How To: Style a Floral Shoe for Spring

 

Earlier this week, we chatted about how to style a bold and wildly patterned shoe, thanks to the folks at Desigual and ideeli. Next up, florals! After all, what could be more appropriate for spring?

Florals, however, CAN be a bit of a style challenge, particularly when your tastes lean a little more minimal or edgy (as mine do!)  BUT, where there's a will, there's a way - here are some ideas on how to work a sweet floral print into your look, from the bottom up.

• If you're eyeing an open-toed style, like the sweet peep-toe platforms shown above, try creating a little contrast with a foiled metallic or glittery pedicure. I love the idea of gold or silver!
• For a bolder, more graphic look, choose a LARGER floral print as opposed to something dainty and wee.
• Use a floral shoe with a more delicate pattern to tear down a more downtown look. For example, I'm LOVING the idea of a flowery pattern adding contrast, femininity and sweetness to a cropped dark indigo jean, harem pant or jumpsuit.
• When in doubt, go OBVIOUS! Don't hesitate to partner a floral pump, platform or espadrille with a lovely white eyelet skirt or fitted chambray dress. It's a style cliche for a reason - it works!

Do you have any floral shoes in your closet for spring? Tell me all in the comments, and for more beautifully blooming shoes, visit MyHotShoes.com.

While all thoughts are my own, this post was produced in association with My Hot Shoes.

An ideeli Style Challenge: Desigual's Bold Wedges

It's no surprise to the WORLD, or at least to people who see me on a daily basis, that I love a little color. But when the kind folks at ideeli - one of my FAVORITE online shopping destinations - challenged me with styling these bold and boisterous Desigual wedges, even I took pause.

These babies bring new meaning to the word COLOR, all caps required obvs - they include a bold mix of blue, green, violet and more. Truth be told, I almost took the easy way out and - after all, a bold shoe is the perfect foil to a neutral look. But then, I decided to go for the gold, treat navy as a neutral and make things pop with HUDSON's Nico Mid-Rise Super Skinny Jean in Lavender. If THIS MUCH color isn't isn't for you, take heed, you can absolutely embrace a bright, patterned shoe in a more subtle way. Here are just a few ideas on how to wear Desigual's Celia wedge:

• To add pop to a casual LBD (little black dress, that is!) for a weekend brunch or a stroll on the High Line
• To lend contrast and interest to a slim cropped white jean and navy boatneck tee
• For an unexpected surprise at the foot of a polished black or charcoal short suit
• With a sweet summer sundress - try pattern with pattern or a simple white eyelet

How would you wear the Celia wedge? Tell me more in the comments, and shop Desigual shoes at ideeli tomorrow!

Wardrobe Workhorse: The Ankle Boot

I’ve long been a woman of extremes when it comes to footwear. Give me a flat or a sky high heel but nothing in between, a knee high boot or else. An ankle boot merely cuts off my short, stubby little legs off visually, I used to tell myself. Those were lies, however, and this past Fall/Winter, I’ve realized the error of my ways and embraced the ankle boot in a way you can’t imagine. The essentials:

• A relaxed suede bootie with a manageable heel: Isabel Marant does it best (but doesn’t she always), but if the price tag is prohibitive, try a more affordable iteration from Steve Madden or Aldo.
• The f*ck me -no, wait, f*ck YOU - bootie: Dress it up or wear it with nothing at all, it’s at its best in black leather with a pointed toe and a high stiletto heel.
• The peep-toe: I know, I know. A peep-toe bootie (a la the INC jam seen above) is as bad, in theory, as a short sleeve sweater. Yet, for some reason, particularly in transitional Fall and Spring weather, I’ve never had a more versatile shoe. The peep-toe bootie answers the perennial question of what to wear for a night out when temps are in the 50’s or 60’s and a strappier shoe simply won’t do. Give it a try, and you may just be won over.

If your wardrobe is lacking, shop a wide assortment of Anne Klein boots + more at Macys.com.

This post was produced in association with Macy’s.

How to Wear: Style Expert Lloyd Boston on the Cream Tuxedo Jacket

Last night, I attended a screening of the JNY Style Miles series and a Fall/Holiday Preview of the Jones New York collections. Jones is one of those brands that has so many quality basics - I seriously feel that almost anyone could pick up something from the line and make it their own and in fashion, that's a beautiful thing.

A perfect example is the cream tuxedo jacket from the Fall 2009 collection.  In the video below, style expert (and JNY Style Guy) Lloyd Boston tells us exclusively how to wear it!