Q: What are some good winter shoes that are warm, comfortable to walk in, semi-waterproof (unlike canvas converse sneakers that just soak up the snow), affordable, and fashionable - both his and hers.
Pictured: Grizzly Boots | $320 at Quoddy Trail. Other more affordable options: Suede MacAlister boots | $135 at J Crew, and Clark’s Desert Boots | $89 at Zappos.
A: I’ll address the “his†part of this question. The “bad weather shoes†problem is much simpler if you’re not a white collar worker. Without a doubt, the first pair of bad weather boots I’d recommend are by Quoddy, makers of high quality bad weather shoes. As you can tell, however, they are for people who experience a few feet of snow in the winter.
Desert boots are another viable option if you live in a place with a less harsh winter. Clark’s desert boots have always been around, but nowadays you can find stylish desert boots everywhere from J. Crew and the GAP (via Pierre Hardy) to high end retailers like Tom Ford. The beauty of desert boots is that you can wear them while walking around the city as well; it’s a bit harder to “urbanize†those rugged Quoddy boots.
If you’re a working man, you have it a bit harder. You have to wear dress shoes to the office, unless you work in a creative industry. Certainly, you can wear galoshes, but that option is more practical than stylish (even though Esquire endorses it). If you live in the city, where the streets are a bit more groomed (e.g. less snow on the sidewalks), you can try wearing dress boots, but again, at a formal, conservative type office, I’m not sure that would fly. If you do decide to wear dress shoes or dress boots, do wear ones with rubber soles. The snow and slush will wreck havoc on your leather soles. If you absolutely must wear leather soled dress shoes to the office, do not wear them outside; instead, change into them at the office.
Last words? Please feel free to beat up your shoes; in fact, I encourage you to wear them in. A lot. Tom Ford ran a series of ads a year or so ago in which a man in alligator shoes was walking through the mud. I love this; “beat up the pretty things,†as they say. Buy high quality things and wear them out. This kind of nonchalance is the essence of American style, so embrace it.
UPDATE from Colleen Geary for women’s shoes: The tricky thing about winter shoes is that they’re often ruined by winter conditions - water, salt, ice and mud. I’d recommend purchasing a very inexpensive but good looking fake leather boot from Target or Walmart that can be worn with pants or skirts. Choose a pair with clean lines so that it’s inexpensiveness is not readily apparent. “Indulge” in a pair of black or brown leather boots that you love and can be worn for occasions or when the weather is not inclement. In Utah, you should have enough occasions to warrant two pairs of boots.
Have a great tip about great bad weather shoes–both his and hers? Share it with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on December 17th, 2008 in Men, Men's, Q&A, Shopping Guide |
Q: Can Omiru provide some basic guidelines about pairing work shoes and pants/skirts?
Shoes with Work Clothes, courtesy of The Sartorialist
by Colleen Geary, fashion stylist and image consultant
A: To understand how to pair shoes with clothes, you first have to look at silhouette. Shoes should complement the lines and proportions of an outfit, particularly the bottom that you’re wearing. We’ll start with the basics—regular trouser pants and a knee length skirt—and then we’ll expand out into other options:
Regular Trouser Pants
For regular width trouser pants, the classic choice is a medium height (approximately 2†tall) shoe. You can wear pumps, loafers, two-tone shoes…and you can also experiment with different toebox styles. For a sophisticated look, try pointier toed shoes. But for a more chic, casual look, you can try a round toe. If you’re not a fan of heels, you can also try a more subdued kitten heel (usually around 1.5†tall).
Knee Length Skirts
The perfect shoe for a knee-length skirt is a heeled shoe. Most women prefer to wear a medium height heel to visually elongate the leg, but a shorter kitten heel is also a common choice. Women who are blessed with extra long legs can also get away with flats, but the rest of us should steer clear of them.
Wide Trouser Pants
To balance out the width of a wide trouser pant, you’ll need to wear a high heel (3†or taller). The high heel visually (and physically) elongates your leg line, and it gives your bottom half balance. If you’re blessed with long legs, you can also try a medium height heel. But for optimal figure flattery, no low heels or flats allowed!
Skinny Pants
Channel Audrey Hepburn when pairing shoes with skinny pants. What did Audrey wear? Ballet flats, of course! When you’re wearing tight pants, you want a shoe that’s not overly sexy. So steer clear of high heels and shoes with “toe cleavage.†The ballet flat (or even really short kitten heels) will do the trick.
