shoes

Already Prettypoll: Your Sandal Style

by Sally on May 8, 2013 · 45 comments

I’ve mentioned before that I have some sandal issues. Namely that I absolutely hate having wet feet, and wearing sandals makes wet feet far more possible. So I prefer sandals with a little platform. Doesn’t have to be huge! Just something that puts a bit of distance between my tender tootsies and any offending puddles. Or wet grass. I also hate having anything between my toes, so flip-flops and anything with a flip-flop like construction are right out. My ideal sandal has an ankle strap, a strap across the toes, and a small heel. Basically, my ideal sandal is this one. Though I have an almost identical pair by Miz Mooz and have seen several similar styles by other companies this season.

And you? What’s your preferred sandal style? Any deal-breakers in terms of comfort, design, or appearance?

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Reader Request: Stylish Shoes That Accomodate Orthotics

by Sally on March 26, 2013 · 20 comments

I’ve had many requests for this topic and knew I was out of my depth, so I called in an expert. Kirsten over at Barking Dog Shoes gets many shout-outs from me for her unmatched expertise in finding shoes that work for fussy feet of all kinds. Read on for her recommendations for stylish shoes that accomodate orthotics!

* * * * *

I’ll never forget when the podiatrist handed me my brand spankin’ new custom orthotics and said, “You’ll need to buy a pair of New Balance sneakers now and wear them all the time.” I dutifully nodded, then promptly walked to my car and cried. It was 1998 and I had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis three months prior. I was a 28 year-old middle school teacher that loved cute shoes. My tears quickly turned to resolve as I dismissed the thought of wearing glaringly white, cloddy sneakers with my skirts. No way, no how. There had to be some other type of footwear that would accommodate the orthotics. I soon became frustrated in my search, however. Remember, this was fifteen years ago. I settled on removing the insoles from my favorite purple suede Hush Puppies and shoving the orthotics in them for an anything-but-custom fit. Sigh.

Fast forward to 2013. While I would never wish chronic foot problems on anyone, there’s never been a better time for finding shoes for your much-needed orthotics. Yes, those white New Balances will do the trick, but let me help you find something with a little more style, sass or class for your work environment.

1. Dutch brand Wolky offers several collections with removable insoles. Try the Seraphina ankle-strap flat, the Tyler ankle boot or Tempo heeled mary jane.

2. Israeli brand, Naot: Many styles feature a removable cork and latex footbed which is incredibly supportive yet removable for orthotics. Recommended styles: Naot Sea, Taramoa and Myna mary janes and the Paris sandal.

3. Clark’s. I honestly didn’t know Clark’s actually made a few heels with removable footbeds, but take a look at the Sugar Dust and Levee Delta. The Wave collection of casual-sporty shoes all have removable footbeds for orthotics: check out the Wave.Trek. All available in multiple widths.

4. New Balance dress-casual brand, Aravon makes office-appropriate footwear in a varietly of sizes and widths, most with a removable footbed. The Maya is their most popular style.

5. Saving the best for last, I just came across the Portuguese brand, Softwaves, at OnlineShoes.com and was thrilled to see that their closed-toe styles feature removable footbeds. The styles are precious. Take a look at the Kyoto criss-cross shootie and the Wave ruched mary jane in citron and red coral.

If you want to wear a flip-flop this summer, try Orthaheel’s Tide or Carla II Toe Post with a built-in orthotic.

Do you wear orthotics? Heard of these brands before? Which styles appeal to you?

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for barkingdogshoes.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Reader Request: Flats with Dresses

by Sally on March 18, 2013 · 28 comments

flatswithdresses

Reader Kelly e-mailed me this request:

I would love to wear heels and when I was younger and without scoliosis I did; now they seem to be a thing of the past though I keep trying. Could you do a post about flats? Specifically how to make them look good with dresses ( I don’t think they do) or anything for that matter.

