Posts filed under 'What’s In and What’s Out'
Whether you’re going out on the town, exploring local backroads, or just lounging around with friends and family, you’re going to want a variety of stylish summer shoes for every occasion. But what kinds of shoes should you be considering to add to your collection, beyond your closet full of flip flops, classic canvas sneakers, and summery espadrilles? Omiru’s guide to womens summer shoes dissects this summer’s shoewear trends and shows you what shoes you’ll want to wear (or at least be aware of) this summer:
Ballet Flats
Jeffrey Campbell Pearl Flat | $109.95 at Nordstrom
In a word, ballet flats are classic. They mix form and function, and they’re a wonderful shoe for women on the go. Grab a pair of ballet flats in a bright color to give a modern twist on the sophisticated classic. Or opt for a metallic ballet flat that will help ground an outfit full of bright colors and patterns. For more inspiration, you may also want to check out Omiru’s shopping guide for beautiful ballet flats.
Jelly Shoes
Tod’s Jelly Thong Sandal | $117 (sale, originally $175) at Neiman Marcus
Jelly shoes have come a long way since the 1980s. Today’s Jelly shoes take the best of the plastic summer shoe you remember and add a real dose of style. Take Tod’s Jelly sandals, for example. We’re loving the sleek foot harness and the thoughtful tassel detailing. And you really can’t beat that bright orange color—the perfect shade for womens summer shoes.
Caged Shoes
Jada Cage Stiletto | $29.80 at Forever 21
For the adventurous, caged shoes add an edge to even the plainest of outfits. They’re inspired by Stefano Pilati’s caged ankle boots for YSL’s runway collection. They’re certainly runway material, but these summer shoes are more difficult to pull off in Real Life. Plus, we wouldn’t recommend them on super sunny days, as they could leave a distinctive tanline on your feet. If you dare, try these cage shoes with a outfit that keeps you covered up, such as a simple dress. If you’re wearing shoes like these, we’d recommend keeping the rest of your outfit relatively conservative.
Driving Mocs
Catalina Metallic Leather Driving Mocs | $99.99 (sale, originally $140) at J Crew
We’re huge fans of driving mocs, both for women and for men. Driving mocs were meant, originally, for driving—hence the rubberized soles that help you grip the pedals. But they work for so much more. Pair your driving mocs with a simple Capri pant and blouse. Or let them provide a classic foundation to a casual pair of jeans and a cute top.
Gladiator Sandals
Merona Edwina Gladiator Sandal | $24.99 at Target
Gladiator Sandals have divided the fashion community—you either love them or you hate them. Gladiator Sandals make a distinctive shoe style statement for those who dare to wear them. We like to see them paired with simple, casual clothes to give summer basics a bit of an edge. For those of you who are on the fence about Gladiators, you may want to try Merona’s version of an elegant Gladiator sandal. It’s a combo summer shoe – so you get the height (and comfort) of a wedge sandal with the style of a Gladiator sandal.
Tell us, what Summer 2009 shoe trends will you be wearing? And which shoe trends will you be steering clear of? Share your style with us in the comments!
June 4th, 2009
We asked: Guys, would you carry a Bag?
You said: No to Bags for Men, with a 62% to 38% vote.
Style tip? We know that bags aren’t for all guys, but we do encourage you to give them some consideration. It’s the 21st century–and you have BlackBerries, iPhones, iPods, cell phones, wallets, and keys to carry around. Not to mention any reading material or anything you need for work. And you don’t have to cram all of this into your pockets if you carry a bag. For casual occasions, we’d recommend a messenger bag (a rugged option is shown at left) or a backpack (so long as it’s not the one you carried during your college days). For work, the briefcase is the standard. And for weekends away, try a leather or canvas duffel or carryall.
Next question: Gladiator Sandals are a loud shoewear trend that has managed to keep itself top-of-mind for the last few seasons. They certainly make a statement, but they’re not for everybody. Tell us, would you wear Gladiator Sandals? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Waxwear Great Point Messenger Bag | $128 at J Crew.
June 1st, 2009
We asked: Would you wear Chunky Necklaces?
You said: Yes to Chunky Necklaces, with a 73% to 27% vote.
Style tip? The easiest way to dress up a plain outfit - whether it’s a formal Little Black Dress or a casual plain white tee and jeans - is to add a statement accessory. You can try anything from an oversized handbag to a Gossip Girl style headband, boldly colored shoes to a powerful necklace. We’re a fan of the chunky necklace, as it adds both elegance and an edge to whatever you pair it with. Try a chunky necklace with a distinct visual center to draw the most attention to it.
Next question: We’ve been featuring a bunch of outfits for men that include bags. But we wonder - would you really carry a bag? Guys, tell us, would you carry a bag to tote your belongings? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Vintage Inspired Flower Necklace | $6.80 at Forever 21.
May 26th, 2009
We asked: Would you wear Maxi Dresses?
You said: No to Maxi Dresses, with a 57% to 43% vote.
