build your outfit from the ground up
Those of us at Stylebook write a lot about how to transition swiftly from season to season–how to wear suede in July or white in the winter. Much of the year, it can seem as if fashion is completely out of sync with reality. Fall styles are rolling in right now and the temperatures climbed into the nineties yesterday. It’s not easy to get excited about a beautiful, knee-length coat when you won’t be able to wear it for a while. Indeed, inspiration is hard to come by when store windows display the next season’s fashions before the current season has ended.
This all got me thinking: What is inspirational year-round, no matter your size or location? SHOES! Opening newly arrived boxes of shoes at Kiskadee or browsing briefly at The Shoe Hive is always enough to make me smile. Clothing doesn’t always fit, but I can always find a pair of shoes to take home. In this time of fashion transition when we might not always know how to wear the latest and greatest, it occurred to me to think about styling an outfit in a new way: from the ground up. The shoes in stores right now might be considered “fall styles,” but everything short of a knee-high boot can easily be incorporated into your end-of-summer wardrobe.
As I scanned my closet, I found three styles that are essential for this fall but that you can totally wear now.
1. d’Orsay Flats. This shoe is a spin on the ballet flat–a shoe on which the vamp is cut away close to the toe cup, and the sides are cut away revealing the arch of the foot. These are great with any pants (denim, slacks, trousers) and are fit for work and play. I love these mixed media faux suede/leather flats from Seychelles.
2. Closed-toe Booties. These are a no-brainer–multi-seasonal, and can be worn with anything under the sun.Shorts, skorts, skirts, dresses, pants, etc. These Joie booties are chic and comfortable. As it gets colder, add tights under your favorite dress.
3. Open-toe booties. A happy medium between a bootie and an open-toe pump, this new style is edgier, but not any less wearable. These definitely give off a more casual vibe, so while they can be dressed up I would not suggest wearing to a formal affair. Pair with leggings, tights, or denim (try distressed denim for an ultimate rocked-out look!)
Whatever your style, stock up on your favorite fall shoes for a stress-free transition!
