Ask Angie: neutral versus "fun" shoes

PalmFronds

HI Angie and fellow YLF family,

Heres one of the many questions that have been on my mind as I tear through and reinvigorate myself(woohoo!).
I have a long torso and relatively shorter legs. I had read,I think in Tim Gunn's book, that women with my proportions should try to stick with neutral/not-too-eye-catching shoes in order to help elongate the leg line and not break up the body into many pieces.The problem with this approach(which I followed until last year when I broke down and bought a pair of orange flats that I have since worn to pieces) is that I feel like I miss out out on some fun shoes that really catch my eye, including some fun plaid and brighter colors. GIven that accessories are my weak point and something I want to improve, will I be giving up a longer leg line if I opt for some more fun shoes?
Thoughts?

16 years ago

Body Type

13 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Maya

Veteran

Rules are meant to be broken. Sticking to them with such intensity makes getting dressed tedious and unenjoyable. Wear colorful shoes!

16 years ago

planetamy

(website)

Active Member

I think Maya's right. Now that you know the "rule," you can consciously break it because it seems like you want colorful, fun shoes as part of your style.

16 years ago

PalmFronds

Active Member

Hee hee! Thanks for the confirmation Ladies. We'll see what Angie's thoughts are on this too, but I already broke down and ordered these over the weekend because they made my heart race:
http://www.6pm.com/product/7326369/color/103684

Sorry Tim Gunn! I have way too many "sensible" shoes in my closet...

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

This is a great question, and I've actually been contemplating it myself, except more along the lines of "how many neutral/go with everything shoes vs how many fun bright pops of color but doesn't go with everything" shoes should one have in one's closet (and handbags too).

I am with the others - rules can be broken. I also have short legs, and I'm short, and the standard advice is to dress head-to-toe in one color. Okay. Yeah. That makes me look leaner and somewhat taller. End of day, I'm still 5'0" and you all are looking down your nose at me no matter how I dress. So I break this rule. Constantly.

I think if you have a lot of neutral basic wardrobe pieces, then you have to add fun with the shoes. So load up on fun orange and other interesting color shoes. One or two (flats and heels) neutral shoes are plenty! But if you have tons of bright clothing with patterns and such, then the balance would be different.

Edit to add a P.S.: vamp of the shoe may be more important than the color. Lower vamped shoes in a bright color will elongate the leg just as much as higher vamped neutral shoes. My new cedar city wedges work well with my short leg because the metallic is close to a neutral. They wouldn't work so well if they were red or black. Vamp is really important if you are going for an elongating look.

16 years ago

anne

Veteran

PF, it is a good question. I have exactly the same body proportions. I am just guessing here, but I reckon Angie will agree with May and Planetamy. There is probably something you can do to mitigate any potential length shortening, eg take care to wear skirts at the correct height.

16 years ago

PalmFronds

Active Member

excellent point about the vamp of the shoe,Shiny. I try to avoid ankle-strap shoes for this same leg-elongating reason. The few colorful shoes I own are cut fairly low down close to the toes so atleast that probably helps as well.

Anne, that's something I did not consider as part of the whole equation--playing with the rest of the outfit to "compensate" for possible leg shortening of the shoes.

I own mainly neutrals in bottoms, nothing fancy in skirts or pants.I save the color for my tops and dresses. So maybe I can cut loose and have some more festive shoes on these tootsies of mine...

16 years ago

planetamy

(website)

Active Member

PF -- I'm SOOO glad you got those fab shoes! Uh-Mazing!!!

I think fun and funky shoes may be a way to take your feeling of being "almost" put-together and zoom you all the way into KILLER status! Remember fashion is supposed to be fun.

The more you post, the more we can help steer you in the right direction!!

16 years ago

Ariadne

Veteran

Nothing to add to all the great advice here except that those shoes are jaw-droppingly awesome. Post pics when they arrive!

16 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I have short legs (29" inseam) and a long torso in comparison, but I would be so sad if I could only wear neutral shoes. If brightly colored shoes make you happy, then I say go for it! I doubt anyone will notice anyway, other than to tell you what fabulous shoes you have and ask you where you got them.

LOVE those little tiger kitten heels!

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is one of the areas where I am not in agreement with several fashion stylists. There are very few boxed rules on YLF. Let’s think laterally about things instead.

How utterly limiting to stick to a shoe that is the same colour as your slacks, or always a neutral tone. You have to see the BIG picture. Yes, you need to visually compensate if you have a shorter leg line, but you can do that by changing up other variables like:

o The hem of your dress or skirt
o The length of your pants
o Your neckline
o The actual style of the shoe

However, if you prefer the look of neutral shoes because you’re a neutral gal then that’s fine too. There is no need to actively seek out colourful shoes just because. But ask yourself the question: do all my shoes need to be black? How about grey, brown, white, nude, tan or metallic?

16 years ago

PalmFronds

Active Member

Thanks for the input Angie
Yes, it was quite limiting not to have some fun with shoes for a while. Shoes and bags are where I love color the most, so I am glad I will be able to incorporate this into my life again. I do love a neutral shoe, but interestingly am also often drawn to bright colors and interesting patterns in shoes. I rarely indulge because I try to be "practical" and then figure, well if it is going to shorten my legs anyway...

I will keep those balancing pointers in mind; maybe when my cute tiger print shoes arrive I'll give some outfits a run and ask for some feedback
Cheers ladies!

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

This is why I love YLF... great advice Angie!!

I'm really into the "bookend" concept lately too. That's when you match your hair to your shoe color. I do own black shoes but I find I'm rarely if ever wearing them anymore. I think they look awesome on people with dark hair. I am finding I prefer silver and pewter instead, since it's closer to my hair color. I haven't been wearing my "nude" shoes as much lately, simply because I haven't been wearing a lot of khakis and browns but I'm not giving them up yet. I think it depends on what shade my highlights are, whether they are super-blond like now, or have more lowlights.

So hair and shoe color do seem to have some sort of relationship, I think!

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Keep us posted, PF :0)

They do, Shiny! That’s why I have 6 pairs of cream shoes and 5 pairs of metallic shoes. Flop proof.

16 years ago

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