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WIW 0904: Today + Outfit Advice?

MsLuna

Veteran

#1: For the curious, this is how I've been dressing during my absence from YLF. In theory, everything about this outfit is good. However, I feel less than fab, not because of the outfit itself but because it does not show my true style persona. Regardless how stylish/on trend I look, I'm never feeling fabulous unless my outfit us comfortable both physically and emotionally.

My struggle to find shoes that are arthritis-friendly yet expresses my style persona has taken a huge toll on my personal style. Months ago, I had a style shift for something more edgy/casual. Now, I find myself coming back to wanting the romantic component to my personal style. However, my style depended highly on heeled footwear.

Sadly, Fitflops and some Dansko, Sanita and Alegria styles are the only shoes that work. Many of them are NOT fashion forward, which is sometimes not inspiring at all. And the more fashion-forward Fitflops are not available in Canada.

I feel so limited. My core personal style in my heart of hearts is this:
- Team dressy
- Feminine/slightly bombshell (tomboyish makes me feel sloppy. Ultra cute girly feminine is just too much for me.)
- a bit of a rock and roll edge (usually in shoes and accessories)
- team heels (not happening anymore)

But comfort shoes limit me to this:
- team casual
- tomboyish (Fitflop sneakers)
- girly cute (Mary Janes)
- classic
- frumpy

I came across these boots online, and they have a similar footbed as my old Dansko sandals. I think they are cute enough and passable:
http://www.sanita.com/collecti.....cts/dakota

Thoughts on the boots?

#2: experimenting with full skirts. A bit too short but I liked the "leather-like" texture. As an IT/apple, I've avoided full skirts like the plague but this doesmt look too bad. I thought this particular combo looks too twee though, but if I change the footwear (AGAIN! Grrr!), I can look a bit more sophisticated and age appropriate (mid-30's). Thoughts?

#3: I tried beige/khaki-ish out. I thought it worked with my new hair colour. Sadly this photo isn't so accurate with the colour. Does it work? I could never wear this shade in the past!

Vest: Lady Dutch
Top: Vanilla Sugar
Jeans: Zara
Shoes: Fitflop

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Gigi

Sal

Veteran

I think you look stunning in 1!! A fun and funky look. And your hairdo is great.

On my screen the vest looks mint-cream so I won't comment on that.

I think 2 is okay, but would prefer the skirt either longer or more fitted.

My thoughts with shoes is that few and expensive will be the way to go. Comfort brands have a couple of more fashion forward styles in their range and it will be stalking and pouncing when you see them. There are some European Brands too that are good - Ecco, Josef Seibel and Rieker. There is a NZ brand called Ziera that also has some great comfortable shoes.

Here is a link to some boots there that I like.

http://zierashoes.com/Style/62.....#038;hash=|||7

And some shoes

http://zierashoes.com/Style/730/dorset?cat=2&

I do like the boots that you linked to, they look a very good basic.

It must be a challenge - my Mum has arthritis and so I have some idea of how painful it can be. You may be not feeling great, but I think you are looking great.

MsLuna

Veteran

Thanks Kiwigal!

Glad you like the outfit. Again, this is an outfit I'm sure a lot of people here would like but I just don't love at all. Maybe this can be an outfit inspiration for others. This is just too "tomboy" for me and I find I'm happiest in very... I guess... Conventionally feminine looks. I feel that comfort footwear neatly restricts me to either:

- tomboy looks
- twee, too cute looks (ballerinas, Mary Janes, etc)
- frumpy

My style heavily depended on heeled footwear so... I'm not sure where to go from here. The boots I posted are near passable at least (too chunky but the shape is streamlined).

I tried on some Ziera shoes and they're quite nice. Eccos fit me really strangely and Joseph Siebel... Never had luck finding something fashion forward. Rieker's sole is too bendy for me. Again, thanks for the recommendation! I just wish I can afford Ziera. They're almost $400 here in Canada!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

MsKatieKat, you are looking great in these photos and outfits! Love your hair, and yes, find the beige vest very flattering on you.
I would encourage you to try to dress more in ways that make you happy, from the ankle up! I do understand that shoes are critical to a style, but it just seems there should be some ways to work in some of the feminine style you love, even while meeting the new shoe requirements.
You can definitely rock a full skirt! I agree that a longer one--maybe just at the knee or just below it--would look more sophisticated.
On the Sanita boots: they are a fun style, but I'm wondering if Dansko might have something you'd like better and that might be a better bet for your feet. If you're looking for a sole like the one on your Dansko sandals, then I would try to stick with the same brand and possibly the same last that was used in your sandals. I think Dansko in general looks less clunky than Sanita, too, so you might like their styles better.

eta: what about these sleek-looking ones ?

