Q. I’m 25 and stand a whopping 5’10” in bare feet. Don’t get me wrong: I enjoy being this tall (especially at concerts), but when it comes to shoe shopping I usually opt for something boring, masculine or clunky. For the first time I have been curious about wearing heels. I have zero experience walking in them, and I’m not really looking to be taller than my boyfriend (who is 6’1”).

Do you have any shoe suggestions for me?

- Jenny

A. Absolutely!

One great option for you is a kitten heel. Technically a kitten heel is a skinny little stiletto-ish thing that’s 4.75cm or less (thank you, Wikipedia)…but what it really is is a nice way to get a little lift while avoiding the perils (and discomfort) of for-real high heels.

Since warm weather is on the way, try a pair that will give your outfit a pretty pop of color (and if all that brightness makes you nervous, pair the shoes with simple jeans and a white tee for a look that’s fun, but still classic). What’s nice about most of these styles as well is that they have an open toe; the pointy toe that you’ll find on lots of kitten-heel styles may be a little uncomfortable for you if you’re not used to it.

If that narrow heel looks too teeter-y for you, try a low wedge (raffia is great for casual wear, but stick to leather styles for work).

And once you’ve gotten a bit more comfortable with the idea of wearing heels, you may want to invest in a gorgeous, neutral, go-with-everything pair like one of the styles above. (Yes, I consider leopard a neutral.)

Enjoy!

x

J

Product info after the jump.

Top set, clockwise from L: Asos ($63), Michael Perry ($210), Butter ($49), J. Crew ($179)

Middle set, clockwise from top L: Juicy Couture ($198), Jaeger (140EUR), Ash ($184), Bandolino ($60), Sigerson Morrison ($225)

Bottom set, L to R: Rupert Sanderson, Burberry, Robert Clergerie

Original Article

I have a big old crush on motorcycle boots and cowboy boots, so me and Frye? Friends 4 Eva.

Below, some favorite picks from the Fall 2012 preview.

This is what cowboy boots should look like.

But for city-wear, shorter + studded is the way to go. Oof, these are cute.

I love the wear and tear on this bag - the distressed effect can look cheesy if not done just right, but this looks exactly like a bag that you were lucky enough to spot in your local thrift shop, or a decades-old hand-me-down from Mom.

And these! Love these. Everyday easy plus just a touch of tough.

Original Article

Q. Hi Jordan! I’m going to a wedding this June with my boyfriend and his family. He just bought me a pair of shoes (unheard of for him!) and he is SO proud that he picked them out that I just have to wear them in front of his family. Any ideas for a great dress/color palette that would go with cobalt shoes and make a great impression on his family?

A. What a nice guy! And that’s really sweet of you to build an outfit around the shoes he bought you. I can tell already that his family is going to love you.

You know, I have a pair of shoes that are sort of purple-cobalt, but I didn’t wear them a ton for the first year I had them because I wasn’t entirely sure what they went with, until I realized that the answer is…kind of anything. And the bolder the choice, the more the shoes will stand out and get raves. I actually wore my shoes to Fashion Week, which isn’t a place where I tend to be the most well-heeled person around by any stretch of the imagination…and I couldn’t take three steps without being interviewed (yes, interviewed) about them.

Summary: cobalt shoes are good.

POSSIBLE PALETTE PAIRINGS

This dress is pretty wedding-perfect, if you ask me - demure enough to be appropriate to wear around your boyfriend’s family, but super-fashionable (especially with your new shoes!). It’s DVF and so fairly pricey, but a pretty, reasonably-priced black-and-white dress shouldn’t be too tough to find.

Some more options for you: 

L to R: Banana Republic ($98), C. Luce ($69), The Limited ($90)

Those aren’t too bad, right? I especially love the C. Luce in the center, maybe with a pale gray wrap (a little more unexpected than black or white) to cover up a bit in the evening.

Silver and rose are pretty, subtle options to pair with your cobalt - just make sure that the shade you choose isn’t too pale, lest you veer into wearing-white-at-another-woman’s-wedding territory. One note: in my opinion, pale shades like these are worth spending a little more money on, because a cheap cut and/or fabric are tougher to get away with when you’re dealing with such light colors.

L to R: Ports 1961 ($368 on sale), Banana Republic ($198), DVF ($385), French Connection ($328)

And finally, you could try my favorite idea: a super-bold citrus hue. Orange, pomegranate, and mustard shades will all look spectacular with cobalt shoes, and get you big fashionista points. Just make sure to keep your accessories simple so that the focus stays on the color pairing and the whole look doesn’t become overwhelming.

L to R: Asos ($134), Antik Batik ($173), Asos ($43), Romeo & Juliet ($150)

Hope that helps! Enjoy the wedding.

