wearing: Ray-Ban sunglasses, a well-worn Vince Double-V sweater from last year – try the current Vince double-v sweater in gray, and Kate Spade Henry Bag -similar Kate Spade bag on sale…..Raines is wearing a wave print tee by Peek, Gap skinny cords and Vans tiger camo high tops.
Kristin emailed me this question a few weeks ago:
I can only afford one new pair of go-to shoes for fall. What do I choose?!? I’ve got old Toms I thought about replacing in a fun pattern. I have some mustard yellow mocs. Brown riding boots. Boring navy sneaks. Moto ankle boots. Gold Sperrys. Ten different ballet flats from my time working in an office. I want a shoe that is comfy for everyday stuff with the kids but also something that will liven up a boring daytime outfit. And I should note: I never met a color or pattern I didn’t like, and mixed prints make my heart flutter. What to buy?
Kristin, this is a seriously great question. So. If you have the basics covered (boots, cute sneaks, etc.) and just want an easy way to modernize your mom-uniform this Fall, my recommendation is the slip-on sneaker (or smoking loafer if you prefer something less sporty). These shoes are insanely comfortable – you can do the playground scene with ease – but they still look cool enough for a Saturday night out with the fam. I wear mine with everything – skinnies, boyfriend jeans, cut-offs, skirt and dresses – everything. Unlike sneakers, which I personally find hard to style at times, these are really, really easy.
An added bonus (as far as trends go) is that slip-on sneaker / smoking loafer isn’t a brand-new trend. Why is this a good thing? Because when trends first surface, it’s usually in the form of some coveted designer item with a hefty price tag and hard-to-find status. Give a trend another year or so and you’ll not only find out which ones will actually last, but there will also be So. Many. Options. On that note….
1. Sam Edelman Becker in Camo Print, $80 at Zappos
I picture these with a black pencil skirt. And everything else.
2. Same Edelman Becker in Plaid, $80 at Nordstrom (more sizes available at Urban Outfitters)
Add skinnies, a snuggly sweater, and a plaid scarf to perfectly rock the mixed plaid trend (this J.Crew plaid scarf is perfect).
3. Steve Madden Graffiti Print Slip On Sneaker, $80 at Nordstrom
A perfect way to make classic dark skinnies a little more rock-and-roll.
4. Classic Vans in Chevron Stripe, $50
With a short, black, sweatshirt dress.
5. Vans for J.Crew Tye Dyed Slip On, on sale for $60 at J.Crew
Fab with white denim and a drapey gray sweatshirt.
6. Schutz Amisha in new neutral pony, $160 at Piperlime
A perfect offset to destroyed denim.
Leopard looks fab with everything – wear it like a neutral. My current fav? With skinnies and a classic, striped tee.
1. Sam Edelman Becker in new leopard, on sale for $80 at Nordstrom
LOVE how these look like a cross between a sneaker and a smoking loafer.
2. Vans Classic in Leopard Herringbone, on sale for $27 at Nordstrom
3. Loeffler Randall Dawn Cheetah, $325
Like everything that Loeffler Randall does, this unique take on a slip on will haunt my dreams for years to come. Mark my words. YEARS.
4. Michael Kors Keaton Slip On Sneaker, $135 at Nordstrom
5. Splendid Smoking Shoe, $98 at Shopbop
If the prints are too much for you, try a shoe with a bit of texture. Classic, but still interesting.
1. Vince Preston Slip On, $295
Gosh, I love these. I’d wear with faux-leather shorts and a white tee.
2. Steve Madden Snake Print, on sale for $44
Soooo…these are the shoes I’m wearing, but….they aren’t leather. So while I LOVE how they look, wearing them without socks on a hot day is NOT comfortable. I bought them because they were much cheaper and now…..buyers remorse.
3. Vince Bowen Slip On Sneaker, $225
Stupidly expensive in comparison, but stupidly comfortable. Seriously. There’a whole ton of squishy cushion in there. The shoes I *didn’t* buy in the Nordstrom sale. Gah!
4. Joie Kidmore Sneaker, $190
I love this sort of taupe-y color. These make wearing white after Labor Day a cinch.
5. Jeffrey Campbell Ray Sneaker, $84
Am I the only one who loves that these look like slippers? I’m thinking they would be hysterically awesome with a piped silk button-down (think: silk pjs). Or a graphic tee. Either way.
1. Marc Jacobs Rue Smoking Flat, $228
I’ve actually had these on my feet. I wanted, WANTED to walk out with them. They are insanely comfortable. But….I just couldn’t. I love the whole quirky kitty thing, but I’m actually more of a dog person (hey!).
2. DV by Dolce Vita Lex 2, $90
For the t-shirt-and-jeans-everyday girl: THESE.
3. Report Reid Flat in blue suede, $60
I think blue suede shoes were made for lightwash denim and gray t-shirts.
4. Messeca Meli Loafer in blue leopard pony, $110
I would wear these with cropped, black, skinny ponte pants, and a brightly striped tee. So cool, in general, with black.
5. Sole Society Harla Flat, $60
This flat comes in three spot-on-perfect patterns, and I love them all.
6. J.Crew Printed Sophie Leather Loafers, $148 (currently 25% off with code SHOPTIME)
J.Crew has a way of making patterned shoes that virtually never go out of style. I picture these with boyfriend jeans and black turtlenecks. (Well, I picture pretty much everything with boyfriend jeans and black turtlenecks.)
7. J.Crew Sophie Mermaid Glitter Loafers, $138
OMG JCREW FOR REAL? You had me at “Mermaid Glitter”. I love shoes like these – mermaid glitter shoes – with dressed down pieces. Destroyed denim, cut-off shorts, raw hem cropped jeans, even denim vests – pieces like this. Add cozy sweaters or moto jackets and you have a win.
So…..slip on shoes/smoking loafers for the win? FTW I say!
Happy shopping you babes.
xo,
S