So I’ve written a bit about flats and have several posts in the archive with visual examples, and I sent those along to Kelly:

  1. This post talks about making flats work with fancy dresses
  2. This one has some “edgy” flats looks, including dresses
  3. This will be helpful if it ever warms up (balancing shoes and shorts)

But let’s talk about flats with dresses. Of the non-fancy variety. And I can hear many of you scoffing through your computer screens as I am a confirmed heels lover myself, but at least give me a shot!

Flats are extremely important. I don’t wear mine as often as I should, but I’m trying to incorporate them more frequently because there is a growing pool of evidence indicating that a steady diet of high heels can cause serious, long-term health issues. Flats also have a bad rep. We are trained to favor a long leg line, and told that flats cause our legs to look stumpy. And since I’m on a bit of a weather rant in the background of this post anyway, I’ll just continue in that vein and say that I, personally, find flats to be tougher to style during cold weather because they can look a little odd paired with tights.* And make walking in the snow an unpleasant experience. So, ya know, uphill battle. But it can be fought.

Assuming that the main concern is leg-elongation – which is usually the case – here are some ways to make flats work with dresses and skirts:

Opt for higher hemlines

We’ve all got our hemline happy zones, and I’m not suggesting you veer outside of yours. But since flats won’t give your legs any lift or length, showing a bit more leg near your dress or skirt hem will help your legs appear longer. Even an inch will help, I’ve found.

Pair with like-colored tights

As shown above, my flats-in-winter solution. Any time you can do hosiery and footwear in like colors, you’ll elongate your leg line. That low contrast allows the eye to travel all the way down the leg nearly to the ground before stopping.

Match your skin tone

And when it’s warm out? Allow me to trot out a piece of style advice that will never, ever die: Shoes that match your skin tone make your legs look longer. This includes flats. Go for something in a nude-to-you color.

Go for low vamps

I’ve seen so many women pair oxfords and dresses to great effect. I have never successfully done it myself. A high vamp shoe will cut your leg line higher up, so if you want your legs to look longer pick a lower vamp style. Ballet flats are a reliable favorite.

Experiment with shapes

I am always, ALWAYS drawn to round-toed everything. But when it comes to leg-lengthening, round toes fail. Pointy-toed flats have been trending for several years now, so consider trying a pair if they’re not too uncomfortable. If true points don’t suit you, go for a middle ground between round and elvish.

Try boots

This may or may not work for Kelly, but it’s something to consider if you prefer flat footwear but your eye just won’t adjust to other flat shoe styles. Boots offer an entirely different level of coverage and break at very different parts of the body. (Info on boot height and leg flattery here.) Depending on your proportions, flat boots may look more appealing than flat shoes. And remember, boots can work in summer!

Match shoe and dress styles

I’m a fan of juxtaposition, to be sure, but aligning styles can feel far more natural. Polka dot ballet flats with a red bow on the toe will look slightly off worn with a structured sheath and blazer. Super athletic flats probably won’t work as well with a retro-influenced shirt dress. Make sure you’ve got a few flat options available so your dress and shoes will work with each other.

Direct focus elsewhere

Even if you’ve got low-vamp flats and a slightly high hemline going on, you may still dislike the overall look. But if you’ve gotta do flats, you’ve gotta do flats. So consider diverting attention from your feet and legs. Wear a bright or printed top. Try a statement necklace. Cinch your waist with an eye-catching belt. As always, distraction tactics can be incredibly helpful. If you’re not wholly pleased with the bottom half of your outfit, make sure there’s something fabulous going on up top.

What are your tips for making flat shoes work with dresses? Do you have favorite styles that work no matter what you wear?

*I’m talking ballet flats, loafers, oxfords, and the like. In my experience, flat boots are a bit easier to pair with tights.

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Gracey on Printed Shoes

by Gracey on March 12, 2013 · 9 comments

Today I want to talk about printed shoes. I was actually hesitant to try printed shoes because I was afraid they’d be less versatile than non-printed shoes. But, I have fabulous news; Printed shoes are very versatile! And fun! So, you  know, win-win.

