YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Pumps in snow?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Pumps in snow? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 22:26:03 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php catgirl on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/3#post-1200307 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 21:23:48 +0000 catgirl 1200307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So my first thoughts on Alicia's beautiful outfits also related to shoe choice. I think a lot of the cognitive dissonance here stems from pictures of indoor outfits taken outside, implying they are actually outdoor outfits. Obviously they are inspiring, pretty and appealing, but don't realistically reflect the setting in which the outfit will be worn. It was clear to me Alicia's outfits were for a warm indoor setting. There is no way anyone is walking the dog in those high heels in the snow! What would be fun and helpful that I have yet to see anywhere (except for maybe Sal, or Kasmira's commuting posts, and sometimes our own Shannon) is indoor outfit pics taken indoors and the outdoor version with adaptations (perhaps heels in hand, gloves, hat, boots, down skirt and puffer) taken outdoors. That would reflect the reality of a winter life and needed style shift. crutcher on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/3#post-1200286 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:47:21 +0000 crutcher 1200286@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Echoing Gigi's call for safety...I have a friend who was tired of enduring the winter from hell that we have had and went out with heels in the icy snowy conditions...She has a serious broken arm and is having all sorts of orthopedic problems...Our winter in the northern midwestern US has just been a challenge and I could not imagine wearing the shoes that Alicia has chosen...The pictures are lovely with the clothes, etc, perfect match but these wouldn't do for safety sake...Sorry to sound like a broken record but she needs some clunky boots and warmer clothes... Janet on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/3#post-1199646 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 02:53:11 +0000 Janet 1199646@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Nodding with Suz and Krista. It seems that ever since November, I've barely had a chance to wear things that were not 1) gear, 2) grungy ranch wear, or 3) foul weather appropriate. And I don't even live in a part of the country that normally sees much brutal winter weather! I have utmost sympathy for my neighbors to the north. Gigi on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/3#post-1199645 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 02:51:32 +0000 Gigi 1199645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I haven't read the other responses, but I had the same reaction, Mo. It's not just that her feet will get cold. If someone wore heels like that in the snow, yes, serious injury could result! I'm afraid to wear even *booties* with heels, unless the heels are relatively low and on the chunky side. The photos were very nice, but it makes it difficult to copy an outfit you like when it's not a safe outfit! And changing heels to booties (especially booties that are not so dainty) can really change an outfit's whole vibe.  Suz on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/3#post-1199639 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 02:44:34 +0000 Suz 1199639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Krista, I think you truly hit on something. It's been such a brutal winter for those of us east of the Rockies in North America, that we are feeling unusually sensitive and frustrated about having lost considerable fashion mojo over the season. I know I barely wore the fab booties I bought in the fall...last winter, I wore booties all the time! I barely even wore the tall weatherproof boots I so carefully chose this year....because true snow boots were my only option. And I barely wore my wool coats...it was all puffer, all the time.  And I am sick of it!!!!!  So to see someone wearing heels in snow just feels like a taunt, almost. But of course I know that it was not intended that way! And Alicia is beautiful and has a great style sense.  Gaylene on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/3#post-1199535 Thu, 20 Mar 2014 01:15:44 +0000 Gaylene 1199535@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It occurs to me that part of the reason for the reaction some of us experienced might be the high bar that Angie sets when she showcases her outfits. I confess that I find most fashion blogs excruciatingly boring--a series of pretty pictures that have no relevance to my own fashion aspirations. One of the reasons I got hooked on YLF is because Angie is so careful to explain the reasoning that went into her choices to keep the focus on inspiration rather than emulation or admiration. I like Inge's commentaries on the blogs she features, but, as for the blogs themselves, I admit that I rarely see much that is relevant, or even inspirational, to me. Krista on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/3#post-1199412 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 23:09:43 +0000 Krista 1199412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really appreciated Alicia's outfits and felt they were very trendy and chic.  I will also, however, admit to some teeth-gnashing when I saw her bare feet in pumps in the snow ;).  Anyone who lives in a cold climate like Alicia (Alaskans and Canadians unite!!) will know that it's 100% impossible to do this and I really appreciated Alicia's clarification that these are inside outfits and that she changes out of boots into shoes, etc (again - Alaskans and Canadians unite!! We all do this!) :) All of this being said, I totally get all of the frustration that has been vented on this thread and in the comments on the blog post. I don't think anyone meant any harm.  To me, though, it blatantly indicates how mind-numbing and soul-destroying it is to wear the same ankle-length black puffer and practical winter boots (or whatever you wear) day after day and month after month with no end in sight, particularly in a winter when people are freely using the phrase "polar vortex" to describe its harshness.  