Red Red Wine

For those of you who don't share my infatuation with pink/blush hues for Autumn, (and every other season), here are some alternatives I've come across in stores recently.

This time I've gone for Penneys/Primark, another of my fashion weaknesses, and a great option for quick trend pieces or wardrobe updates on a budget.

Dressed up or dressed down?

Something I've come across a lot these days, whether in magazines, facebook posts or blog articles, is the art of dressing a garment up or down. A very interesting topic for those of us on a limited budget looking to make the most of existing wardrobes. 

The part I'm not too keen on though is the notion of dressing an outfit "up with heels" or "down with flats".
Now don't get me wrong, I can appreciate a fine pair of strappy heels along with the rest of them, but for me, that's where it ends. Destined to a life in flats means my admiration extends as far as the shop displays or fellow bloggers' purchases.

This comment that frequents the fashion advice pieces often has me wondering, as a perpetual flats wearer, am I ever really "dressed up" in the eyes of the fashion elite?

Such is my reliance on flats, I've become accustomed to planning an outfit from the feet up. Does it go with the shoes I already own? Will I be able to find suitable flats in store right now? Does the outfit work without extra height added? 

Say I come across a fab pleated midi skirt - plenty of styling options, lot of choice and price points, plenty in my wardrobe to go with it. But will it work with my flats (and lack of natural height)? Invariably the answer is not what I want to hear, so back on the rail it goes. 

What about the latest jumpsuit or culotte trends? Don't even think about it...

Some would say the fashion 'rules' are made to be broken, but that can take some courage, and I can't always find enough of it!

My outfit planning saga is currently underway as I look for a special event outfit. A visit to a personal shopper out of curiosity led me back to square one really, as she presented me with just two outfits to wear with my existing shoes! Nice 'n' all as they were, I'm not one to give up quite that quickly so the search continues.
So many perfect outfits, so few shoes...

With all the pressure from the fashion industry and media these days, just how brave do we need to be to challenge the widely accepted "norm"? 

Take a fashion lookbook for example, showing the same garment with heels and flats.. which would catch your eye on first glance? 

I have to admit that even my own eyes would be reluctantly drawn to the glam heeled look, before logic and reality set in.

No, I don't understand me either. 

So where does this height obsession come from? In spite of my shoe situation, I've seldom lost all reason over a pair of flat brogues, but grant me three wishes and I'd be down to Penneys faster than you'd say patent-nude-mary-janes. 

Maybe it's one of those things I'll never fully understand, but if there are any to-die-for flat brogues/pumps/boots out there, I'd love to hear about them! 

What are your thoughts on the heels v flats issue? Is wearing heels really all it's cracked up to be? Go on, tell me what I want to hear.... :-)

New shoes?

Hey everyone, check out these pretty little additions to my growing wishlist.

I came across these today in Debenhams, priced at €48.50.

I find it so hard to get comfy stylish shoes I can actually walk in, and as far as my checklist goes, these seem to tick all the boxes - 

• Comfort
• Easy to fasten strap (Velcro)
• Flat heel but not too flat
• Wide fit
• Round toe
• Non-slip sole
• Soft comfortable sole
• Pretty colours!

The price is pretty reasonable too, although they don't seem to be included in the sale. Typical of me, always drawn to the new-in stock, like a magnet.

Anyway, the pink caught my attention initially, as usual, but the other colours would be great for Autumn. As it happens, they didn't have my size in stock, which is probably a blessing in disguise, might have come home with all three. 

Think I feel a bit of online shopping coming on, if I can just decide on a colour... probably pink. Or maybe navy... ugh, can't cope.

 

  What do you guys think?

Shoes for style AND comfort?

I recently received a query from an occupational therapist on behalf of a patient she is working with. 

Being an ongoing battle of my own also, this query regarding shoes was particularly appropriate!  

The lady in question was having difficulty finding stylish shoes with the practical elements she now requires. 

Having recently started walking again during her rehabilitation, she now naturally requires shoes with adequate support, an issue I’m all too familiar with myself. 

 

Factors including mid heel heights, stability, secure fastening, strong supportive materials and comfort, are difficult to find in a stylish fashionable shoe.

For everyday wear, sports shoes can be the most comfortable and practical, but for attending a special occasion or event, we obviously need a shoe in the right style and colour for the outfit.  (I’ve often found myself planning an outfit from the bottom up, starting with the shoes, to eliminate some of the stress).

