Outfit Lab, shoes: Fisherman's Mary Janes? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfit Lab, shoes: Fisherman's Mary Janes?

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I bought these shoes (photo #1) because they're comfy, but I'm stumped on how to style them! They seem to be a hybrid between Fishermen sandals & 'T strap' Mary Janes (#3 shows how the 'buckle' is actually a hook on a stretchy strap). I tried them with printed jeans but I'm not sure it works... any tips?

I then tried the same clothes with shimmery Loafers (#4), patent Oxfords (#6) & pointy toed flats (#8) - do the different shoes change the outfit's feel?

***Bonus: I actually ended up wearing one of these to our annual casual Xmas work gathering at the pub! Any guesses which shoes I went with? ***

(#10): My attempt at a 'festive' manicure (I like how the subtle shine plays up the tshirt's chocolate velvet texture)
(#11): What do you think of pattern mixing these socks with the jeans? Too much, or does it blend just enough?

(+ #12 - #14: Trying the Fisherman Mary Janes with wide legs - any better?)

Thank you for looking! Your comments/ commiserations/ advice/ jokes etc are always appreciated

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Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Your nails are gorgeous! What a rich colour! It plays so well with the print and colours of the pants.

Ok. I like the fisherman shoes. I think that they don't/ can't really entirely change up the feel of the outfit because the pants are such a big statement and the top is texturally rich as well. So our attention is always going primarily to those elements (and your gorgeous

That said, I have a slight preference for the loafers with this outfit, but I like all the shoes with it and I even like the fun socks with it, though keep in mind, I have a high tolerance for pattern mixing.

You look festive and pretty in all the combos.

I would likely wear the fisherman's shoes with skirts and wide leg crops, myself. Maybe with longer shorts as well.

Star

Veteran

I love these shoes. They definitely go with those trousers and probably with most items. I have had similar pairs in the past. I think the various shoes do change the vibes of the same outfit for sure. For me the socks are too much with the patterned paints. I would prefer them with a plain pair. Your mani is totally fab. Just wear the shoes with all sorts of outfits, they are super versatile! I see them with various pants widths and lengths, and skirts/dresses. They are an interesting mix of dressy and casual in one shoe.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Suz
Thank you! It took a moment to get my nails to dry without smudging but I got there eventually
Haha yes, that's fair - a skirt or wider bottoms sounds like it could work. You mentioned crops - do you think it's important to show the ankle strap? I'll admit I don't usually go for this more 'gamine' style of shoe, so I'm a little lost.

@Star
The 'dressy casual' vibe is what drew me to the shoes too - they're from a local (HK) brand that seem to do these 'classic with a twist' styles, which you're right is versatile- but I think that's also what's throwing me for a loop!
Hmm maybe you're right, I'll have to experiment with some different lengths/ widths (showing the ankle strap or not) to see...
Haha seems we have differing opinions on the socks! I'll admit I'm not fully sold on them either but I was thinking the patterns could blend for a leg lengthening line... maybe with a more 'closed off' shoe like the Oxfords instead?

Star

Veteran

No, I actually like socks with some open sandals. In the 80s I had a favourite brown pair of socks with orange micro dots and I wore them with brown fisherman sandals. The sock/pants pattern mixing in your outfit is purely a personal taste thing for me Too busy for my eye currently. If you love it rock it! Looks funky.

Star

Veteran

Oh, and I don't think it matters whether you expose the ankle strap or not. Will work both ways. Sure, it may create different vibes but will still work. I really believe they go with almost absolutely everything. Maybe you are overthinking them (said with respect of course). I would love a pair for Spring/Summer here.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I definitely like these shoes and like them best of the choices, hope it was them you wore out! But I like the socks outfit too. Could be the colours on my phone, but the socks make the loafers look kind of purple which is more interesting?!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Will respond properly to you all later, been called to an impromptu date night so thought I'd try the shoes with some wide legged trousers! Thoughts?