I've worn my puffer so much this winter that I'm convinced my husband will not recognize me when he sees me in shorts in the Spring!   Perhaps a little blog post/ensemble/thread on dressing up our winter coats will get us through the next few weeks. Thoughts? Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/3#post-1199406 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 23:05:47 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1199406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When style blogs first became a thing, everyone was just doing them for fun. Then it became possible for ladies to make a living with all the referral fees and advertising and sponsorships and what not, so they became more aspirational in style, and it didn't really reflect what most people could afford or be able to wear to work every day. Nothing wrong with that, but pretty soon I realized that I didn't really enjoy reading any of those blogs anymore. The few blogs I still subscribe to are women who blog 'regular day outfits' and most of them blog for fun, not for a significant income stream. It's why I love YLF, and the forum especially - I get a lot of inspiration from what people here are wearing every day with their budgetary and practical challenges. I don't really need any more aspirational style in my life - if I want more of that I can just read a fashion magazine or watch a runway show or heck, turn on the TV. Mo on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/3#post-1199398 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 22:54:33 +0000 Mo 1199398@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Argh, I lost my post!  Steph, you said it so well, thank you.  I admittedly don't subscribe to any blogs, other than this one.  I should looks yours up.  Transparency is very important to me, in all aspects.  I'm the gal who will post her 'at home sick' looks in the interest of conveying what my real life entails. Of course, I'm not trying to drum up visits!   We all value different things.  I tend to want to get right at the meat of the matter, and not dance around.  Maybe it's the years of bartending and dealing with what comes at me across the bar day to day, I don't know. Maybe it's just how I'm hard wired. I appreciate where you are coming from, immensely.   Ginkgo on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199395 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 22:51:55 +0000 Ginkgo 1199395@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wasn't much bothered by her wearing pumps in the snow;  I thought she was wearing an indoor look (with open coat) but photographing it outside, because her blog is about maintaining her sense of style in Alaska.  Sort of like her market brand is Alaska and it differentiates her from other bloggers who are all posing on city streets or with city skylines. There's a Canadian blogger named Lisa (can't remember the name of her blog - Lisa something or other) who also poses in pumps and ankle pants in the snow.  Her shots are always outdoors. mrseccentric on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199377 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 22:39:11 +0000 mrseccentric 1199377@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mo, i started my blog back in 2009 and the overall issue you bring up became a hot-button issue right away. Now, personally i am thrilled beyond reason that we have all types of people wearing all types of things. I would evaporate of boredom if we all were the same! I say people should wear, photograph and post on their blogs whatever they durn well please. Full. Stop. However, it doesn't take long as a blogger to see what drives traffic: new, color, variety, pretty pictures taken with expensive cameras, trends, currently available consumer items, brand names, conventional figure flattery.  Invert all the items in the previous list and you have my own style interests (bar the expensive camera - i'll not turn that one down!). I like to repeat items and outfits (with subtle variations) out of a smallish, neutral based wardrobe many of which pieces i've sewn myself. I like to keep my favorite pieces for years and wear them often. I like to play around with different shapes which may or may not reflect traditional ideas of figure flattery or even the body beneath. (see pic) These types of ideas about style and dressing are more difficult to convey on a blog format, and frankly they require more precise writing and reading.  But the largest part of the blog audience wants new, trendy, colorful content and it's hard as a blogger to resist that attraction. I know numbers will jump as soon as i post a look with cheerful color in it, but that's not how i like to dress. Numbers drop when i repeat items, but - ? Where i personally see the 'trouble' or at least a real frustration is in people who don't have the skills and experience (yet) to make the leap from inspiration to an outfit that works for their real life. That type of content is hard to come by, mostly because it takes time, thought, energy and experience to produce. That's why Angie is such a gem and why we all keep coming back here to YLF - we get the inspiration and the training (i don't know what else to call it! education?) in how to work that inspiration in our own closets and on our own bodies. You're not born knowing how to do this, you learn it like any other skill. In my own blog, I decided early on to just post what i really wore (heehee, including barefoot in our summers!) and explore and develop my "in real life" style, and do my best to learn how to express this in an interesting way. I don't get huge numbers and don't get gifts of clothes, shoes, etc. but then i figure my readers don't either so there ya go. I do have some very faithful, incredibly thoughtful readers and commenters.  They truly blow me away!  So i'd say if you find blogs or posts that speak to your own real life style concerns, reach out and let that person know how much you appreciate it! It takes time and thought to put that type of material together, and most people do it for free. If you want to see more, show those ladies some love!!!  