Do Stylish Mid heels Exist? I'm About to Find Out

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you probably understand my love for the perfect heels, which can not only enhance an outfit but help to put that extra pep in your step. And let's not forget the wonderful ability heels have to elongate the body for shorties like me. So you can imagine how my heart dropped when I visited my podiatrist this week and he told me I needed to ease off wearing heels above 2 inches for a couple of months. Excuse me? I'm the girl that considers a 3 inch heel a good walking shoe. I was like, come again? Do you know who I am?? But in all fairness I knew this day was coming. Lately, when barefoot or wearing flats I experience some strong pain on the top of my right foot. So I started alternating from my regular high heels to flats in hopes of easing the pain. But my podiatrist said flats are not the answer because they don't provide sufficient padding for the balls of my feet and heels add too much pressure, which I experience when I take off my heels. I read that a 1-inch heel will increase the pressure by 22 percent; a 2-inch heel by 57 percent; and a 3-inch heel by 76 percent. Yes, easing off the high heels for now seems to be the answer. The alternative is causing a stress fracture, which could mean a cast or some ugly boot thing to take the pressure off. I asked my doctor if the foot gods are punishing me for all the years of sporting towering heels. He said no, it's a combination of my foot  shape, which makes me prone to stress fractures and wearing heels just makes the situation worse.  Yesterday I took stock of my shoes to see how many pairs of 2 inch shoes I have and realized I had both a fashion and medical emergency on my hands. This called for some serious online research to find the perfect, stylish 2 inch heel. And let me tell you, it's a hard feat ( Haha, get it??) but not impossible. I found several brands and looks that might make this experience a little bit more dignified.

Corso Como-Casey- These are a  good replacement for my typical 3-4 inch night on the town shoes. Not hugely sexy but wearable.

 

 

Steve Madden Carlen boots--not a huge fan of Steve Madden but they are cute and 2 inches...






Love these blue suede shoes. so these are 2 3/4 inches but better than three inches.




Ecco-fun slingback

Well, the options aren't looking too bad,  right? The good news is that I can still rock my 3 inch and above heels for special nights when I won't spend a lot of time on my feet. I guess it could be worst.  I could be restricted to ugly orthopedic shoes.So for now the quest for the perfect stylish 2 inch shoe continues. But it sure is hard to resist the irresistible pull of a sexy heel. I just have to find my inner strut instead of relying on heels like I usually do.

Christian Siriano's Claw Heels: Hot Tranny Mess

Dahlings, I just a came across Christian Siriano's talon heels for Payless. The style blogs are buzzing about the three piece collection and according to one blog,  "Payless first released toned-down versions of the shoes, but after great shopper outcry for the real deals, they caved and rolled these out." Hmm. Whom may  I ask cried out for these crazy claw like shoes?  Priced at $79.99 a pair, the shoes are very Lady Gaga: deranged.  I  do like the print on the blue pair but for the most part, this collection is a little too Alexander McQueen-esque ( RIP). And really only the deranged  Lady Gaga should be teetering in them not the average girl who most likely won't be in a music video anytime soon  looking like a dead corpse. A fabulous one albeit.

These shoes are truly a hot tranny ( hellacious) mess, as Christian would say.

Really Loving: Leggings an Alternative to Tights

I really resisted the legging trend when it resurfaced from the 80s a couple years ago. I always thought they were for skinny teen age girls and when I saw anyone older wearing them I shuddered. I didn't think they were for me until recently. I finally relented and reluctantly purchased a pair of black leggings from H&M for my 10 hour flight to Amsterdam. And surprisingly, I loved, loved them. I paired the leggings with a long stretchy cotton tee, then added a thin oversized stripped V-neck sweater, and finally a long sweater coat. I tend to wear them on the weekends but recently wore them to work with a flowy, flowery dress and long cardigan and I stayed quite toasty. If you're like me and have turned your nose at leggings, I think you should reconsider. They are a great alternative to tights and are surprisingly flattering--when worn the right way that is.

