2018 Fall collections are in full swing, and it’s another fabulous season. Silhouettes are quite simple despite the strong Maximal trend. The freedom and power lies with the wearer to create their own maximal mash-up by combining a myriad of colours, textures, patterns, layers, silhouettes, accessories and irregular juxtapositions.
1. Hispanitas Guinivere Bootie
Hispanitas footwear is is a family-owned company with a factory in Spain. The quality of the brand is amazing, and these fun booties are no exception. The ornamental bug is darling, the cracked patent unique, the pointy toe dressy, and the comfort level sublime. The angled block heel brings back ‘90s flashbacks. They fit a range of foot shapes.
2. Hispanitas Calani Pump
These dainty and girly pumps look better on the foot than in the photo. The asymmetrical bow is interesting and rather luxe. Extremely comfortable, and a trendier take on a classic with the substantial block heel. They are well made and work on a variety of foot shapes.
3. Hispanitas Lanita, Larkin and Larissa Shoes
These Hispanitas share the same mixed-media heel across three styles. Hard-edged, interesting, professional, and casually dressy. They have practical non-slip rubber soles. Extremely comfy, well made, and works on both lower and higher volume feet. If you like black heeled footwear and want a change of pace, try these.
4. Karen Millen Oversized Check Cape
Every Karen Millen item I’ve owned has been excellent quality. Some are in their ninth year and still going strong. I haven’t seen this cape in person, but I stand by the brand’s commitment to create a quality piece. It’s uniquely belted at the waist and comes in a pattern that is easy to remix with other patterns. A good silhouette to wear over bell-sleeved tops. Works both as an outerwear and an indoor jacket. Best on those who like to define their waists.
5. Topshop Rib Sweater
Fitted ribbed pullovers remind me of the ‘90s, and are on trend. These pullovers are chunkier than they look, so consider yourself warned. Fitted, and fabulous over high-waisted bottoms. Soft and comfortable. The vertical rib effect is streamlining. The chunky knit is moderately forgiving of muffin top. The knit is slightly marled and looks defective at first, but is uniform and deliberate. The sleeves are long but can be easily cuffed. The neckline works best on a longer neck. Runs a size small. I have the tomato red, and look forward to wearing it with multiple pairs of high-waisted jeans.
6. Marc Fisher Charly Western Bootie
Well made, a trendy classic and dramatic on the foot. Quite comfortable if you can manage the heel height. They look amazing under bootcuts, dramatic flares, and have a high longevity factor. Read the rave reviews.
7. Jeffrey Campbell Luminate Bright Heel Bootie
These are moderately well made and quite comfortable, although a little harder than I’d like. Suited to a narrow and low-volume foot, so pass if your feet are in any way high volume. The patterns and luminate heel are fun and unexpected, adding punch to your outfit. The patterns are versatile pattern mixers too.
8. Boden Party Shoes
I haven’t seen the styles in person yet, but generally Boden footwear is great quality and reasonably comfortable to very comfortable. Their party shoes this season look like designer styles at a fraction of the price. I especially appreciate the non-black options like navy, burgundy, gold, mustard, forest green, red and animal print. Fun to see festive flats too. They don’t come in wide widths, but tend to fit low to regular volume feet. Some styles run slightly wider.
9. Topshop Popper Crew Sweater
An excellent and affordable body-con pullover that’s fabulous with flared skirts, culottes, or tucked into roomier high-rise bottoms like paper-bag waists. Super soft fabric, and alluring forearm detailing that is easy to layer under a jacket or coat. It’s TIGHT, so you have to be okay with showcasing the contour of your figure. It runs two sizes small. The US4 fits like a US0. I got this in black to combine with a flared midi skirt. It’s laundered quite well too.
