Dresses and shoes - YouLookFab Forum

Thanks to Sally's great idea of a travel work uniform -- I know this is not an innovation, but for me it actually IS -- I am trying to narrow my choices for packing. March is a huge travel month for me, and I am really drawn to dresses. Right now I am in Chicago for a quick trip, and although I am wearing long trousers today (and not loving the silhouette, to be frank) I have packed a dress for a quick meeting tomorrow morning before I fly home. I was amazed at how easy it is to pack a dress!

I have recently purchased three dresses -- 2 from JCrew Factory ($45 and $35, thanks to sale and clearance) and the CM shirtdress) plus I also have the Gap denim shirtdress which I can wear as long as I can wear tights (without them it is too short). For March and in the colder cities, I am fine wearing tights and booties. But I'm in need of at least one more pair of shoes to wear with dresses, especially if they remain a part of my travel uniform. Bonus if the shoes work well with cropped pants.

I currently have blue snakeskin wedges, which are great.

I also have wine calf hair Okalas and wine suede kitten heel pumps, but I don't like to wear either of them for work because of the skinny heel -- it feels dressier to me, and it's not as easy to walk in (it's not about heel height for me, it's all about heel girth).

Which of those below would you focus on, if you were me? (I'm showing the dresses and cropped black pants so you know the silhouettes I am working with.)

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Club Monaco

Sonti Silk Shirt Dress

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J.Crew

Factory wrap-front V-neck dress

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Gap

1969 denim western shirtdress

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J.Crew

Campbell capri in bi-stretch wool

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Anthropologie

Cleo B Cleo B Pointed Nubuck Heels

$148.00 $89.95

Sale

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ASOS

SHOWBIZ Heels

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ASOS

SAGA Pointed Heels

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ASOS

ON THE DOT Lace Up Heels

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Zappos

Summit White Mountain Karena

$128.94

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Zara

Loafers With Heel

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8 years ago

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

If I had to choose one pair, I would go with the Showbiz heels because of how versatile they are. They seem to be the right blend of trendy and conservative. They're feminine and classic without being too girly.

kkards

viva- are you TSA pre-check?

rachylou

I'm another for the Showbiz for the same reasons.

BrieN

I am negative on ASOS shoes right now. Bought 6 pairs recently and they were all cheap, several were uncomfortable, and one was flat out painful (although so cute I had to will myself to send them back). Just FYI.

(I think the Cleo B shoes are fab...although not sure how that beautiful wood heel would go with your items. I'm out of my league with this question).

edit: and for anyone who is a born shoe lover, the write up of the Cleo B shoe designer is a can't miss.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Do they have to closed toe? These are VERY comfy.

Amazon

Paul Green Women's Catalina Dress Sandal

Nordstrom Rack

Vince Camuto Evangelina Cutout Sandal

Nordstrom

Shellys London 'Bea' Buckle Sandal (Women)

$119.95 $59.96

I like these too:

BETTYE BY BETTYE MULLER Calf Hair Pump (Women)

$168.95 $101.37

BETTYE BY BETTYE MULLER 'Dawson' Pump (Women)

$158.94 $95.37

Nine West 'Olencia' Block Heel Pump (Women)

$78.95 $39.47

Urban Outfitters

Jeffrey Campbell Bitsie Heel

Topshop

JULIETTE Mid Heel Shoes

JONI Velvet Mid Shoes

Anonymous

I can see why you don't want to wear the okalas.
I like the anthropologie ones the best. They seem sturdy and pretty at the same time.
You could wear them with the j crew shift, j crew wrap, denim shirt dress, and slim leg pants. I'm not sure I would wear them with the CM shirt dress as I'm not sure the styles match up.

i like the Showbiz ones too, but now am concerned about BrieN's comments about Asos shoes looking cheap. Second choice would be the Anthro's.

Sara L.

You've picked a great selection of shoes. I also love the ones Angie found. I think the ones with a bit of heel are dressier. I love the lace up and ankle strap versions - they just look really modern to me. I"m not sure how practical those are though.

olga

Active Member

I always found the choice of shoes to wear with dresses very hard. Especially if it's for work. Thin heels are always too dressed up.
I most like dresses with booties, flats and heeled oxfords.
I also like the blocked heeled ballerinas, but when I tried a pair with a dress, it felt very old fashioned, I suppose it's very individual, depends on overall look.
From below I like the laced up pairs.
I agree Asos own label shoes as well as clothing are very low quality.

JAileen

I like the Anthro Cleo B best. I personally cannot handle 3 inch heels, though.

viva

Thanks everyone.

Kkards: I bought into TSA pre-check in January of 2015, and it was life-changing. Best business purchase ever.

Smittie: I may try the Anthros, yet I had to admit that part of me is thinking: really? Another wine heel? Although I could easily consign the kitten heels, as I cannot recall the last time I wore them. GradFashionista/Rachy/Lisap/Sara: I hear you. I really want to try the Showbiz but BrieN's experience is so hard to ignore, and my feet can be testy. (And BrieN: The mythology of the Cleo B brand is pretty amazing. She could have a killer logo.)

Jaileen: I know what you mean about 3-inch heels, but I am pretty sure my wedges are 3-inches, and I could live in those. For me, it's really not height per se -- it's all about how that height is achieved. If it's through a wedge or a block heel, it can be very doable.

Angie, I already have these gray cage sandals from last year or the year before -- and they seem very like some of what you posted. (Thank you for reminding me that I have them.) There is a weird thing happening with them, though. One of them (only one!) is fading to an off-color. I'm thinking of dying them a mossy / olive green. But thank you for reminding me that I have them too.

I'm still on the fence about the heeled ballerinas, and Olga, I fear exactly what you are talking about with them looking or feeling particularly old-fashioned with dresses. (I don't think it's coincidence that both pairs Angie posted are styled with pants.)

Vince Camuto 'Eliana' Bootie

$118.95 $69.97

Sal

I love the anthropologie ones and I think that colour would work with all dresses. The ones I love the most on first glance are the On the Dot Asos ones - but more with the denim and navy than the black and white. They would be fab with pants too.

I also think your Freebird sandals would work with the blue dresses for some occasions.

I am on the fence with the ballerina style ones - I also think they might work better with pants, and I do wonder how much longevity that trend will have. For work shoes I prefer to skew classic/quirky/edgy rather than trendy if that makes sense.

Sounds like it is worth dyeing the caged sandals- after my painted sandals mess up I think dyeing is better than painting:)

Sally, you are right about the Freebird! So, I definitely don't need another pair of open toe. This is making me feel better about trying the Anthro ones and consigning the kitten heels. Thank you!

catgirl

I love the Showbiz style. The lace ones seem fussy but that could just be me.

Caisee J

I really like the SAGA pointed heels (picture #4 in the first post), but wonder how much time it would take to get your feet into them! They would probably go with a dark knee-length dress.

Other than that, those silver Juliette mid heel shoes may work for bridesmaids in light-colored sequin dresses.

Firecracker (Sharan)

I love the Showbiz best, stylewise, for the dresses and pants you've shown. And I think they are just so cute. Maybe you will find that style in a more reliably comfortable brand.

Maneera

I would try both the Asos black block heel pumps and the Anthro wine with all my pieces before making a decision. While I love Oxford styles on you, I think it's worth trying a new style

Sharan and Maneera, you've convinced me to order the ASOS Showbiz pumps as well as the Anthro, to try both. I usually hate to over-order, but in this case I think you are right: try both on with all the dresses and my black crops, and then decide.

Many thanks! Orders are in!

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