Shoes

Q. I have been so inspired by all of your bridesmaid tips. I am narrowing down bridesmaid dress choices for my wedding next April. I think the silk chiffon Sophia dress by J Crew in bright aquamarine or maybe tulip - (haven't decided) is most likely the dress I'll go with, since it seems to be pretty flattering for the body types of all my bridesmaids and it's a good price, to boot. The question that remains is shoes! I am considering letting the girls choose their own, but I'd like to give them a color to make them look somewhat uniform. Bad idea? I'm thinking gold or silver... any suggestions? I love the look of a d'orsay heel, but I'm not sure if that will be appropriate for a springtime, late-afternoon wedding (indoors). Please advise! Thank you!
- Shoe Clueless

A. For either dress, gold or silver will work and as I've said in the past, it's a help to your bridesmaids cash flow to offer them the opportunity to buy their own shoes in your color of choice. They may already own one of these metallic colors and if not, a metallic heel is certainly a must-have in a girl's shoe closet. I've found a few options that will work with the dresses once you make your color choice. While d'orsay heels are stylish enough for indoors or outdoors, they are not so readily available in multiple choices of metallic as sandals are each season. So perhaps keep the options open.

1. Matisse 'Elvey' Pump, $114.95 at nordstrom.com
2. Liza patterned d'Orsays, $195 at jcrew.com

3. Charles by Charles David 'Pandora' Metallic Sandal, $66.90 (sale) at nordstrom.com
4. Lucie high heels, $168 at jcrew.com
5. Caparros Jalena, $65 at piperlime.com

Q. I have a short chartreuse colored cocktail dress I am wearing to an event on Friday evening... what color shoes? Black or Gold? The color is a bright lime-y chartreuse 100% Silk.
- Very Sex In The City!

A. Go for gold or neutral strappy heels. Here are some suggestions:

1. Luichiny Primal, $73 at zappos.com
2. Charles David Cascade, $170 (sale) at zappos.com
3. Nine West Dayglow, $83 at zappos.com
4. Nine West Argent, $83 at zappos.com

Q. I love reading your suggestions! I recently purchased several pairs of wide leg trouser-style pants in white, dark blue denim and a light khaki. I would like to find a pair of shoes that would look great with all of them, perhaps a metallic platform. I am 5'3" so a little height helps make my legs look longer. Please provide some suggestions. Thanks so much!
- Well Heeled in Atlanta

A. Here are a few metallic platforms including a wedge, cork, and espadrille style.

1. Roberto Cavalli T6039, $365 at zappos.com
2. Jessica Simpson 'Miles' Metallic Sandal, $78.95 at nordstrom.com
3. Ash 'Shine' T-Strap Platform Sandal, $159.95 at nordstrom.com

4. Carlos by Carlos Santana Explicit, $100 at piperlime.com
5. Athena Alexander 'Alantia' Sandal at nordstrom.com

Q. I need your professional expertise on my dress ensemble for a friend's upcoming 40th B-day celebration. I have attached a photo hoping it gives you a good idea. What I need is advice on shoes and accessories. The dress is a cream and gray pattern and it falls like silk.
-Friend Function

A. Try a grey patent leather sandal or peep toe heel or neutral beige, and don't get stuck on matching the hue exactly. The heels can be a little lighter or darker. I would go with a simple thin necklace that has a charm or pendant on the end as long as it lays within the "V" of the dress or choose a longer necklace that hangs about two to three inches longer than the "V." Alternatively, choose earrings that have some colored beads like blue, violet or pink and then add an enamel bracelet in a color or pattern. There are great enamel pieces available at BananaRepublic.com and JCrew.com and I'm a big fan of the charm style necklaces on blueluxe.com.

1. Seychelles Big Bucks, $84 at zappos.com
2. Nine West Revengez, $83 at zappos.com
3. MAXSTUDIO 'Ferris' Sandal, $158.95 at nordstrom.com

4. kate spade 'gwennie' pump, $295 at nordstrom.com
5. Moda Spana Demi, $93 at zappos.com
6. rsvp Liz, $65 at zappos.com

1. Cabochon-wrapped enamel bangle, $68 at jcrew.com
2. 1" enamel bangle, $35 at jcrew.com
3. Two-strand turquoise drop necklace, $49 at bananarepublic.com

4. Purple Jade, Grey Onyx, and Smoky Quartz Color Block Floating Silk Necklace, $89 at blueluxe.com
5. Rutilated quartz briolette necklace, $45 at bananarepublic.com
6. Genuine rose quartz vine earring, $59 at bananarepublic.com

Q. I chose the attached bridesmaid dress (in latte) to wear in a wedding in May. The only instructions given by the bride were tea length dress in latte or cappuccino and sandals. The guys are wearing champagne. I am clueless as to what type and color of dress sandals to wear? If this helps, I am 5'9 with skinny legs. Truly, I'd prefer a mid-cut heel but I will definitely consider all styles.
- Color Coordination

A. Look for champagne, cream or even a pale metallic heel to wear with your dress. There always seem to be fewer stylish choices when it comes to the hunt for a special occasion lower heel. Some can border on looking too old, but I found a few pairs that look good and just skim the line on being a high heel. Stand tall and confident.

