Shoe of the Week

This is the season of pointed toe shoes. Everywhere I look, I am bombarded with so many to choose from. I believe, a pointed toe shoe, with a stiletto heel is a classic, feminine style and every woman should own, at least one pair... Or if you are like me...10... :)

I was looking for a classic work shoe, when I stumbled upon 'Orra' by Boutique 9.

I love how classic these shoes are. It is a great style, that looks corporate and sophisticated under a pair of trousers for work or elegant, feminine and classy with dresses and skirts. I love a work shoe, that is extremely versatile, so this style was a guaranteed "shoe-in!".

The open cut side, is very chic and flattering. It makes the shoes unique and gives these basics, a twist. I love a good stiletto heel. I would be head over heels, madly in love with these shoes, if they were slightly higher. The 9.5cm heel is a sensible height for these shoes. It is comfortable and easy to walk in, so I will be able to last all day in them. But where is the fun, in being sensible?

And the patent leather? A lot of woman are hesitant to buy patent shoes, but I think it is one of the greatest materials. It draws attention to the shoes and can turn any simple ensemble, into an elegant master piece. 

One quote that I absolutely agree with and relevant to these shoes is "if the shoe fits, buy it in every colour!" Well, I couldn't resist. I love the copper (rose gold) colour in "Orra". I have numerous, rose gold accessories and love to style them, with these shoes. I think it is a great combination with a plain black outfit. It makes the rose gold accessories more vibrant and noticeable.

I believe 'Orra' will be a timeless classic, for every season.

Shoe of the Week #9

Jackets and Jeans and Boots... Oh my!

We are now well and truly into Autumn and Perth weather, is finally, catching up!

I am a lover of all things Winter. Cold weather, rainy days, hot chocolate and most of all... Winter fashion.

One major Winter staple for me is... ankle boots. Which is why, it was a 'no brainer' when I came across this style.

My shoe of the week is 'Cosy' by Nine West. I was looking for a work shoe, when I chose this style. 

My pre-requisites for my work shoe were as follows:

1. Versatility - I wanted a style that I could wear all the time, especially during Winter!
2. Comfort - I am on my feet all day, which means I need a shoe that is going to be comfortable!
3. Fashionable - I wanted a shoe that would make me feel good about myself and make me happy to be at work!

Wearing: Cue top / Country Road jeans / Samantha Wills ring / Calvin Klein watch / Swarovski earrings 

It's safe to say, these shoes definitely passed the pre-requisites.

What I love most about 'Cosy' is how simple they are. The style is extremely versatile and will go with absolutely everything. I have worn this style with jeans, leggings, tights, dresses and skirts. This shoe definitely gets a tick for versatility!

When I tried these shoes on, I was surprised by how comfortable they really were. There is extra padding under the balls of your feet which aids in the comfort of the shoe. They have a hidden platform, which takes away some of the height of the heels, but still giving the illusion of a glamorous high heel. 

The heel is amazing. It is well balanced under the heel of the shoe, which helps distribute your weight, evenly across your feet.

Also, another major tick for this shoe, is how stylish they are. I like the way the shoe is cut out above the ankle. This really elongates the silhouette. 

I love how simple an ankle boot is and how easy they can transform, anyone's outfit into a stylish and elegant ensemble.

Shoe of the Week #7

My shoe of the week is 'Miss Munroe' by Peeptoe shoes.

I bought these shoes while on a holiday in Melbourne last year. The first thing that caught my attention was the colour. It is very unique and goes well with the winter tones. It is also a great colour for summer, if you don't want to wear a black shoe as it can be quite harsh.

I wear a lot of black outfits to work and this is a great style to give my outfit a burst of colour without drawing all the attention away from the ensemble.

The classic pump is extremely versatile and goes well with everything. I've worn this style to work with dresses, skirts and pants. I can't get enough of them! The patent leather really dresses them up which makes it the perfect style to transform from day to night!

I like the toe box on this style as it is very unusual. It is not quite a pointed toe or round toe but something in-between.

