Here are some boots that have been winners on clients over the last few months. They are casual, comfortable, practical, low-heeled, versatile, and available in neutrals and non-neutrals. They also can fit orthotics if you size up half a size. In some cases the insoles come out giving orthotics extra room. The styles fit a range of foot shapes.

1. Blackstone Shearling Sneaker Boot

This is an interesting sneaker and bootie hybrid. It’s more casual than a boot but dressier than a hi-top sneaker. If you like to have toasty warm feet like I do, try these. The shearling lining is extremely warm and cosy. Truly, boots and hi-tops with fleece and shearling linings can be life-changing in cold weather. I wouldn’t get through Winter without them. These look wonderfully neat and streamlined on the foot, accommodate a range of foot widths, and go the distance. Some of the styles are too wide for my own low-volume feet, but others work just fine with an extra thick insole. Easy side zipper access.

2. Vince Cabria Lace-Up Bootie

It’s very hard to find a relatively dressy, soft, comfortable, and very refined flat bootie in a light colour with a sturdy heel. These in the off-white fit the bill beautifully, and I’m thinking hard about adding them to my wardrobe. They look a lot more casual in the suede, which might be more to your taste. They’re a little wide for my feet, but I can sort out the fit with insoles. They fit a client with wide feet well too. The laces around the ankle create a nice streamlined fit. Easy side zipper access too.

3. Paul Green Booties

Most Paul Green boots amaze me because they fit BOTH a low and high-volume foot. Over and over again I can fit a Paul Green boot well, and so can a client with much wider feet. It’s genius. Usually low-volume feet need to size down half a size, even if you have long toes like I do. All these styles are tried-and-tested winners on my clients and friends.

4. Lemon Ruffle Socks

And last, these wool socks are warm, sleek, lightweight, chic, and adorable. They look more dressy than you expect. They have an architectural ruffle at the top that scrunches over the top of a bootie, which looks interesting and fun. Apparently they stay put if your feet can fill out the volume of the socks.

A new size-inclusive activewear line, a Nike shoe designed for nurses, sustainable leggings from Everlane, and more fashion news that caught our attention in January.

• Copenhagen Fashion Week has released its new sustainability action plan with “tough new environmental requirements for participating brands.”
• French fashion designer Emanuel Ungaro has passed away at the age of 86.
• Italian Vogue reduced its carbon footprint by hiring artists to illustrate its January 2020 issue instead of staging elaborate photo shoots.
• Versace has banned the use of kangaroo skin for its luxury leather products after pressure from an animal rights’ group.
• Nike has created a new shoe specifically designed for nurses.
• After 50 years, Jean-Paul Gaultier is stepping back from his fashion and perfume business.
• Everlane is now selling sustainable leggings, the first athletic wear product to come from the minimalist basics brand.
• H&M is the first retailer who will start selling clothing made from Circulose — a sustainable fabric option made from upcycled clothing and fashion waste.
• Target has launched a new size-inclusive and affordable activewear line,  All in Motion.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that Emanuel Ungaro “sustained a proper couture house, and quality ready-to-wear, for more than 30 years without major outside finance, or annexation by a luxury conglomerate.” This is an exception in today’s fashion world, and made him the last independent in Paris.

This outfit formula is for Team Polka Dots, so look away if you bat for Team Stripes. Maybe you bat for both teams like me, in which case I vote bring on the dots in any wardrobe item and give stripes the day off. Or pattern mix a two-tone polka dot with any pattern in a similar palette. 

Black & white polka dots are a classic, and probably easiest on the eyes as the dots increase in size. I like to think of polka dots as gorgeously geometric as opposed to juvenile and clown-like. Here are some easy outfits with black and white polka dot items.

1. Dotty Blouse

Combine a white and black polka dot blouse with a pair of black bottoms, a black topper, and metallic footwear. By all means switch the black and white around by wearing a black and white polka dot top with white jeans. Throw in leopard shoes or a red topper, if that’s more to your taste.

2. Dotty Skirt

Combine a black and white skirt with a white tee, black moto and white sneakers. Here, the skirt is a romantic midi and the tee has a slogan on it, but you can opt for a pencil skirt and solid tee. A blush pink, red, cobalt blue, or denim jacket can work too. Or maybe a red or blush tee instead of the white. Feel free to throw in your Docs because it’s looking awfully ‘90s.

3. Dotty Frock

Dotty frocks are dead easy. Pop it on and throw in black or white footwear to match. Or sport metallic, red, burgundy, and animal print footwear instead. Add a denim jacket, blazer, or coat over the top, and hosiery if you’re cold. The neutrality of the black and white dot allows you to accent it with just about any colour and pattern, so be creative. Or keep it simple.

4. Dotty Topper

And last, combine a black and white polka dot jacket with black pants, and break up the black with a white slogan tee. A red and white, or navy and white striped tee could work well too. Finish things off with footwear that works with the outfit. Here, the trendy high-rise belted pants are begging for a tucked top, but you can choose a combination of top and bottom that’s untucked. I love the pop of red in this outfit, although feel free to leave it out. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

From floating cartilage to conch, Allure tells us more about 7 piercing trends taking over ears in 2020.

“The curated ear” seems to be all the rage at the moment. The Guardian investigates why decorative piercings are the new tattoos.

Refinery29 also believes that the curated ear movement is set to remain strong this year, but asks “Is It Safe?“

When getting your ears pierced, Sali Hughes recommends visiting a proper piercing shop where they use needles instead of piercing guns.

Fab Links from Our Members

La Belle Demimondaine found this blog post a refreshing new take on wardrobe and outfit planning.

Suz lets us know that Virginia Woolf, lover of clothes, is trending as a fashion muse.

Alyson from That’s Not My Age just celebrated her 56th birthday. Runcarla liked her post to commemorate the day.

Suntiger directs us to Imogen’s post on how we can help Australia.

Kari thought this Refinery29 article is a thought-provoking exploration of fast fashion.

“Environmental Problems Caused By Leather Processing Units.” With all the talk about sustainability in the media, Ophelia was glad to find this issue being addressed, even if the bulk of companies and consumers looking for sustainability look the other way. 

Kari recommends reading this article as an interesting companion to the leather debate and faux-leather alternatives that come with their own problems.

Mattel has introduced a Barbie with vitiligo to its line of dolls. “Another (small) step forward in adding diversity to the line,” says nemosmom.