Given the circumstances, we can immediately rule out the usual go-to occasion wear – high heels - along with some of other regulars such as sandals or wedges or even ballerina pumps. 

Sounds like I’m being fussy, I know.  From a personal perspective, I’ve often felt I’m putting the store assistants through their paces as a difficult customer. 

  

I may sound like a picky, hard to please shopper, but this is the way it has to be I’m afraid. No point any of us risking injury and further restriction for the sake of heel height, is there?

So, given the limitations, these are some of my preferred options when shoe shopping.  Have to say I’m loving the trend for brogues at the moment, as it makes life easier and still allows for some stylish options.  One pair in every colour please..

I think it is always a good idea to go for quality in shoes if support is an issue.  Cheaper brands can be ideal for a once-off event or a holiday, but won’t last beyond the season (or be approved by the physios).  

When choosing shoes for an occasion, I try to buy with other outfits in mind as well, to make sure I get value for money.  Neutral colours such as black, navy, nude and white are obviously a wise choice, and generally easier to find in the most suitable style.

These are some on my spring/summer wish list at the moment – 

Clarks: 

Festival Gala Oyster Patent Brogue

 Hamble Oak Dusty Pink Brogue

Zara:

Soft Blue Blucher

  

Shiny trainers

 

Orthotics Vs Aesthetics.

Splints. Orthotics.  Braces.  Supports.  Whatever name you give them, if you’ve ever had to wear them you’ll know they’re not the most fashionable pieces of equipment to grace your wardrobe.

The bane of my life I’d even call them, and I’m sure I’m not alone there.

Though the dilemma I now find myself in, is my increasing dependence on them versus my reluctance to accept their very existence.  You could say I want to wear them, but I don’t want to wear them.  

They cause me to face an inner daily battle as I plan my outfit for the day – 

The first inner voice wants me to feel more secure and comfortable on my feet, with reduced possibility of falling on my face.  Or fighting with a physio. 

And the opposing voice yearns to wear that beckoning summer dress which hasn’t left the wardrobe in… well, since the splints arrived on the scene. 

So, how does one solve this dilemma and keep the peace between these two highly opinionated voices?  In fairness, they both have valid arguments to present. 

Generally speaking, these useful-but-unsightly inventions do not in any way mix well with a dress, or a skirt, or leggings, or basically anything that isn’t a pair of trousers. 

And this is where my battle begins.  Trousers, trousers and more trousers.  Runners (or trainers if you prefer) and trousers to be more precise.  Wouldn’t exactly top my list of go-to stylish ensembles, but so far have topped my list of keep-everybody-happy ensembles.  Practical and comfortable, they do a reasonable job of hiding the offending plastic and Velcro underneath, (until the Velcro sticks to the fabric but that’s another issue). 

But who wants to live in the same “it’ll do” combination for every occasion regardless of its formality or informality?

So my quest continues to find the happy medium between style and comfort.  The key to keeping my muscles (and physios) happy, but still keeping some sense of creativity and style in the wardrobe department.  

So far my solution has been an abundance of runners/trainers, in every colour imaginable.  To the point of prompting the regular question “MORE new runners!?” from those who know me best. 

The reasoning behind this obsession being the issue of wearing runners to work without violating the dress code.  Hardly the most appropriate attire for the average 9-5 office job such as my own.  A bit easier to negotiate though if well-matched with the rest of the outfit, blending them in as much as possible in an attempt to trick the management’s eye..

I’ve done the basic black with black trousers, grey with grey ones, navy with navy ones and so on.  Then I moved on to the coral with a coordinating coral blouse or jacket.  Or purple to pick up on the purple in a scarf or other accessories.  Bit of turquoise to pick up on the pattern in a summery top or t-shirt. 

I won’t lie, it takes some planning, and it does prompt comments on co-ordination abilities (or an abundance of time to spare) but it does the job, for the moment.  

Despite this temporary solution though, I still haven’t solved the problem of all those dresses and skirts begging for a day out of the wardrobe every now and then.  

So how does one deal with such practicalities?  There has to be a way, right?

Well, I’m not one to give up on a challenge, so with a few ideas up my sleeve, I shall continue on my quest... Watch this space and all will shortly be revealed. 

Except for the splints, that would kinda defeat the purpose.