Entries Tagged as 'Shoes'

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 by Belle

Bag and Shoe Combinations for Spring/Summer

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An outfit can be put together in nearly endless combinations, but no outfit would be complete without the right shoes and the right handbag. Here are some stylish shoe and bag combinations:

From Left, Mango Croc-Effect Tote ($80) and Enzo Call Me Pump ($99) // Milly Kelly Purse ($435) and Shilo Pump ($305) // MK Jetset Messenger ($228) and J. Renee Wedge ($90)

One. When wearing a nude-to-you heel, you have as many bag choices as you can dream up. The simplest of these, however, is to pair a lighter-colored shoe with a darker bag in the same color family. This is also a good opportunity to carry a colored bag, like this kelly green woven satchel ($60) or this Botkier coral tote (on sale for $234).

One word of caution on buying nude-colored shoes: Don’t buy them too light. Even if you’re fair-skinned, buy your shoes in a tan or taupe color, otherwise it can make you look too pale. The ones above are a good example, but I like these as well.

If you are African-American, try a chocolate brown shoe or, as a commenter suggests below, a store with a wide variety of “nude” colors like Nine West. And if you just don’t like taupe, try tortoise instead.

Two. Many women retire their black pumps in the summer, but if you intend to keep wearing yours, you can lighten up the look with the right handbag. Need a cheaper pair of round toe pumps? I own these J.CREW, but these Ann Taylor shoes are good too.

I chose the colorblock Milly satchel because I loved the mix of grey, black, white and blush. If you’re looking for the same look for less, try this simple flap purse. I also love (LOVE!) this simple two-tone purse from Mango. And if colorblock isn’t for you, pair your black pumps with a grey handbag instead.

Three. Low, red wedges are one of my summertime staples. I wear them with navy dresses, black and white dresses and trousers. They’re more comfortable than heels, but still dressy, and they add a pop of color to my outfit. Need a cheaper pair? These Bandolino wedges should do the trick.

I like them with this navy messenger, but you could also choose a cognac or gray bag.

More combinations for casual days and evenings out, after the jump…

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Wednesday, March 20, 2013 by Belle

Ask Belle: Work Shoes for Interns

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Hi Belle!

I just found your blog and I am so glad I did. I’m starting my internship in the Senate soon and your blog has been a lifesaver. I don’t own any dressy work shoes and I need to know which ones you think are must haves. I found another post you did on spring shoes but there were too many pairs. Could you whittle down the list to just what I need?

Thx! Kailey

Oh, I remember when I was just starting my internship…I rode a Brontosaurus to my interview and faxed over my resume…only one of those things is true. But I digress…

From Left, MK Flex Mid Pump ($99), Rockport Lendra Black Pump ($100), Rockport Ashika Flat ($90), Acorn Ballet Flat ($78)

The truth is that an intern could easily get by with two pairs of shoes, one structured flat and one heel. Take a look at your wardrobe, what color appears most? If you’re wearing a lot of black, then you need black to carry you through. If it’s navy and fun colors, you need nude or grey or snakeskin. But for a shoe stash with just enough versatility that you won’t get bored, I think four pairs should do the trick. And since they’re for interns, all of the shoes referenced in this post are under-$100.

Nude-to-You. If you’re going to be wearing a lot of skirts and dresses this spring/summer, then you need a pair of flesh-toned pumps or flats. Make sure to buy a comfortable pair and take care of them (new heel caps, cleaning, re-soling, etc.). And if the patent gets scuffed, a Q-tip and some acetone will take that right off.

Other options include these Ellen Tracy pumps with a small platform, these kitten heel slingbacks and these Nine West pumps that come in a light and somewhat darker shade. Prefer a round toe? Try these Corso Como pumps or this inexpensive pair from Famous Footwear.

Black Pumps are an absolute essential. I used to own a pair of Rockport pumps and they were amazingly comfortable. Their styling is occasionally hit or miss, but this simple pair are perfect for the office (and this pair is pretty chic too, I think I need them).

Not crazy about this pair? I like the dramatic vamp on this pair. This almond toe Nine West pump is nice. And, of course, we have a low-heeled Ivanka Trump shoe as well.

Colored flats. I think a pair of colored flats can really jazz up a business suit or a pair of jeans. I also like this suede pair with the open side and this pair with a little embellishment on the front. I chose red because it goes well with navy, but you could easily choose another color to suit your taste and the colors in your closet. Some options include: cobalt, mint, emerald, coral and yellow. Or you could go with a metallic, either silver or gold.

Walk-Around Flats. As an intern, you’ll be giving a lot of tours. This task requires a lot of walking. You may also be living walking to and from work, or at least, walking significant distances to the Metro. This will take a serious toll on your feet, so you need a pair of foldable ballet flats that you can commute in, give tours in and just throw in your bag.

I’ve heard good things about these Acorn ballet flats. I also recommend the Yosi Samra flats (love the two-tone cap toes, the metallics and the snakeskin).

I’ve also known interns who liked to use driving mocs or Sperry’s as walking around shoes. I’m not the biggest fan of the Sperry option (unless they’re their new flats), but as long as their not Crocs, $4 flip-flop sandals or athletic shoes, I consider it a victory.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013 by Belle

Ask Belle: How high is too high?

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Hi Belle,

I found your site last year and I love it. I am the intern coordinator for my office and I spend a lot of time talking to your female interns about their clothes and your blog has been a big help.

Could you settle a debate my COS and I are having about shoes? How high is too high for high heels?