More cobalt shoes for the rest of us:

Clockwise from far left: Gucci, Nine West ($140), Kate Spade ($328), Jessica Simpson ($80), Dolce Vita ($150), BCBGeneration ($98), BCBG ($80 and a decent ringer for those Guccis, no?), BCBG ($115)

Original Article

Q. Hi Jordan,

As of late, I am at war with my Louboutins. Literally, within 10 minutes of wearing them, my ankles feel as if they will give out at any second.

Help! Have you had this issue? Is it the end of heels? Any tips?

Love your blog!

Michelle

A. Hmm…weakness not so much, but heel trouble generally, yes, and it makes me feel old. I’m not sure what happened: it used to be that I was all, “Oh, an entire day of shopping downtown? Heels! Out all night dancing and taking subways to far-flung parts of the city? Heels, obviously!” etc. It wouldn’t have even occurred to me that there might be an issue of…you know, pain. Sure, my feet hurt a little towards the end of the festivities, but I just kinda dealt with it. Now? No. No more dealing with it.

Those shoes I’m wearing in the above photo? I sort of side-eye them every time I’m getting ready to go out (by which I mean out-out, not out-to-the-grocery-store), think how cute they’d look (because nude pumps tend to generally look cute with pretty much every outfit)…and then think: “Ehhhhhhggg. Can’t.”

And then I think to myself my, how responsible I’ve grown. But the truth is just that they hurt, and I’m grumpy about pain. And once I was walking down the street wearing those heels and a very short miniskirt, and feeling all fabulous and flouncy, and then took such a ridiculously dramatic fall thanks to the cobblestone street that I ended up showing horrifying things to various passers-by while sprawled out on the sidewalk, and that was not an experience I’m looking to repeat anytime soon.

Anyway, I hear you. And while I think the answer that I’m supposed to give is to choose lower heels…nah. I don’t really like them, either. I do, however, gravitate towards stacked heels (like these) lately; I feel like they’re less likely to result in ankle-twisting than stilettos, and besides, they’re very chic. I’ve also been opening my mind to the adorableness of great flats (right now, I love pointy-toed patent styles (like these), as well as big, rugged lace-up boots (like the Clarks pair pictured above).

When I see a pair of sky-highs that I absolutely must own, I usually purchase cozy inserts for them (Aldo sells good ones; you may need to go up a half-size, so try on the shoes with the inserts in the store). And finally…yes…I wear flats to and from places where I want to wear heels if a taxi isn’t on the menu. But there is no need to do the ugly-white-sneakers thing: just keep a pair of foldable black flats handy, and you can do a (very inelegant, but whatever) switcheroo on the street before heading up to wherever it is that you’re going. (Keep a plastic bag in your purse to put the flats in so the interior doesn’t get dirty, or stash them in a cute cloth tote.) That’s actually what I did on Sunday: snowboots to and from my aunt’s place; wedges once inside. And as a bonus, this practice keeps the soles of your fancy shoes from getting too much wear and tear, so there’s that.

Original Article

A rundown of some absolute must-haves: any one of these items will instantly perk up a look, and they’re perennially stylish…making them perfect places to splurge a bit.

Red Handbag: More interesting than your standard black, red also goes with everything, and…it’s red. Which is fantastic. (Go for gold accents for bonus points). I wear my red purse constantly, and it makes even a loose t-shirt and jeans look instantly fashionable.

Pearl Earrings: Paired with a matching necklace they’re classic Good Girl…but mixed in with a slightly more rambunctious outfit and piled-on, mismatched jewelry on your neck and wrists, they’re unexpected and chic. I’ll do the former on occasion (above), but I’m obviously slightly more disposed towards the latter.

And good news, if you’re in the market for some pearls of your own: Mikimoto Pearls is hosting a Mikimoto Moments contest on Facebook where you can enter to win your own pearl strand and earrings.

Rugged(ish) Ankle Boots: The only time of year when you can’t wear these is in the dead heat of summer. They look gorgeous in the winter with a chunky sweater and denim, in the fall with patterned tights and a skirt, and in the spring with bare legs and sailor-style shorts.

And they’re everywhere right now: go for a lace-up pair with a chunky heel and some rugged detailing (but not too much…the point is to look like you’re maybe open to the idea of camping, not like you’re actually planning on embarking upon a woodland adventure right that very moment).

Oversized Sunglasses: Some people say it’s pretentious to wear sunglasses when it’s not summer. I say shush, mama has bags under her eyes and needs to find a way to look presentable and still get her brunchtime Bloody Mary. And while trends come and go, when it comes to an investment pair I like the idea of going for a classic shape with a little bit of a twist. For example, an oversized style with a tiny bit of a cat’s eye like the pair pictured above, or a Wayfarer shape with interesting detailing, in tortoiseshell or burgundy rather than black.

