Shoe-in: Finding the perfect pair

The coveted shoe, a glorious foot covering that heightens the allure of what you wear.

Before I sing the many praises of shoes: pointed toe, kitten heel, high heel, flat, sandal, slide, mule or loafer, let me say, to combine beauty with comfort is the ultimate in a shoe. Some shoemakers do this better than others. And what’s comfortable on your foot may not be on mine.

Comfort brands I’ve found include: Vagabond, LDP, Cole Haan, Gentle Souls, Bella Vita, Bernardo, Andre Assous, Splendid, Aquatalia and La Canadienne. They top my list for the moment.

Beauty brands include: Toteme, Le Monde Beryl, Courreges, Aeyde, Tods, The Row, Cinq A Sept, Bruno Cucinelli, Jil Sander, Loro Piana and Aquazzura.

For those who have a closet filled with shoes, comfort rarely dictates which pair to wear. Beauty always seems to win out. That’s why I look for brands that successfully combine both.

A beautiful shoe has remarkable lines, features amazing craftsmanship, is made of quality leather or fabric and often has a unique element: either a color, detail or pattern. An object of beauty, the shoe, when made correctly, is a work of art. And the art of pairing shoes with an outfit can make or break your look.

Metallics are in this summer: shimmering sandals, slides and heels and when worn with neutrals, add loads of glamour. Wedges are back as are perforated styles, glove flats, ballet flats in soft leather, suede or woven fabric. Slingback polished kitten heels are having a moment. The kitten heel slide sandal is also trending. Of course, thong sandals, T-strap and strappy sandals never go out of style. Let’s not forget espadrilles. And then there’s the flip flop, with the square toe flip flop hot this summer. Finally, V-cut flats, mesh flats and embellished sandals are on trend too.

And lest we forget, ankle boots for summer and sneakers in suede, mesh and leather can be dressed up or down.

The shoes you wear say a lot about your fashion sense. A shoe that enhances a look is like icing on a cake.

Of course, there are times when shoes become the main subject: a black dress with red heels, a neutral short set with gold kitten heel slides.

There are so many styles from which to choose. Have fun, take risks, but remember, developing your personal style takes time. If the shoe fits, keep it. If not, return it. You’ll know when a style is right for you…and most importantly, right for what you’re wearing.

Need styling advice? Contact our fashion editor at info@velvetjournal.com for a chance to win a complimentary one-hour styling session.