Short Skirts
Short skirts are best paired with a kitten heel or ballet flat at work. If you’re wearing a revealing skirt, you don’t want to go overboard with an overly sexy shoe. That said, the woman in the miniskirt pictured above made the sexy shoe and miniskirt look work. How did she do it? She wore tights to cover up her legs (and tone down the miniskirt), and she wore a heeled bootie. Because they provide more coverage, booties are a less risqué shoe option than an equivalently high heel.
Long Skirts
Because long skirts and wide trouser pants share similar characteristics (length and width), long skirts require the same shoe options as do wide trouser pants. So the same rules apply: high heels are best, and no flats are allowed.
I’ll leave you with two parting thoughts on shoes:
(1) Shoes can be the sole point of interest in an outfit by providing a point of visual interest with design or color. This is particularly true for work clothes, which are often restrictive style-wise.
(2) Shoes do not need to match the colors of your clothes or your handbag but they should enhance your overall look.
Have a great tip about how to match shoes with work clothes? Share it with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on December 16th, 2008 in How To, Q&A, Women, Women's, Women's |
We asked: Would you wear Patent Leather?
You said: Yes to Patent Leather, with an overwhelming 67% to 33% vote.
Style tip? Patent leather is absolutely classic on shoes, but you can also try patent leather on other accessories–such as belts or handbags. And if you’re even more adventurous, try patent leather in a bright color…yellow, green, or even red. But if you’re just looking to dip your toes into the trend, try a pair of patent leather booties in basic black.
Next question: Lace can be romantic, but it can also be edgy–depending on how it’s worn. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear Lace? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Mossimo Vergie Peep-Toe Patent Leather Booties | $29.99 at Target.
Posted by Trisha on December 15th, 2008 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
A sequined top is great for going out at night - for cocktail parties, or for a festive dinner out. But why not get some extra mileage out of it? Worn with the right pieces, you can pull off the sequins-during-the-day look. Simply juxtapose it against more tailored pieces, and play down the glam factor with more casual clothes. Here’s how to wear sequins during the day:
1. Start with your basic sequined top. The simpler the shape of the top, the more versatile it is.
2. Add casual pieces: a pair of jeans and a brightly colored hoodie. The orange hoodie brings out the warmth in the gold sequined top.
3. Bring on the tailoring with a structured jacket and oxford shoes. The boxy tweed top and the lace-up booties elevate the casual jeans and hoodie.
How would you wear sequins during the day? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on December 12th, 2008 in Ready Made Outfits, Women |
You may see plaid paired with preppy sweatervests and tailored blazers, but plaid doesn’t have to be stuffy. Here’s how to pull off casual plaid with a polished twist:
1. Start with a fitted plaid shirt. Fit is key; if the shirt doesn’t fit correctly at the shoulder, bust, and waist, the outfit loses its polish.
2. Slip on a pair of dark rinse jeans. They really do go with everything!
3. Layer on a fitted puffer vest. If you’re long and lean, you can afford to wear a vest with a lot of puff. But for the rest of us, try a vest that’s not filled quite so completely. The good news is that these less-filled puffer vests tend to be cheaper than the luxuriously puffed ones. Note how this brown vest brings out the best in the blue plaid shirt. The plaid lining of the hood also adds a nice coordinated touch.
4. Finish off the outfit with a pair of brown boots (echoing the brown in the vest) and a brightly colored handbag to add a splash of color.
How would you wear plaid? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on December 11th, 2008 in Ready Made Outfits, Women |
Combine two key pieces - a herringbone blazer and a tartan plaid shirt - in one standout outfit. To keep the look from being too professorlike, the key is to mix fresh looking pieces (e.g. distressed jeans, a skinny tie) with the more distinguished herringbone blazer and tartan plaid shirt. Here’s how to get the herringbone and tartan plaid look:
1. Start with a snappy tartan plaid shirt. Look for patterns with a bit of an edge, like this sportily elegant black and white plaid. Note the flannel fabric, which will give you added protection from the cold on particularly crisp days.
2. Keep things fresh by pairing the fitted tartan plaid shirt with a pair of dark rinse distressed jeans. A dark rinse jean is an appropriate companion for the preppy plaid shirt, while the distressed details on the jeans give the outfit more life.
3. Slip on a single-breasted herringbone blazer in a fitted cut. If it’s a three button blazer, button only the middle button. For a two button blazer, button the top button, but leave the bottom one undone.
4. Polish off the outfit with coordinated accessories: a black skinny tie, a plain black belt, and a pair of oxfords with just a bit of sheen.
