shoes Archives - Page 4 of 4

The one shoe style I’ll definitely be buying this season

6th March, 2017

When it comes to my autumn/winter wardrobe there’s one shoe style I’ll definitely be purchasing – the ankle boot. A pair of quality black ankle boots always take me through the cooler months and is a guaranteed way to update any outfit. You can opt for a pair of sky high stiletto style boots if you’re looking for some sexy footwear to take you from drinks to dinner or a pair of flat boots as a comfy option when you’ve got a busy day ahead of you. If you’re intending to wear them to death, be sure to have them resoled beforehand to ensure that they can withstand the wear and tear of constant outings.

I’ve rounded up some of my fave ankle boot styles to inspire your next shopping trip…

Fashion, Shop

The season’s must-have shoe

9th November, 2016

Image: The LoDown

Want to know the ultimate way to update your spring/summer wardrobe? Try the shoe of the season. In keeping with the resurgence of ’90s fashion, mules, the shoe staple of that decade are making a big comeback. The great thing about this particular style of shoe is that they’re versatile enough to work with everything from a pair of jeans to a dress or skirt. Plus adding a pair to your wardrobe is a really easy way to dip your toe into a new season trend without breaking the bank. Just ensure that you always flash some ankle (especially when wearing them with pants) and choose a pair with a heel for more flattering silhouette. The range of mules available at the moment include everything from classic black, to pretty pastels and finishes such as braiding, buckles and fringing so there’s definitely plenty of options to work with virtually every outfit in your wardrobe.

Fashion

The dos and don’ts of wearing flats at the office

19th October, 2016

When I was working full time I used to always wear high heels to the office. I know when it comes to workwear it can be nice to have a little height in the footwear department to help add some polish to an outfit but I’ve since learned that flats can work equally as well, if not more so. These days when I’m going to office I may have the girls in the morning or in the afternoon so my outfit has to look professional yet be comfortable at the same time. This is where I’ve found having a great flats wardrobe can come in handy. These are some of my dos and don’ts of wearing them to work…

Do experiment with different flats

I’ve found the best flats for the office are ballet flats, brogues and loafers [the closed kind not slides as these can look a little too casual] and flat boots for winter [see in order below]. Try to keep your flats as streamlined and simple as possible to keep them professional.

Do wear flats with dresses

If you tend to favour dresses for the office you’ll be pleased to hear that you can get away with swapping your heels in favour of flats for this particular look. I’ve found that flats look really great with tailored dresses and maintains a classy effect.

Winning combination: Alexa Chung does ballet flats and a dress/ Image via Stockholm Street Style

Do opt for a slim trousers

Wide leg pants are on trend this season but I’ve found that they tend to work better with heels, especially if you’re on the shorter side. However when it comes to slim fitting trousers you can definitely afford to go with flats. A slim silhouette will help elongate your figure and when teamed with flats it looks very Audrey Hepburn-esque.

Don’t forget to flash some ankle

Make sure that if you’re wearing pants that they’re cropped so you are showing some ankle. This length will tend to be a little more flattering when worn with pants.

Do keep your look quite preppy

Flats such as man-style loafers and ballet flats work are a match made in heaven with a preppy-style outfit. Think a collared white shirt and a knee length skirt. It’s a little collegiate, definitely office appropriate and a stylish alternative to traditional corporate wear.

Image: Stockholm Street Style

Don’t forget about the finishing touches

Flats don’t have to be boring. Keep an eye out for interesting finishing touches. Tassels, discreet bows, or a metal horsebit accent are all great ways to take an ordinary flat from so-so to stylish. One of my favourite brogues has a metal toe cap (see pic above) and I find that this helps give them a point of difference.

Do leave socks at home

A lot of flats look better sans socks so make sure to give them a miss. As I said earlier, flashing some ankle is flattering as it helps to emphasise the slimmest part of your leg. Also, socks can look a little too bulky.

Do team flats with opaque stockings

In winter I know going bare legged can be a little chilly so pairing a pair of flat boots with opaque black stockings and a nice dress is a good office appropriate look. I tend to favour stockings in black as opposed to nude as it looks much fresher and more modern.

Tell me – are you a fan of wearing flats to the office?

Fashion, Shop

Wedding series: Dreamy shoes for your big day

30th August, 2016

My wedding shoes

Finding the perfect wedding shoes is high up on the to-do list of any bride. I spent a lot of time searching for the shoes I eventually wore on my wedding day but when I saw them I knew they would complement my dress perfectly.

One of my big tips is to not leave your shoe search to the last minute, not only for the practical reason that you’ll need them in order to get your dress hemmed but also to give yourself enough time to find a pair that you’ll really fall in love with.

When shopping keep in mind that you will be in your shoes for the entire day so make sure that they’re comfortable and that you won’t have any trouble walking in them. No bride wants to be hobbling around at the reception from pain when she should be dancing up a storm! Also think of the overall outfit before you settle on a pair of shoes. If your dress is quite ornate you want to opt for a simple pair of pumps to offset the intricate detail, inversely if your dress is quite pared back you may want to make a statement with your choice of shoes. It’s all about balance.

Here are some of the great options in footwear out there for every kind of bride…

What I Wore

What I Wore: Seventies Chic

10th October, 2015

One of my fave trends this season is the fashion’s 70s flashback. It’s all about voluminous silhouettes, slightly chunkier platform heels and adding a touch of glamour to an outfit. As I mentioned in this post, I’d wear an outfit like this to the races but it also makes a great party ensemble once the festive party season is well under way.

