I included many styles in my overview of trendy footwear for Spring and Summer 2016, but neglected to add a fringe trend that is gaining momentum: the block heel ballerina pump. The mid-height block heel is completely mainstream on sandals, booties, sandal booties and pointy toe pumps. But the same heel on a round toe or round square toe pump is not as popular. The collection below perfectly illustrates the style. The sturdy low block heel is the best feature of the shoe. 

Round and round square toe block heel ballerina pumps with lower vamps are probably easier on the eye because they look classic. The fashion-forward versions from Topshop and Zara with higher vamps are a little harder to get used to. Either way, the block heel ballerina pump, which to some looks staid, unattractive, and somewhat conservative, is having its trendy moment. I think that’s fabulous.  

I love it when so called “dowdy” styles and outfit combinations become trendy, hip and fashionable because it teaches us to have an open mind. It also strengthens five important notions about style, which are more relevant with each passing year:

• Items and item pairings can seem dowdy right up until the point that they become highly fashionable.
• It’s HOW an item is styled that makes the difference. As always, it is all about the details of how the outfit is put together. 
• An adjustment period is often all that it takes to go from doubting a look to liking it.
• Style is a package deal and very much a sum of the individual parts.
• The attitude and confidence of the wearer is always the stylish cherry on top of any outfit. 

The block-heeled ballerina pump has a lot going for it. It’s very comfortable and stable to walk in. The higher vamped versions create a more secure fit on the foot. The look is less severe than the pointy toe pump. It also has a fabulous Modern Retro integrity. The block-heeled darling can create a stylish tension with a hard-edged outfit, boho looks, rainbow hair, or on someone with lots of visible body art. They look great worn with trendy distressed denim pieces and cropped flared jeans. They can also look gorgeously sharp and ladylike — even quirky and deliciously costumey — when paired with skirts and dresses. 

I don’t have many examples of outfits to show you, but I did find the ones below. The boho rendition in cropped jeans with matching saddle bag is my favourite. In fact, I think the shoes make the outfit! I would like the next two outfits with the black trousers a lot more if the trousers were two to three inches shorter, but I do like the concept of the outfits with the shoes. The second outfit exudes a demure yet confident elegance, while the third has a marvelous romantic integrity.

I’m drawn to the fresh and Modern Retro vibe of this pump, and almost bought Topshop’s Juno Ballet Shoe in gold. The gold is more yellow than it appears in the photo, so I passed. But I loved the look, and their comfort level was sublime. I frequently wear pointy toe pumps in the Summer time, and most of my styles have narrow heels and ankle straps. The block heel ballerina pump would add variety to my pumps capsule, so they’re on my radar.

Over to you. What’s your take on the block heel round toe pump?

I fell in love with Furla products last year when I brought back a turquoise Piper dome satchel from Hong Kong and a citron wallet from London. The workmanship of their items is absolutely beautiful, and their sleek and simple silhouettes are a cut above the rest. Gorgeous matte gold hardware and handbag lining too. Structured, yet smart casual. Classic, yet modern. Strict, yet playful. Versatile, ladylike and with a high longevity factor. The bags are also lightweight and surprisingly robust. I travelled with my Furla tote for an entire month last year — it was part of my travel capsule — and it still looks new. And the best part about Furla bags is that there are plenty of fun colours and gorgeous neutrals across the variety of styles. 

There’s a fabulous Furla bag assortment on deep discount at Neiman Marcus Last Call right now. I’ve collected some below, but haven’t exhausted the colour and style options. I’ve seen some of them in person and they did not disappoint! 

It was Chinese New Year when I bought my turquoise Piper dome satchel in Hong Kong last year. Because Hong Kong is close to my heart, and because I LOVE handbags, I thought I’d add another Furla bag this year to celebrate Chinese New Year. Here’s a shortlist of three that I have at home. They are ALL versatile for my style and wardrobe and I adore them all equally.  It’s going to be a trick whittling it down to one. Greg has whittled it down to two favourites so far. I’d love to have your input too: Which of the three do you like best for my style?  