Leopard/Animal

Seeing as animal print is practically a neutral, animal print shoes are probably the easiest to wear. Personally, I like to pair mine with other prints. (And, apparently, pleated skirts.)

black pleated skirt, floranimal blouse, leopard wedges & skinny belt

vintage scarf print blouse, black pleated skirt, black tights, patent NW belt & animal print booties

Animal print is also great with solid colors, both brights and other neutrals.

Snake

Snake is another easy, practically neutral print that’s very easy to wear in a shoe.

white jeans, yellow blouse & gray snake shoes

 hot pink crops, gray sweater, agate necklace & snake platforms

Snake is especially easy to wear if you chose a neutral print but don’t be afraid of bolder snake prints as well.

Houndstooth

Houndstooth was a big trend last fall/winter and I, for one, was happy to see it. Houndstooth is fun and, I think, also very easy to wear. I prefer to pair mine with strong, solid colors.

flame cords, turquoise sweater & houndstooth flats

burgundy BR cords, lemon yellow sweater, cherry red belt & houndstooth flats

But, houndstooth works equally well with neutrals, adding a just enough oomph to a neutral outfit.

Colorful Prints

If you like to inject color into your outfits with a bright shoe, I’d recommend using a bright, printed shoe. They work just as well.

checked pants, graphic ON blouse & tangerine print NW flats

silk paisley blouse, polka dot skinnies & blue leopard flats

 

How about you, Already Pretty Friends?  Do you wear printed shoes?  Do you have a favorite print?

Gracey

_ _ _

Already Pretty contributor Gracey hails from from Fashion for Giants. She’s essentially your average blogger, except that she’s taller than average (six foot) and bigger than average (size 14). She also likes to think that she’s more amusing than average, but that could just be vanity. In addition to being tall and plus-sized (and possibly hilarious), she’s also a thrift store shopper, a vintage lover, an Oregonian, and a bike commuter.

Likes: Gracey likes to shop, to blog, and to terrify her co-workers with brightly colored outfits.

Dislikes: Robot uprisings, too-short skirts, and leggings as pants.

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Reader Request: Balancing Foot Size

by Sally on March 6, 2013 · 22 comments

balancing foot size

Keilexandra popped this question into the suggestion box:

I’d love to see a post on how to “balance” foot size, both small and large. Especially small! At 5’2.5″ and 120 lbs, I feel like my size 5 feet are disproportionately small. This is especially apparent when I wear heels or high-vamp shoes (e.g. oxfords, TOMS), and even more so now that I am finally spending money on good-quality shoes in my size rather than a size too large. Wearing shoes that fit is much more comfortable, but it also makes my feet look smaller… and unlike most women, I think my feet are already small enough!

When I was a teen, I, too, wished to make my feet appear larger. I had a girlfriend who carried most of her weight in her bust and belly, and wore very tight, skinny jeans, and shoes that made her feet look tiny. Honestly, it worked for her. But seeing how she handled her dressing and footwear choices made me reevaluate my own and decide that I’d rather err on the side of shoes that made my feet look actual size or even a bit larger in order to balance my hips and shoulders. So I passed on Keds and reached for Doc Martens.

Women who have feet they feel are disproportionately large also struggle, I know. Some will go so far as to wear floor-sweeping skirts as often as possible to keep their feet minimally visible. And here’s the thing: All feet are fine. You’ve got yours in their current size because of your own unique biology, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. It is entirely up to you if balancing your foot size is a figure-flattery priority. None of my figure-flattery advice posts should be considered gospel, including this one, and I fully expect you to read them with a grain of salt. Style “rules” are merely guidelines, no matter who is dispensing them. I trust you to use your judgment. And I trust you to take what applies to you, discard the rest, and assume positive intent.

