If you've been following me for a while, you'll know that I do a lot of shoe posts because that's just what I'm into. So, today I decided to start a series called Obsessed (although I'm still tentative about it so if you guys have any suggestions for another name, please let me know!). Basically in this series, I will go through a list of must-haves in each shoe category, like heels, sneakers, boots, etc.
I'm kicking it off (ha ha ha) with sneakers for the fall!
You don't need me to tell you that sneakers can be worn year-round and it's true for the ones I've selected above. But, I've chosen those specific ones because I think they'll be absolutely perfect for a cooler autumn. THESE ARE NOT NECESSARILY TRENDS. These are just sneakers that I love and wish I had (insert crying laugh emoji).
Black slip-ons are a MUST for fall. Why? You can wear them with ripped jeans, dark denim, light denim, leather shorts, leather skirts, white skinny jeans, flowy midi skirts...you name it! Go for either a leather/leather looking pair for a sleeker look or pick a sporty pair to add that down-to-earth vibe.
Next, white sneakers. Good for most of the year, though I don't recommend wearing them if you're in New England like me and winters = death piles of snow and slosh. However, for fall, choose a pair with a dark pattern or again, the leathery look. I find that the leather material makes the outfit a bit "heavier" and more fall appropriate.
Last but not least, suede! You'll either LOVE or HATE it. I think it adds a nice, warm texture to outfits, especially for colder months. If you opt for a taupe colored pair, you can wear them virtually all year. Throw them on with a white denim skirt and sweater or wear your favorite jeans and t-shirt to let the shoes do the talking!
What are your favorite sneakers for the fall? Let me know down below!!
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?
COMFORT
No 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.
MATERIAL
After 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.
Lastly, 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.
Like 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?!
I have been crazy obsessed with sneakers lately and I'm pretty sure it's because the sun is finally coming out of hiding. My favorite thing about sneakers is that they are the most comfortable shoes to wear. Whether you're a girl who likes looking extra polished or someone who prefers a more laid-back look, there is a sneaker for everyone.
So today, I'm going to share with you guys some of the sneakers on my wishlist and maybe it'll inspire you to play around with sneakers this spring and summer!
Personally, I hate wearing sweaters during the summer. The problem is that you're out and about...places indoors have the AC blasting and that chiffon top you decided to wear to tackle the heat outside just can't handle it. I end up feeling way too cold inside...and way too hot outside.
And then what do you do about those breezy summer nights? Sometimes I'll bring a sweater if I know I won't be going home for the entire day but it's annoying to carry it around when you don't want to wear it.
The summer sweatshirt is cute and pretty functional for those situations! Pick one that is slightly cropped and has short sleeves. It'll give you the air you need for when you're outdoors and a bit more substance for when you're dealing with the cold AC. Of course, there are a ton of different ways to dress it up and down. It's a blank canvas.
On the left, I have it paired with casual floral shorts in a pastel yellow color to make it a warmer and more summery outfit. I thought the vans would be a nice touch to keep it relaxed and effortless.
TIP: **If you're still scared of getting chilly and the short sleeves isn't doing it for you, try carrying around a thin tank top or camisole in your purse. They fold up nicely and aren't as bulky. Run to the bathroom and add that layer underneath the sweatshirt and you'll have a bit of extra warmth!**
On the right, I have it paired with silky loose shorts in a bright orange color along with some matching sandals. I think having the silk against the boyish sweatshirt material makes it a lot more feminine and dressier. While the sandals are typically known as a casual shoe, the patent quality of these can help you get away with wearing it to a dinner with friends and family. It's a good outfit choice for people who like staying comfortable but maybe aren't so into wearing dresses as well as those who just need a quick change from their day outfit to night outfit.
There are a million ways to wear this sweatshirt. You can pair it with a circle skirt, high waisted denim shorts, jeans, boyfriend jeans, overalls, etc. It's a versatile piece with so much potential!
Well, as predicted, I am back after a month (technically a little over a month but no one is really keeping track, right?). In the blink of an eye, I feel as though my spring semester as a junior has flown by and before I know it, it will be spring break. Professors aren't lying when they say spring semesters go by quick.
I have been keeping busy with school projects and papers as well as work but that's pretty much my lame excuse for not blogging. I sincerely wish summer would come so that I would have time to blog more often as I did the past summer!
Anyway, the shoe selection at my workplace has switched to sandals. I am (as most are) eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring and warmer weather to grace us all but oddly enough, I haven't been all that excited about sandals and such. Lately, I've been pining away at sneakers.
No idea why.
In the past shopping trip, I bought two pairs of sneakers, one right after the other. I seriously didn't even realize I had already bought a pair until I returned to the car with my second pair and discovered the bag sitting in the back seat...
{sigh} problems of a shoe addict. I'm sure some of you will understand.
The whole point of this post isn't to serve as a platform for my ramblings or to talk about my crazy shoe obsession! Today, I will be sharing loads of pictures of flatform sneakers that I have been craving since the Fall season. Apologies if I'm a little late in the bandwagon but I hope you enjoy this nonetheless.
So this has somehow turned into a Jeffrey Campbell Appreciation Post...not that I have a problem with that (hopefully, you don't either).
If it so happens that I end up straying away from my blog again, I promise to come back within a month. Most likely, I'll be coming up with some outfits for the spring/summer months in the next post so look forward to that :)
Speaking of shoes, I know in my last post I wrote something about sketching shoes and while I still have great interests, I haven't made much progress. BUT!
