missing spot in my shoe closet? That is, if I have only black mules for the spring and fall then I will look for a pair in brown or another neutral–but I wouldn’t buy a second pair of black. Right now I’m looking for a pair of cute wedges as well as peep-toe pumps because I don’t have any shoes in either of these styles.

Comfort: I used to put up with uncomfortable shoes in my carefree youth. Not any more. Maybe I’ve got wacky feet, but there are too many places where shoes can rub my toes or heel so a pair has really got to fit right before I can buy it. For this reason, I’m on an eternal search for the perfect pair of little black flats that I can wear without socks or hosiery. I find that most leather shoes are too stiff in the heel to be worn with bare feet (hence my undying love for my Pumas).

But of course I also occasionally buy shoes for the why not? of it, especially if they’re a crazy good sale.

Read the rest of this entry »

Apr 29, 2011 0

Step out in style this spring: 11 pairs of kitten heels you can wear right now

For their combination of classic style and walkability, nothing beats a cute pair of kitten heels. Working moms on the go can especially appreciate their ability to take you from home to office.

Here are 11 fabulous pairs of kitten heels you can wear right now.

(Price tags a little scary? Use these styles as inspiration and look for their cousins at Zappos, Bluefly, DSW or other retailers.)

Let’s dish

  • Do you like to rock some kitten heels?
  • What’s your favorite pair and where did you get them?

Share the love

Thanks for reading. Did you like this post? If so, please leave a comment or share it with someone else; just use the handy sharing widget below! (And don’t forget to sign up for my email newsletter, The Style List.)

Mar 22, 2011 0

Ask the Closet Coach: What are some alternatives to flip flops?

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

 

Share the love

Thanks for reading. Did you like this post? If so, please leave a comment or share it with someone else; just use the handy sharing widget below! (And don’t forget to sign up for my email newsletter, The Style List.)

What is the Closet Coach?

Does this sound like you? You feel like you have "nothing to wear," no matter how stuffed your closet. Shopping for clothes has become overwhelming or tedious. You want to dress better, but have no idea where to start. You can dress, look and feel better and the Closet Coach can help!


Subscribe now to my blog posts and learn how to find your style, edit your closet and build a new, chic wardrobe with confidence and elan. Or contact the Coach to get personal style advice. Your better wardrobe starts today.

Free series: 7 Days to Better Shopping

It only takes a week to shop smarter! Sign up for the Style List and get my free email series, 7 Days to Better Shopping--plus insider access to tips, polls, and sneak previews.

Twitter updates (@closetcoach)



RSS feed logo   Follow me on Twitter   Follow my Tumblr   Circle me on Google+

Follow Me on Pinterest



bloglovin

Archives

Badges & such

ModlyChic FBFF

CapFABB

Want to Learn About Style? Find the Best Style Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory

Alltop, all the cool kids (and me)

Add to Technorati Favorites

Fashion Blog Directory