Recently in Shoes Category

Q. I work at the post office and we are not allowed to wear open toe shoes at any time.  It is summer and I love to wear capris. What kind of shoes other than sandals would look good with them?
-Toes Tucked In 

A.  Just because you’re wearing capris doesn’t mean you have to wear toe-baring sandals.  There are several options that still show off a little foot flesh and are stylish to wear with your cropped pants. Look for ballet style flats, closed toe espadrilles and wedges.  The ballet flats and espadrilles will keep the look casual and the wedge can give you some height, but still you give better foot support if you’re standing all day.

Steve Madden ‘Pixee’
$62.99 at shoes.com

Chinese Laundry ‘Insight’
$69.99 at shoes.com

Franco Sarto ‘Question’
$79.99 at shoes.com

Seycheles No Apologies
retro round-toe wedge
$84.95 at solestruck.com

Q.  I’m traveling to London at the end of the month and I’m looking for a pair of flats that are cute, comfy, can be dressed up and down, and can be worn rain or shine. The problem is that I’m not looking to spend a lot of money. Can you help?
-Flat Appeal 

A. I adore these flats from Aerosoles called the Frillie Pepper—they’re super cute, comfy with a cushioned insole and the gold can be paired with walking shorts by day and dresses at night.

$69 at aerosoles.com

Q. What basic color shoes should be in a woman’s wardrobe? Someone told me white, black and red but this seems out there.
-No Clue Shoes 

A. White as a requisite in your shoe wardrobe is definitely “out there.”  Very few people wear white shoes, and when they do, it’s usually a sandal or flip flop.  Word of advice: don’t ask that same person about clothing choices!   

It’s hard to determine what’s best for your wardrobe since your lifestyle and career can influence your needs and choices, but if you were to keep the colors and styles to a bare minimum, black and chocolate brown should cover you for most occasions and seasons. For the past few years, metallics have become essential neutrals, adding spark to everything from a cocktail dress to jeans and helping to alleviate the desire for “matching colors” from head to toe.  A bronze heel can replace your brown pump when the shade is wrong with your outfit, while silver and gold work well with a multitude of colors.  Finally, adding color to your shoe wardrobe, whether it’s a navy espadrille, a pink ballet flat or a green pointy-toe slingback can give new life to any wardrobe or polish even the most basic jeans and t-shirt look.

Q. How do you wear the metallic gold, silver, bronze shoes?  What goes best with them?  I have heard that you can wear them like a neutral, but I still can’t figure out which shoe looks best with what color clothes.  I like gold with green, but when it comes to other colors I am at a loss.  What color should you wear with yellow? Silver, gold, bronze? How about blue?  Does it depend on the shade?  What about pink?  Please help!
-Clueless About Color   

A. I’ve said that metallics are like a neutral, but in truth they do so much more than a neutral.  A cream shoe with a yellow dress is fine, but a gold sandal with a yellow dress is sexy. Here’s my metallics 101: gold works best with green, red, orange and soft colors like beige and khaki;  cooler colors like blue and gray look best with silver; brown looks good with bronze or gold; white and black and even pink work with multiple metallic shades.

Q. I came across your site and thought it was just great. I am going to my brother-in-law’s child’s christening. They are having a get-together at a restaurant after the church at about 3pm.  I was planning on wearing a simple v-neck, short-sleeved wrap dress (black) from Express, size 1/2.  It fits real nice and is knee length.  Should I just wear a simple black pump (I have a black leather pair with an ankle strap or do I avoid the ankle strap).  Or should I wear an open toe, but I wanted to avoid the pedicure, this week my schedule is real hectic.  And I am not crazy about open-toe shoes with pantyhose, and I wanted to wear pantyhose because I don’t have a tan right now. If you could suggest an actual shoe or website, would be great. Or should I just go with the simple slacks and dressy top?  I thought a dress was more appropriate, because I have two young girls 3 & 5 and I am dressing them in fancy dresses that I bought them for Easter.  Should my husband wear a suit? We are from New York but the christening takes place in Baltimore.
-Toes not ready to peep 

A. Go for the dress and wear something that gives more of a hint to the nicer weather like an open toe sandal or peep toe, and if you can’t get a pedicure just put on some nail polish and deal, since nobody’s going to be really eyeing your toes.  If you can’t bear to expose your toes, then choose a sling back and skip the hose.  I’m not a big fan of hosiery unless it’s tights or sheer black in the winter.  And don’t fret about not having a tan, it’s only April and unless you live in Florida we are all still looking a bit pasty so everyone will look the same.  Why not buy the Jergens moisturizer that gradually tans your skin without messy stains? You can find it at your local drugstore and by the time the christening date arrives you should have a nice glow. 

As for your husband, I don’t think a suit is necessary.  A shirt, nice slacks and a sport jacket will be spiffy enough.