The Look:
The key to wearing leggings the right way is to achieve the big-over-small silhouette. So when you choose a shirt to pair with your leggings, look for a roomy one. Do not expose the bottom or the gap between the mid-thigh.  Your bum shouldn't be hanging out! Choose a longer-length top which hits the mid-thigh. This elongates the torso and gives proportion.

Fabric: You should choose a good quality fabric which will keep its shape (one with more than 4% lycra). Cheap leggings have a tendency to bubble and go out of shape. Choose a thicker fabric to slim and add shape and support.

Color: Black or dark gray colors are best to achieve a slimming effect that also means choosing full length leggings, not the ankle or mid calf styles.

Styling Tips:  The thing that's great about leggings is that you can wear them just as you would wear your tights. For instance, a classic dress can be given an on-trend, edgy look by popping a pair of leggings underneath rather than plain tights. I recemmend two ways to wear dresses over leggings: (1) a close fitting dress (such as a knit dress),  or (2) a billowy bohemian style casual dress. What ever style you choose, make sure that the dress falls at or above the knee for the most flattering silhouette. But please note, leggings are not an alternative to pants.

And don't forget the shoes Dahlings. Look for three styles: flats, boots, and pumps. Other types of shoes tend not to work as well as these three styles. My personal favorite are booties or knee high boots.


Where To Buy: This trend can be found anywhere. So just buy one already.

A Word About Jeggings: As if leggings weren't enough, "Jeggings"-- a cross between leggings and jeans-- has fashion fanatics flocking to the stores in droves. I'm not falling for this one.

Check out this video for more tips on how to wear leggings, no matter what your body type.


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Spotted: Street Style in Amsterdam

Dahlings...it's been a week since I've been back from my trip to Amsterdam where I was managing some promotional work for my company. I can say that Amsterdam is a  beautiful city. In between  work,  I managed to sneak away to visit a few touristy spots in the Dam such as the Ann Frank house, the Van Gogh and Rembrandt Museums and of course the infamouse and seedy Red Light District. The rain was incessant and I think I would prefer to have been there in the spring time. But of course as I walked and walked and walked, the streets of Amsterdam, being careful not to get run over by bikers, I kept my eyes open to what the women were wearing. I really enjoyed the confidence in which Dutch women carried themselves. Young and old seem to really enjoy fashion.The clothing was practicle, stylish and not overtly fussy and individual style statements was made in the detail; a nice scarf, a well tailored coat, sexy heels, and a chic purse. I love that the girls zipped about town on bikes in heels, sensible heels I might add but on the weekends I did spot some major heel heights.

The style uniform was not all that different than what the girls here are rocking: leggings ( all sorts, mostly black but the more adventourous girls went for a pop of color); tulip or ballerina inspired skirts, and of course boots reigned supreme ( tall ones, short ones, shooties, booties, you name it);and both stylish but functional, scarves and hats were in high rotation. As expected this time of year, the coat ruled the streets, primarily the belted military coat in black of course.

 But I really enjoyed the girls who broke out of the box and opted for a patterned or a fantastic coat in an unexpected color. There's something so refreshing about a shot of bright color on a dreary winter day. I recalled a baby blue swing coat, an orange baby doll coat and a deep purple double breasted coat standing out vividly among a sea of blackness.

There was also a lot of faux fur on the streets, which was bizarre considering it rained non-stop. And of course I made an attempt to buy something stylish that was unique to Amsterdam. Unfortunately what I really wanted I couldn't really afford and what I could afford I could get  here in the states...cheaper. Major let down. But stores, like H&M where at every corner, as well as ZARA as to be expected. It's interesting how the democratization of fashion is uniting us all. Not sure if it's good or bad thing yet. Anyway here's some street style I captured, some on a rainy day as a I sat at an outdoor cafe sipping on my Americano and some just walking the streets.