This includes ladies here on YLF, natch ;)  and have fun! steph  Janet on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199352 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 22:17:54 +0000 Janet 1199352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also saw couple of her outfits I'd like to copy. Minus the bold lip -- sadly, I look awful in bold lip color. Minnie on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199290 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 21:11:26 +0000 Minnie 1199290@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really like her style and the shoes didn't bother me. If I thought about it (which I didn't), I would probably have assumed that she only has short distances from the car into a building etc. I live in Colorado and many people here seem very fashion-forward and wear seasonally confused shoes (and other items) Like our mailman who, on a recent snowy day, wore a hooded puffer jacket with shorts, thick socks and sandals Karie on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199277 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:52:29 +0000 Karie 1199277@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mo, I completely agree! When I saw the pic of her in the ankle strap shoes and went to her blog, the date on the pic was from Feb. Now there's no way I could wear those shoes in Feb. where I live, so I'm sure wearing them in Alaska in Feb. would be even worse. I couldn't even wear them indoors as my feet would still freeze. More power to her if she can do it, but I hope she at least wore stockings! Maybe I'm just too practical :) rabbit on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199260 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:31:08 +0000 rabbit 1199260@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think her outfits and mix of color is fun and inspired at moments, but I didn't read them as having anything to do with her specific environment, and that's fine.  Props to her for following her creative passion in a less than ideal (and understanding) setting -- it takes courage and she has created some great looks. Unlike the featured blogger, most pinterest pins make make my eyes glaze over.  A tiny twenty-something in spike heels standing next to architecture and looking stylish although not particularly individual.   Actually it's the sartorialist's photos that got me to start being a little interested in fashion, partly because the people in them are 'in their setting' they are really going to work or shopping, or smoking on the corner, and partly because they all look like individuals.  For example his photos outside Fashion Week show fashionable people coping with a snow storm in the moment:  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.thesartorialist.com/photos/at-ralph-lauren-this-snowy-morning/">http://www.thesartorialist.com.....y-morning/</a> He has several other crowd photos from fashion week where the weather was less extreme and there were a few less practical shoes, but I thought this was great because it was so REAL. I've attached some of his other 'real people/cold weather' photos below that I liked.  (I'm not sure if I should repost them or just link). Credit to: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.thesartorialist.com/">http://www.thesartorialist.com/</a> annagybe on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199251 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:19:49 +0000 annagybe 1199251@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I just looked through a lot of her blog, and for me I already found two outfits that I like and can copy. JG on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199243 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:14:44 +0000 JG 1199243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I browse a lot of fashion blogs and have seen hundreds of pumps in snow this winter. My injured feet keep me in sneaks and oxfords these days - no pumps! - so I'm used to mentally changing out the footwear in fashion photos. I like all the outfits that Inge chose to spotlight - interesting colors, textures, proportions! - but even they might be frumpy if Alicia were wearing my shoes. (Mo, my closet would be more cohesive if I weren't so good at "taking inspiration" from different sources. I wish I could limit my choices and commit to a style direction.) Anonymous on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199186 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 19:32:52 +0000 Anonymous 1199186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love her use of her color, her lips are amazing, and she's clearly having fun with fashion!   Inge on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199170 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 19:20:38 +0000 Inge 1199170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ High five, Hil!-) I agree 100% about Alicia's lips and fab choice of lipstick colours. They really are part of her outfits, aren't they. Inge on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199168 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 19:18:52 +0000 Inge 1199168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've been out and about all day, so couldn't chime in earlier. Angie, thanks so much for copying Alicia's response here. As some of you have also pointed out, it does make sense to me that you would switch out shoes and/or wear different types of shoes -- and sometimes shed a few layers too -- when you spend most of your time indoors.  