Recently in Shoes Category

Q. I’m about to move to New York City and have been pondering what boots would be good to get for fall and winter. I need something practical (that I can walk in for long distances, possibly in inclement weather) but stylish.  I’ve liked the flat knee-high boots with rows of buttons that I’ve seen around occasionally. Any advice on where to get a solid pair for preferably under $200 dollars?
-Concerned Pedestrian

A. A high heel just won’t do for trudging around the city, whether it’s sunny or streets filled with slushy snow. Keep to a low heel or flat, buy a few pairs of cashmere blend socks to keep your feet warm and slip on a knee high pair of leather boots like the options below for under $200. If you plan to only buy one pair of boots for a New York winter, then skip trendy looks and stick with a pair that will work with many items in your wardrobe. These are cool enough for the whole boot to be seen so whether you wear your new wide length trousers over the boot or tuck your jeans or cords into the boot, these pairs are made for all day trekkin’:

1. Aerosoles ‘Override’, $144 at aerosoles.com
2. Kenneth Cole Reaction Buddha Lug, $199.99 at shoes.com
3. Timberland Merevesi Tall Boot, $199.99 at shoes.com

4. Naturalizer ‘Sidney’, $105.99 at shoes.com
5. Nine West Orabella, $136.20 at zappos.com
6. Sudini ‘Throttle’ Boot, $199.95 at nordstrom.com

Q. I am sure the answer is probably somewhere in your column but I can’t find it.  I bought some really cute ballet flats.  My dilemma is, what to do when it gets colder? I live in Colorado.  Can I wear light socks with them? I wear jeans most of the time.  And should I match the shoes or wear a contrasting color?  I don’t want to look like a fashion disaster.
-Happy Feet

A. You can wear your ballet flats all year long when you add a little coverage to keep your feet warm.  Avoid bulky knit socks and opt for opaque tights or knee high trouser socks that are thinner and in the same color hue as your flats.  If you wear your ballet flats with a skirt or dress, you can go for the monochromatic look and match tights to flats for a long, lean look or go for a spunky, young look and choose a color to offset the skirt and flats.

Q. I am sending this question for my boss.  She is wearing a mid minidress and she wants to know the correct heels to wear with it.  Also, what is the lowest heel height to the maximum height that is appropriate?
-Heel Height

A. With a mini, there are plenty of options: she can wear ballet flats for a Mia Farrow in “Rosemary’s Baby” young look; or pair knee high slim boots with opaque tights; or wear peep-toes or high heels for an evening out look. If she is petite (5’3” or shorter), I would advise that she avoid heel heights over 3 inches since it will look like she’s grasping for height with a stiletto.  But generally, her heel choices will depend on what her activity is or where she’ll be going in her dress.  The more casual the plan, the lower the heel height.

Q. I am the mother of the groom at an August wedding. I am wearing a light pink dress with 1 or 2 strands of pearls, pearl earrings, pearl bracelet. My question is, can I wear shiny silver strappy sandals that have a rhinestone on top? If not, what color shoe would be best? I was thinking bone but aren’t shoes supposed to be the same color or darker than the dress?
-Accessory Uncertain

A. That’s a lot of pearls to be sporting. Shoes no longer have to be the same color or darker than the dress. There are many variables these days to mix up and add sass to an outfit. Wearing silver sandals with rhinestones will help give your outfit a dressier appeal. Cream can also be worn and many times can give a sophisticated look, but the silver will be more youthful.

Q. I am performing a civil ceremony for my friends and their 50 guests on the beach in North Seattle. The ceremony will be outside and the reception inside. I have many dresses but none of them seem appropriate. I own a strapless embossed J.Crew beach dress in sundried tomato, a pink 3-ply J.Crew silk empire waist dress (very classy) and a brown embossed J.Crew beach halter dress that may be too revealing in the cleavage.

I feel like one of my dresses should work but I seem to find reasons why none of them will. I worry about looking too fancy for a beach wedding. I like the idea of wearing either the strapless or the pink J.Crew dress, but I don’t know what shoes to wear. One idea I have is to find some dressy flip-flops to wear for the ceremony and then change into heels for the reception.
-Closet Confusion

A. There is no reason to buy a new dress when you clearly have several good options. Instead, buy new sandals and pull together great accessories to give a dress you’ve worn already a boost. For an outdoor ceremony with sand, grass and water involved, wear pretty flat sandals and switch to heels when you head to the party inside. Skip the word “flip-flop” whenever mentioning “wedding” in them same sentence, instead think thong sandal.

left to right:
1. Nine West Zapit, $82.95 at zappos.com
2. Dolce Vita Aegean-17, $87.95 at zappos.com
3. Stuart Weitzman Chaingang, $174 at zappos.com
4. Matisse ‘Escape’ O-Ring Sandal, $74.95 at nordstrom.com
5. Matisse ‘Naive’ Thong, $99.95 at nordstrom.com