MsLuna

Veteran

Thanks Firecracker!

Dressing from the ankles up... *sigh* I have to handicap my perfectionist design eye to do this... Somehow. It's hard. The wrong element in the outfit throws my mood off - it's ridiculous, I know. It's just clothes, right? But yeah - footwear is just such an integral part of my style. It's so hard to look sophisticated without a pair of heels on!

And yup - definitely going for a knee length skirt but I have to make sure not to wear them with Mary Janes or ballet flat styles or I'll look too twee!

I checked Dansko and they don't have that footbed in boots. They had boots but were discontinued! I'll be taking a risk with Sanitas as I've never tried them before. These relatively attractive yet foot-friendly styles are not available in Canada

danskogirl

Dunno if this Dansko option might fit your style/comfort criteria:

http://www.zappos.com/dansko-lulu

Emily

Veteran

I'd be frustrated too. Shoes completely change how I feel about an outfit.

I wonder if you could swap the emphasis from shoes to hair/makeup/jewellery for your feminine/bombshell component? You rock a bright lip and I think your new cut looks really feminine and chic. (...and I am not just saying that because we are haircut twins. :D)

Any luck planning a cross-border shopping excursion for shoes? I've had good luck with a shipping depot in Port Huron (across the border from Sarnia). You ship to them and then go pick your stuff up, they charge a very reasonable $5 per parcel. I think there are similar services in Niagra.

Emily

Veteran

Forgot to mention that I love your casual rocker look in #1 - it may not be your fave, but you wear it really well.

Diana

Veteran

How about oxfords or lace-up boot styles? I know it's not exactly uber-feminine, but I sometimes like to wear mine in a Victoriana/steampunk kind of way.

ETA: or an ankle strap/cuff mary jane style like this maybe? (Look, it comes in teal!) I think the ankle cuff is a lot edgier/less cutesy than normal MJs.

http://dansko.com/Womens/Footw.....d%20Nappa/

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Diana, those are so gorgeous. I love that cuff Mary Jane style. I'm seriously thinking I need to try Danskos again. They have just not quite been right for my feet in the past.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think you look great and I am sorry you feel less than fab. Love these ankle strap Mary Jane options and may have to look into something like this for myself as well. I have different foot issues but one problem I have is keeping lower vamped shoes on -- the ankle strap makes them stay put and that leads to overall comfort. And it is less twee than the strap across the foot.

E

Veteran

So here's the thing: *most* people are going to notice your whole outfit way more than the shoes. I totally get that it's throwing you off & you're a designer & that really sucks, but maybe just try wearing outfits regardless of footwear for a week & see if by the end of the week your eye has adjusted a bit? Or just remind yourself that it's boot weather soon (for me it's much easier to find comfy boots than shoes or sandals). Is it possible to somehow attach a rock & roll bracelet to a shoe for some extra edge?

Also, I love full skirts precisely because they take my front-view IT tendencies & make them look more hourglass-y! So of course I think ITs can wear them.

fuzzylogic

Veteran

I can feel your frustration, MsKK! This is a great look but if it's not you,well, it's not you. Hope you find shoes that are functional, comfortable and represent you! Best of luck!

Elly

Veteran

I agree, having foot issues impede what you want to wear completely sucks. Canadians sometimes have it rougher, but don't give up-- there are many many many comfort brands that have dansko-like footbeds, you'll find other options. Plus, IDK about where you live in Canada, but this might be an excellent excuse to come to the US or ship to the border. I also think you need to think about it this way--- you may have to buy fewer shoes at much higher prices, but the companies you like are built to last and could last you years even if you only have a couple pairs for each season for awhile-- having comfy shoes that meet your aesthetic would be a shopping priority over other wardrobe additions if it were me. Try lots of brands, and try them again each season-- small tweaks in styles could leave a brand that didn't work before as a contender. Plus, don't forget about AMAZON.