Alanna

Let me first say, that I have been saving this Ask Belle since December. Why? Because as the weather gets warmer, the heels get higher, and I wanted the post to be timely.

While it’s hard to say definitively, because there are several factors beyond heel height (style, material, etc.) that determine whether a shoe is professional, if I were writing an office dress code, I would have a rule that says no heels higher than 4″.

Of course, I wouldn’t be breaking out the measuring tape, but my goal would be to steer women away from high heels with thick platforms or sky high stilettos. Because I’m always a bit horrified when I walk into a professional office and see women wearing what could be charitably described as “club shoes.”

This shoe is not an office shoe, and yet, every couple of days, I see an otherwise professionally dressed woman wearing something similar.

Does 4″ seem like an arbitrary choice to you? Allow me illustrate my choice using a visual aid:

Five pairs of “nude” high heels. Five different heel heights, but otherwise, very similar.

On the left, we have an under-3″ heel, the DvF Anette Mid-Heel. Maybe too conservative for some people, for others, just right. Next to it, we have the Kate Spade Licorice Heel–traditional, classic–a versatile work shoe. And then, we have a shoe that is just under 4″, the Ivanka Trump Pinkish heel. I would consider all of these shoes appropriate work shoes.

Across the thin red line, we find the Arturo Chiang Orina pump and the Jessica Simpson Waleo pump. The exposed platforms, the towering stilettos–these shoes strike me as wholly inappropriate for the office.

So why do some women, esp. young women, seem to gravitate toward sky scraping heels?

I’ve done some thinking on this, and I have a theory. As the celebrity and fashion worlds have moved toward ever-higher high heels over the last five years, the companies that make inexpensive shoes (Madden, ALDO, Forever 21, etc.) have heavily followed that trend. Because young professionals don’t have the money to spend on pricier, classic brands, their choices for sensible, stylish, affordable heels are limited. And they’re often too inexperienced to know how wearing such high heels might cause them to be perceived, so they buy what’s available in their price point.

But if you’re willing to pick through the rough, you can find professional, chic heels for under $100.

In the under-3″ category, these Arturo Chiang pumps are a good choice, as are these Ivanka Trump heels. If you prefer 3″ or just over, these Chinese Laundry Area pumps have a classic style and a $70 price. And because I threw some shade at Madden shoes, I feel like I should showcase their $50 perfectly appropriate pumps just to be fair.

And if you need a little more height, try a 4″ heel with a hidden platform instead of an exposed one. These Franco Sarto Cicero pumps (also in a to.die.for tortoise) are the perfect example of a shoe that looks professional but offers a lot of height thanks to a concealed lift and a slightly thicker heel. These Nine West shoes also offer the same hidden platform with a thinner heel.

So what do you ladies say, how high is too high? Or is there no such thing?

Monday, March 4, 2013 by Belle

Ask Belle: Black Wedding Sandals

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I am positively drowning in Ask Belle e-mails. So it’s going to be a week worth of answers and suggestions…let’s get started.

Belle,

Can you suggest a high heel black sandal that’s appropriate for spring and summer events? I have several weddings to attend and all of the dresses I’ve chosen would look best with black shoes. Thank you for your fun blog!

Sincerely, Lynn

It’s fairly easy to find nude or metallic special occasion shoes for summer, but it’s tough to find black ones. Here are a few suggestions.

French Connection Nora Sandal ($120)

How adorable are these bow sandals? The ribbon is just enough without being too prissy. I love them.

This pair has a block heel (more comfortable than a spike) and jewel embellishment. This basic sandal has a simple shape and lower heel. And if you want just a hint of metallic, try these Ivanka Trump braided sandals, these fashion-forward ASOS sandals or these Forever 21 heels.

Prefer a nude or metallic sandal? These Vince Camuto cage sandals are an awesome Jimmy Choo knock-off, these Trump sandals are very sexy and these tan suede shoes with metallic details. J.CREW also has some wedding-approved options including these simple sandals and these pierced leather ones.

Want something a little bit dainty or sweet? Ann Taylor has a lovely metallic D’orsay sandal with a kitten heel and these glitter pumps have a serious 1920s feel. And if you want to throw caution to the wind and choose a bright color, I love this fuchsia shoe.

Thursday, February 28, 2013 by Belle

Summer Sandal Shopping

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As I explained earlier this month, I waited too long last year to start shopping for summer shoes. By the time I was willing to dedicate money and time to the endeavor in late May, nearly every shoe that I wanted was sold out. Not this year. This year, I’m going to be the early bird.

Sam Edelman Sutton Sandal ($124)

I am obsessed with these half nude, half metallic wedges. They’re not clunky or chunky, they’re the perfect mix of casual and chic. If you have a number of casual weddings this summer, or you just need a summer shoe with some height, give these a whirl.

If you want a pair of wedge sandals have more of a gladiator feel, I’m also drawn to these Frank Sarto shoes and these Sigerson Morrison wedges. If a low wedge is more to your liking, these ankle strap Marc Jacobs sandals are nice. And if you’re pinching pennies, try these metallic strap Chinese Laundry wedges or these colorblocked Prabal Gurung for Target sandals, both under-$50.

And if you just want some flat sandals to stroll around in, I am still positively smitten with the Maiden Lane Amanda sandals ($69) I bought for Miami trip. So much so I bought the gold pair, too. And I’m thinking about picking up these cool snakeskin and yellow sandals before they sell out of my size.