The Makings of a Wardrobe

Shoes are important in the most functional of ways, as they protect our feet, but they can also be used as an artistic exhibition of fashion and flair. As an avid shoe lover, I know that for every good wardrobe there needs to be a mixture of shoes, with classic shoes, practical shoes and statement shoes. Your classic shoes are your home base, mixing equal parts of practicality and statement, they can be used with any and every outfit. They are so comfortable, they feel like part of your body, and yet they are so stylish, you know everyone else notices them. Once you have the groundwork for a good shoe wardrobe, you need practical shoes, that focus on comfort, but are versatile and applicable to many outfits. Your practical shoes, which will carry you on anything from mile-long journeys through mountains to late-night runs to grocery store, are just that, practical. Once you have classic and practical taken care of, then comes the fun part: the statement shoes. Statement shoes are different for every person, but they always reflect back persons particular style. Over this past weekend, I managed to wear or see an example of all of these.

This weekend I had to go on a cultural immersion project for one of my classes, meaning I needed to attend a religious service that was not part of my faith. I was told to dress in my Sunday best, but Sunday best can mean different things to different people. For me I wear a dress or nice outfit and heels,  but I knew I would end up wearing that outfit the rest of the day, so I didn't want to wear heels. 

The decision was simple. I would wear my trusty flat ankle boots. They are grey, so they match just about everything, and they flat so I could wear them for days! The design is simple and elegant, with a rounded toe, allowing for it to be dressed up or down and the embellishment, the straps and bow, that makes them original and eye catching. I bought this pair at DSW, a shoe store worth going to if you haven't been, and the title of this entry is a link to their website. Each store carries different brand names and no names that mix to create the greatest selection of any kind of shoe that I have ever seen, and the prices vary as much as the styles. This particular pair is Rampage and cost around 50 dollars. They are the epitome of comfort shoe. 

As for practical shoes, they aren't the most chic, but Softspots (softspots.com - you can't buy here, but you can find a store and DSW carries their shoes) has some of the most comfortable shoes out there. 

Their prices are not even near outrageous, when you consider you will wear them forever; this pair cost me around 50 dollars. 

As a a singer, I have a dire need for black shoes for performances. In the past I have worn flats, but I am usually in the back row and like to be able to see the conductor, so I prefer heels. Rather than suffer through long performances in adorable shoes, focusing only on when I can take them off, I now wear the Misa shoe by Softspots. I realized the music is much more important than the pair of shoes the girl in the back row is wearing. It was a long process trying to f

ind the perfect practical pair, but I did it. I wore them on Saturday at my choir's concert and was still able to walk afterwards!

This weekend my friends and I went out to our "family" Sunday night dinner and my friend Barbara decided to wear her new impossibly high heels. Considering our meal was about half a block away and we sat through dinner, she was able to stand the shoes, but I do not recommend these for a long night of dancing and wandering 

about the city. This particular pair of shoes comes to us from Charlotte Russe (http://www.charlotterusse.com), a company I know I will mention more then once. They have incredibly cheap shoes, all pumps are under 30 dollars, and during sales their shoes go for 4 to 10 dollars. The shoes are always very current and in style, perfect for the college girls budget! Downside? The quality isn't incredible and the fit is almost always just a bit off. But, for the price, you can buy a pair, wear them a while and once they are worn out, they are probably out of style, so just go buy another pair!

Right on Target

There is no magic shoe fairy. There is no one who supplies me daily with new shoes to match my outfit. I wish, but no such luck. So in light of my fairylessness, I am all about having as many shoes as possible, so you have as many options as possible on any given day. Accomplishing this requires a delicate mixture of splurge shoes and budget shoes. 

Trying to find quality shoes for little money can be as hard as finding a CEO who can balance a budget in today's economy. But, today I wore two pairs of shoes, both from Target, which means reasonably priced, and both of good quality. Firstly, I word a pair of incredibly comfortable ballet slipper flats that seem to just mold to my foot, almost as if I am barefoot. Now they aren't high fashion, simple black cloth with an bohemian-esque embroidered design by a no-name company, but for tromping all around campus they work wonders. Best part? I got them for probably about 6 dollars on sale. I've had these shoes going on 2 years, and they are as good as the day I bought them, except for some muddiness due to my wandering walk through the Arb a few days ago. 

The second pair I donned today were also from Target but the absolute opposite. They are my Power Shoes: black mary-jane snakeskin leather stilettos with a heel to kill. I bought these probably 2 or 3 years ago, when Issac Mizarahi was first designing for Target and they were probably 25 dollars. The design is simple and sleek, perfect for, as I did today, dressing up a chic outfit. They are one of the most versatile shoe I own, as one day I will wear it with jeans and the next with a cocktail dress. 

Now you could go and spend $492.00 on bluefly.com and get this gorgeous pair of Jimmy Choos, also simple and sleek. But except for the thicker heel, as is currently in style and was not 3 years ago when I got mine, they accomplish the same look. 

I love designer shoes and I am not saying that they aren't worth it, but everyone can find shoes that fit their budget. It just takes a little time, effort, and magic shoe fairy dust.

In the Beginning

In the Beginning, I created a blog about shoes. Basically, this is a place to combine my obsession with shoes and my lovely sense of style for all the world to see.  I will combine street style with designer, in hopes of showcasing the beauty of shoes. 

My motto: the shoe that doesn't match anything, matches everything!

Found these online today at this really neat website called modcloth.com, which carries great vintage finds and current styles. Love it! The title of this post is a link to the website. 

I would love these as an accent to a great pair of dark wash jeans or a cute secretary dress in black.

What am I wearing today?

Bronze Oxfords with Black Patent Laces - Exchange by Charles David (2007?)