Also, and I mentioned this in my comment on the blog post as well: I would like to add that we can only feature six outfits in each posts, and it goes without saying that six outfits certainly don't "tell a complete style story". Do hop on over to <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.wild-muse.com">Alicia's blog</a> to browse the rest of her outfits -- or check out <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.pinterest.com/thewildmuse/the-wild-muse/">her pinboard</a> where they are all collected in one place -- to get a more complete grasp of our blogger's fab style. ETA: with each description I link back to the original blog post in which the bloggers are wearing a specific outfit. There you can always find the date (season) an outfit was worn, and often more info on individual items too. Jules: In her blog post Alicia mentions that it had been raining cats and dogs all day, hence the umbrella. The sun came out just before the photos, and Alicia decided to use her big umbrella as a fun prop. I liked it Hil on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199158 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 19:09:43 +0000 Hil 1199158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Wow, I'm quite taken aback by the strong reaction to the post. I loved loved loved her photos... And I didn't really give the pumps in snow thing more than a quick thought, until I got to the comments. Maybe that is because I don't live in a snowy climate and get excited if there is a hint of sleet in our winter. What I saw was great inspiration for layering, great use of colour and amazing lips. Did I mention how divine I think her lips are? ClaraT on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199141 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:48:23 +0000 ClaraT 1199141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For me, the appeal of bloggers is that they are 'real' people wearing real clothes for real life. Not models, just people with jobs, kids, messy kitchens or whatever, who are managing to look nice while doing the same things I do. It is always great to see practical looks that I can copy or that inspire me. Anyone can look good on an unlimited budget if they never have to *do* anything, but I expect blogs to be more practical. (Not commenting on the featured blog, just in general...) Mo, I agree with all of your comments! I don't live in the snow, so I barely gave the referenced site a look-over. Rather, my pet peeve is bloggers in San Francisco with >2-in heels or camisoles. Seriously, no, I don't think that is practical for 5 minutes, let alone for a whole day!  I find the WIW posts here on YLF more inspiring than those on any other blog. Emily on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199128 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:37:49 +0000 Emily 1199128@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you, Ceit!  It certainly was.  I was thinking Carmina?  Or Carmela?  Kasmira.  Of course.  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.ca/2008/10/bus-bundling.html">http://whatiwore2day.blogspot......dling.html</a> <-- if anyone is interested.  This stuck with me because it is both practical and adorable. Anonymous on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199119 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:25:00 +0000 Anonymous 1199119@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Emily, that was Kasmira of WhatIWore2Day, I think! rachylou on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199114 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:21:18 +0000 rachylou 1199114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I accept that settings for photoshoots are random... but I kill for outfits that work for real life. I'm not gonna wear purple, green and yellow polka dots ever to the office, certainly not with a furry magenta stole and spike heels. I mean, I would to sashay around the town square and meet my rich uncle for tea and viennoiserie, but those days are long gone. Long gone. Emily on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199112 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:16:00 +0000 Emily 1199112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gah, I can't remember the name of the blog for the life of me, but there was a blogger some years back who put up an excellent tutorial of how she got to work in her fabulous, feminine ensembles (via public transit, as I recall!) without freezing.  She was a gorgeous redhead and it involved ski pants.  Does this ring a bell for anyone?   Neel on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199102 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:08:58 +0000 Neel 1199102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love her style!! But its obviously very important to stay safe which she does as she says. Everything out there on the internet should be taken with a grain of salt ;) For my climate .... sans the coats ... I will take it Gaylene on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199099 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:08:33 +0000 Gaylene 1199099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I totally agree, Suz, that Alicia's style could be quite applicable for our transitional seasons. Mo also has a good point that maybe some of us are just too practical to see her outfits as inspirational cold weather dressing. Maybe part of the reaction is because so many of us feel frustrated by the practicalities of living in our environments in our own quest to be fashionable, especially at this time of the year. unfrumped on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199097 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:04:37 +0000 unfrumped 1199097@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Right, Suz, I think expectations and context have a lot to do with it. For some reason I was looking for a "how to"--so even if less bundled up when indoors, maybe something about how one has to make those adaptations and how to pick styles for transitioning, or layering. For example, haha, it became harder this year to create stylish layers when the base sweater layers became oversized --maybe that's why you drape a coat over your shoulders! (Partly kidding, as I know for a photo you want to try to show all parts of the outfit, rather than be buttoned to the chin.) And the % time or "dominant season" changed, as mentioned in the introduction, so maybe that's a big part of the change--not so much polar-proof outfits but a wardrobe shift to a much higher % of warmer clothes in general, which can require a big new investment. Suz on "Pumps in snow?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/pumps-in-snow/page/2#post-1199092 Wed, 19 Mar 2014 17:49:30 +0000 Suz 1199092@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, Elle - I agree.... If you are not actually out in the cold, you're not dressing for it in the same way, although you do need layers (as Alicia beautifully demonstrates).  Having said all that, her style is hugely inspirational for me for my autumn, EARLY winter, and early spring looks. So thanks for that, Inge, Angie, and Alicia!