For some perfect takes on classics-with-a-twist, keep an eye out for GANT’s Spring 2012 offerings (launching in February) - I’m a huge fan of the line, and the stuff they have coming out is seriously awesome.

Perfect Nude Lipstick: When you find the one that works for you, buy a zillion, because the perfect pink-brown looks right for virtually any occasion, and will never fall out of fashion. Wear it out at night with a smoky eye (click here for a navy-and-gold eye tutorial), or during the day with just a swipe of mascara for a finished (but not fussy) look.

Well-made Pea Coat: I say “well-made” because if you pick up the right one you’ll wear it to work, to cocktails, and even over formal evening dresses…and there’s nothing sloppier-looking than a cheaply-made pea coat that has lost its shape. This has little to do with price - I had a gorgeous Trovata pea coat that quickly started looking lumpy all over the place, but because of the price tag I held onto it for years after it should have gone into the donate pile.

A good way to figure out if the pea coat you’re considering is good quality: check the lining. It should be free of lumps, bumps, and uneven stitching. Also, polyester blends are cheaper, but they may not last as well, so if you’re looking for a good investment piece go for wool or cashmere.

For more winter coat ideas, click here.

Unique Perfume: Women fall into two camps when it comes to perfume: those who have a signature scent, and those who play around with various things depending on the season and their mood. I have a handful of fragrances that I keep in rotation (although I always defect to Bond No. 9 Nuits de Noho, pictured above), but I literally never leave the house without a spritz (well, except for lately: I don’t want my perfume to bother the baby, so I’ve been sticking to lavender water spritzed in non-baby-touching spots like my back and legs these past couple of weeks).

For more on classic purchases, check out Wardrobe Basics: Finding Your Style.

Full product info after the jump.

From top:

Handbag: Alexandra Satine Rio Limon handbag

Pearls: Pearl earrings c/o Mikimoto

Ankle Boots: Geox Trish ankle boots; Steven by Steve Madden brown ankle boots; DKNY Mary ankle boots; See by Chloe tasseled ankle boots

Sunglasses: Guess; GANT Spring 2012

Nude Lipstick:  Vincent Longo Fleur de Flirt; Shiseido Perfect Rouge; Cle de Peau 129 (a fortune, but an absolutely gorgeous shade if you’re looking to spoil yourself a bit).

Pea Coat: Burberry Oversized Lapel Coat; Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Pea Coat; Ted Baker Double-Breasted Pea Coat

Perfume: Bond No. 9 Nuits de Noho

Original Article

Q. Jordan,

I own these colored jeans [both from the Gap’s 1969 line]:

What shoes do I wear with them?  I feel like little black flats are too cutesy for such a trendy item. What do you think?

Thanks!

Shawn

A. The best thing about colored jeans is that they do the work of making an outfit awesome for you - you can get away with the simplest-ever top and shoes, and still look cute and pulled-together. But that said, I hear ya: while I don’t necessarily agree that black flats have to be cutesy (the Sigerson Morrison for Madewell style pictured above, for example, is sleek and gorgeous), they’re sorta…obvious. And yeah, a little boring.

So here are some more fun shoe styles to throw into the mix:

1. Dressed-up loafers

This fall, slip-on loafer-style shoes are everywhere (I wrote about the House of Harlow driving shoes already, but you can find great options at pretty much any price). I’m partial to black with tassels or studs, and think the pair pictured above is pretty much perfection…but they’re also a fortune. The Steve Madden Madee is a fabulous alternative, and comes in almost any color or pattern you can think of (just make sure to keep your top on the simpler side if you go for, say, leopard).

2. Ankle boots

I recently wore a pair of bright-blue skinny jeans with a pair of thick stacked-heel ankle boots, and loved the look - in fact, I like this heel style generally for fall (here’s another example with sandals and black skinny jeans). It’s OK to let the bottom of the jeans bunch a bit around the boots, but if that bugs you just give them a little roll so you show a touch of skin.

3. Mid-heeled pumps

For a more ladylike, dressed-up option, try a nude mid-heel pump with no platform (like the Steve Madden Unityy). On top, try a cardigan layered over a vintage blouse and secured with a skinny belt around the waist - so cute, and so perfect for transitional weather.

4. Knee-high boots

This is my go-to look for fall days when I want to run around stylishly but comfortably: skinny, stretchy jeans and Steve Madden Roady boots (the brown color would look great with your olive jeans; try the black ones with your cobalt pair).

5. Metallic ballerina flats

Easy, polished, and comfortable, and a nice alternative to black flats (these New York & Company gold ballerina slippers also come in gunmetal and black).

Original Article