Travel Series: The 6 Must Have Shoes for Travelling Overseas

In under a month, I'll be taking flight overseas. I will be travelling with my boyfriend for a year, sadly leaving majority of my shoe collection behind! So from now until I leave, I thought I would share with you all the travelling tips I have discovered, right up until my heels leave the ground.

So, starting off the Travel Series is the most important and the most difficult subject to understand...

What Shoes Should I Pack?

This is the most difficult thing to pack... Especially for me. Shoes are my life. I love having many to choose from and I have the perfect shoes, for any occasion sitting in my wardrobe for when the time comes. 

But, as it is almost impossible to fit 200 pairs of shoes into my suitcase, I've had to cull... 

A lot.

And it makes me sad! After hours, days, weeks and months of planning, I have finally picked what shoes i'll be taking with me.

So here are my 6 Must Have Shoes for Travelling Oversees:

1. Luxe Trainers. They are all about sports luxury. Travelling is all about exploring new cities which means you'll be doing a lot of walking. So you need comfortable shoes for that! They should be comfortable and a little bit stylish so you can go from day to night easy. 

2. Next, you'll need a pair of simple ankle boots. They will look good with everything. You can wear them with dresses and playsuits during Summer and jeans and stockings during Winter. Choose a neutral colour so you can wear them with everything. Also, choose a pair you'll be comfortable in for a long time. You may need to wear them to work, out for dinner or during the day. Block heels give you height, while maintaining comfort so consider these!

3. If I couldn't bring a pair of high heel shoes with me, I would not be able to leave Perth behind. Choose a pair that can be dressed up for an elegant occasion or dressed down for something more casual. I chose a trusty pair of strappy heels. They are feminine, flattering and super chic.

4. Sandals are a must have for warmer climates. They keep your feet cool during the heat and if you choose a stylish pair, you can easily go from day to night and not feel out of place.

5. Walking shoes are unfortunately needed. They support your feet when you are lugging around your heavy backpack and you'll be able to walk comfortably.

6. Ballet flats. I almost couldn't write this but it's true. If you have a job that requires you to be on your feet for extended periods of time, you'll need a flat shoe. They'll be comfortable for a long shift and they'll look good with dresses, skirts and under long trousers.

What are your must have shoes for travelling?

Check in next week for more travel and packing tips.

A little leopard never hurt nobody!

Everyone needs a little leopard in their wardrobe and the best way to add the fierce print to your collection is in the form of footwear. And my newest shoe love, is the Nine West 'Orion' boots!

Wearing: Cue top / Kookai pants / Tony Bianco pouch / Nine West boots

I love these boots for the little splash of leopard print at the heel. With an all black outfit, they add an interesting detail to your look and gives your outfit an edge.

As I have mentioned in so many posts, I love ankle boots. They are the easiest shoes to wear and the most comfortable to wear all day long. And, they look fabulous with almost everything.

So when I saw the Nine West Instagram feed and the beautiful Rebecca Judd styling these shoes, I knew immediately that I needed to add them to my already large ankle boot collection.

My reason for needing them was very much justified! In my ankle boot collection, I don't actually own a pair of flat ankle boots for everyday wear. I have stiletto heels, block heels, lace ups, wedge booties but no flat ones.

So this season, I made sure I had a pair!

And I love them!

I love styling these boots with jeans and black skinny pants and I love to add some feminine silhouettes to make the look more girly.

It's a rarity, to see me in flat shoes, but I think I have just found myself a pair of shoes, that I will be building my daily outfits around.

Autumn is here!

My favourite season is definitely Autumn. I love how beautiful the world looks, when it's covered by a blanket of Autumn leaves. Everything looks and smells incredibly fresh and the weather is perfect. But most of all, the fashion is amazing.

Wearing: Kookai Collins shirt dress / 'Gabrie' boots by Wittner shoes / Michael Kors handbag
Images by Jordan Swioklo

And my favourite thing to wear during the Autumn season is definitely ankle boots. They are super chic, comfortable and look fabulous with everything.

I was recently asked by a follower to share with you my shoe collection. So I thought I would bring back Shoe of the Week so you can take a virtual tour inside my shoe wardrobe. I would like to introduce you to one of my favourite ankle boots this season...