This Just In: A Fierce Deal

Hello Dahlings,  Christian Siriano of Project Runway fame was on Oprah today hawking his new collection and his new accessories line for Payless.  Payless, really? I can't recall the last time I stepped into a Payless but now might be the time. If you're looking to stock up on the latest trendy shoe offerings this season, this might be the perfect time to do it. Here's the kicker: if you go to the Oprah show site, you can download a coupon that gets you  50 percent off the entire store today and through close of business on Friday, October 30. This includes Christian's collection, which looks pretty fun and stylish. This is a great offer! How much more affordable can you get? These are not investments obviously but a chance to pick up a few fun pieces to spice up your Fall look. I'm digging these pumps for $34.99 to accompany a pair of straight leg black jeans. Check out the entire Christian Siriano line. Final Word: As Christian would say, these looks are Fierce!

Jimmy Choo Coming to H&M!

Dahlings, it has come to my attention that popular shoe and accessory brand Jimmy Choo which was made famous by Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City is coming to H&M. Selected H&M stores will feature a collection of clothing, shoes and accessories starting November 14th. I heard that the collection will be featured in about 200 H&M stores worldwide. How this piece of knowledge is just now getting to my ears is beyond me. But I'm so glad I caught wind of it. Here's the deal; the collection includes men's and women's clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories. Among the offerings are dresses, jumpsuits, leggings, embroidered tops, and other forms of fashion forward pieces. You might also be glad to hear that all the shoes are real leather, which makes them a bit more pricier than your typical H&M buy (The over-the-knee boots are $299). There's tons of sparkly options that are perfect for the holidays. But word is still out on whether this collaboration will be worth the long lines (and the frenzy) when it comes to quality. But we are talking about H&M here so not entirely sure if quality should be of concern. I myself, say no to long lines. I don't have the patience but I will pop my head in to the nearest H&M for a peek and maybe make a purchase if I'm so inclined. Final Word: Girls you are lucky (if you can buy it on time)…

Fall Fashion Must Have #2: Opaque Tights

Hello dahlings. The weather outside is frightful but don't let it ban you from your cute dresses and skirts. Apparently opaque tights are a must have the Fall/Winter season according to the style setters. To me tights are a wardrobe staple. I always pull  out my black tights when the weather gets a little chilly.

Finding Your Stride In Heels

I recently attended the Maxwell Black Summer Night's tour. If you know me, you know that I love me some Maxwell, the "sexy ambassador of soul!" The concert was at the Sleep Train Concord Pavilion, an outdoor stadium. I saw a wide range of looks; from body conscious outfits to casual jeans paired with funky tees. But what I noticed the most was the large number of women sporting 5 inch shoes, barely able to walk. Don't get me wrong; heels are a godsend. I'm a shorty so I rely on heels to elongate my legs and add a little pep to my step. However, it looks wrong, completely wrong if you're wearing a killer heel and you're unable to put one foot in front of the other because your feet hurt or the heel is too high and it's throwing your walk off balance. It's not sexy nor is it cute. Often, ladies we put up with discomfort just to get a look. But if your feet hurt, it's going to show. This may seem like common sense but don't buy heels that hurt. period. I refuse to wear shoes that I can't walk in comfortably. Yes, towering heels are very en vogue but they are not for everyone. High heels should be reserved for those evenings where very little walking is involved and sometimes it's worth stashing a more comfortable pair of flats in your car or bag to slip into when your feet begin to hurt. But do maintain your style dignity. When it comes to flats there are tons of options in the stores to keep you looking fly. Don't just throw any old thing on your feet. In general when trying on a pair of heels, take in your silhouette. Do you feel balanced? Walk in the heels throughout the store, away from the carpeted area to get a real feel of the shoe on a hard surface. Make sure you feel aligned as you move. When walking in heels pull your shoulders back and down and suck your stomach in. With a relaxed back make sure you walk by placing one foot in front of the other aiming for the balls of the feet, and Strut, honey!  Personally I stick to about 3 inches sometimes 2 inches for more active work days. Flats really don't work for me, I need at least an inch! For a night out with my man, I might do up to 4 inches but always with a substantial heel. No needle thin heels here. Final word: A female obsession, shoes should make you feel more confident, more sinuous, more empowered all while elevating your outfit. You shouldn't put on a pair of shoes in the morning just to be hobbling around by noon. So check your walk before you wreck your style.