Purple pumps! Fun to say AND fun to wear
Banana Republic Nelda Mary Jane
Not sure about this fall’s love affair with purple? Afraid you’ll wind up looking less Michelle Obama and more Barney Goes To Work? How about choosing one great purple accessory? Like shoes!
Oh come on, this will be fun.
Banana Republic has these super fabulous Mary Jane pumps in a beautiful purple suede. They’re also available in black and gray but COME ON GIRLS! Go for the purple.
Wear with your jeans and your LBD and everything in between. This is a simple, trendy update that won’t leave you feeling like a big pluffy dinosaur. Or a candidate’s wife, whichever seems worse.
Banana Republic Nelda Mary Jane pumps, $130.00. Black berry available online only.
Style Friday - How to wear navy for evening
Nine West 'Begin'
The LBD is the default for after-five entertaining, and it’s a good one, classic and sleek and easy-to-wear, but sometimes, a girl just wants something with a little more color for her nights out. Navy blue is less harsh and more flattering than black, particularly for those of us who are Over Forty. But what kind of shoes go with a navy cocktail dress?
Navy is the perfect foil for a great patterned shoe, either an animal print, like the Nine West pumps shown here, or a floral print (I’m currently in love with J. Crew’s floral peep-toe pumps). Go bright or bold — animal prints and florals and dramatic color are perfect with navy. Pop your navy dress with bright yellow or pink or green shoes — the sky is pretty much the limit.
Steer clear of basic black or brown pumps, though — take advantage of the simplicity of a navy dress for evening with dramatic shoes.
Nine West Begin pumps, $99.00 at Piperlime.
Style Friday - What to wear with a navy dress
DV by Dolce Vita Karma boots
Pamela emailed me recently to say that she bought this dress, at J. Crew (still available! and on sale!) in navy blue, and now she’s wondering what shoes to wear with it. “For spring/summer I have some great camel-colored sandals and patterned ballet flats that the dress will looks great with. But what to do about fall and winter, which is right around the corner? We live in the Midwest, so I will most likely need to wear high boots at least sometimes with it. Would chocolate brown high heeled boots work? If so, what kind/color hosiery would I wear with it?”
Chocolate brown boots would be PERFECT with this dress, as would a lighter brown, like the camel boots pictured here. Boots — both flat and high heeled — are huge this fall, and the combination of a great boot with a simple jersey dress is chic and practical all at once.
Pair brown boots with brown tights for the longest leg line; choose tights that are the same shade as the boots to really extend the leg. Opt for a textured tight for a little pattern. And for warmer fall days, wear the boots without any hosiery — why not?
DV by Dolce Vita Karma boots in nut; $175.00 at Piperlime.
Next Friday: shoes and hose for the navy cocktail dress.
Jack Rogers thong sandals: The flip flop grows up
It’s summer, and there’s nothing better than tossing off your big winter shoes and letting your toes breathe. But just because it’s warm doesn’t mean you can go around in flip flops — at least, not in those rubbery ones; keep those for the pool and beach. For grown-up outings, go with a pair of Jack Rogers Navaho thong sandals
Jack Rogers sandals are a Preppy staple for summer. Made of soft leather with just a wee heel, they are a flip flop that is nice enough to wear to the club. The also have a campy, retro look that works well with this summer’s sheath dresses.
Jack Rogers Navaho sandal, available in six colors at Nordstrom (and at least a dozen other places on the web) for about $89.00.
Ann Taylor Loft has chic sandals that won’t put you in the poorhouse
I spend a lot of time looking at shoes online, and this summer I’ve been lusting after some great embellished sandals. But I can’t justify $200.00 for a shoe that is only wearable this summer, and may not even last until Labor Day.
Ann Taylor Loft agrees. They have a nice selection of strappy embellished sandals, all for under $50 (many are under $40, even). And right now, sandals are buy one get one 50% off. Perfect.
ATLoft shoes are well made and sturdy; these sandals come with a cushioned footbed and rubber sole, which gives them a little more structure than a shoe with so little to it might normally have. But these are pretty shoes, not walking shoes, and you should keep that in mind when you wear them.
Sonja Bejeweled Sandal, $44.00. Available in saddle brown (shown) and bronze.
Markon embellished sandals green up your feet
Summer is right around the corner, and now is the time to pick up some cute sandals, if only to get you through that last run of snow and cold. Gladiator sandals are back this season, but they can be hard to wear if you don’t have slim, tanned legs. Opt instead for a strappy flat sandal with some cool embellishment; like gladiators, these are more interesting than your usual flip flops or slides, but they are practical and versatile. And the heel strap makes them easier to walk around in.
Markon Ena sandals, $45.00 at Piperlime. Also available in silver, blue, and brown (but really, the green is the prettiest).
Put a spring in your step with bright Old Navy flats
I’m a big fan of simple, easy-to-wear clothes, pieces that don’t require a lot of thought or color coordination early in the morning. Because matching this blue and that green can be hard before that first (or third) cup of coffee.
But I also think that too much black or gray or basic denim is a wee bit boring, and a nice pop of color — in a scarf or bag or shoes — is a simple way to brighten up even the most streamlined basics. If you tend to shy away from bright colors and bold patterns, I have the shoe for you!
These satin flats, from Old Navy, come in eight colors and patterns (including both a graphic and floral black) and are the perfect foil for your jeans or skinny black pants. And for $19.50, they are an easy way to add some pop, or to road test brighter colors and bolder prints.
Old Navy printed satin flats, $19.50.
Jessica Simpson silver sandals are the perfect compliment for your navy pieces
Navy blue is the perfect summer alternative to black — sophisticated but not uptight. Pair your navy pieces with some fabulous silver shoes for a look that is polished and hip.
This spring, gladiator sandals are still big; look for cool flat options, rather than the bondage-y heels we saw last year. This pair, by Jessica Simpson, is high on shine but still sleek and simple. And at $73.00, they’re a steal.
Wear them with jeans or navy capri pants, or with a dress or skirt. For a longer leg line, keep skirt hems above the knee.
Jessica Simpson Zahara sandals; available at Zappos.
SJP’s Bitten ballet flats
I cannot tell you how happy I am that the ballet flat is here to stay; ballet flats are the perfect day-to-evening shoe, particularly for those of us who aren’t heel girls. A ballet flat is also an excellent commuter shoe for those of you who don’t want to wear out your Manolos walking from the subway to your office. And a ballet flat dresses up even the most casual jeans and a tee, without leaving you feeling like you’ve suddenly overdressed for play group.
Perfect.
What could be MORE perfect? These satin ballet flats from Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten line; they come in five colors, including the pink pictured here (which appears, on the Internet at least, to be a nice subtle pink, not too bubble gum). But the BEST part is this: these pretty flats retail for $8.98.
The downside is that you will need to find a Steve & Barry’s store to actually BUY them, but I think it’s worth the effort. And for nine dollars, you can buy all five colors! I plan to.
Sam Edelman, I think I love you
Color is back for spring, which makes some women nervous, I know — but a pop of color can take your every day wardrobe pieces and give them a fresh, funky edge. Think about a bright bag or shoes if you don’t want to commit to anything more obvious.
I love these Sam Edelman flats because I love the way that they incorporate color and texture into a simple, sleek design. Because they have a basic brown component, they can work with your neutrals, and the pink isn’t TOO over-the-top. But look! There’s a little flash of orange and turquoise and red! And the pink gold chain detail makes them incredibly luxurious, even if you’re just tossing them on with your jeans.
Sam Edelman Carmen ballet flat, $95.00 at PiperLime.