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The
Clothing Chronicles ================================================
In This Issue: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ With my kids heading back to school and the frenzy of summer winding down, I'll be chaining myself to my desk the next few weeks to finish off some projects I've been working on. I'll keep you posted as they become available... So what's on tap for today's article? The answer to a question that's been hitting my inbox a lot of late: "What should I think about before buying shoes?" Enjoy!
Diana ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10 Guidelines for Buying Shoes "I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes. I had one thousand and sixty." --Imelda Marcos For some, it's an obsession. For others, it's merely a necessity. For those of us somewhere in the middle, it's a sometime source of consternation. Whether you love them, couldn't care less, or are somewhere in between, there's no denying that shoes can make or break an ensemble. While choosing the right style is important, so is caring for your foot and your budget. Here are some "best buy" guidelines to practice when faced with a new shoe purchase:
2. Shoe color should be the same value or darker than your hemline. This grounds the look without calling attention to your feet. 3. A 1-1/2 - 2" heel is flattering to most legs. Wear a minimum of 1" if you are heavy, short, or short legged to elongate the leg and make you look taller and trimmer. 4. A 3" heel is the maximum height for business. Stilettos are not appropriate, unless your job involves standing on a street corner ... 5. The more foot that shows, the less businesslike the shoe. Sandals, mules, and T-straps are not appropriate for traditional businesses. However, a closed-toe, sling back pump is acceptable in most business settings. 6. Keep your shoe in proportion with your foot. If you have large feet or heavy legs, opt for heavier styles with thicker heels. If you have small feet or thin legs, opt for dainty styles with thinner heels.
7. Buy the best you can afford in materials that will span the seasons. Although it will cost more up front, it's the best investment of your money in the long run. 8. Don't forget that you can have a cobbler repair shoes that have been scraped, worn down, or damaged. Have a favorite pair that's too worn to wear but too loved to throw out? Take them to a shoe repairman and get them re-soled. 9. Try to buy shoes in the mid to late afternoon, when your feet tend to be their largest from swelling caused by standing, walking, or running. 10. Shoes and handbags don't have to match anymore. However, they should be in the same mood as each other (casual, dressy, etc.) and reflect the mood of your clothing to pull the ensemble together. So what's the lesson here? Think before you buy. Ask yourself a few questions, like:
If it's a cheap, trendy shoe, these questions may be moot. But if you're planning to drop a good bit of money, stop and think about it as you would any other investment piece you were considering. If it's not a good buy, don't buy it. Your money is better spent elsewhere.
************** Until next time,
Diana Pemberton-Sikes
http://www.FashionForRealWomen.com ------------------------ Published by:
Top Drawer
Publications, LLC Copyright © 2005 by Diana Pemberton-Sikes All rights reserved. |
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