Fall is the best time of year to talk boots. How fun are they! I have been new to the bootie and over the knee boots. I don't know what I was so afraid of. I guess I thought they would crazy on me for some reason or just not quite work. But through some encouragement from my bestie Mandy and my fellow bloggers I have seen that everyone can make the right boots work for them!
So I have paired up with Mandy again to do this post because we are both "boot challenged" in some ways... Having both played all kinds of sports, we have some calves and thighs to work with....so we need a boot that can get around those. Also Mandy is petite (5'2") and I am tall (5'10"). I have high instep (so I can't get down into boots often) and high arches and Mandy has flat feet. So, boots for "average" feet and heights don't necessarily work on us. We hope these choices give you some good options to try at all price points! Booties - I have linked these booties from Charming Charlie. (tan faux suede pictured below) I will admit that I was the last person to pick up this trend. I always thought booties would cut you in the wrong place and shorten my legs or not really work with a dress. These are approved by petite and tall girls alike... We like these for three reasons:
We also picked a flat pair of booties just in case you are planning to walk the walk so to speak. WE love the grey suede and chain detail (pic below) on these and if you have never tried Vionic you need to try them. So so so comfortable. And these are more than half off! If none of these suit your fancy check here to find you perfect, always on sale, booties!
Below the Knee Boots - So a below the knee staple boot is a yes for any wardrobe. We are going to give a classic and a modern twist - the perfect everyday Frye boot and a spicy version of that.
Our staple brown Frye boot (brown boots pictured below) wears like a champ year after year. And the worn look is what you want on these. If you have not invested in a pair of Frye's - they are worth it to say the least. And both of our calves fit over these and we both love the height - does not cut you off in a weird place on the leg. We link three colors of Frye riding boots here all on sale! Our second below the knee pick is a little more punk, a little less traditional and definitely a pop of color. We love Dr. Martens boots. For most of you the name may be new but when Mandy and I were in jr. high and high school the Cure was all the rage, along with skaters and Doc Martens as we would call them. They last forever and really mold to your foot. Another good investment piece and come in tons of fun colors and patterns. We link a red pair here (and three other colors) for $155.
For Over the Knee Boots - we would be remiss if we did not mention the over the knee stunners from Stuart Weitzman that have been EVERYWHERE! Great colors and several heel heights. I can state most of the calf space in these is generous - but I have a high instep so some of these did not work for me. If you can, you should get these though. I think they will be a statement piece of your wardrobe for years to come. These generally start at $600 and up.
We also wanted to offer up a more affordable over the knee option by Dolce Vita from Nordstrom (Acorn Pictured on me below). These boots have some great stretch in the calf and for my tall sisters these over the knee boots actually go over our knee - as opposed to others I tried on that ended at my knee! For my petite sisters, these can also fold if you want a little shorter look! How great is that? They also feel amazing to the touch. $279 and available in three colors.
And if my sisters blessed with plenty of calves do not have enough choices in boots - this is my go to starting point!
Happy shopping!!!
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I know there is a big chunk of the country that has an amazing fall. It is a beautiful time of year with the leaves changing and the cooler winds blowing. Unfortunately for me, fall in southern part of Texas is not really fall. Its like a slightly cooler summer - i.e. today was 95 degrees in mid-October as opposed to 105 degrees in July....really! So I have to strategically pick my fall clothing if I want a fall look but don't want to spontaneously combust when I walk outside. So to all my sisters who live in this ambiguous fall weather - here are some of my favorite tips and picks for a southern fall. 1) Thin, breezy sweater - The first sweater I am loving is this cozy yet airy V neck, subtly striped Terry sweater from Goodnight Macaroon. It comes in gray, black and cream. It is super soft and still breezy enough to let the air flow when we walk outside! Just $49. 2) Fake your layers - The second "sweater" is a mock layer sweater also from Goodnight Macaroon. It comes in several colors - some starting less than $38. I have the plaid and cream and blue and gray shown below. I love how these have a look of a layered outfit but give you plenty of relief from the heat with the mock layers. Another faux layered look that is a little more "business" from RW&CO for $69 is also linked here (plus will get you an extra 60% off sale items!) 3) Silk Scarves - silk scarves tend to be much more breathable than their wool counterparts. Alexander McQueen makes some of my favorite silk scarves - they are a little edgy, but I still think these are pretty timeless. I found some great deals on these scarves - several colors - at The Real Real. In fact I just bough the below scarf in purple! So excited to get that one up when I get it in! 4) Thin Cashmere - much like the silk scarf, a thin cashmere sweater can give you the fall look with a really breathable feel, not to mention its always super soft. Below is one of my favorite crew neck, cashmere sweaters. It is sold out but I have linked similar lightweight, cashmere sweaters here for just $89 and available in 10 colors and regular and petite sizes! Happy Southern Fall Y'all!