I am a huge fan of stiletto heels, which means this style ticks that box. The 10cm heel is great for work as it is comfortable and I can last all day in them. And who can't go passed the signature purple Peeptoe soles? Amazing.

Two days after I made my purchase of these shoes, they went on sale for 50% off! I could have bought more shoes with the savings!

How to Choose the Right Work Shoe

Crash! Bang! Ouch! I pick myself up off the ground, embarrassed, covered in dirt, holes in my stockings. Damn these new shoes!

When it comes to choosing the right work shoe, the decision can be really tough. Do I buy a stiletto heel or a wedge? Do I go for a point or a peep-toe? There are many styles, colours, heels, and materials to choose from. 

So, how do you know what style works best for you?

I interviewed Nine West Manager, Laura Nihill to get her opinion on the topic.

“Choosing the right work shoe comes down to comfort, style and season,” she says.

Most women spend roughly, nine hours a day, five days a week, in their work shoes, which means, the style they choose needs to be comfortable.

“It is important to consider how long you will be on your feet; comfort has to play a big role in picking a shoe style.

“The best style for working women is something that supports your heel, has a strong shank and some sort of a platform. The shank is the support under the arch of the foot.” 

Heel height is a difficult concept for most.

So, how do you know what height, is too high?

“A safe height is between two centimetres and eight centimetres, any higher can become unprofessional,” she says. 

There are many different types of heels available.

There is the kitten heel, which is traditionally a short, slim heel with a maximum height of two and a half centimetres.

The stiletto heel is a tall, slim heel with a minimum height of two centimetres.

With a wedge, the heel occupies the entire space under the arch of your foot and equally distributes the weight comfortably. 

Then, there is the chunky heel. This is similar to a stiletto heel, with a minimum heel height of two centimetres, however the diameter of the heel, is more that two centimetres.  

“It is important to pick a versatile shoe style and colour that can go with more than one outfit. Points team up nicely with tailored suits and trousers as well as skirts, dresses and stockings and looks very professional.”

The shoes you wear to work also depend on where it is you work. The common work places are desk-based office work, indoor retail work and indoor/outdoor messy work.

“Consider your workplace: if you have to wear a suit, a pointed toe whether flat or a heel looks very neat and professional and chic under trousers or with a skirt. If you can be more casual then experiment with your colours and textures more.”

When you work in an office, you have to comply with the office standards. It's safe to stick with the classic shoe styles, whether a court shoe, a pump or Mary Jane style. These styles are available all year round and never date.

If your office is not as strict on the attire, you can bring out, the funky heels, different materials, the bright colours and patterns. Bright coloured heels make a statement and look great with a plain outfit, and people will notice you.

If you work in an indoor retail job remember you will be on your feet for the entire shift so the shoe you pick has to be practical and comfortable. A classic pump with a small heel or a flat will work great and be comfortable for a long shift.

“Black or brown flats are a great choice, they are versatile and can be worn with any colour. If you wear a lot of plain outfits, you can experiment with different colours.” 

If you have a messy job, either indoors or outdoors, with a uniform, it is always safe to stick with a black leather pump, whether round toe or pointed toe, as they go with everything and look very professional. Leather is more durable and can last a couple of seasons if you look after them and if your shoes get dirty, it's easier to clean them up.

Choosing the right work shoe also comes down to the season. Like clothing, shoes also have different styles, colours and fabrics for the different seasons.

“In winter you tend to wear darker colours and heavier fabrics, so do the same with your shoes.”

“Go for darker tones, not necessarily blacks but deeper plums, tans, burgundy, purples, greys etc.”

“Summer shoes are lighter in colour, depending on the colour trends for the season. During summer you’ll usually see pinks, oranges, blues, greens and skin tones in lighter materials like satin or fabric.” 

There are so many variables to take into consideration when it comes to choosing the perfect work shoe but if you consider all the points, it should make it easier for you to choose, without feeling overwhelmed by all the styles available.