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Star

Veteran

They definitely work with the wide legged pants too but I actually like how they are show cased with the more narrow leg. Cute date night outfit.

Anonymous

Yes to the shoes with the wide leg pants!
Love the print on the others, but better with the dark loafers to me- or boots if you have.

kkards

Veteran

Grrr I lost my response

I love these shoes. And think they work in all the outfits you’ve shown. I’d also try them with wide cropped or cuffed pants and a circle or a line midi skirt or dress
https://www.instyle.com/best-f.....ls-6078501

I’ll just add that for me l like my shoes to be the color of something g in my outfit or for them to be the statement piece. So with the floral pants I’d swap the shirt or cardi for a brown. (I realize that this might just be a me thing and ymmv)

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RobinF

Veteran

Cute examples from kkards!

I love the shoes, very fun. I think I like them best with the wide legs but they should go with a lot.

kellygirl

Veteran

Great sandal shoe hybrid! My first instinct was with cropped jeans. I have a pair of Earth sandals sort of like this that I wear all of the time. They're the perfect for warmer days and imperfect pedicures. You styled them well and I also really like KKards ideas!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sooo nice to see you, Zaeobi! Complete with festive and pretty nails

What Suz, said.

KILLER pants, and best with the loafers to my eye. A little dressier and simple, which complement the hectic fabness of the pants. Although super cute with the new hybrid shoes too.

Yes to the hybrid shoes with the wide pants. Elegant! I can see them working well with skirts and dresses too.

Roberta

Veteran

I think this style is very versatile, because of the openness of the leather straps and the heavier sole. I had a pair of black fisherman's leather sandals like these back in the day, and almost always wore them with long skirts or dresses. I liked the contrast of the blockiness of the shoe with the wide swishy silhouette of the skirt. (No one had heard of wide leg pants at the time.)

In short, I like them with everything you have shown us.

slim cat

Veteran

Very pretty and practical - hooray for the comfort especially !
Nice combinations and fun colors!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Star
Thanks for the wisdom - you're right that I might just be overthinking this lol.
If you're interested the brand is Korner, but I have no idea what their reach is like outside of Hong Kong. This particular pair aren't leather, though they're very soft.

@Jenni
I'm glad you like them! I think you would wear this sort of 'gamine' style well, but for me it's a departure from my usual shoes.
I went with the loafers in the end (sans socks, since I'm still waiting for the cold lol). You're right about the colour - they're this interestingly shimmery burgundy-plum in real life, depending on the light.

@suntiger
By 'print on others' do you mean the jeans look best with the loafers? Will wear them with boots once the weather cools!

@kkards
'True' fisherman sandals have a slightly edgy vibe to me, so I like these menswear inspired looks you've suggested! I don't look great in oversized clothes but maybe with some waist & shoulder definition it could work? Maybe it's because Mary Janes have a strong 'schoolgirl' connotation in my mind, but I think circle/ A-line skirts feel a bit too 'on the nose' with them (for me right now - absolutely agree that they work well with the shoes, & would look smashing on others though!)
Understand what you mean about the colours - the top is actually a dark brown velvet, but I suppose in an ideal world the cardigan would have been too

@kellygirl
Cropped seems to be the way to go! I usually wear jeans when it's cold though, so maybe rolled up with some socks could work? I like the idea that they could be both casual & formal, depending on the bottoms (menswear pleated trousers VS jeans).

@Angie
Thank you! I usually wear the printed jeans with boots, so trying to push the envelope a bit here
Do you think the hybrid shoes would work with a straight maxi skirt or a knee-length pencil skirt (with tights)?

@Roberta
Think you just answered my question to Angie above, haha thanks!
Yes, on this leg of my style journey I'm aiming for 'womanly' without being too bombshell & 'feminine' without being too girly, so I like that they're neither fully 'twee' Mary Janes nor fully 'masculine' fisherman sandals. Just need to figure out how to juxtapose with some feminity still lol.

@slimcat
Thanks, I guess that means I'm serving my style moniker well then (practically polished)!