Shoes are the final touch that can make or break the flattering impact of an outfit. They add extra pop, lengthen the leg line if that’s your figure flattering priority, and set the mood of the ensemble. I’ve written many posts on footwear, and of course will continue to do so. After all, most of us love shoes. Here is a summary of what I regard to be the most important points, all in one place for easy access. 

Conventionally Flattering Footwear 

There are four basic ways to create flattering footwear proportions. These concepts eliminate feelings of dumpiness and stumpiness by lengthening the leg line. You can apply them all at once or in combinations. 

1. Wear low contrast footwear: A low contrast between the colour of your footwear and the colour of your skin, hosiery, jeans, or trousers will lengthen the leg line. That’s why wearing “nude for you” shoes on bare legs is so popular. Personally I prefer to go with gold, silver, cream or pale snakeskin footwear as a low contrast option against my own skin because those options are a little brighter than nude. 
2. Wear low vamped footwear: Footwear with a low vamp, like pumps or ballet flats, reveal the top of the foot and naturally elongate the leg line.
3. Wear heels: Extra height lengthens the leg line. That said, I do not believe that wearing high heels is a prerequisite for looking stylish. Wearing flats or very low heels can look just as fab, if not better. It really depends on your personal style.
4. Wear pointy toes:  Pointy toe footwear in general extends the leg line even further.

Once you understand how to use footwear to create flattering proportions, you are well on your way to trouble shooting problem outfits. Suddenly, guidelines on how to wear flat oxfords, booties with skirts and dresses, shoes with midi skirts or cuffed/rolled pants, and how to create a long leg line with cropped pants begin to make sense. 

Unconventional Combinations

That said, there is often more to an outfit than conventional figure flattery. These days, it looks as if almost anything goes in the style world because the most creative and over the top street style outfits are applauded for being cutting edge and directional. It’s extremely trendy to create irregular outfit juxtapositions, and one way of creating an interesting juxtaposition is by wearing unexpected footwear with an outfit. So guidelines on how to create flattering footwear proportions sometimes fly straight out the window.

For example, wearing high vamped footwear with skirts and dresses can be fab. Wearing high contrast boots and oxfords with shorts can look great. Sporting socks with pumps, and sassy sneakers with just about anything can be stylish options. But I still maintain that you need to get a handle on conventional footwear flattery before you can bend the so-called rules in clever ways and still feel like you’re wearing an attractive outfit. 

Size & Fit

Toe cleavage is inevitable when you wear low vamped footwear and have long toes. I wouldn’t worry about it! Tailored knee-high boots must fit correctly on the calf, unless they are intentionally slouchy. Calf-length boots are often easier to fit than taller boots, especially when you have a small or large calf measurement. Heel slippage in boots needn’t be a bad thing, and shopping for wide sized footwear is not the only solution for wide feet. You can successfully alter footwear, so don’t give up when a shoe or boot almost fits because a little shoe doctoring might do the trick. And there is heel hope for flats fashionistas when you follow these guidelines. 

I’ve generally found that feet with smaller bone structure look best in daintier footwear, whereas feet with larger bone structure pull off chunky styles to perfection. This is by no means a rule, and “refined chunky” footwear — the best of both worlds — does exist. I have dainty feet and ankles, and as much as I love the look of chunky footwear, it bosses me around. My feet and ankles drown in those styles and I can’t fill them out. But I do wear chunky boots with big soles as long as they have a refined element to them.

Color & Pattern

This is not a rule, but one highly effective way to pull together an outfit is to frame it by repeating your hair colour in your footwear. I bookend the colour of my hair and shoes very frequently, which is why you’ll often see me wear light coloured shoes, or patterns that are white, taupe or cream-rich. The eye naturally travels up and down the body, picking up the symmetry in the repeated colours and interpreting it as an attractive combination.

On the other hand, you can also treat shoes as a standalone item, making a statement and creating an effect that is quite the opposite of repetition. For example, wearing this grey dress with red shoes makes the shoes a statement piece.

Finally, shoes do NOT have to be solid or neutral. My favourite footwear is patterned, and these guidelines  will help you match printed shoes in outfits. Don’t be frightened to pattern mix! And non-neutral shoes, brights and pastels can be bookended with other parts of your outfit to create a pulled together look. 

Feel free to post your footwear challenges in the comments section. Between my clients and my own feet, I am very familiar with this fussy part of the body and promise that we can find solutions.

Are you looking for a new way to wear your fragrance this Summer? In this short video, Annie from Refinery29 tests a scented nail polish that scents your fingertips with the well-known CK One fragrance. Is this something you would try?

Lately I’ve seen graphic black-and-white nail prints pop up everywhere. This illustrated “boxed-in” French manicure reminds me a lot of a Mondrian painting. And you’ll definitely need a steady hand to recreate this black-and-white Proenza nail print at home.

