The 5 shoes you need this Summer
Shoes glorious shoes!
Step by step they start and end every day with you. Perhaps not so much with lock-down at the moment BUT you shouldn’t be wearing slippers 24/7 however lovely or fluffy they are – they hands down wont beat a damn great shoe. Hail the flat shoe! Gone are they days of having to suffer in heels for style.
Shoes carry your soul… They always fit and have the power to complete and elevate your outfit. However, through my experience as a Personal Stylist, I have noticed a reoccurring theme with clients and shoes, it’s almost as though people see them as separate to your body or outfit – as though they are a different language. They bring up a bubble of panic when clients fall in love with a new item of clothing in the changing room (or currently at home after an online shop) and I am asked ‘But what do I wear on my feet?’
Second to that, especially as seasons change, we struggle with what shoes we need in our capsule wardrobe. In a previous blog of mine ‘How to create your own capsule wardrobe’ (click to read if you haven’t already) I say you need 8 shoes including boots – now this varies person to person but I would use it as a general guideline.
I’m going to talk you through the basics of a summer shoe collection and once you know what works and suits your life and style you can build it up from there. For example, adding in another colour, choosing a more eye-catching design, and even investing in a winter version.
SUMMER SANDALS
Finding your style can be tricky, are you a slider, a chunky, a dainty, a classic, a practical or high fashion sandal kinda girl?! Having a couple of options is a failsafe way of knowing you are covered for all summer occasions. If you can’t decide (and I’m in danger of sounding like a broken record here, a metallic version is a contemporary version of a nude sandal – it just moves you on from a bog standard tan!) And opt for an animal print version to keep things interesting. Be weary of cutting your ankle off with a strap if you have shorter legs or big calf muscles like me because they can shorten how your legs look and we ALL want legs for days. There’s nothing you cant wear sandals with.
Purple - Who What Wear - Yellow - Zalando - White - John Lewis - Gold - Net a Porter
SUMMER MULES / SLINGBACKS
OK so these BEAUTIES are the ballet pump replacement and easier to put on than slippers… If you find they fall off your feet or like me, you trip constantly because sometimes I loose the ability to control my limbs (particularly if ‘m shopping and find myself rushing over to something I've fallen in love with) choose a pair of slingbacks. Opt for leather or pleather to last but I personally buy suede as I just love the soft finish. You can wear these with LITERALLY ANYTHING.
THE SUMMER TRAINER
For the cooler days or days filled with adventures (or chasing children) They are the most versatile because you can even wear them in winter. There are SO many styles to choose from, sporty, high tops, flatforms, leather, printed, metallic etc and guess what?! They go with ANYTHING. Personally, I only wear sporty style trainers for exercise, I cant quite get my head around them with dresses but that’s my opinion, if you like that look I am not stopping you!
Rose Gold - Superga - Leopard - Anthropologie - Silver - Air & Grace - White - Converse
SUMMER HEELS
Hello sophisticated laaaady. In summer I choose heels that have as little covering as possible to avoid the sweaty and slidy foot drama. Espadrilles, clogs, heeled mules and sandals are my go-to’s here for fancier occasions like date night or weddings. Its tough to last all day in the sun in a heel so I personally avoid high stiletto heels but if you can manage it, I salute you! Feet expand when they are hot, so make sure there is room for that when trying on for size (not sexy but essential for comfort)
Wedges - Yull - Espadrilles - Anthropologie - Multi - Anthropologie - Tan - Anthropologie
SUMMER BOOTS
I adore the mini skirt, bare leg and boot style. It oozes playfulness and flirty-ness. I think the midi skirt and cowboy boot is taking over from that style now and also does the trick. If you choose a summer boot with a pattern with a dark base or a metallic, you can also wear them in winter with a tight. However for the ultimate summer boot, keep it light. Summer boots are a great look at festivals and nights in pub gardens (remember those days) but you can now wear them for social distance walks and nights in your garden if you are lucky enough to have one.
White - & Other Stories - Silver - All Saints - Nude - Boden - Black and White - And/OR
I’m not sure if you have noticed but there are ZERO limits with what you can or can’t wear any style of shoe with – if you have rules about what shoes go with what – BREAK THEM. Then you have no worries about how to wear shoes. Just be mindful that you choose colours that work with items in your wardrobes. Finding the style of you you like is the hardest – once you have done that its easy! But it can star to get dangerous for your bank balance…
My final style note: Once you find a brand that works for you, make them your best friend (but don’t rule out searching for other brands either) Remember, slippers do nothing for your self esteem and ballet pumps aren’t an option – replace with a mule, loafer or brogue (but pointy flats are great for work if they are suede and great quality) If you have a heel – make sure you can walk in them! Wear new heels doing your hoovering so you can get used to them! PHEW.
Any questions or worries, get in touch for a free style session with me over the phone – I would live to hear from you.
I hope you are all staying safe and well,
Huge love and stylish wishes,
Sian xxx