Inspired by Angie’s footwear edit - how do you use shoes to elevate an outfit? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Inspired by Angie’s footwear edit - how do you use shoes to elevate an outfit?

Preppy Pear

Veteran

So, Angie’s post today made me realize how few dressy shoes/boots/sandals I have. I’m wondering if I have a big wardrobe hole!

Dressy is relative, of course, but I am generally happiest pairing sneakers to dress DOWN an outfit, especially with dresses and blazers. But dressy shoes can add polish and dress UP an outfit, no? I’m wondering what is a dressy shoe to you and how you all approach combining “dressy” shoes in your outfits.

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from cindysmith

Joy

Veteran

I need even dressy shoes to be flats and that can be a challenge. I also prefer them to be light weight in case they need to be packed. I look for patent or even sequined ballet flats. Summer is harder as I can’t wear sandals anymore and no one wants to see old lady feet anyway. So far espadrilles have been dressy enough. Metallics look a bit dressier and brown the most casual to me.

Becky

Veteran

Anything with a heel automatically seems dressier to me, though I don't wear heels above 1" often. I agree with Joy that ornamentation of flats and metallic colors can make flatter shoes look dressier. Also, to my eye, a daintier shoe looks dressier. Unfortunately, those shoes don't often work for my feet either. But since my lifestyle skews a bit more casual, I guess it all works out in the end.

nemosmom

Veteran

My lifestyle doesn't give me many opportunities to wear "dressy" shoes often. I feel dressy enough with a pointed-toe flat paired with casual pieces like a tee or joggers. I have a couple pairs of heels, but I usually only wear them with my special occasion stuff.

Anonymous

I'm the opposite! 2-3.5 inch heels are my everyday wear, under normal circumstances. Even on weekends I usually wear the 2 inch ones- because they elevate my more casual things enough for me to feel normal! Even my flat walking sandals are metallic

slim cat

Veteran

I like some sandals with a bit of a wedge in red or metallic colors as dressier version for myself in summer time. I don't own the real dressy shoes anymore - can't find comfortable enough for my fussy feet.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I agree that finish usually elevates a shoe for me - I like patent finishes for workwear & metallic finishes for partywear. I don't like to wear high heels, but I can employ other silhouette tricks to help boost this.

For example, I have a pair of Clarks Pure Tone shoes in bronze (see left) - the cutaway, slightly D'orsay style helps them to look sleek. However the corduroy textured front panel on my burgundy pair (see right) dresses them down a little - I still wear them to work, but as business casual.

Similarly, certain details can make a shoe more casual, like tassels, a widely rounded toe or the chunky white soles that are popular now. So dressy usually means going in the opposite direction to this.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

rachylou

Veteran

I agree with Joy and Zaeobi re metallics and patent leather. I have some Prada pumps that are matte black leather. They’re sky high. You might think that would be dressy, but it really isn’t. I think of them as something to wear to the food market.

Runcarla

Veteran

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Angie, it’s how shoes can make or break an outfit. As a result I’ve vowed never to buy ‘ordinary’ shoes. That doesn’t mean dressy shoes - in fact the opposite due to my casual/retired lifestyle and fussy 60 yo feet. I look for interesting colours, textures, and details - a red sneaker, black pointy toe flat with a leopard print vamp, boots with interesting hardware, sandals with braided or perforated straps, loafers with a bow, etc.

FWIW, I think your snakeskin booties elevate any outfit you wear them with, and the way you wear your sneakers (with wide leg trousers) is a fashion forward look.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

"Dressy is relative, of course, but I am generally happiest pairing sneakers to dress DOWN an outfit, especially with dresses and blazers".

I'm sooooo with you, Preppy Pear!

Dressier shoes for me are ballet flats, loafers and boots. No more pumps unless I'm going to the Gala.

J.Crew J.CrewCap-Toe Ankle Boot

View Info

Top Pick

23

Donald J Pliner Donald J PlinerHoney

View Info

Top Pick

6

Vagabond Vagabond Shoemakers Mya Pointy Toe Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom

View Info

Top Pick

13

Sam Edelman Sally Flats

View Info

Top Pick

10

Naturalizer Blair Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom

View Info

Top Pick

32

Banana Republic

Pointed-Toe Robin Ballet Flat

View Info

Top Pick

8

Banana Republic

Pointed-Toe Robin Ballet Flat

View Info

Top Pick

18

Rebecca Minkoff Koso Bootie

View Info

Top Pick

33

SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer

View Info

Top Pick

55

SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer

View Info

Top Pick

26

Naturalizer Emiline Flat Loafer

View Info

Top Pick

24

View Info

KENDALL + KYLIE Logan

View Info

Top Pick

33

SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer (Women)

View Info

Top Pick

39

Preppy Pear

Veteran

This is really helpful.

Joy, I like espadrilles, too. I have leather ones I wear to the office in the summer. I haven’t thought of them as dressy but I imagine most people would say they are dressier than sneakers!

Agree with all that finish can make a difference. I may need to look for some new metallic sandals and flats - mine all bit the dust long ago.

Suntiger, I admire your embrace of heels! I have some shoes with low block heels - 2 inches is my limit. I’m wondering if wearing lower heels more often might add some polish to some of my outfits.

I have no special occasion shoes or dresses anymore, so if an occasion arises I’d have to shop for it. Honestly, most of my stuff besides gear is pretty much all-occasion - I have a resistance to shopping for items I can’t rotate in my everyday wardrobe.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

Rachylou, I had to laugh about sky-high Prada heels at the market, but I take your point. I bet you look great in them! If I saw you shopping I’d come no closer than six feet away to give you a compliment, muffled through my mask, of course.

Carla, thank you for the lovely compliments-blush. I love your take on shoes! Right on.