Meet 'Gabrie' by Wittner.

'Gabrie' boots by Wittner shoes

I first saw these shoes on the Wittner Facebook page and immediately needed them in my life. I loved the style and the uniqueness of them with the cutouts on the side and the block heel had me swooning. I was lucky enough, to buy these babies on sale.

"If I ever let my head down it will be just to admire shoes"

I love the versatility of these boots. The cutouts on the side, elongate your legs and keep your feet cool on warmer days, which makes them the perfect trans-seasonal companion.

The 7cm block heel provides a lot of support and stability, making them super comfortable. They are definitely the ideal bootie for shopping followed by a cafe lunch.

The perfect shopping companion

I love the versatility of these boots. They look fabulous with absolutely everything. I've styled them with shorts, dresses, skirts and jeans. The outfit possibilities are endless with these boots.

What are your favourite boots this season?

How to Wear Ankle Boots… All year round

Ankle boots are by far, my favourite kind of shoe.

They are comfortable, stylish, practical and extremely versatile. They are also a shoe, that can be worn all year round. The perfect trans-seasonal accessory.

Ankle boots are a must have during Autumn and Winter as they keep your feet toasty warm and dry from the rain. Not to mention, ankle boots look fabulous, when paired with jeans, leggings and opaque tights.

What more can you want in a shoe?

Well, ankle boots are also fabulous during the warmer months.

This is usually the point, where people look and me strangely and ask, "ankle boots in Summer, really?"

And I say "Yes, really!"

Ankle boots look super chic when paired with Summer dresses. They give your look that much needed edge and make a statement. They also look fabulous when styled with shorts or playsuits for a more relaxed look.

Ankle boots are always popular. They come in an array of styles, colours and materials, which will guarantee, you find one to suit your style.

My current favourite ankle boots… 'Gabrie' boots by Wittner shoes.

Styling ankle boots in the warmer months is easy.

During the Summer, find a style with cut outs. This will elongate your silhouette and keep your feet cool in the heat. You can also look for a pair of ankle boots in a nude tone, close to your skin colour. This will draw less attention to your feet as the boots will tone in with your complexion and elongate your legs. Nude shoes are also the perfect accessory during Summer as they compliment bright colours, pastels, floral prints and other neutral outfits.

I personally wear ankle boots all year round. They are my go to shoe, when I want something comfortable and stylish. I have over 20 pairs of ankle boots and every season, I find a new pair that I have to add to my ever growing collection.

To me, ankle boots give me a confidence boost. They make me feel chic and stylish, with a little bit of an edge.

How do you style your ankle boots?

Wedge Sneakers...Love or loathe?

Wedge sneakers have been popular for many seasons now. They were made popular by designer, Isabel Marant and leading sports brand Nike. Many celebrities are seen sporting these during their downtime and they have even appeared on the red carpet (Ellie Goulding and her gold Nikes!).

But, this is one trend that not everyone loves.

I admit, I loathed this particular trend for a long time. I thought they were ugly and only appropriate in a sports bar or gym locker room. But like most things, the more I saw them, styled differently and worn by different people, the more I liked them.

And I finally found a pair that suited my style and converted me into a lover.

Meet 'Nevan'... These amazing Nine West, wedge sneakers from their Winter 2014 collection, make such a bold statement, in my already overflowing wardrobe.

I love how different they are from everything else in my collection. When you have over 170 pairs of shoes, you tend to have the classics covered, so it's time for the statement shoes. I love the studded, gold toe caps and the lace ups. They are the perfect combination of chic and sports luxe.

They are super comfortable with the 10 cm wedge heel and are the perfect accessory for winter and trans-seasonal weather. They are great for keeping your feet toasty warm.

These shoes definitely turn heads. Everyday that I have worn them, someone has stopped me and told me how amazing they are. It is a good feeling when strangers stop you, to admire your footwear. 

I rarely wear the same shoes, two days in a row but I have to confess, these are my new 'go-to' weekend favourite. It's safe to say, I am a little obsessed with them.

So, what's your opinion of the wedge sneaker? Do you love them or loathe them?

The Essentials in Every Wardrobe

Shoes are an essential accessory for all women. They can instantly transform and complete any outfit. They are also incredible for boosting your confidence and self esteem.