Style tip? Sure, floor length Maxi Dresses are reminiscent of the 1970s, but they can still be relevant today. Here are a three ways to wear them:
(1) Maxi Dress + Cropped Sweater + Gladiator Sandals for a sweet-yet-edgy look.
(2) Maxi Dress + Drapey Necklaces + Metallic Espadrilles for a casual-yet-elegant look.
(3) Maxi Dress + Oversized Scarf + Strappy Sandals for an European-meets-bohemian look.
Next question: Chunky Necklaces dress up the plainest of outfits, and can add elegance (and a bit of an edge) to anything you wear. But they’re also a pretty strong statement. What do you think? Would you wear Chunky Necklaces? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Strapless Burst Maxi Dress | $27.80 at Forever 21.
May 18th, 2009
We asked: Would you wear Long Strap Handbags?
You said: Yes to Long Strap Handbags, with a 60% to 40% vote.
Style tip? The beauty of the Long Strap Handbag is that you can wear it cross-body, leaving your hands free as you make your way through the day. We love juxtaposing the structured long strap handbag against a flowy dress - a mix of the tailored and the romantic. Mix things up even more with a pair of gladiator sandals to add a bit of toughness to the look.
Next question: We’re stocking up on Spring and Summer dresses and wanted to get your opinion on the floor length Maxi Dress. Very 1970s, but they’ve made a comeback in the last few years. Would you wear the Maxi Dress? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
NOTE: Seems that our poll has had some technical difficulties today - if you were unable to vote today, please try again. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Pictured: Leather Pocket Detail Satchel | $53.92 at ASOS.
May 11th, 2009
We asked: Would you wear The Color Green?
You said: Yes to The Color Green, with a 94% to 6% vote.
Style tip? What better color is there to welcome Spring than the color Green? It’s fresh, clean, and it manages to be cheerful without the overt brightness of yellow, orange, or red. We’re loving Green paired with Brown - or even Grey. The trick is to let the green shine by pairing it with colors that aren’t quite as bright.
Next question: One of the big handbag trends for Spring is the Long Strap Handbag, which you can wear cross-body. But what do you think? Would you wear the Long Strap Handbag? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Striped Crew Neck Sweater | $22.50 (sale) at Old Navy.
May 4th, 2009
We asked: Would you wear Oversized Bags?
You said: Yes to Oversized Bags, with a 74% to 26% vote.
Style tip? An oversized bag is a simple yet bold way to accessorize an outfit. We love going all out with oversized bags with bright colors - or eyecatching patterns. But if you’re looking for a less daring look, you can still try an oversized bag with interesting hardware or classic lines.
Next question: We’ve always been a fan of the color Green, and it’s becoming a full fledged color trend for Spring. But what do you think? Would you wear the color Green? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Jessica Simpson Hyde Large Satchel | $118 at Piperlime.
April 27th, 2009
We asked: Would you wear Patterned Shorts?
You said: Maybe to Patterned Shorts, with an even 50% to 50% vote.
Style tip? Shorts come in all kinds of wonderful patterns - from simple stripes and dots to beautiful florals. One of our all-time favorites are the patchwork styles of Madras shorts. These brightly colored shorts are the perfect warm-weather item. Pair them with solid colored tops; for a pulled together look, try wearing a top in a color pulled from the shorts. Works just as well for guys as it does for women.
Next question: Oversized handbags hold all of your stuff - but they can be a bit unwieldly to handle. But what do you think? Would you tote an Oversized Handbag? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Sunset Patchwork Madras Bermuda Short | $68 at J Crew.
April 20th, 2009
We asked: Would you wear White Denim?
You said: No to White Denim, with a 58% to 42% vote.
Style tip? We’ll be the first to admit it - white denim is tough to wear. From a figure flattery standpoint, white makes you look bigger - hardly what you want if your derriere (or legs) are in less than perfect condition. And from a practical standpoint, white denim is terribly difficult to keep clean. One sit on a less-than-pristine park bench, and you’re toast. That said, if you’re willing to try out white denim, it can be very rewarding. White denim is a fresh, springy alternative to classic dark blue jeans - and it instantly elevates whatever you wear with it. You can instantly add elegance to bold colors, create a dreamy look with pastels, or dress up with metallics, especially silver (our fave).
Next question: We’re seeing tons of cute patterned shorts out there on store racks. But what do you think? Would you wear Patterned Shorts - or would you leave them on the rack? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: White Denim Bootcut Jean | $98 at J Crew.
April 13th, 2009
We asked: Would you wear Purple?
You said: Yes to Purple (overwhelmingly so!), with a 90% to 10% vote.
Style tip? One of our favorite color combinations is a rich royal purple paired with a light grey. It’s absolutely beautiful, and it works as well for guys as it does for women. If you want to take it one step further, try pattern with purple. A simple stripe or gingham (as pictured) really adds an extra zing.
Next question: White denim is perfectly Springlike - but difficult to wear, both for figure flattery and for keeping it clean! But what do you think? Would you wear White Denim? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Secret Wash Button Down Gingham Shirt | $59.50 at J Crew.
April 6th, 2009
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