A new Vogue documentary, Amazon’s private label fashion brands, an Iris Apfel exhibition in Paris, and more fashion news that made headlines in February.

• Adidas is introducing Avenue A, a quarterly subscription box for “the fitness fanatic who loves to be surprised.”
• Earlier this month, Polyvore rolled out a new category: menswear.
• J Brand and French contemporary brand Comptoir des Cotonniers are teaming up for a capsule collection.
• Pantone’s top 10 colours for Fall 2016 include several muted tones.
• Paris department store Le Bon Marché is staging an Iris Apfel exhibition.
• London-based label Teatum Jones is the winner of the 2015/16 International Woolmark Prize for womenswear.
• Here’s a first look at the Uniqlo x Liberty London capsule collection.
• Have you seen the trailer for the new Vogue documentary, The First Monday in May?
• In a study by Market Force, Nordstrom was chosen as shoppers’ favourite fashion retailer for the fourth consecutive year.
• ModCloth now has its own in-house swimwear line, which includes 13 styles with Liberty of London prints.
• On March, 4 Ted Baker is opening a store in Seattle‘s shopping plaza Bellevue Square.
• Amazon is building out a team to make private label goods, and is already selling seven private label fashion brands on its website.
• Livia Firth has turned designer, and is bringing out an eco-conscious capsule collection in collaboration with Marks & Spencer.
• Alexander McQueen is launching a fragrance house and comes out with a new scent: McQueen Parfum.
• The “Missoni, Art, Color” exhibition is coming to the London Fashion and Textile Museum.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that Jack Nicholson, a fan of British designer Margaret Howell, insisted on wearing a Margaret Howell corduroy jacket from his personal wardrobe for his role in the 1980’s movie The Shining. Because the jacket would be worn for the majority of the film, director Stanley Kubrick promptly ordered eleven duplicates. In 2011 the jacket was updated and reissued.

This ensemble was inspired by a look I saw on a mannequin in BCBG, and by some of our forum members who wear drapey, arty outfits in dark neutrals. It incorporates knitted and woven pieces, although it can be achieved entirely with knitted pieces. Any body type can wear it, as long as you create just enough structure in the outfit to keep proportions just flattering enough. 

The mannequin is dressed in black with a smattering of taupe and stone. By all means put the look together using only dark neutrals, mid-tone neutrals or light neutrals, thereby creating a tonal outfit. Or mix up all sorts of neutrals to create more contrast between the items. 

Here are the components: 

Bottoms: Choose woven or knitted bottoms like harem pants, cross-over trousers, cropped straight legs, culottes, leather leggings or skinnies. 

Top: Choose a drapey T-shirt, cross-over blouse, T-shirt blouse, asymmetrical pullover or regular pullover. Wear the top untucked or semi-tucked for a little structure. 

Drape Front Topper: The drape front topper is the star of the show. The diagonal draped lapels of the topper are the statement design detail, which coupled with the diagonal integrity of an asymmetrical top or harem pants, can create all sorts of interesting lines in an outfit. 

Footwear: Choose a trendy pair of shoes like booties, cut-out booties, lace-up pumps, sneakers, loafers, flatforms (or creepers), ankle strap styles, or oxfords. Create a tonal look with the shoes thereby keeping it in the colours of the outfit, or go high contrast with a neutral in a different intensity. 

Accessories: A drapey scarf worn muffler style adds a little more outfit texture, or feel free to go without a scarf. A bag in the colour of the dominant neutral of the outfit is a good idea, or keep it tonal with the palette. Add jewellery, headgear, watch and eyewear as desired.

I’ve created the look with solids in my versions here, but a little pattern in the scarf or a false plain in the topper could work too. You can also wear dark blue jeans as bottoms for a less intense version of the look.