1. Vaneli Larinda, $86 at zappos.com
2. Nina Genoa-LS, $83 at zappos.com
3. Pura Lopez 'K122' Sandal, $228 at nordstrom.com
4. Mossimo® Hester Jewel Satin Strap Heels - Sand, $19.99 at target.com

Q. I am looking for some cool gold sandals for summer. I could use a pair of heels (preferably under 3 inches) and a pair of flats to dress down cute summer dresses.
-Shine On  

A. Enjoy the warm weather when you step out in these shiny gold sandals.

Heels:
1. Claudia Ciuti 'Tulipano' Sandal, $350 at nordstrom.com
2. Stuart Weitzman 'Delovely' Sandal, $255 at nordstrom.com
3. Nine West Accolia, $69 at piperlime.com
4. Charles by Charles David Pandora, $100 at piperlime.com
5. J. Reneé 'Melina' Sandal, $84.95 at nordstrom.com 

Flats:
1. Diane von Furstenberg 'Molto' Sandal, $265 at nordstrom.com
2. Athena Alexander 'Audra' Sandal, $99.95 at nordstrom.com
3. Jessica Simpson Caralie, $6. at piperlime.com
4. daniblack Greet, $135 at piperlime.com
5. MICHAEL Michael Kors 'Tabitha' Metallic Thong, $97.95 at nordstrom.com 

Q. I am looking for a pair of moderately priced strappy sandals with a heel in a nude/tan color. I can't find them anywhere! I would like to wear them with a pink, just below the knee, bridesmaid dress in a spring wedding and with other summer dresses. I've heard that wearing a tan heel can lengthen the leg. Do you have any other shoe suggestions that can give the illusion of a longer leg?
-Illusionary Bare  

A. Heels always give the illusion of a longer leg and choosing a neutral color that is similar to your skin tone is like wearing the same clothing color head to toe - it elongates the body. I like that you've chosen a neutral cream color to wear with your pink dress, it's a sophisticated choice.

1. Kenneth Cole Reaction Rich N Post, $83 at zappos.com
2. Delman Magical, $298.95 at zappos.com
3. Charles David Calypso, $253.95 at zappos.com
4. Nine West Havard, $111.60 (sale) at zappos.com
5. Martinez Valero 'Desiree' Sandal, $139.95 at nordstrom.com
 

Q. I have a navy tunic dress. It's too cold to wear bare legged, I have black boots, dark brown boots, and camel boots, but not sure what to wear with the boots? Tights?
-Boot Strapped

A. Navy is a great neutral to build on and any of those boot colors may work, but of course, try the dress and the boots together. And tights are the ideal cover, whether patterned, textured or solid black, navy, grey or dark chocolate. For fun, try a rich color like eggplant, emerald or hunter green to pop between the hem of the dress and the top of the boots. And if you can find them, a mix of colors (think Missoni style) would be quite hip.

Q. I just moved to Wisconsin and the snow and cold have chased away all the flip-flops I wore all winter while in Texas. I'd like some cute snow boots that I wouldn't mind wearing all day or when going out downtown. The only problem, I have wide calves. Are there any boots out there for me?
 -Cold Feet

A. These stylish winter boots should comfortably slide over your wide calves and banish the winter blues you're facing. I also suggest you invest in several pairs of cashmere blend socks to keep your feet warm. May you trudge fearlessly through the snow and wear your flip-flops around the house...

1. Juicy Couture Snowflurry, $199 at zappos.com
2. Ugg Liberty, $279 at zappos.com
3. Shearling Boots, $89.50 at landsend.com
4. Via Spiga Graffa, $260 at zappos.com
5. Aquatalia by Marvin K. Ranch, $378.95 at zappos.com

Q. I love your site and would love to get your advice on a matching issue. I have a casual chocolate brown blazer that has a velvet-like texture to it and I'm looking for an everyday shoe that I could pair it with. Comfort is super important to me so something that is either flat or has no heel would be perfect. I'm concerned that wearing brown shoes is too matchy, but that black wouldn't be appropriate (in any case, I have way too many black shoes). And can you recommend any cute footwear in neutral colors?
-Matching Madness

A. Wearing brown flats with a brown jacket is not too matchy-matchy. I've shopped for flats that should offer all day comfort and are far from plain jane styles. Whether textured, embellished or in a pattern, these flats should stretch to coordinate with other items in your wardrobe.

1. Nine West Leduce, $82.95 at zappos.com
2. City suede ballet flats, $125 at jcrew.com
3. Maisie printed calf-hair driving mocs, $250 at jcrew.com
4. Corso Como Fleur, $130 at piperlime.com