For those who do wish to balance their natural foot size a bit, here are some tips for both ends of the spectrum:

To make small feet appear larger

Almond and pointed toes: Generally, you want your feet to seem longer in the length, so toe styles that add a bit of visual length will help. You don’t have to go full pointy and veer into elf territory. A chic almond toe will help somewhat.

Platforms: Heft on the sole might not add to perceived foot length, but it will still add to the illusion. Again, no need to break out the disco stompers – a small platform and chunky heel will do the trick.

Large soles: Most women’s shoes feature soles that fit well beneath the shoe body, but some styles of flat boots and rugged footwear include soles that protrude a bit. My Fluevog Lancasters, shown above, boast this feature.

Bootcut pants: Pant styles that are slim to the ankle and foot will make dainty feet seem daintier. Bootcut openings have a bit more leeway since they flare a bit, and can make feet seem a bit larger.

To make large feet appear smaller

Rounded toes: On the opposite end of the spectrum, you’ll want a toe style that makes your feet appear as compact as possible. Rounded toes are generally a good bet.

Dark colors: Shoes in light or pastel shades will add a bit of perceived length, so stick to darker shades like gray, navy, brown, and black.

Avoid strappy sandals: Showing lots of foot against thin straps will make that foot seem bigger, so stick to wider straps and a bit more coverage. Or try peep-toes, D’Orsays, or sling-backs.

Anyone else out there wish to make small feet seem bigger, or vice versa? Do these suggestions work for you? Any other tips for Keilexandra?

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How to Train Yourself to Accessorize

by Sally on February 8, 2013 · 36 comments

how to train yourself to accessorize

The vast majority of my style consult clients have great clothes and fabulous ideas for outfit assembly. The vast majority of my style consult clients also struggle with jewelry and accessories. I’ve had so many of them say, “Oh, I don’t really wear jewelry. I don’t even own any!” Only to haul out unworn and forgotten stashes of necklaces, bangles, and earrings. Others say, “I love scarves on other people, but just can’t figure them out for me.” A few scarf tie tutorials later, and they’re back in the game. I spend a lot of time illustrating how jewelry and accessories make outfits feel more complete, finished, and polished. And then I try to reinforce the importance of incorporating them into daily dressing rituals.

But if you’ve never been big into jewels and accessories, how do you begin working them into your outfits? How can you train yourself to accessorize?

Jewelry

Start with jewelry. Even if you don’t think you have any, you probably do. Check your stores and see what you can find. Even a simple chain necklace or pair of hoop earrings can change the feeling of an outfit. Really! If you’ve worn the same studs every day for years or never bother with bracelets, set a schedule: Incorporate jewelry into your outfits on Tuesdays and Thursdays to start. If your wrists are bare, try to slip on a bracelet or watch. If you’ve got an open neckline, try a necklace. Keep it up for a few weeks. Once you’re in the habit, add a few more days or switch to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Soon, your eye will begin to see jewelry-shaped spaces in your outfits and long to fill them!

Scarves

In my experience, most women own scarves. They see them worn by others, love how they look, buy ‘em, get ‘em home, and realize they have no idea how to deploy them in actual outfits. Does this describe you? Well, sadly, the only way to give those scarves some wearable love is to suss out which ties work for you. And that means some research and experimentation. Let’s research first:

Cruise through some of those links and see what strikes your fancy. What styles and sizes of scarves do you own and love? Which techniques are, therefore, relevant? Now the tough part: You’ve got to set aside a bit of time to try them out. Throw on jeans and a black shirt, stand in front of the mirror, and see what works in practice. Try to identify at least three scarf ties that make sense, work with your collection, and complement your personal style. Once you’ve got those under your belt, you’ll find yourself more inclined to scarf it up. Because you’ll know how.

