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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Which pair, or neither?

viva

Veteran

These Jcrew block heel pointy toe loafers are a HEWI for me -- ostensibly the perfect fall/winter work shoe: fashionable, walkable, comfortable. And I would like to get one pair of work shoes this season.

While expensive, they are 25% off right now. I think either pair could work with my closet -- which is mainly black, navy, grey, and burgundy. Which pair do you prefer? Or, is there some reason you think I should steer clear of these?

Avery heels in tweed

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2

Avery heels in colorblock suede

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1

Shopping

30 replies

Latest reply was from Lucy

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Both look nice. Don't you already have a pair of navy pumps? Do you wear pumps enough to need another pair? If so, I vote for the pattern as something more unusual and fun. Although I am a sucker for colour blocking and also like those.

Anonymous

I personally prefer the second pair as I'm not a huge brown fan, but the plaid would stand out against a primarily dark colored wardrobe.

BrieN

Veteran

I love the plaid pair.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Oh, tough choice, they are gorgeous. I think you'd probably get more use out of the black ones, given you don't have a lot of brown/beige in your wardrobe. Although the plaid is wonderfully unusual, and would look great with burgundy. And black. Hmm.....

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

The plaid definitely!

Colette

Veteran

I really like this shoe and cannot make up my mind which pair I prefer because they are both great. If it's comfy it is the perfect work shoe. I would need to try them both on before making my decision.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like the tweed for you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Actually, you need to order both and play around with what works best in your wardrobe. I'm inclined to say tweed, but it may well be more difficult to style into outfits.

JAileen

Veteran

Back when I wore lots of brown and tan the plaid one would have been my choice. My only concern about them other than color is I wonder how the fabric would hold up.

Anonymous

I like the tweed.

Tina

Veteran

I vote for the tweed as well. They will bookend your hair, plus, (IMO) withstand more wear. They are so different, both are gorgeous though. You really can't go wrong.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

The tweed is fun, but the colorblock would probably go with more, and it's also a gorgeous shoe.

El Cee

Veteran

This is hard. I love both. Angie's idea is great. Get both pairs then go play in your closet to see which one works best.

Anonymous

Really a nice shoe. Colour block suede is my pick. I worry about the fabric covered heel - and how much wear and tear it would show. I know suede isn't much better, but at least you can spray suede with that coloured spray...

I know tweed is more your thing - but it's brown here- which I don't see working with a lot other than denim.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Really nice shoe. I find patterned shoes slightly harder to style. But that maybe because I like to wear pattern and then pattern-mixing gets difficult.

Also, it's probably just a personal thing, but I find the 2nd pair to be classier & more 'luxe' looking that the brown plaid.

But do as Angie says --- order both & play around!

LaPed

Veteran

^^ Yep,what Angie said.

unfrumped

Veteran

I like them
Both though I prefer no tassels.
I agree with Maneera- the color- blocked is more elegant.
But really, they will" read" as different colors, the plaid reading as more of a nude- light color and possibly more summer/ early fall even though tweed and despite that the others do have the tan vamp.
So it really will depend on what looks you want to create- including whether you need to be practical/ highly versatile or whether one or the other makes some ( enough) killer oufits that it's worth it.
I have to guard against single- outfit items of all sorts, but also realized that if something really " makes" outfits zing, as long as it's just enough wears, it can be worth it to break out of the safe zone.
A major qualification is comfort- if an item is more unusual AND not comfortable enough, it is usually doomed. Whereas I've held onto some discount store black patent + tweed slipper flats because they are all- day comfortable and I often get compliments, even though I have to wear them with certain items/ colors for them to look right.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Angie is brilliant. (But we knew that.) I would have a hard time deciding without at least holding them up to the outfits I'd wear them with. I think the style is totally you, and they will be beautiful with your work wear--just not sure which ones.

rachylou

Veteran

These are sweet! Tough choice. I am inclined toward the tweed tho.

Sal

Veteran

I guess I would list what you will wear them with and choose accordingly. Navy and burgundy would work with both as will black - not sure about grey. Both lovely.

Aida

Veteran

I vote tweed, but Angie is right that they probably both need a closet play especially since they are a HEWI for you.

viva

Veteran

All very good points. I probably should order both and try them, but I think first i need to do a good closet review and see where I really am and what I am really feeling for fall in terms of my look and the size of my wardrobe.

Suz: I do have the blue wedges, it's true. And really, those are my only alternative to booties for work in the fall/winter. I think it would be nice to have another non-boot choice -- but I'm going to think it over some more and with a more clear-eyed view of my wardrobe. You've pushed me to be more considered and realistic, which at first annoyed me (to be perfectly honest) but ultimately was exactly what i needed to hear (so thank you).