From 3D accents and twists on black, to metallics, oxblood and full-on black is back, Harper’s Bazaar lists the best Fall 2013 nail trends to try right now.

Fab Links from Our Members

Caro thought that Joy voiced an interesting take on the difference between a curated wardrobe and actual minimalism over at Of Stranger Sensibilities.

If your jeans are a little snug, yet you’d like to save them from the donate pile, Carole suggests you take a look at these three ways to stretch your jeans. Extra tip from forum member Vildy: “when taken out of the washer you can pull with all your might and stretch both the waistband and the upper area”.

Angie recently discovered The Style Scout and noticed that in 2013 almost anything goes. The crazier and more unexpected the outfit combination and hairstyle, the more creatively stylish it is perceived.

Vildy has been reading many style articles describing how the late Margaret Thatcher combined “power with femininity”, and found this article on the style evolution of the air stewardess in the Mad Men era quite the direct contrast. “I remember all these changes”, she adds, “they seemed totally reasonable to me at the time. Fun! Glam! Mod! but now they all feel rather tawdry.”

Let me preface this post by saying that silk tees do not need to be made of silk. They are often made of silk and polyester blends, which reduces the price and makes them machine washable. Fabric composition aside, this item looks “silky”, which is why we’re sticking to the “silk tee” descriptor. 

The silk tee, or T-shirt blouse, is a fab top for Spring and Summer. Silhouettes will vary, but they are generally woven, boxy and relaxed, sleeved, dressier than a knitted tee, less dressy than a blouse, comfy, and versatile. Much like a roomy shell top with arm coverage. Some tops are roomier than others. Some have ribbed necklines and chest pockets. Some have high-low hemlines and welts. Some have short sleeves, while others have three-quarter sleeves. Solid, plain or mixed media. They work tucked, semi-tucked and untucked. Fab with all trouser styles, jeans and shorts. Pretty great over a pencil skirt, and some styles will work over a full skirt. 

I’ve seen a mixed reaction to this item from my clients. Some love it. Some will only wear it as a layering piece. Others are warming up to the simplicity of the style, although at first glance thought it was a boring silhouette. Others aren’t into wearing boxy items. Some refuse to wear polyester and cannot justify the cost and laundry commitment to silk. Some like the concept but won’t wear high necklines, favouring V’s and deep scoops over crews and boatnecks. While others prefer to wear knitted tops full stop. 

I like this style of top, and plan to get one or two for Summer. I’m very attracted to their simplicity, boxy fit, dressy integrity, drape, and how they can be dressed up or down. I will need to find a cut that has a more streamlined or shorter sleeve because I tend to drown in huge unstructured sleeves.

What’s your verdict? Will you be wearing silk tees?

Most of my clients wear one piece suits and tankinis. Our go-to places to shop for them are Nordstrom, Lands End and Bare Necessities. Here’s a roundup of one piece suits from Nordstrom that have been winners this season. 

1. Seafolly Harlow Boyleg One Piece Swimsuit: I am in love with this brand of swimwear, which I believe is from Australia. If I needed a new one piece, this would be it. It has excellent coverage and support. It works well on a small and regular size bust line. 
2. Bleu Rod Beattie Zip It One Piece Swimsuit: So fabulously ’80s! Glam and sporty. It has good support, but not stellar support. And you have to be at peace with “uni-boob”. A flattering shape, and one I would consider myself if I was not smitten with the retro vibe of the above suit. 
3. Trina Turk Summer of Love One Piece Swimsuit: This one offers great support for the small busted gal. Happy, alluring, and comfortable. 
4. Miraclesuit Sanibel One Piece Swimsuit: This suit continues to be fabulous on those who want LOTS of support on the bust and midsection. It does not work well on small busted ladies. You have to be able to fill out this suit to make it work. 
5. Profile by Gottex Tutti Frutti Skirted One Piece Swim Dress: This has been the best suit of the year on my regular and small busted clients. It has a strap, but they did not show it in the photo. I am impressed with the “Profile” collection from Gottex and look forward to seeing more amazingly cut swimwear from this Israeli brand. 
6. Miraclesuit Rialto One Piece: It’s very flattering. Girdled, streamlined and comfortable. I wish we had more colour options though. 
7. La Blanca Sweetheart One Piece: This style continues to be a winner. It looks best on ladies who can fill out the bust and hips. It has worked on a smaller bust with a very broad shoulder line, but generally, I would not recommend this style to a small busted gal. Halter style suits are better for a small chest. 

Remember that you must size up at least one size in swimwear. I have clients who have sized up two sizes on Miraclesuits for extra length, and because they are very formfitting. Furthermore, you can have swimwear altered to fit. So if the straps are a little long, or you need to have extra support sewn into the cups, it’s a worthwhile investment for a quality suit.