As far as the style issue, I would think about SKIRTING the issue. I think an excellent way to take the outfit you have on and making it bombshell would be to wear the look with a pencil skirt. So, sneakers with pencil skirts, skinnies with more "bombshell-y" tops and whatever new rocker-ish boots you pick up.

http://www.thewalkingcompany.c.....lack/38226
http://www.footsmart.com/P-Sof.....79758.aspx
http://www.footsmart.com/P-Dan.....81739.aspx
http://www.barkingdogshoes.com.....xford.html
http://www.planetshoes.com/sto.....dc&pc
http://www.planetshoes.com/fly-london
http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....;creativeA
http://www.thewalkingcompany.c.....appa/29412

Laura

Outfit #1 & 2 both look really good on you! With outfit #2, the Dakota Sanita ankle boots you chose will work perfectly with what you have on, plus it will give that outfit a fun edgy feel. I agree with the others, you are showing that a comfy outfit can be fun at the same time.

MsLuna

Veteran

My apologies for the super late response ladies! Life caught up and I didn't have much free time! Thanks for the responses!

@Danskogirl: those Lulus look great! I will consider it if I can find a retailer that ships yo Canada!

@Emily: thank you for the compliment! Regarding shifting the feminine focus: I tend to wear my tops a bit more floaty and feminine so I definitely put the focus there. The jewelry also tends to be "feminine with a hard edge". I guess I just can't get over the shoes and pants. I need to figure out a way to feel more feminine in pants and non-heeled shoes. Maybe I can switch over to flares? Flared pants that look good with flats are another challenge altogether though.

@Diana: I own a pair of Doc Marten 20 eye tall boots but I shelfed them recently. I've made it work with miniskirts before but felt too masculine or too rugged in pants. I'll experiment, I guess. Those Shoes are super cute and will look into them! The heel might be a tad too high though.

@Thanks Suz! I definitely agree with you on the ankle strap. I'd likely get the teal colour and wear it with dark tights and a dress!

@E: I've been wearing my sneakers with everything including dresses. Sadly, I still feel depressed in my outfits. I can't do the ultra-cool sneakers with dress thing. It just looks so wrong on me. But yeah... I'm working on the outfits and seeing what works. But I'm losing all hope

@Elly: yup... I wear pencil skirts on a regular basis. And I do plan to skirt the issue. my belly just can't handle pants most of the time! I will look into those links. Thank you!

@Laura: thank you! I had a bit of fun with #2. I just wish the skirt was longer!

Marley

Veteran

I know that you say that the sneakers with dresses look wrong on you - but to be honest, they don't look wrong on you at all with the full skirt that you're wearing in #2. I think that it's the length of the skirt (too short) that makes it look somewhat twee, rather than your shoes. I'd try a longer full skirt and see how that works. A full skirt would certainly help your inner bombshell to express itself!

"It's so hard to look sophisticated without a pair of heels on!"
Not true! Just look at Angie and some of the outfits that she wears with flat or near flat footwear - she certainly has a sophisticated element in her style - as do many other YLFers who almost exclusively wear flats!

I know that you said your #1 outfit is too tomboyish for you - so, I'd suggest not wearing the vest and replacing it with a more feminine topper or top - since you're "stuck" with the flat shoes I think you're going to have to change up other clothing pieces in your outfits in order to obtain the feminine style that you prefer!

Also - I love your hair - the color and the cut is very feminine!

Finally, we all go through periods where our bodies are doing strange things which make our clothes not fit or feel right - and we all go through emotional times when we just don't have the energy to be creative with our outfits and/or problem-solve the challenges that come our way (like for instance with you its having to completely revamp your footwear choices!) Hang in there - your doldrums won't last forever - promise!

Gigi

Veteran

You still look great, but like you say, if it's not you, it's not you! I'm sorry that you're still having so many problems with the shoes. But you are right that shoes are one of the main ways to change the vibe of an outfit, so it's no wonder that your foot issues are throwing such a monkey wrench into your style!

I assume you've already been to the Alegria website, but just in case, what do you think of these? Are they too much heel?
http://www.alegriashoes.com/pr.....-shoe.html
http://www.alegriashoes.com/pr.....-shoe.html
I thought that maybe at least with the second pair, the T-strap would add that dressy element that you are missing.

Another option might be to try to find a very nondescript shoe and wear it with matching socks or tights, so as to minimize the shoe and have it fade into the background. Then you would create kind of a blank canvas for the other items, which could take over the style elements that had been covered by the shoes.

I definitely say to keep experimenting with the circle skirts. I agree that the one you posted maybe skews a little bit twee, but you'd be amazed at how the different fabrics and cuts can change the vibe of this type of skirt. So I would just keep looking around. H&M sometimes has some edgier ones.

I think the hair still looks great, and it really does go well with the vest.

How did things go with the pedorthist? Or were you not able to find one?