Angie, thank you. I think the dressier flats and low-heeled shoes you have in your wardrobe are a good examples for me to seek out! Until the Gala come up, at least!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I try to wear somewhat dressy shoes every day at work. In winter that means boots, mostly flat. A couple of pairs are more stompy so I guess they’re not as dressy but one pair has studs and one is cobalt patent. One are flat bronze metallic.
In transition like now ( mid autumn) loafers or Oxfords, often with pointy toes and some metallics or embellishments on them. I have at least 3 options.
In summer, flat or flattish sandals, must be dressy and look professional. I have lots of nice colours, or silver with bling, or gold...
The only pair of sneakers I would wear to work are blush pink leather and look pretty dressy for sneakers.
These are my own personal standards. I don’t feel I can give my best in jeans and sneakers overall. This is not to denigrate those who can.

DonnaF

Veteran

I got the silver slides to be my warm weather dressy shoes, but I am wearing them now with my white cropped jeans and a blouse because why not? I wear my black patent oxfords in cool weather.

To me, a pointier toe makes a shoe dressier. So I don’t consider my black patent clogs or silver clogs or any other clogs to be dressy. But sometimes an outfit needs a heavy stomp shoe.

Naturalizer Bess Pointed Toe Mule

View Info

Top Pick

5

MARC FISHER LTD Marc Fisher LTD Finna Pointy Toe Derby (Women) | Nordstrom

View Info

Top Pick

5

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I looove shoes, so I have a big variety. I rarely wear heels anymore, but agree with DonnaF that a pointy toe can make even a flat shoe appear “dressy.” Sharp shoes and sharp outerwear are my methods for elevating an outfit.

Gigi

Veteran

I wear all kinds of shoes, from flats to high-heel stilettos. I do find that the right pair of footwear can really make an outfit stand out.

If I want to dress up my outfit but I don't want to wear high heels, I often wear espadrilles. I have a pair that ties with a long ribbon on the ankle, and I almost always get compliments on them when I wear them. I also have some sandals with a very modest chunky heel--1.5 inches, which are very easy to wear but still look dressy. I have a pair of suede booties with the same heel height; they look special because of the color (wine) and the silhouette (reminiscent of go-go boots). And I have a pair of gold metallic flats that are super comfy but still make me look polished.

Cartier Carina 60 canvas wedge espadrilles

View Info

Top Pick

1

View Info

Aquatalia Janine Stretch Suede Boot

View Info

Top Pick

3

Toni Pons 'Lloret-5' Espadrille Wedge Sandal

View Info

Top Pick

4

Bijou

Veteran

I have some low heeled sling back shoes that look dressy and I like wearing these on the weekend with jeans, a t-shirt or blouse and blazer - so a little dressy and a bit casual too. The scarf printed shoe has a matching scarf, so that helps add to the dressy factor.

View Info

View Info

Preppy Pear

Veteran

All great suggestions! Thanks for posting some favorites, Donna, Gigi and Bijou - they look comfy and chic and a good way to polish a jeans outfit.

I have a problem with some points on my size 11 feet - I don’t mind it if they look bigger at all, but sometimes the point extends so much I can’t walk naturally. But I can do softer points.

Jenni, I definitely understand. In my workplace, the people with the most authority are often in jeans and sneakers...but I do have personal limits in how casual I want to dress and still feel like I’m showing up.
I used to think open toes were a no-no, but since I’ve moved to Texas, sandals are definitely more than okay here. I get very cold in A/C though, so I don’t wear sandals to work until it hits close to 100 F.

Anonymous

I'm with Jessikamms and Bijou - refined/pointier toes, slingbacks, a heel.. all dress up a look for me. I'm also with Carla in that I don't
buy "ordinary" shoes , or basics if you will. Shoes make the outfit for me.

nuancedream

Veteran

Basic, boring, black footwear...begone!! I LOVE , LOVE, LOVE shoes but have more recently fallen under the spell of sneakers, preferably metallic. colorful, or with interesting embellishments, with dresses, suits, and wide leg pants. My fussy feet also played a huge role in my embrace of sneakers. Loafers and brogues are also favorites. I still wear heels on occasion, but the height is now about 2" maximum. Shoes absolutely can elevate a very basic, casual outfit into somethng special.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love shoes but can not wear most heels. A pointy toe flat adds a refined element - chunky shoes offset a frilly look. High vamps add some structure, low vamps add some edge. Sometimes the color ties the outfit together. I could go on! I usually try on at least two pairs every day to compare.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

I ordered four new pairs of dressier shoes from Nordstrom on major sale - we shall see! 3 flats and one pair of sandals. Lots of deals on Sam Edelman and Naturalizer, which I’ve had success with in the past. Fingers crossed that at least one pair is a keeper - i.e., can add a little something to my outfits.
No boring black, indeed, Nuancedream.
I love your shoe style, Lisa, and I can see how they elevate your outfits.
Shevia, that’s a great point about vamps and structure - I hadn’t thought about that way. I’ll experiment.

cindysmith

Veteran

I have very few shoes that I would classify as casual. Most of those are sneakers and boots, with one pair of sandals and one pair of canvas boat shoes thrown in.

The most literal way I use footwear to elevate an outfit is with a high heel (and by high, I mean HIGH, 3.5" all the way up to 6" platform heels). Generally, high heels signal the luxury of not having to worry about twisting an ankle or sinking in dirt.

Color and material are 2 other ways I dress things up or down with footwear. White, beige, tan and any other light colors feel dressier to me because they imply the luxury of not having to worry about dirt. Leather, satin, velvet, suede, etcetera all seem richer or more elevated to me., especially when combined with a light color and/or metallic or shiny finish