As with most items that I purchase, I like to thoroughly check that it's in perfect condition. After all, I'm handing over my money with the expectation that this product isn't damaged so of course, I need to pay extra attention before I bring it home.

When it comes to shoes, I seem to go over the top in playing Inspector. Although shoes will get busted and worn over time, I like to make sure that there are no defects and that these shoes will actually last me. So what do I look for when I shop for shoes?


COMFORTNo matter how good a shoe looks and how close it is to what I'm searching for, I always have to consider its comfort. For me, a shoe is useless if I can't wear it for more than an hour. I need to at least be able to walk in it without wanting to change out of it. (The only exception I have for this is heels but let's dive into that later). With comfort as my priority, I'll check to see if there are any stitches that rub against my foot the wrong way. Next, I'll look at the cushioning. Not all comfortable shoes need to have a cushion but I give it extra brownie points if it does. Then I'll see if the front of the shoe is too narrow or wide. You want the shoe to look flattering but if it's too narrow, your toes will pinch together and if it's too wide, your feet will look bigger than they actually are. Finally, I'll look to see if the sides of the shoe are rubbing under my ankles the wrong way. This is a personal issue. There are a lot of flats and heels that fall right under my ankle bone and it just hurts when I walk. I will also check to make sure the back of the shoe doesn't rub because I am not about that blister life.


MATERIALAfter that, I have to consider how it's made. The one thing I can't stand is buying specifically boots that are glued down to the sole. If you've ever bought a cheap pair of boots, you'll know what I'm talking about. There's a thin film of glue holding everything together and I just can't trust that it'll hold up to New England weather. My favorite and personal preference is when you can see a stitching around the shoe and the sole. I feel that it's more secure and less likely to open up after a couple of wears. In my experience, these kinds of boots have lasted me the longest. For other shoes like sandals, I look at what it's made out of. For sneakers, my main priority is if it feels stiff or not. Depending on the material, some sneakers can feel very suffocating so I try to avoid that.

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SOLELastly, I will check the sole. A lot of shoes are made with a very smooth and slippery-feeling sole. While it adds a very sleek and luxurious look to the shoe, it's highly impractical for walking on smooth floors. I don't know about you but I certainly don't want to fall on my butt like that. Even though they have those grip things you can stick to the bottom, it just isn't the same as having a sole with some traction to it. I'm partial to rubber soles because they don't slip and it's okay to wear when it rains or snows outside.

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EXCEPTIONSLike I mentioned, heels can be an exception to an extent. I still highly value a shoe that has comfort but if I can't wear it for over an hour, it's okay as long as it doesn't rub against my foot the wrong way. I only ever wear heels for formal events and because it's not an everyday shoe for me, I don't consider how long I can actually wear them for. If I do need to wear a heel for a longer period of time, I'll find a wedge heel. There's more stability and it's still classy. After that, pretty much everything else applies. The material has to be nice (preferably leather) and the soles can't be slippery. I mean, high heels + slippery sole is just asking for a disaster.


Those are all my tips for buying shoes! What are some of your tips and tricks? Is there anything you absolutely must have in a shoe before buying it?!

Hello, all you beautiful people.

I'm back with another wardrobe tip and this time, I'll be discussing textures (not to be confused with patterns).

Everyone's style varies. Sometimes, it can't be stuffed into one ominous category of grunge or punk or girly or classy. If you're the type of girl who hordes piles and piles of black or white clothing, then investing in pieces that differ by texture can help liven up an outfit.

The reason I single out black and white is because those colors tend to look very clean and put together when used as the entire color palette of an outfit. Trying this with bolder colors can be overwhelming for day to day wear but please keep in mind that these are just my personal tips and opinions!

By all means, as I mention in all wardrobe tip posts, play by your own rules first!

That being said, the whole texture thing can also be applied if you aren't a monochromatic dresser. Then it would depend mainly on the actual silhouette, texture, and fit of the clothes.

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE WITH AN ALL BLACK WARDROBE

Monochromatic: Mixing Textures by asmallbit featuring a fur collar coat

For specifics, click here.
The foundation is simple: chiffon tank top and leather pants, which everyone and their cats now own. Don't worry if you don't have them, though! I'll talk about alternatives near the end :)

FUR: With the base of the outfit, you already have 2 different fabrics/textures. Adding on a fur anything will instantly give the outfit more depth because the fur is three dimensional and usually has more volume than something thin like chiffon. By using fur, the sheer chiffon can peek through and give a hint of subtle sexiness.

SHOES: Change up the look with a pair of suede shoes to tone down the fur and the leather or opt for leather boots if you choose to omit the fur.

ACCESSORIES: Jewelry can be overlooked sometimes because there can be an excessive focus on color or pattern but those types of accessories can add texture as well! Beading, embroidery, lace, chunky bits...the actual material of the necklace or ring or earrings can make a nice contrast against a plainer outfit.

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Mixing Textures: Part II by asmallbit featuring a mint green skirt

Click for specifics!
Okay, let's talk about alternatives. Like I said before, everyone dresses based on personal preference and you might not like leather pants or chiffon shirts.

No problem.

This works with t-shirts, corduroy shorts/pants, silky bottoms, furry sweaters, you name it. As long as you keep in mind what type of material each piece is, you can successfully create an intriguing outfit. Remember, balance is important too!

If you're wearing something chunky or fuzzy up top, keep it lighter or sleeker on the bottom for a more streamlined look.

I find that things like velvet or corduroy can be pretty "heavy" when worn as bottoms so pairing them with light cotton shirts/tank tops will definitely help prevent the whole ensemble from becoming too overwhelming.

Just because one piece may be bold on its own, it doesn't mean you can't wear multiple bold pieces. Take the first outfit, for example. The royal blue is bright in color but lacks texture while the skirt has a reptile print and is leather but is completely black. Mixing something like a rainbow sequin tank top with a brown snakeskin pair of shorts would be disastrous because there's too many loud elements going on.

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That's all I have to say about this wardrobe tip. What do you guys think? Are you a fan of wearing lots of different textures or would you rather keep it simple? Let me know down below!

~Jenn