However, shoes now come in an array of colours, cuts, styles and materials. So many, that it can be overwhelming, when it comes to choosing the right shoes. So, how do you know which shoes to buy?

I have compiled a list of shoes which I believe should make an appearance in any wardrobe. 

The below are my top seven "must haves" for every wardrobe.

1. A Classic Pump - A pump is a shoe with a low cut front and has no fastenings or straps. A traditional pump has a small, kitten heel but over the course of history, they are now available in many heights and heel types. The post popular pump is with a stiletto heel. This style is extremely versatile. It makes a great work shoe but also can be dressed up and worn at night.

2. An Evening Heel - Everyone must have a style which can be worn for those fancy occasions, preferably in a neutral colour so it can be worn with multiple outfits. There are many types of evening shoes available, some are more minimal with simple straps, while others are decorated in crystals, beads or embellishments. 

3. A Statement Heel - This style will be extremely over-the-top, will turn heads and definitely get people talking. This style will probably never be worn more than once and will make more of an art piece than pair of heels. 

4. A Versatile Long Boot - Preferably in a black or neutral shade. This is a great style to have, as it will keep you warm and dry during winter. They can also be worn with dresses, skirts, pants and tights. If you pick a style with a kitten heel, they can also be worn casually during the day or you can dress them up for a more fancy occasion. 

5. A Classic Ankle Boot - This is a guaranteed must have (see my Ankle Boots post for more wonderful reasons why!). Ankle boots are very feminine and extremely versatile. They are great to wear in Winter with dresses, skirts, tights and under pants or trousers but they can also be worn in Summer with shorts, dresses or skirts.

6. A Comfortable Flat - Everyone needs a stylish walking shoe. A ballet shoe is a popular style as they come in many, cute, funky colours, materials and can compliment any outfit.

7. An Exercise Shoe - Exercise is important and your feet take a huge beating whilst doing vigorous exercise. It is important to get a good quality and good fitting exercise shoe, so your feet are well supported.

If you are just starting to build your shoe collection, these essentials are a great place to start. If you happen to be obsessed with shoes like me... One can never have too many shoes!

My Winter Staples

I sat in front of the wood fire, basking in the warmth of the flames. I can hear the pitter patter of the rain, lightly hitting the window. God, I love that sound. I take in a deep breath and the smell of rich, hot chocolate hits my nostrils. I can't help but smile. Everything about this scene is perfect, right down to my furry slippers and pile of fashion magazines. 

I am a Winter girl, right down to my core (it may be hidden under a few layers of clothing!). I love the relaxing sound of rain, I love the cold wind on my face and I love the smell of fresh air. But, I especially love, Winter fashion. I look forward to Winter all year round. I love tailored jackets, warm woollen coats, scarves, boots and jeans. 

I have spent the last few months building up my perfect Winter 2013 wardrobe and I thought I would share it with you. The below are my Winter staples for 2013 and items I cannot live without in the dead of Winter.

Ankle Boots

I was recently asked,

"What can you tell me about ankle boots? I am new to this trend and do not know what I can wear them with or how to style them..."

What a great question! 

Ankle boots, for me, are a Winter necessity. They are extremely versatile and can be worn with anything. Ankle boots are becoming more and more popular and they now come in a variety of colours, styles, cuts and materials. 

If you look hard enough, I can guarantee, you will find a style that suits your needs (and wants of course!).

I wear my ankle boots with my skinny jeans for a more casual look during the day or I wear them with dresses and skirts, with or without tights, for work and going out. 

I have many ankle boots and I style them all differently. I have a pair of chunky heeled, black leather ankle boots that I love to wear with dresses and skirts. I love the style of them and I don't want to hide them under jeans. 

I also have another pair (black suede and extremely comfortable!) that I only wear with jeans and sweaters during the day, for a more relaxed look. 

Ankle boots are the perfect Winter accessory. They are great for keeping your feet warm and dry during the cold and wet season and they are great for adding your own personal style to your Winter wardrobe.

If you are new to this trend, I would suggest choosing a classic style that can be worn with everything and choose a neutral colour. Black or nude ankle boots are a great place to start. If you are like me and have so many ankle boots, it is time to add a splash of colour to your wardrobe!