Bonus: If Cashmere is a little too expensive for the few times you actually can wear a sweater in these Southern falls, check out this 50% off code for Ann Taylor Loft for any new sweaters you want to add (Oct 18 and 19 only!) I don't know why it took me so long to figure out that the most neutral shoes I could wear would follow the same rules as my jewelry! You can make gold, silver, pewter, bronze, and rose gold - any metallic - go with any outfit. I have flats, oxfords, wedges, heels, boots, and even tennis shoes in these metallic tones. Now I just keep adding to these colors to my closet and every time, I am so glad I do. I get so many compliments on these pairs of shoes and I know you will too! I have linked to some of my shoes pictured or some very close pairs and given all price points. To shiny shoes! Oxfords: My oxfords at the top are from Nordstrom and available in 5 colors including silver and gold. $119. These oxfords look almost identical to Prada oxfords for over $900! Wedges: I love a good wedge for every day. The below wedge from LK Bennett is sold out but these Zappos metallic wedges are just $99 and come in silver, gold and rose gold with the cutest bow on top! To me a must have! Also I have linked Badly Mischka here - these wedges have a pattern that is a great match for a classic Jimmy Choo pattern. Flats: I have Jimmy Choo flats in this champagne, silver and gold - yes it is an official addition. I have linked Jimmy Choo flats in silver here and champagne (above L) here but also linked some great priced flats by Nina here and by Nine West here (both available in silver and gold and both under $80!). Heels: The gold heels below Left are Jimmy Choo (found them on super sale at The Outnet). I love this shade because it really matches several skin tones and elongates the leg. I have also put this same style by Sam Edelman in silver here for $120 and found gold and silver Via Spiga for $195 that are a great metallic heel to match anything. I also had to link these Shoes of Prey metallic mary janes that are on sale now at Nordstrom for just $113. They come in silver, gold and three other perfect fall colors. Tennis Shoes/Casual Shoes: The driving shoes below are Isaac Mizrahi and available in several colors for just $29 - plus they come in wide which I love. This is some other color options. Here is another Isaac moccasin for just $57 that I thought was too cute to pass up. The gold tennis shoes below are Giuseppi Zanotti. I have linked a silver pair of his here on super sale. Here is an off white and gold pair as well that I love and have the wedge like my pair below. If you want the perfect classic gold or silver sneaker I love these $60 Converse. You can never go wrong with these. Boots:
Above boots are Giueseppi Zanotti (did you realize he is my absolute favorite?). These are available in limited sizes at The Real Real and I found a close second by Stuart Weitzman here. Shine on shoe lovers! So nobody wants to be "basic" these days but I still believe in the value of the perfect white top. And I don't think it needs to be "basic." It is so easy to wear. It's classic. Never goes out of a style. Goes with everything. And if that is not enough, when its Monday morning and you haven't had coffee and you are staring blankly at your closet full of clothes, a pressed white shirt and pretty much anything else will get you started off right for work. So heaven forbid we are basic (although you know I am a sucker for a classic uniform look), I want to give you a few of my not so basic white top picks. Some these will be available in other colors too. Check it out! Linen Cotton Eyelet Shirt at the top is from Theory. it is on sale now and also comes in black. It says its a crop but I am 5'10" and it is a fine length. I got a large in this though to make sure it would fall low enough. This second top is a v neck that seems basic but has a great surprise in the back...check it out from Shein at just $23! The above cut out bell sleeve white top is from Revolve but I found it for 60% less at Shein. Just $14.99! It is the exact same shirt. Turtleneck above is a short bell sleeve. This is Ann Taylor but sold out. I found a close second I really like here from Dezzal (and as an aside I just fell in love with this website and favorited it - I love finding new online places).
I have several colors of draped jackets that I am loving for this fall. They are easy for travel - often made of light leathers or suedes that pack easily and come out ready to wear. You can also use them to make a "suit look" out of a sheath dress or pants for a more business formal look. The other thing I love about a draped jacket is that it generally fits no matter what my weight is doing at the moment and also gives a great accent to your curves without being too tight. These jackets also allow for a lot more movement if you have a more active job duties. I pictured a few of my looks suede, leather, and suede "like" These jackets are available at all price points. Shop these jacket looks here: The Classics: Michael Kors Black Faux Leather Draped Jacket from Nordstrom is so close to my black jacket look below but for a great price! Just $130 and available in petite. Blank NYC Faux Suede Jacket from Zappos is just $98. I love how this one pinches in your waist. Nic + Zoe Suede Moto Draped Jacket has great styling and is available in three colors - black, gray and red. $358 but feels like a million bucks. BB Dakota Leather Jacket from Nordstrom comes in black and mocha just look my color below. Want to add some color? Try this Olive green draped jacket from Shein for just $23! I cannot wait to get mine in. I ordered today. Want a print? I love this draped mixed media jacket for a perfectly polished work look by Anne Klein for $149. Happy draping! |
About MELM.E.L. is an attorney and small business entrepreneur whose mission is to help professionals conquer the workaday world with style and poise. POPULAR BLOG POSTS
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