WIW 5/22; looking for additional footwear options

I have been wearing this navy skirt/sweater combo quite a bit lately. The sweater is linen from Talbots (thrifted) and the skirt is denim Halogen from Nordstrom. Since the sweater is linen I can wear it through the summer. I'd like to come up with new footwear options. Any shoes I choose for this are pretty likely to work with lots of other items in my wardrobe with my neutrals of black/grey/blue/white.

Today I wore it to a graveside memorial service, so I chose flat shoes, pumpkin bag, and added the raincoat (without the liner) since it was raining when we left the house. The flats are very comfortable and perfect for walking on the wet, uneven grass, but they don't do much for me style-wise. I have also worn black suede booties and tights with this combo in cooler weather.

I've added a few other shoe options as finds below. Black seems a no-brainer to me, but I'm also thinking nude or metallic would be good. I'm considering sandals with a heel...but no higher than 2.5". I don't like laces on sandals, and I'm hoping to find something other than gladiators since I have a few of those already. The style descriptor I'm hoping for is sophisticated modern.

#1 Skirt/Sweater with scarf; #2 same without scarf. First 3 finds are the raincoat, bag, shoes I wore today

Finds 4 + 5 are black sandals I have that would work. Finds 6,7,8,9 are some ideas..

Would love to hear some other suggestions...
Thanks!

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Eddie Bauer

Women's Girl On The Go Insulated Trench Coat

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Top Pick

Zappos

Trotters Liz

$92.95

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Zappos

Söfft Vanita

$99.95

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Nordstrom

'Ruth 15' Sandal (Women)

$139.94

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Anthropologie

Farylrobin Farylrobin Paige Heels

$110.00 $29.95

Sale

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Hudson's Bay

Franco Sarto Monaco2 Perforated Suede Sandals

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Nordstrom

Ahnu 'Trolley' Leather Wedge Sandal (Women)

$129.94

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Nordstrom Rack

Charles By Charles David Glam Sandal

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7 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Chris, first off, I am sorry for your loss. And you are being tough on yourself. Your outfit looks really perfect for the occasion and also cohesive with your colouring. Love the way the shoes bookend your hair and pick up the tones in the scarf. Also, way to dress for uncertain weather. I always panic in just those situations -- times when you need to look absolutely appropriate but the weather is telling you to stay inside!

I absolutely love a soft gold or pewter or a soft taupe for sandals in the summer. With my colouring (similar but not identical to yours) it almost functions as a nude against pale skin and somewhat bookends my hair as well. I think your hair may be warmer than mine (certainly warmer than mine is about to become, LOL, as I transition to silver!) -- but for you perhaps a soft tan or luggage or even cognac could fill a similar role.

Also, never underestimate the surprising power and versatility of an animal print shoe. I am not joking. A soft leopard print would bookend your hair and pick up the darks in outfits. A snakeprint could read almost as a nude yet feel a bit more sophisticated.

I don't know about the shape of your foot or what tends to work for you, but here are a couple of options that I have found hugely useful in my own wardrobe. And definitely look at Angie's picks -- she's genius at this and read her comments as they always help to instruct.

A couple of my options are gladiator like so probably not what you are after. However, I highly recommend any Sofft style for comfort right out of the box. Franco Sarto often works for my foot as well.

I own the Sofft Innis in black patent; it also comes in a soft taupe and white and red and a lovely denim blue that could work for you.

I also own both Franco Sarto pairs below -- and the Seychelles cognac sandal -- all workhorses for me.

Söfft 'Rianna' Wedge Sandal (Women)

$98.95 $79.90

Söfft 'Innis' Low Wedge Sandal (Women)

$89.95 $53.96

Franco Sarto Open-Toe Suede Shooties

Amazon

Franco Sarto Women's Unveil Gladiator Sandal

Munro 'Abby' Slingback Bootie (Women)

$179.95

Seychelles Women's Cassiopeia Dress Sandal

Söfft Innis Leather Criss Cross Sandals

Joy

Navy goes with most colors. Adding color or even another neutral could change the look. A scarf, footwear or bag or top or topper in green, pink, red, yellow or olive or in black, white, a light or dark shade of grey, or leopard print are just a few ideas.

Ledonna N.

A metallic or gold would be lovely something with a pop. Many of the Family has posted such pictures. What a beautiful outfit and very thrifty. We love the scarf.

I am so very sorry for your loss.

Sally

Sorry for your loss. I love the scarf with the navy. I think any of those shoes would go as navy is very versatile....one with a little heel would look good.

Chris987

Thanks for the replies will get back in more detail tomorrow.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

My condolences, Chris.

More thumbs up for gold, pewter and animal print footwear options.

Hmm, looks like the internet is back up at the public library where I am working.

Thanks ladies for the kind words. My friend lost her dad and her sister within the past 9 months (one from old age and illness, the other from a tragic accident), and with extended family living across the US, winter storms, and a bunch of other miseries it took a while to hold all the services. This past weekend was the last of services. She is like a sister to me, we had to be there. It was hard for me but nowhere near the hell she has been through. I appreciate your thoughts.

Back to the shoes

Suz - love the idea of soft gold/pewter/taupe....I have recently bought my first ever pair of sandals in those colors but they are very casual. You are right that my hair is warmer than yours...the color I have works well for me and is better than the white in front dark in back thing that is my natural color (like a messy Cruella de Ville). Soft tan/cognac are also leather/shoe colors I love but don't have much of. Animal print/snakeskin are also terrific suggestions. I'll go re-read Angie's postings, good idea. I think you and I may be shoe twins, I love Franco Sarto and Sofft, they always fit well and I love the styles. Have liked Seychelles too but never bought them. I have brown sofft gladiators that are almost a copy of your Franco Sartos...will go study your other suggestions

Joy - you've given me some good color ideas to consider with navy. I tend to think of white, silver/grey, and tan...but your list is more extensive will go study the options more.

Ledonna, yes, gold or metallic. And yes this sweater is one of my very few great thrifted finds

Sally - yes, it's the small heel that is what I need. The low wedge that Suz shows in a lot of her options is something I have a few of...looking for something a little different this time slightly higher heel maybe block heel.

Angie - yes yes yes on the gold, pewter, animal print. I have tended to think of black/tan leopard prints as NOT going with navy because I have never been thrilled with black with navy (I know, lots of people love it)...but if I turn it around and think navy and a tan animal print it starts to work for me.

I have much to consider, thanks as always!!!

Watson241

Active Member

I vote the soft vanita

Suz, I was just checking out your FINDS list and I feel very much at home there....especially all the cold weather choices. Hope you don't mind if I browse!

Watson...thanks for the input...I have that shoe but I may end up returning it because it is rubbing on my arch in a way I don't like.

Tanya

I am very sorry for your loss.

My favorite shoe colors to wear with navy are metallics and animal prints, as well as burgundy which I think is totally unexpected.

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