How would you wear herringbone and tartan plaid? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on December 10th, 2008 in Men, Ready Made Outfits |
Greetings, Wall Street Journal readers! I’m honored to report that Omiru was featured in the WSJ’s Blog Watch. Here’s what Nikki Waller, an editor at the Wall Street Journal Online, says about us:
"Fashion-school graduate Trisha Okubo started Omiru in 2005 to deliver what she calls "real style for real people." Omiru’s writers answer readers’ questions — including one recently on what to wear to a creative-industry job interview — with tips and examples of garments and accessories from major retailers, such as Banana Republic, Gap and Forever 21. Keeping with Ms. Okubo’s mission of democratizing style, most pieces spotlighted on the site cost less than $100…Readers weary of unrealistic fashion advice in magazines will welcome tips more focused on their lives — looking work-appropriate is a frequent topic — and budgets."
Welcome to Omiru, where you’ll find inspiration and advice that’s as stylish as it is practical. Here’s a sampling of our favorite posts to get you started:
Womenswear:
Fall/Winter 2008’s Best Boots Under $100
Shopping Guide: Six Handbags Under $100
Q&A: How to Transform Your Wardrobe from Formal to Creative
Three Simple Ways to Wear a Scarf
Three Simple Ways to Wear a Little Black Dress
Ready Made Outfit: Modern Katharine Hepburn
Shopping Guide: The Best Plus Size Styles
How to Add Some Spice to a Closet full of Classics
Fashion over Fifty: Five Style Tips
How to Dress up Jeans for Work
Menswear:
Key Menswear Looks for Fall 2008
Men’s Q&A: What to Wear to Interview for a Creative Job
Shopping Guide: Four Essential Bags for Men
Men’s Trend Alert: The Shawl Collar Sweater
Men’s Q&A: How to Transition Your Style from Work to a Night Out
Where to Find Affordable Skinny Suits
What’s the Ideal Shirt Length for a Man?
How to Determine the Quality of a Suit
How to Build a Casual Preppy Wardrobe
Want more? See everything we have to offer in our archives.
Cheers,
Trisha and the Omiru Team
Posted by Trisha on December 8th, 2008 in Off Topic |
We asked: Would you wear Velvet?
You said: Yes to Velvet, with a close 55%-45% vote.
Style tip? Sure, Velvet may be one of the most classic cold weather fabrics, but it’s not for everyone. Velvet is what’s known as a "pile" fabric, with fibers that extend upward. While this "pile" makes velvet somewhat warmer to wear, its thickness, combined with its natural sheen, makes it somewhat difficult to wear. Our favorite way to wear velvet is on a blazer. But mix things up and try a blazer in a different silhouette. Try a long, hip-length style over a cocktail dress (as pictured) or a blouse and high waisted pants. Or try a cropped style, which works great with a high-waisted skirt…during the summer, a long, flowy sundress.
Next question: Patent leather is a classic fabric for shoes and other accessories. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear Patent Leather? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Urban Renewal Velvet Blazer | $58 at Urban Outfitters.
Posted by Trisha on December 8th, 2008 in Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Why does every woman own a Little Black Dress? Not only are they figure flattering (black is so slimming), but they’re also extremely versatile. Depending on what you wear with it, a single dress can exhibit multiple personalities. Here’s what you can do with a LBD and a few simple accessories:
Ladylike Glamour: Capelet + Clutch + Pumps
Perfect for an evening out on the town. The feathered capelet gives this outfit a touch of old-world glamour.
Free Spirit: Fedora + Wide Belt + Layered Jewelry + Booties
A great day-to-evening look - and perfect for a day of art gallery-hopping.
Modern Gamine: Half Sleeve Coat + Brooch + Long Gloves + Heels
Channel a modern Audrey Hepburn with a strikingly simple silhouettes and gamine details.
Have a great tip about what to wear with a Little Black Dress? Share it with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on December 5th, 2008 in How To, Ready Made Outfits, Women, Women's |
Just because the weather is getting chillier doesn’t mean that you need to put away your summer dresses. Simply pair your warm weather dress with cool weather basics for a look that’s as chic as it is warm.
1. Start with your warm weather dress. For an extra layer of warmth, you may want to consider a layer of undergarments. Silk traps in heat, and it’s slim enough to not be noticeable under the dress.
2. Bring on the cold weather gear: a puffer vest, a pair of long gloves, and a pair of cozy boots. Try cashmere gloves for extra warmth. For cold climates, you may want to switch out the sleeveless puffer vest for a long-sleeved puffer jacket. Between the puffer jacket and the cashmere gloves, you’ll stay nice and toasty.
3. Finish off the outfit with a flirty necklace (to echo the sentiment of the dress) and a fits-everything handbag.
How would you wear a warm weather dress in cold weather? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on December 4th, 2008 in How To, Ready Made Outfits, Women, Women's |
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