Girl Next Door / February 2012 / Wardrobe Essentials: Shoes

Feb 7, 201210:15 AMGirl Next Door

Wardrobe Essentials: Shoes

 

I feel like at this time of the year, I should be giving you advice on reinventing yourself, tips on what to wear to your newly-joined gym and telling you how to streamline your wardrobe. I don't know what it is about January that gives people the insatiable urge to throw clothes away and spring clean their wardrobe, but I'm really sorry if you came here looking for tips on how to do that. When it comes to cleaning out my wardrobe, I suck. I could tell you all about how other people say you should do it, but I definitely don't feel okay with giving you advice that I definitely cannot take! You see, when it comes to clothes, I am definitely a hoarder. But in my defence, I have good reasons for this. I have lost count of the number of times in which I have thrown something away only to find that I want it again a few weeks/months/years later. So now I am decidedly picky about what I do and don't throw away. You just can't be too careful!

So instead of telling you what to get rid of, over the next few weeks I will be going through the pieces that every wardrobe needs. Some of these you might have, some of them you may not have. You don't have to buy them all, but I believe these additions are a good foundation for an easy wardrobe. And by an easy wardrobe, I mean one in which everything goes together while avoiding 'I have nothing to wear' syndrome. You can definitely get by with only these items in your arsenal, as my plan is to chose pieces which will all co-ordinate well, but as I've said, these don't have to be the only things in your wardrobe. A small, organised wardrobe may be a happy wardrobe, but for me, I like a wardrobe busting with colour and print and fun. Most of these items are quite basic, so you might want to mix and match for different colours and prints, or have fun with accessories. The choice is entirely yours.

Today we're looking at shoes.

 

While I wouldn't describe myself as a shoe fanatic, my dad would probably disagree and tut at my 80+ pairs. My defence is that I (mostly) buy shoes for practicality- I'm kinda obsessive about my shoes matching my outfit, which means I often have to buy new pairs to match new outfits! As you can imagine, this list does not involve 80 pairs of shoes, but you are welcome to make up the other 70 pairs. As always, this is not a definitive list, but once you have these 10 pairs, you are well on your way to a perfect capsule of endless outfits. I've also, as usual, kept the list quite general, but if certain shoes I've mentioned aren't really your style then feel free to move on!

 

1. Office pumps

   Everyone needs a pair of “job interview shoes”. These are neutral in colour and are perfect for when you want to feel a little bit taller and a little bit more professional. I'm afraid for full effect, these have to be a little bit boring. Black is classic and msot people go for patent (I personally prefer suede), but grey is also popular and nude also goes with everything and has the bonus of elongating your legs.

2. Ballet pumps

   I own ballet flats in every colour under the sun, but for starters, go with black. These should be soft and comfortable, but smart enough to wear when you need to do a little more walking than your office pumps will allow. Great for putting in your handbag for a night on the town when you know you won't last all night in your heels!

3. Tall boots

   For winter, of course, especially in Minnesota. Suede will get ruined, so go for leather or pleater. Tall boots are always smart and classic, and look great with skinny jeans or leggings. As before, I like black or brown for maximum wearability.

4. Cool sneakers

   Sometimes you just need to channel your inner 15-year-old. I personally love my converse, but obnoxiously bright Nike hi-tops are a great choice too. For dressing down at the weekends or going all Kristen Stewart on the red carpet. I love them with bare legs and a girly dress in summer.

5. Cripplingly high, painful (but fabulous!) heels

   Don't pretend you don't already have a pair of these. The single requirement of these shoes is that they look amazing but rip the skin straight off your feet. Kind of work-of-art shoes- to be displayed but not worn. In no way practical, but all kinds of beautiful. Mine are silver glitter from Topshop and are divine, but allow for minimal walking. Taxi!

6. Wedges

   After watching numerous women fall off their heels, God created wedges. Bright cork wedges are perfect with a maxi dress for summer, but I also love my black boot wedges for when I want a little extra height in the winter. As comfortable as flats but with a little more “wow”.

7. Oxfords

   Admittedly, not to everyone's taste, but I adore them. They can give any outfit a kinda androgynous, quirky touch and just scream stylish.

8. Fancy shoes

   These are similar to the cripplingly high shoes, but a little more practical. These are “you” shoes that you can wear with a really simple outfit and let the shoes do the talking. I like bright red patent heels and my leopard booties. Shoes that make you feel fabulous.

9. Summer sandals

   I am a fan of gladiators because toe-posts hurt my toes and I hate slingbacks, but these are those shoes you live in every single day of the summer. Buy cheap ones in lots of colours and throw them away in September.

10. Cosy shoes

    The first thing I do when I get into the house is throw my slippers on. I love cosy shoes at the end of the day. I personally go for fluffy slipper-boots, but Uggs are also lovely after a long day. And, relax!