Back In Black

There’s a fashion faux pas that I’ve always wanted to comment on – wearing black shoes as a staple, regardless of the other colors in your outfit.

I think the shoe industry is getting tired of watching young, gorgeous, ladies walking around in pale linen sheaths with requisite mottled scarves in a variety of either pastels or burnt oranges sporting black shoes and black purses. Perhaps this explains the rise of candy-colored shoes, and the quandary those of us needing black shoes are faced with.

Please treat your shoes with the same rules you would use for your wardrobe. If you are wearing pale, summery colors, wear shoes that compliment. Black shoes will detract from your outfit. They will pull notice away from your ensemble and put the attention exactly where you don’t want it – on the ground.

There are two ways to look at shoes – leading actress or chorus. Certain outfits require your shoes to be part of the chorus. Pale dress, pale pants, pale shoes – it creates a finished look. Shoes should tie a wardrobe together for a clean daytime look. The time when you may want your shoes to play a leading role in the wardrobe is in the evening. Let’s say you have a dress that will look cute with flats during the day, but you can dress it up with heels at night. The heels you choose for the evening will have some sort of flourish to them – whether it’s sequins, bows, bright colors, feathers, straps, buckles, that’s up to you. Those are leading actress shoes. You want people to see your glamorous shoes because it adds pizzazz to your look. You will also choose jewelry that’s a bit bigger or flashier to really obtain that evening feel and to pull notice to your face, neck and waist (should you choose a belt).

Because there are so many wonderful footwear options this summer, go a little crazy. Invest in brighter, bolder colors, but please don’t wear black with pastels!

~ Dawn Land