Here is one of them. I don't take credit for the design. I was actually inspired by a project that one of my classmates did in a Visual Merchandising class last semester and decided to draw it because I loved it so much.
Please ignore the embrace-the-relaxed-college-student-lifestyle hairdo and my choice of attire (two thumbs up for Big Bang Theory fans!).
Let me know how you guys have been and what you think of these shoes. I honestly love them but I'm sure it's not everyone's cup of tea or coffee or whatever caffeinated beverage you choose to consume.
I'm almost positive that I saw this trend in Asia a few years ago but don't quote me on that. The sneaker wedge might be an acquired taste, depending on the types of shoes you're used to wearing.
BENEFITS:
1. The height.
2. The comfort.
3. The casual look.
Okay, so the height is self explanatory. It's a wedge. The comfort part would depend on whether on not you wear heels often. To some people, walking in wedges is a step up from flat shoes but not as painful as a pointy stiletto. That being said, if you've NEVER worn heels, it may be not as comfortable as you're used to a sneaker being.
Lastly, the casual look. Sneakers have always been associated with athletic activity or something to throw on if you're running a few errands...just doing something that isn't really a formal event. But sneaker wedges, because of the shape and height, can make a casual outfit look more put together while still maintaining the laid-back feel.
If you're a shortie like me AND you prefer wearing good-feeling shoes, then a sneaker wedge might be your savior. A nude color will even elongate your legs if you plan on wearing them with shorts or even a short flowy skirt.
The way I decided to style it is with a hoodie, colored denim, and a leather jacket. This was inspired by Youtube guru, Wendyslookbook! I remember seeing it for her Valentine's video and thinking that it was a brilliant way to dress up a hoodie. Since the color of the pants and the design of the shoes can appear very girly, the leather jacket helps toughen up the outfit.
As for all the accessories, it's up to you! It really depends on what you're wearing this outfit for. I think since the pieces are so basic, it makes accessorizing very versatile.
Just in case you're curious, please check out my polyvore for details on specific items featured above.
That's all I got for today. I hope you enjoyed this post :)
It's still pretty early in the month but I'm anxiously awaiting the days where I can finally walk outside without a coat on. Not that the current weather reports are showing any signs of that...
Anyway, to cheer myself up (and you, too, if you just so happen to live in areas of crap weather!), I've created this mini collage of things I'm enjoying and things I plan on enjoying for the summer.
1) top buns: where to begin!? I've been wearing my hair in a bun for the past few months because it's at an awkward length... and I'm waiting for it to grow! plus, it gives me an excuse to throw my bangs up, too. they're getting really unmanageable... {sigh}
2) blouses: of any material (chiffon, cotton, velvet, suede), but specifically the sleeveless ones. I own one with sleeves and for some reason, it just doesn't look quite right on me. But that's just fine. I get to show off my man arms.
3) sunglasses: I don't know how to describe the shape. The actual lenses are round but the frame is more.... pointed near the top outer edge? I'll do a mini post later about frames and face shapes!
4) leather handbags: this one isn't really just for may or for summer. I love leather handbags for year-round usage. they're luxurious and essentially waterproof. I can't wait until I can buy myself a Michael Kors one. oh but this one is from Zara (it's gotten quite popular lately).
5) sneakers: high tops! the glory. I used to be obsessed with these. I've recently gotten back into them because of all these Korean idols and their hip Korean fashion. {lol}
6) sports bras doubling as mini tank tops: the long title says it all. I can't wear bandeaus for the same reason I won't wear strapless dresses; the never ending fear that one day it will just slip off...
7) pink hair: I don't plan on dying my hair pink any time soon (or ever) but I've just been really into seeing pink hair... especially light pink. It's so cute!
8) large sun hats: I never used to care about getting a little tan. I don't get sunburnt so it was never a big deal but now I'm pretty afraid to go outside without a little coverage. These big hats are so fun. and functional! which I love. it's like mobile shade.
9) muscle tees: literally obsessed. I've been collecting more and more muscle tees but I still can't get enough of them! Perfect for the hot weather but I'm hoping to layer sweaters and get use out of them for the winter months, too!
10) fuzzy/feathery skirts: actually, this works for shirts too. I've been kind of interested in more 3D textured clothing since most of mine are solid colored or not very exciting. Plus, it's fun to touch.
11) collars: this is one of the biggest trends I know right now. I've seen fashion and beauty gurus alike sporting a variety of collars (removable and unremovable) (studded and not studded). I personally prefer wearing these under sweaters!
12) giraffe print: hmm. Not much to say about this. It's a chic way to incorporate animal print. Lately, leopard and cheetah print has looked a little too tacky for me. In small increments, it's okay but... giraffe print is so much nicer looking.
13) polka dot tights: the sheer kind.
14) wrap bracelets: I don't ever wear bracelets but I like the look.
15) floral sneakers: These are Keds. I love the color combination; very girly and playful. I'd probably pair this with something edgier but these shoes are more versatile than you'd think. A white t-shirt, pastel lavender skirt, leather jacket, plus these babies and you're all set for a date, a hangout, or even a picnic!
If you want to know specifics about each item, please visit my polyvore!
I will also be posting up that list of shoes I dislike, soon. I pinky swear! So please look out for that (: