0

« The Product Graveyard: What to Do With the Stuff That Sucks | Main | Beauty Detox: Caring for Neglected Hair & Skin »

What to Wear III: Shoes! Shoes! Shoes!

Published 12.05.2007 | Permanent Link | Comments (2)

Dear Amy,

I have the most glamorous classic outfit to wear this Christmas (with a retro top just for that pizzaz) The thing is I have my hair and make up and out fit all figured out....but the SHOES are making me insane. Normally I would just wear black peep toe heels, but because I got a pair of those lovely winter white slacks to go with my black little cocktail jacket I am not sure that black would say "Classy" so much as "TRASHY"!!!

What do I do? I mean, no one who will be there will really give a rat's ass, but it is so important that I look and feel okay (Like I was the one that knocked it out of the park, again.) that I need your help.

Thanks,
Shoeless in Seattle

DSC02249.JPG
Hooray for shoes! And hooray for over-thinking!

Black shoes are FINE with this outfit. Not trashy, like say, five-inch fire-engine red patent-leather peep-toe platforms would be, or a pair of bedazzled resort-wear thongs. Those would be a little trashy.

So yes, your black peep-toe pumps should be just lovely with this, provided the heel isn't too high or low for the pants AND that you've had the pants hemmed (if necessary) to avoid the unfortunate HALP! MAH PANTS BE EATIN MAH FEETS! look. Patent leather would look especially hot, if you've got 'em, and would set off the sequins on the shirt. You do NOT, however, want to go overly matchy-matchy, so avoid shoes in similar fabrics (like say, brocade or anything shiny like satin). Beading or other bling could be okay, provided it isn't exactly like the trim on the shirt. Perfectly matching shoes don't generally look awesome as you might think -- they tend to look a little OCD and blah, actually.

6900-513101-d.jpgIf, after much mirror-prancing and more over-thinking, you still don't think the black shoes are quite right, you could try a gunmetal or pewter metallic shade. (Basically, look at the bracelets paired with your shirt online, and aim for that color.) Maybe something like this or this or this. The slightly off-black color will be a little more interesting than basic black, but wouldn't make everybody's eyes zoom in directly at your feet, like I'm thinking a red or super-shiny silver shoe would.

If you go with an open-toe shoe, however, TOTALLY go for some bright red polish. You're all glammed and classed up everywhere else, so indulge your inner bad girl with a little Streetwalker Cha Cha Red polish.

Party Dressing & Style Content:
What to Wear IV: Shoes for a Navy Bridesmaid Dress?
What to Wear II: Company Holiday Party
What to Wear: Fancy Restaurant Openings
Because Every Woman Deserves to Look Like Audrey Hepburn
How to Wear Fishnets
White After Labor Day
How to Find Stylish and Comfortable Shoes

« Older | Newer »

Comments (2):

BaltimoreGal said:

Excellent shoe, amalah!
But I completely agree that black shoes would be great with the outfit. I personally think that a winter white shoe with winter white pants would be 1. hard to find, 2. impossible to match up, 3. impossible to keep neat looking, and 4. kind of boring.

Posted on December 5, 2007 10:13

heels said:

I just got these http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/19933133/c/89.html
and they are truly fantastic. Leather soles; relatively cushy insoles; nice, smooth patent leather; high but comfortable heel.

Posted on December 5, 2007 11:41

Post a comment

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)


Remember me?


RSS/Atom Feed
Subscribe
Recent Posts
Housing Crisis: Staying With the In-Laws
Smackdown Updates: Sunscreen, Teeth Whiteners, Field Trips & Handbag Dilemmas
The Tracks of Your Tears: How to Repair Your Makeup After Crying
The Every-Other-Month Cycle Blues
Call to the Bullpen: An Official Invite for Former Smackdown Question-Asker People
Categories
Archives

Feeding Your Newborn

About

Amalah is a pseudonym of Amy Corbett Storch. A Washington D.C.-based freelance writer. The Smackdown is published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You can follow Amy's daily mothering adventures at www.amalah.com. Also, it's pronounced AIM-ah-lah.

Submit a Question

If you would like to submit a question, email Amalah at here.


© Alpha Mom, Inc. All rights reserved. | Legal | SanDisk Contest Rules | Jeep Contest Rules | Privacy