Jumpsuit: Bec & Bridge

Heels: Wittner Clara Heel in Whiskey.

Hat: Nerida Winter Hat

See full ON TRACK Wittner collaboration HERE.

Fashion, What I Wore

What I Wore: Modern Femme

30th September, 2015

The trend towards ultra feminine dressing is perfect for race day outfits. I wanted to accessorise with something a little different so I opted for this floral headband which provided a great contrast to the structured asymmetrical neckline on the dress. Lace up heels are one of the great shoe trends to come out this spring/summer and they’re the ideal finishing touch to this outfit.

Dress: Acler

Headpiece: Nerida Winter

Shoes: Wittner Pavia Heel in Frost Pink

Fashion

Nadia Fairfax + Kate Waterhouse: On Track

23rd September, 2015

Spring racing is upon us and I recently teamed up with Nadia Fairfax and Wittner to showcase the latest footwear trends for this season. Footwear is key when it comes to a polished spring racing look and here are some of the key tips, tricks and trends to having a strong shoe game at the races this season.

The trends to look out for:

Wittner’s biggest shoe trends for the SS15 Spring Racing Season are Seventies Chic, Modern Femme and Tough Luxe.

Modern Femme

This look is all about subtlety – perfect pastels, bow and lace details and finer heels. For a pop of colour, a pair of spicy fuchsia lace-up heels adds that extra femme touch.

Kate wears: Acler dress, Nerida Winter headpiece & Wittner Pavia Heel in Frost Pink. Nadia wears: Alice McCall Dress, Ezara Hat & Wittner Pepper Heel in Fuchsia.

Nadia wears: Lover dress, Wittner Page Heel in Black & Viktoria Novak headpiece. Kate wears: Dion Lee Dress, Wittner Pepper Heel in Black & Viktoria Novak Headpiece.

Seventies Chic

Seventies style has been re-imagined for 2015, with luxe textures such as soft suede and nappa leather paired with modern detailing. Whiskey, tan and navy blue are standout tones, with special details such as contrast stitching and caging.

Nadia wears: Maje/Sandro Dress, Sarah J Curtis Hat & Wittner Astor Heel in Whiskey. Kate wears: Bec & Bridge Jumpsuit, Nerida Winter Hat and Wittner Clara Heel in Whiskey.

Kate wears: Maje Dress, Viktoria Novak Crown & Wittner Ruthie Heel in Tan/Whiskey. Nadia wears: Alice McCall Dress, Viktoria Novak Crown & Wittner Clara Heel in Whiskey.

Tough Luxe

We love lending a fashion-forward twist to our race-day looks with sophisticated and tough monochrome shoe styles with a luxe edge. Strong cage and lace-up heels in soft black leather contrast with gold zip and buckle detailing. Play with texture and pair these styles with structured pieces for Derby Day!

Kate wears: Acler Dress, Nerida Winter Hat & Wittner Misha Heel in Black.

Nadia wears: Zara shorts + top, Nerida Winter Headpiece & Wittner Astor Heel in Black. Kate wears: Ginger & Smart Dress, Nerida Winter Headpiece & Wittner Pavia Heel in Black.

How to stay comfortable:

The Spring Racing collection for 2015 offers a variety of styles and heel heights to suit different looks. To ensure that race-goers are able to get through the long day (and into the night!) on their feet, all of the shoes in this collection have superior comfort features such as padded foot beds and luxurious soft leathers. If you struggle to wear heels for long periods of time, we recommend sneaking a pair of ballet flats into your clutch and using gel cushions to provide instant comfort. The golden rule here is never to end up barefoot!

The big no-nos:

You need to consider both style and practically when it comes to race day footwear. Ideally you should opt for styles with a thicker block heel, small platform or wedge as you don’t want to be sinking into the grass all day long! Grass stains can wreak havoc on neutral coloured shoes, which are a big trend this season, so make sure you water proof your shoes beforehand.

What to look for:

Look out for pieces you know will get you through the day in comfort as well as style. There’s nothing worse than struggling to walk in your new stilettos. Wedges are a great option for a day on the track; opt for a seventies-style wooden heeled wedge or platform sandal. Caged or tie-up heels are also a chic yet comfy option – the laces lend additional support. You get what you pay for so invest in a pair of beautifully crafted leather shoes and your feet will thank you for it!

For more campaign imagery, different trend stories and video click HERE.

TALENT: Kate Waterhouse and Nadia Fairfax
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jake Terrey
STYLING: Hayley Bonham
HAIR: Lauren McCowan
MAKE UP: Vic Anderson
LOCATION: La Porte Space
SET STYING: Montana Valich, with thanks to MCM House and Retro on Regent.

Fashion

Trend to try: lace up flats

20th August, 2015

If you’re going to update your wardrobe with one shoe trend this season it’s got to be the lace up flat. Everyone from Aquazzura to Isabel Marant have released their own versions, but if you don’t want a pair with a designer price tag, the trend has now filtered down to retailers such as Topshop and ASOS who have both released equally as chic versions. You can wear a lace up flat with everything from jeans to skirts and even shorts so it’s well worth the investment.

Photography: Style and minimalism, Trendsurvivor, Memorandum, Pinterest, Catey Chronicles

Fashion

Shop The Look: Leopard Print

17th March, 2014

Leopard Print is a must-have this autumn/winter. Wear it from head-to-toe or make your outfit pop with these statement accessories…

Newer Posts