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Shoe shopping help

tanstaafl

Up until a few months ago I paid very little attention to my wardrobe other than its basic functionality. My clothes fit. My outfits matched, even if they weren’t the most flattering. Since I decided that I wanted to look a little bit more put together and polished, finding this community, and participating in the 30x30 challenge, I have identified a few wardrobe holes.

The biggest one for me, and the one I want to focus on first, is shoes. I have only three pairs of shoes suitable for office wear in winter. I have one pair of black heels, one pair of black flats, and one pair of black ankle boots. And I don’t like the flats, they are noisy and a bit too big. So I have been wearing the same two pairs of shoes all winter long.

I need more options, but I’m not sure what to look for. Left to my own devices I would end up with another pair of black heels. Should I be looking for color? If so, what color? Dressier ankle boots that I can wear with skirts and dresses? All of the above?

The pictures below are three pairs that I liked when browsing DSW. The finds are the shoes I currently have.

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Suzanimal

Well, since you don't like the flats you own, I'd start by replacing them. Maybe try a leopard or a metallic? They're more neutral than you think.

If you're still not sure, stop by the shoe store in your most commonly worn work clothes and try on different looks.

Suzanimal

Here's a neutral outfit with leopard flats for reference.

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Brooklyn

Veteran

Hi tanstaafl, I think a lighter neutral coloured ankle boot (grey, tan or taupe) for wearing with pants could help you lighten up your palette for Spring.

For wearing with dresses and skirts, I tend to prefer ankle boots with a fairly fitted, higher shaft. These can be hard to find however. Sock booties might be a good option and you can generally find them in a range of colours.

delurked

Veteran

I think you wear a lot of black on bottom. You may want to decide if you like a column of color (black) or if you visually like something like a leopard, wine or something close to your aubergine sweater, cognac. The potential shoes seem to be higher heeled. Just making sure that’s not a comfort issue for you. I am really liking my Naturalizer sock booties (lemming from Srah). Also agree metallic is super neutral and matches almost everything.

ETA - what about something with texture? Doesn’t really change color scheme, but adds some visual interest.

Naturalizer Daley Boots

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SARTO By Franco Sarto Hettie Pump

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tanstaafl

Suzanimal- I’m not sure about the leopard. I like it on others, but have never really done animal prints for myself. Metallic is a possibility, maybe pewter?

Brooklyn - you’ve mentioned these higher shaft booties before, but I’m having a hard time visualizing them with skirts for the office. What type of hosiery fit that combo?

Delurked - my bottoms are split pretty evenly between black and grey. I definitely want at least one pair of heels, and can do up to 3 inches. Most of my pants are hemmed for heels and I prefer to wear some type of heel with skirts and dresses. I commute in more practical shoes and change at the office. I’m open to texture, color, or pattern. I’m probably only buying two pairs right now and I’m not sure what would be most versatile. My instinct is to default to black, but I’d like to branch out some.

A few more possibilities. Clearly I am all over the place.

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Joy

Veteran

My entry into animal print footwear was snake...more subtle than leopard. You might try it in a grey. Metallics are great. Try pewter or chrome if you want something that isn't too bright and shiny. I envy your ability to wear those heels. Something in a nude for you would be useful and go with everything.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like the idea of pewter shoes for you, especially if you wear a lot of grey.

I wear my booties (which are black) with bare legs, nude hose or opaque black tights. Occasionally with sheer black or grey-black tights. This pic shows the general idea.

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jussie

Veteran

Red shoes are surprisingly versatile. I also always make sure to have a pair of brown or tan shoes, I actually prefer the look of say, tan booties to black ones. You could also think about getting patent leather. Good luck with it.

Jane

Veteran

If the flats don’t work, then I would replace them first - may be some Paul Green brogues?

Aurore

Veteran

You seem to have tons of ideas!

Among the ones you gathered and given what you said about your mostly grey and black bottoms, I would tend towards the patterned Aerosole pumps (photo #5 on your answer) or metallic Anne Kleins (photo #7) if you aim at statement shoes with height.
The Aerosoles loafers may be nice as well for a statement with a lower heel.

As for booties, I have a pair that is quite similar to the Anne Klein you included in the thread. They are workhorses with pants because they are more comfortable than pumps, but I never wore them with skirts of dresses because the higher vamp looks off on my legs.

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Suzanimal

tanstaaafl,

I hear ya. It's not for everyone. Heck, if you had told me two years ago my favorite pair of shoes would be hairy leopard flats, I would've asked if you were on meds. I feel the same way about a lot of looks. For me, it's Boho. I LOVE it on other people but I feel ridiculous in it.

Metallics are surprisingly easy to wear. Bronze would definitely be nice. It's more subtle than silver or gold but still a little spicy.

BTW, all the photos you posted of things you like are very nice. You can't go wrong with any of them. However, since you only have 2 functional pair of work shoes, I wouldn't buy a repeat of something you already own unless what you have is worn out.