Belts

I’ve got an entire post on breaking into belting, and highly recommend it if you’re just getting started. The big takeaway? You likely need to start by figuring out which PLACEMENT works for your figure, then which WIDTH of belt you like best. So start with a scarf: Put on a fairly loose dress or tunic, and try belting it with a scarf at various spots on your bod. Hips, wearing waist, natural waist, and close your bust like an empire waistline. See what looks best. Then try making the scarf wide like an obi belt and see how that looks. Fold it so it’s the width of a pants belt. Roll it tight as you can so it’s skinny. See which width is most flattering. You may find that multiple combinations look good – skinny at your natural waist, wide up by your bust, medium at your wearing waist. But this little exercise will get you on the right track. How should you implement belts?

Hosiery

Hosiery season is coming to an end for many of us, but it still bears addressing. In my opinion, the three easiest ways to incorporate tights into outfits are as follows: If you’re doing separates, match your top and tights colors to create continuity. And/or make sure the color of your tights is repeated elsewhere in your outfit, be it in a belt, scarf, or piece of jewelry or within the pattern of a garment. And/or let tights make a stand-alone statement of their own by making them the lone colorful or patterned element in an ensemble. (More tights-deploying advice here and here.) Just having a few tights templates can make incorporating them into regular wear seem less daunting.

There are brooches and hats and loads of other accessories to be considered, but I view these as the Big Four. They’re accessories that stymie the majority of women, but can be fun and beneficial to deploy. Hope these tips have been helpful! I’d love to hear yours, too: How would you recommend that someone who has avoided jewelry and accessories begin to incorporate them into regular wear?

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This Week I Love …

by Sally on January 24, 2013 · 10 comments

my oil sponge

… my oil sponge.

This little gizmo comes up in just about every shoe care-related post I’ve written, but it deserves its own moment in the spotlight. I have a bottle of leather conditioner that I use when my shoes and boots are looking dry or damaged, but for minor scuffs, faded color, or any quick touch-ups, I use my oil sponge. It’s a temporary fix – especially when it comes to scuffed and fading boot and shoe toes – but it sticks around for a couple of wears. Won’t work on patent leather or suede, of course, but this little whiz cleans and conditions oiled and waxed leathers using original leather oils. Quick, easy, cheap, and virtually foolproof. Just how I like my wardrobe-care solutions!

Do you use an oil sponge to keep your shoes in shape?

Image is Red Wing Oiled Leather Max 95135

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Reader Request: Flats with Fancy Dresses

by Sally on December 12, 2012 · 31 comments

Heather requested some suggestions for how to wear flats with fancy dresses. Fancy is a spectrum, but I’m going to assume that we’re talking about a step above work wear, here: Something that would be appropriate at an office party, night out with the girls, or even something truly swanky like a gala or ball.

There’s no denying that heels give off a dressier impression than flats simply by being, well, heels. But if you’re going to be on your feet all night, dancing, or walking from one event to the next, a towering pair of stilettos is just gonna make you miserable and cranky. So here are a few ways to make flats work.

Select eye-catching flats

fancy flats 1

Fancy flats are gonna work better with fancy duds. Plain, solid ballet flats can certainly blend into a dressier look, but printed or embellished styles will definitely up the ante. Tie the flats back into your outfit by echoing elements elsewhere, using color, accessories, jewelry, or all of the above.

Go long

fancy flats 2
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can downplay the fact that you’re wearing flats at all by wearing a floor-sweeping maxi skirt. Especially if you select flats in the same shade as your skirt or dress – black is an obvious but elegant choice – your entire bottom half will seem unified. Not the best plan if you’re doing a lot of lively dancing or clomping around outside in the winter weather, but a great bet for more subdued gatherings.

Draw the eye upward

fancy flats 3

If you keep the focus up top through color, pattern, and accessories, your footwear will generally fade into the background. Again, black works well here, especially if you do black tights and black flats. A patent or embossed snakeskin finish will add a bit of polish without drawing tons of attention.

We’re coming up on holiday party season! Do you have any upcoming events that require dressy attire AND flats? How do you make flats work with fancy dresses?

Top image courtesy Zappos.

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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