Understanding Footwear

As ridiculous as it may seem, the importance of proper footwear is often overlooked in both every day fashion and special occasion situations. First, I'll start with the definite do nots of shoes.

Rubber flip flops are appropriate for the beach, pedicures, and checking the mailbox. Honestly, no one really wants to see your feet, especially in a 2 for $5 Old Navy special. (sorry to one of my closest friends, Peggy, who I can still not break of the flip flop. One of these days...) Cheap flips flops 1. make any outfit look undone and sometimes frumpy and 2. make you look juvenile. If you like the idea of a sandal, try something a little more sophisticated, like these:

Remember, if you are wearing shoes that reveal your toes, make sure they are always polished and well kept!

Another common mistake is wearing shoes too over the top for everyday wear. Six inch heels are not appropriate for just another day at the office. I'm all for a great pair of pumps, but they should be simple and tasteful, not club wear.

Instead, try something more along these lines

Next, one of the most simple but important rules in the book is "If you can't walk in them, you can't wear them." Even the most gorgeous pair of heels go unnoticed when someone looks like a dinosaur trying to inch across the floor without breaking an ankle. You can always work your way up to taller heels, but practice around your house first, and do not wear them out until you are 100% comfortable in them!

Even Gaga 'slips up' every once in a while..

Thirdly, there are a few pairs of shoes every woman needs:

nude pumps, either suede or patent leather

classic black flats, either rounded or pointed toe

a great pair of leather boots

And a then one fun pair, like bright red pumps that can pop your little black dress and make you stand out at any party.

And finally, there is one brand of shoes that I always love. For every pair of TOMS you buy, they supply another pair for a child in need. Not only are these shoes comfortable, affordable, and totally cute, they provide for a good cause as well!

The most common styles are the originals

and the cordones

but other great styles include their wedges

and wrap boots

you can look at these and other Toms Shoes at their website.

As always, make sure what you are wearing are both comfortable and flattering. Happy shoe shopping!



Fashion Don'ts...and How to Avoid Them.

 

I think it's pretty safe to assume we have all committed at least one major fashion don't within the last few years that we may not be willing to admit happened. We're thinking as long as we put it out of our mind, hopefully everyone else who saw it will do the same. Unfortunately, thanks to the wonders of Facebook, terrible fashion choices are harder to forget when you are tagged in handfuls of pictures for years to come. In order to avoid flashback nightmares, consider some basic rules of thumb when choosing your wardrobe.

1. Don't get caught up in wild trends

for example:

A popular trend of the recent fall/spring seasons is wearing socks with heels and wedges. This look cuts the leg in two, when the ultimate goal is always to elongate. It's pretty safe to say we won't be so proud of this look ten years from now. In the mean time, if you do like the idea, try a pair of tights instead.

 2. Know your body

It is important to be aware of your body shape and what cuts and styles enhance you in either a good or bad way.

for example:

If you are petite, full length boyfriend jeans will make your legs look shorter and hide your curves. You want to avoid looking like you're a little girl playing dress up. If you like the feel of boyfriends, try a crop style, and pair with a wedge or a heel.

3. Invest in your clothing

it's always important to invest in clothes that fit you. Try to avoid buying clothes in a size you want to be in, instead of what you actually are. If you move up a size, it's OKAY to buy jeans one size up! Don't try to keep fitting into those old clothes that take 40 minutes to button.

for example:

You don't want the only attention you're getting to be on your muffin top or busted seem. By wearing the correct size and opting for a mid rise instead of low rise, you can minimize a suffocated look.

4. Be modest! In Hollywood, 'No publicity is bad publicity.' unfortunately, this saying doesn't apply to everyday fashion. You don't want the only thing people remember about your outfit to be the color of your underwear or how low your shirt was. You can be sexy and still be classy.

for example:

nothing, i repeat, NOTHING is attractive about the whale tail look. If your shirt feels a little short, layer it! That's why (wo)man invented camisoles.

5. Don't neglect your undergarments

Even if you follow the first four steps perfectly, it will all go to waste if you disregard the fifth. 80% of women today are actually wearing the wrong bra size. This may have a lot to do with rule #3, in the hoping and wishing department, but it is important to get fitted and be wearing something with the right support in the size you need. It can be very distracting and immodest otherwise, and although you may think no one can tell, trust me, they can.

Another important undergarment ladies often forget about is the slip. As old fashioned as it may seem, I am a firm believer in a good slip. It is incredibly tacky and childish to be caught in the sunlight and everyone can see straight through whatever you are wearing. That pretty new summer dress you've been dying to wear all winter becomes irrelevant when everyone is instead staring at the entire outline of your thong or on a worse day..lovely granny panties..or smiley faces..

Even stars like Jessica Biel forget this rule sometimes..nice black briefs..

And last on the 'undergarment topic' is the infamous underwear line. If you are wearing leggings, dress slacks, or anything with no back pockets, do NOT wear bikinis or boyshorts.

Thongs eliminate the appearance of unwanted lines and rolls. Always always ALWAYS check the mirror before you leave the house!

so just to review,

1. Not too trendy

2. know your body

3. invest

4. be modest

5. undergarments

I hope these five basic guidelines help reveal a more confident, radiant you!