Joy reminded me that my entry into animal prints was snake. My sweet husband bought me a pair of snakeskin loafers out of the blue because he thought they were cool. He also thought I would wear them because they weren't a loud print. I almost took them back but I didn't want to hurt his feelings and the next thing I know, he's buying me leopard shoes, lol. Anyway, Joy's right. Snake is easier to wear with gray's and blacks.

jussie
Is right, too. Red shoes go with a lot, too. I see you picked out some burgundy heels. I have a pair almost just like those and I wear them a surprising amount and I don't own one piece of burgundy clothing.

Mainelady

Veteran

It is great that you have identified wardrobe holes and have set a new goal. I agree with finding a replacement pair of flats first. I think metallic, snakeskin or a subtle pattern, with some color (example #2) would work well. For heels I vote color with some hardware or shine. Love the burgundy you posted! Then again a pair of plaid heels would be killer!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I really like the Anne Kleins in pic 7. Different from your black but a moderately subtle change to get you used to branching out! And maybe one of the flats. Nothing wrong with being all over the place in your choices- you should see my 28 strong Styletread wish list!

Toban

Veteran

I second the recommendation of pewter or other metallic. My bronze flats go with everything. I am also a huge fan of non-black shoes. My burgundy Rockport pumps go with almost everything I wear and have become my essential shoes. I almost never grab my black pumps any more. And I also love my caramel colored flats. Very versatile.

Here’s a couple that caught my eye :

http://www.rockport.com/rockpo.....able-heels (Link to bronze but also in pewter)
http://www.rockport.com/rockpo.....epump.html
http://www.rockport.com/rockpo.....apump.html (Black/gray ombré)

kkards

Veteran

i like the idea of starting with something subtle ...a pewter or bronze metallic is a great idea...and/or try patent leather. or velvet...if you dont have a flat that works now, i'd start there....
i like Find #1 & #2, because they can be dressy for work, or great with jeans. both have slight heels. #1 has a little bling on the heel which i like a lot, and i can see this as a year round shoe....#2 can also work with skirts, and it would be great almost year round (probably to hot for mid June-Labor day)
since you can wear heels, i like something like these marc fisher boots -the sock booties style works great underpants (and winterizes a cropped pant) and looks fab with skirts.

can you wear open toes to work? find #5 would be a great transitional shoe...love the texture on the fabric...

Franco Sarto Sadie Loafer

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Adrienne Vittadini Sabella Flat

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MARC FISHER Lizzy Velvet Bootie

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MARC FISHER Janie Bootie

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Impo Valerie Bootie

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tanstaafl

You all have given me a lot to think about. I’ll be doing some in store shoe shopping this weekend and trying on a bunch of things.

I’ll start with looking for some metallic or patterned flats and go from there. I don’t want to get metallic flats and metallic heels. I often find myself buying things that are very similar. I get stuck on one type of look.

Please keep offering suggestions, the selection out there is a bit overwhelming.

I promise not to try on any black shoes. At least for this trip.

tanstaafl

So I browsed more online, and thought about what I need out of these shoes. I need shoes that will pair well with dresses and skirts for winter. I wear pencil skirts and sheath dresses. My skirts are black, cobalt, dark grey, and light grey. My dresses are black, solid and patterned, and navy. I usually wear black tights, or black or off black hose, but would be open to other colors.

My top contenders for pumps are the burgundy lifestride heels, the Anne Klein metallic heels, or possibly these Kelly and Katie patterned metallic heels.

I’m not sure I want to replace my flats. I prefer skirts and dresses with heels. So for my second pair I’m thinking about boots. Would either of these options work with pencil skirts and sheath dresses?

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karen13

Veteran

Burgundy to match your jacket. I’m the worst to give professional attire shoe advice - haven’t worn pumps since my late 1990s corporate days. I recently pulled out those pairs from the depths of my closet, only to discover to my delight they had block heels.

I do see most of your selections have a fairly high, narrower heel. Can the more up to date YLFers comment on heel shapes that are trending now? Are block heels over?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

The tall boots would work with dresses/skirts and tights, but are a bit more casual. If you need to be business formal I'd stick with heels, obviously. I personally wouldn't go for #2 with skirts and tights; I'd look for a lower shaft bootie, just at ankle height.

Anonymous

Of the last batch, I do like the shoes and the booties.
BUT...with a dress/skirt, I think the booties need to match the colour of your hose quite closely to have a sleek look. So I would choose a darker colour bootie than the one you have chosen (burgundy, black, charcoal, navy) while maintaining the tight-to-the-ankle fit.

tanstaafl

As I said before, I know I am all over the place with this. No one in my family will go shoe shopping with me because I take forever trying on a bunch of shoes then buy nothing. Thanks for putting up with me and helping me think through this. I ordered three to try out, the burgundy heels, a black shootie, and grey/metallic loafers.

Karen13 - I have no idea what is on trend for heel shapes, as my style is fairly classic. Maybe someone else can chime in on that.

Laura and Smittie - I think you are both right on those booties. I picked another pair to try on that are a lower shaft with a dip in the front and black.

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Anonymous

Those are awesome choices Tan!