Every once in a while I get an email from a reader asking me which pair of TOMS she should buy. Plain red? Something patterned? A neutral? I totally get it: with so many to choose from, it's overwhelming. But it's a tough question to answer….I mean it depends on your personal style, right? On what else you have in your closet?
Or perhaps I'm making this overly complicated. Because the truth is, in the last 4-5 years, there's one pair of TOMS I reach for the most.
With plain tees, graphic tops, patterns, stripes…..I reach for a pair of patterned TOMS, chosen simply because I liked the pattern.
Only good vibes, man.
Not because they fixed some perceived hole in my closet or because I thought they'd match something in particular, but simply because I liked them. And that fact (I like 'em) has given them more longevity than I expected.
TOMS may not be the height of style…in fact, I can think of footwear for each of these outfits that would probably look better….but how many pairs of shoes let you do this?
R rolls his eyes at me, but not before I see him bite back a smile. Little Pax, however, takes one look at my twirling and shrieks, "MOM! I WUV YOUS DANCE!!"
Game, set, match. Well played, TOMS.
Outfit Deets
LEFT:
sweatshirt: Hurley…love this seriously cool graphic sweatshirt at Urban Outfitters
denim: AG jeans (on sale!)
TOMS: old….but oooo tye-dyed TOMS
Pax: Crewcuts tee (similar), Geo Fox Sci-Fi racer pants, Vans
RIGHT:
scarf: Yana Kapeli Infinity Nursing Scarf (more on this later)
tee: French Connection t-shirt (mine is sold out, this is similar)
shorts: A&F…but I have my eye on Rag & Bone's denim cut-offs
TOMS: old…but the gray chevron print TOMS are pretty awesome
Pax: Geofox Sunshine and Daydreams tee, Nico Nico Dot Shorts (on sale!), sunglasses
Raines: Geofox good vibes tee, Fabkids shorts
xo,
S
Your hair is so fab!!
I have a similar question about Tieks. I really want a pair and I’ve seen you rock a bold patterned Tiek and a neutral one as well. I’d love one of each but can only afford one pair. Which do you wear more often, your simple Tieks or your patterned ones?
I love your tee! When the French sayings first came out, it was quirky and fun (and I was totally on board) but I feel that it is now so overdone by EVERYBODY! To me, yours is saying the opposite, which is cool. (As with everything you do of course)
Thank you for this! I know toms aren’t very, um, current (?) these days, but 7 years after my first pair, I just can’t quit ’em! PS: their sandals are about as comfy as the classics, and pretty cute to boot. 🙂
Yes!! I recently bought the Jonathan Adler geo print and have bee wearing them with everything :). They make my feet happy!
Have you seen Toms’ new sandal style? I got patterned sandals:
http://www.toms.com/women/navy-geometric-jonathan-adler-for-toms-vegan-womens-correa-sandal
and they seem just as versatile and better with skirts, for summer, etc. Love Toms!
I just bought my very first pair of Toms this year (the Jonathan Adler zig zag print) and I LOVE them. I feel like the grey and white print goes with everything and looks super cute. Also, I walked all over Busch Gardens with a 2 year old last weekend and not one blister popped up. Amazing! I love the french shirt and cutoffs look – comfy and kid appropriate, yet sexy!
A timely post – in my inbox this morning, I got an email that TOMS is offering $10 off orders of $50+ in celebration of their 8th anniversary. Perhaps it’s time to try a patterned pair…!
Since we are confessing to comfort, I can add my favorite birks are black/white/grey fake snakeskin print. They add small bit of fun to any summer outfit. I have a zillion solids, but the print ones always draw compliments.
Cindy – The Tieks I wear the most BY FAR are my bright, neon yellow ones. Â I love how the neon makes the feminine ballet flat a little bit edgy. Â Which pair makes your heart beat fast? Â I say pick that one, then just pretend they're a neutral.
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Wow. Sounds fab.
Ooooo….thank you for the tip!
Yeah, I love the sandals, too.
Thanks, Chick. 🙂
Awwww…thanaks, Cristi!