It hasn’t stopped raining for days, which made for a rather damp photo shoot. With weatherproofed footwear and umbrella in hand we took these photos in a park a few minutes away from home alongside the prettiest Autumn trees I’ve seen this year. This weather is a Seattle reality so the shoot felt particularly authentic. 

I’ve worn this exact outfit many times this season for three reasons. One, the ’80s vibe of the trousers brings back fond memories. Two, it’s extra comfortable because it’s not that fitted. And three, Greg loves the combination. Those are ample reasons to repeat an outfit from head to toe, don’t you think? 

You’ve seen these glen plaid tapered and pleated wool trousers before. I can wear them belted tight and higher at the waist. Or I can drop the waistband, add a low rise belt, and create a slouchy effect at the crotch point. Manipulating the fit in this way in turn creates a baggier look over the thigh and hip, and more leg scrunch. Wearing trousers styled like this is not everyone’s cup of tea. For me it’s a fun departure from tailored trousers or skinnies, while my tapered hems stay dry in the rain.

The bateau neck persimmon pullover from J.Crew is new and I’m thrilled with it. It’s warm, retro, non-itchy, and just the right shade of bright to keep up your spirits on a gloomy day. I also like the looser torso fit and banded bottom. I hope to snap up the same pullover in another colour over the next few months because the style makes a nice change from my crew and turtlenecks. 

I didn’t want to fully tuck the pullover, and I did want to showcase part of the polka dot belt — my favourite belt of all time. I don’t normally do the half tuck, but I do like what I call a “faux half tuck”. I untuck the pullover, but pull it up in front to hook the hem over the top of the belt to expose the pattern. It’s the banded bottom that makes my faux half tuck work because the band allows the pullover to taper back onto my waist without having to actually half tuck the top. 

I don’t know how I lived without my cream snakeskin booties because I wear them all the time. So much so that I am thinking of duplicating them. So versatile and comfortable. My old patent doctor’s bag is great for the rain because it’s pretty weatherproof. I also like how it creates a strong contrast against the cream coat. 

I’ve had this cream coat for a couple of years and fall in love with it a little more each year. I’m more than happy traipsing around in cream, despite the damp streets of rainy Seattle. It’s impractical for sure, but feeling pretty and chic in cream far outweighs my need for practicality. We all have an impractical component in our style, and sporting cream outerwear, bags and footwear in a dirty urban city is mine. 

In keeping with today’s Halloween theme, I’m posting the scariest shoes I’ve seen all year. These five inch heeled platform pumps, complete with lethal studs and spikes, double as a weapon of self defense. Wear them, and people will definitely stay out of your way. 

These shoes are very eye catching. I saw them at the Nordstrom footwear display yesterday while shopping for boots with one of my clients. I had to pick them up and touch them. 

I don’t know anyone who would actually wear these pumps as a regular pair of shoes, but they would probably look splendid as part of a Halloween costume.

Outfits made up entirely of black components from head to toe are not my cup of tea. The effect can be very severe, lifeless, dull and, dare I say it, aging. To my eye this spells unattractive, especially when black is not your colour. I even prefer a little black dress worn with a non-black shoe and bag, be it a bright, muted shade or another shade of neutral. 

I much, much prefer the look of an outfit that is almost black from head to toe. That is, when the black is broken up by very small doses of another (low or high contrasting) colour or neutral AND when the black items are texture-rich. By texture-rich, I mean mixing up black fabrications like leather, quilting, wool, lace, tulle, tweed, satin, faux fur, sequins, suede, moleskin, waxed denim, lurex, embroidery, velvet, chiffon and patent. 

These pictures perfectly illustrate outfits that are almost black from head to toe. The black is broken up in several subtle ways, thereby successfully giving the look a lively lift. A white collar, a few colourful beads, a hint of pattern, a non-black neutral embellishment, or sheer fabrication that showcases skin tone. Combining black with dark charcoal or ink blue so that the effect is still very dark, but not overwhelmingly black, is another way to go. As is breaking up a black top and bottom with a non-black belt, bag or shoes. Non-black eyewear can also be effective.  

Black will always be a fashionable colour because it’s slimming, chic, sophisticated, powerful and uber cool. Black items definitely live up to their stylish reputation, which is why I have plenty of them in my wardrobe. But when it comes to wearing black from head to toe, I prefer the “almost black from head to toe” route by about a billion percent. A little non-black addition goes a long way to soften and liven up the ensemble.  

Discussing all black and almost all black outfits seems highly appropriate for Halloween, so onto the comment section. Do you like the look of all black outfits, or do you prefer the outfits that are almost all black similar to the combinations shown above. If you don’t wear either look, which one do you prefer on others?

Booties and shooties can be worn with just about any outfit these days, and year round too. The snug fit around the ankle is the aspect of these styles that I like most. 

Calvin Klein Nadina: If you’re looking for a dressy shootie with a refined elegant edge and can sport a three and a half inch heel, try this wedge. Although it’s far too high for me, I found the fit quite comfortable. It would actually make a good “sitting shootie”. It comes in six colour variations and runs true to size. Read the rave reviews. 

Calvin Klein Jenny: A simple and comfortable metallic shootie with a ladylike look is hard to find. This style fits the bill and is great for career wear. The description states that the heel height is three and half inches, yet it’s under three inches in my book. Size up half a size. 

Studio Pollini Lace-up: Essentially a heeled oxford which I have not seen in person, but it’s a fun shoe with a stable heel. Loving the zebra pint. 

Zodiac USA Italia: Our forum members are raving about this bootie because it is cushioning, affordable, fits like a glove, and is pretty versatile in black patent. More rugged and casual options are available in shades of brown. The walkable two and half inch heel is another selling point. 

I’m thrilled to see comfy bootie and shootie options with lower heels and a more refined and dressier integrity this season. We needed a wider assortment because retail has been oversupplying the market with high heels and rugged, chunky looks for years. Style diversity is best.