Here are two pairs of on trend shoes that are comfortable and fab for Spring and Summer. 

• Sam Edelman Ollie T-Strap Pump: Similar to Valentino’s Rockstud triple ankle strap pump at a fraction of the price. Personally, I find the Ollie’s more comfortable than the Valentinos, but they are obviously not as refined and beautifully made. If you find the Okalas comfortable, these are a similar fit. 
• Carvela Kurt Geiger Agnes Bootie: Refined cut-out booties with pointy toes that are super comfy are hard to find, but these fit the bill. Unfortunately, the photo does not do them justice. They look more hip in person. 

The cut-out booties look great on bare legs and with hosiery. The built-up sole allows the addition of an orthotic. The Ollie pumps are best on bare legs. Think skirts, dresses, long shorts, boyfriend jeans and cropped pants.

Here is an assortment of slip-on sneakers across a range of price points, patterns and colours. Create an on trend look with this casual shoe. 

• Vans Classic Slip-On Core Classics: This true classic for $47, for both men and women, needs little introduction. It’s available in colour blocked checkerboard prints and solid colours. Add a cushioning insole for extra footbed comfort. Here’s the same style in patterns. Read the rave reviews.
• Sperry Top-sider CVO Twin Gore Sneaker: A little glitz for Team Magpie. Might run half a size large. 
• Salvatore Ferragamo Pacau Sneaker: Impeccable quality and comfort. Modern and refined. 
• Zara Printed Leather Slipper with Track Sole: These were quite comfortable and good for wider feet. Great mauve and burgundy snakeskin pattern. Add a cushioning insole. 
• Vince Blair 7 Snakeskin Slip-On Sneaker: Graphic, sleek and comfortable. Size down because it runs large. Read the rave reviews. 
• Kenneth Cole New York King Sneaker: Fun patterns, well made, super comfy and runs quite wide, but true to size. 
• Sam Edelman Becker Slip On: Comfortable but size down at least half a size. 
• Steve Madden Ecentric Sneaker: Textured leather in cute solids and a few patterns. Runs a little small. 

Remember that if you’re wearing slip-on sneakers without socks, footies or Bodyglide will increase their comfort factor.

A couple of years ago, I described our current fashion era as being very accepting of all sorts of outfit juxtapositions, colours, fabrications and silhouettes. Today’s more liberal approach to fashion — where trends do not rule the way we dress like they used to, and where there is no one way to be stylish — has resulted in a rebirth of personal style. Much of the newness in fashion these days comes from how you reinvent and remix items your way. 

With this in mind, there are five things that, to me, epitomize the look for 2014:  

1. Irregular Outfit Juxtaposition: Unexpected item combinations are fashionable. Top of the list is remixing super casual with super formal elements in one outfit; like wearing ball gowns with slip-on sneakers, sequins with shredded jeans, tuxedo jackets with track pants, and beanies with suits. Seasonally confused outfits have never been more on trend.  
2. Just Enough Structure: Fluid and oversized fits that are pretty shapeless, both on the top and bottom, are extremely trendy. Creating just enough structure in an outfit is key to making you look and feel attractive. It’s not a case of an outfit looking conventionally flattering. It’s more a case of an outfit looking “flattering enough”. 
3. Combining the Classics with Trends: This is a personal favourite. Take true classics, like button-down shirts, simple silk blouses, crisp formal suits, pencil skirts, straight leg jeans, bootcut trousers, Gucci-esque loafers, moto jackets, Chanel-esque jackets, Burberry-esque trench coats, denim jackets, denim shirts, riding boots, fitted turtlenecks, Doc Martens boots, pointy toe pumps and ballet flats. Then mix them up with trendy pieces. For example, wear classic Salvatore Ferragamo loafers with slouchy and faded boyfriend jeans, a roomy upscale sweatshirt, studded belt, big watch, and clutch.
4. Hip to Be Square: So called nerdy, frumpy and conventionally unfashionable looks are actually fashion forward. I have my suspicions that Geek Chic eyewear paved the way for this trend. Runway shows and street style photo blogs are full of this type of look. Things are frumpy right up until they become fashionable, and it’s such a fine line. 
5. High-Low style: This is another personal favourite because it re-enforces my philosophy of leaving no retail stone unturned. Combining high-end designer pieces with more affordable pieces in one outfit is fun. Having a wide range of price points represented in your wardrobe can provide a lot of flexibility. Personally, I find this way of dressing empowering and liberating. 

Modern style is about creating your own look, which INCLUDES wearing conventionally flattering outfits. So don’t think that wearing tailored clothing and highly structured outfits in expected combinations is dated. Not at all. In fact, some of the most stylish people in the world stick to dressing in this way and look killer season after season. The point is that you have a choice because that’s the way fashion and style has evolved. Update your classics, choose the trends that appeal the most to you and wear them in ways that make YOU feel fabulous.

The Mattel Barbie doll, who is celebrating her 55th birthday in 2014, is often criticized for promoting unrealistic body proportions. Parents have raised concerns about the message Barbie sends to young girls about body image, but so far none of the major toy companies have come out with a real alternative. That’s why artist and researcher Nickolay Lamm decided to take matters into his own hands. He made the news last year when he compared Barbie with a 3D model of a doll based on the CDC measurements of an average 19-year old woman. At the time he told The Huffington Post:

“If we criticize skinny models, we should at least be open to the possibility that Barbie may negatively influence young girls as well. Furthermore, a realistically proportioned Barbie actually looks pretty good. If there’s even a small chance of Barbie in its present form negatively influencing girls, and if Barbie looks good as an average-sized woman in America, what’s stopping Mattel from making one?”

The images went viral, and many people enquired where they could buy “normal Barbie”. So, Lamm took the plunge and launched a fundraising website to begin production on the “Lammily” doll last week. The brown-haired doll has a more realistic body shape, wears minimal makeup, promotes a healthy lifestyle and can wear sneakers and sensible heels. The artist hoped to raise $95.000 to start production. Instead, after only 24 hours, $150.000 had come in. The counter is currently at over $375.000, with 25 days left to go.

A detailed 3D digital prototype wearing a blue shirt with ombré effect, denim shorts and white sneakers has been created — Lamm’s cousin helped him come up with the outfit design. Robert Rambeau, former Vice President of manufacturing at Mattel, took on a consulting role in the project and is helping the designer to select the right manufacturer. All extra money will be reinvested back into the project. With the explanation behind the “Average is beautiful” slogan, the Lammily doll is bound to win over plenty more hearts:

“Has there ever been a non-beautiful average sunset? Who you are, that is beautiful. We need to rethink our perception of ‘average’. It doesn’t signify mediocrity, but rather it challenges us to think more deeply. Average includes us all. And all of us are beautiful.”

What do you think of the Lammily doll? Would you consider investing in crowdfunding initiatives that promote positive body image?