When ballet flats first started to resurface in a big way about eight years ago, I was instantly taken with the look and comfort of the style. I had worn them a lot in the ’80s and was only too pleased to see them return back to mainstream fashion. I realized a good while later that I was in the minority liking this style of shoe. Most of my clients find them uncomfortable, preferring flat sandals, clogs, mary janes and loafers, or heeled footwear. So it won’t surprise me if there are lots of nay-sayers with the “newer” pointy toed style. 

If you don’t like to wear heels, but want to create a longer leg line with footwear, pointy toed flats are the way to go. The elongating effect is super effective with a low contrasting colour of footwear. 

I see pointy toed flats working especially well with tapered trousers and skinnies, leggings, and both pencil and flared midi skirts or dresses. I think of Audrey Hepburn and the ’80s when I see pointy toed flats. And most importantly, my feet are happy striding in this style.  Three glorious reasons to I vote yay on this dainty style of footwear. What’s your verdict?

While in Vegas last week we stayed at the Bellaggio, which was every bit as glorious as I had expected. The spectacular fountain in front of the hotel and the Chihuly stained glass in the lobby do not disappoint, but the large Chinese Shishi lions at the entrance had my heart. I absolutely loved them! They guard the hotel entrance, keeping the Bellhops company as they assist guests with luggage and transportation. The Bellhops were pretty cute too. 

This was what I wore on our third and last day, and straight onto the plane back home. I matched a pair of repurposed clamdiggers with a drapey black sleeveless crossover halter top and my favourite ballet flats of all time. It’s a classic and fairly dressy outfit with casual and fashionable elements.

I adore wearing dark blue with black, so I layered over with a lightweight ink blue nautical-cross-equestrian blazer with built-in scrunched sleeves to keep warm in arctic air-conditioning. I really like the double breasted styling of this jacket. It only buttons across the bust area and the rest of the buttons are decorative, creating both an interesting silhouette and some curve on the top part of my body. I like to wear the jacket both open and closed, which keeps things interesting. I wore the same jacket with white bottoms and a red top the day before. 

I only brought my turquoise bag and an evening clutch on this trip, so it was back to my turquoise tote. This outfit looks cleaner, crisper, stronger and more modern without the gold medallion, and I actually preferred it that way. But for nostalgic reasons, I left on my late Mum’s necklace and that was that. Sometimes it feels more right to follow your style heart, and not your style head.

These items are good transitional pieces to wear into Autumn. I have my eye on the glitter sweater in grey. 

• Gap Glitter Sweater: Lurex (metallic) thread is often scratchy but this one isn’t half bad. Great drape, good sleeve length, and interesting back detail. It’s one of those tops that ends up becoming whatever you want it to be. Chic, yet casual. A little daytime sparkle is fab. It’s very lightweight so a camisole is a must.
• Target Convertible Shirt Dress: This dress has quite a nice fit and a bit of length. The fabric is thin and slightly transparent, which could be a plus in hot weather. It’s covered, yet breezy. Available in assorted neutral colours. 
• Target Paisley Mandarin Collar Tunic: It’s more of a blouse than a tunic and looks uninspiring in this photo. But leave off the belt and wear it loose over a pair of slim fitting bottoms and it’s a completely different picture.
• Jessica Simpson “Lex” Flat: BCBG manufactures Jessica Simpson’s footwear line and that’s why she generally makes a great, comfy shoe. A few of my clients who have bunions like these flats. You can fit in an orthortic, while the subtle elasticated top prevents the shoe from falling off your foot. 
• Gap Metallic Chain Strap Bag: More casual glitz! If gold is not your thing, this bag is also available in black. 

I’ve also noticed that Target has nice skinny belts and costume jewelry at the moment so check them out if that’s your thing.

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I’m besotted with Anne Fontaine designs. I visited one of their Parisian stores in Le Marais three years ago and have been hooked ever since. There is so much about the brand and the store’s shopping experience that I appreciate over and over again.

While in Las Vegas with family last week, I was able to slip away for an hour of Anne Fontaine magic. Besides the style and quality of the merchandise, what I like most about Anne Fontaine is the small size of the stores, the narrow product assortment, and the expertise of the sales staff. As I walked into the store I was greeted warmly by a sales assistant who confidently and correctly knew my size. Thinking back to my Parisian and New York City Anne Fontaine experiences, it was déja vu. 

The Anne Fontaine brand used to concentrate exclusively on black and white woven shirts and blouses. Although the brand still specializes in those items, it has broadened it’s assortment to include knits, denim, leather, wool and tweed, as well as belts, bags, brooches, necklaces and cufflinks. I like this change because it enriches the brand, but does not take away from it’s focus. The colour palette continues to be 95% white, cream and black with the odd bit of neutral tweed and grey pinstripe thrown into the mix. All items are beautifully made and crisp to the touch. 

The sales assistant was quite good at honing in on my style preferences. I told her that I liked bold pieces with simple lines, and no ruffles. She brought me a couple of extra items that were no longer on display and I loved them all. I came home with two items from Anne Fontaine’s new Fall Collection — my favourite piece and Greg’s favourite piece. I wear my older Anne Fontaine items to death, so I know that I’m going to wear the heck out of my new pieces too. I’m as happy as a clam! 

I came straight off an airplane in the outfit below. We quickly checked into the hotel and were out and about in no time. I chose Gap skinny black trousers with new Anne Taylor crossover halter top, Diesel denim jacket, two toned flats and bright turquoise tote. Comfortable, casual, and effectively resistant to freezing cold air-conditioning.