I will do my wardrobe work this weekend and then revisit this idea. (I have to resist jumping quickly at all the shiny things.)

xxx

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like the shape and style of this shoe, but I also think there will be a lot available like this for the coming season and you should get a color or pattern that will bring the most to your existing wardrobe.

Windchime

Veteran

I hope you order both to try and show us some of the results. Whichever you choose, the block heels are awesome and will work well with your style!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm a pain that way, Vivian!! And I'm so so sorry if I caused you annoyance. Not my intention but I did want you to think a wee bit before clicking BUY.

In reality, I want you to have ALL the pretty pumps!!! Colour block, tweed, navy -- you name it!! (I want them all, too. I want all of us to have them, LOL.)

But I got a bit confused because in other posts you have spoken of wanting to pare back and keep a lean closet. And I know that shoes as distinct from boots get little wear in our climate. (Having said that, you have MANY more opportunities for wearing them than I do in your line of work!)

I suspect I don't completely understand your shopping style. But if I read you correctly, it seems that you prefer a smallish capsule of almost entirely new items each season. Each season you do a search for those items, and probably pass much of last year's wardrobe along, which is perfectly reasonable if this is what floats your boat!

I actually think this is an amazing strategy for anyone who loves to keep current with the trends. In the past (pre-YLF and first two years here) I never had enough disposable income even to consider shopping that way. Now I do have more flexibility in the budget and it would be possible for me to shop like that except that I still feel some guilt over it (which I am working hard to eradicate). And until recently, I lacked the sense of my own style to take that risk. So I watch shoppers like you with enormous interest. You have much to teach me.

I did some number crunching and I turnover or "churn" about 1/4 to 1/3 of my wardrobe items per year -- worn out or not! That seems like a lot to me. But perhaps it is not. When I mentioned it to another forum member she thought it was quite reasonable. Perhaps churning even 80 to 90% is reasonable if you keep a small contained capsule and wear the heck out of it for a year. I actually think it would be -- especially if one were then donating to a worthy cause. This is what I am beginning to consider now. But I don't think it's even possible to think this way until you have a). enough money and b). a clear enough sense of your own style.

b). is where you really shine. You know what works for you implicitly and always choose brilliantly!!

viva

Veteran

Oh Suz - please don't misunderstand me! The annoyance was purely my own issue, not yours! You were right, of course: Viva, maybe slow down? Just yesterday, I was contemplating Mary Janes. This is my danger zone: the beginning of my favorite season. So being reminded to slow down is a good thing.

While I do have some degree of churn each season and each year, I would estimate that 50 percent of my wardrobe is stable and 50 percent churns. When I do my fall/winter review I think you will get a sense for that with some specificity. I do tend to wear and post about what I love most and that is often what is new, but I definitely don't overhaul everything every season. But, let me look at the f/w scenario and maybe it will clarify things for both of us.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am with you completely on wearing what I love most the most often and the stuff I love most is almost always new. If it isn't new, it's a formerly almost-orphaned item that suddenly takes on new personality when paired with the shiny new fun thing.

I think in the end I like to have 2 or 3 choices for each activity each season, and I will happily repeat those outfits again and again. My Distillery district outfit is a key example of that. I've worn the exact same combination at least four times in a month and would happily wear it at least that many times again should the occasion fit.

At the same time, I really really really prefer that there be NEW items in these outfits. In that case, the top and shoes and earrings are new, the skirt and bag and cuff are old. Without the new, I probably wouldn't feel as fab.

I think maybe we are similar that way, so the start of a new season is super exciting.

It's also important when you do so much travelling to know your "ducks are in a row" so to speak, so I understand where you're coming from on that front as well. Sometimes you shop when you're able because you know the spare time might not be there later on. And also if you have a new and potentially big client -- well -- you want to look your best.

Would it be overkill to look at Boden's offerings?

50% is more turnover than in my closet but I think you keep your closet leaner than I do. My numbers have crept up to around 130 items across all seasons, counting coats, shoes, boots, and bags but not scarves, jewellery, undies, gear.

MomOfThree1980

If you are going to wear a lot of dark colored outfits with it then the plaid. If you're going to wear colorful outfits then I would choose the navy!

Bijou

Veteran

Both are great - I think Angie's tip of buying them both and then returning the one that does not work is the best advice. Now I would need to be very strict with myself, as I could be tempted to keep both if they worked for my feet. However, I do like the idea of only having one - the best one.

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