Wednesday, September 24, 2014

The Eight Essential Heels

There are a million reasons to wear heels. I wear them to feel professional, fashionable, sexy, feminine, powerful to name a few. As a shoe lover, it was daunting to apply a Lean Closet philosophy to create an ideal shoe-drobe. If you, too are embarking on a similar simplification journey, these are suggestions for The Eight Essential Heels. Every basic heel need is covered--focusing on limited redundancy and maximum flexibility. 

Read the Lean Closet post for more details about the philosophy behind the Eight Essentials.

You'll notice a couple omitted tropes:

  • Red pumps: It is my opinion that red heels are an antiquated way to scream "sexy." It is not the style of this blog nor a necessity to own red high heels.
  • Platforms: Feel free to add a platform to any of these suggestions for a desired vertical boost. If not necessary to your lifestyle, omit, as always.

The Perfect Fit

These should make you feel 100% you when wearing them. Investigate fabrics and materials, heel height and thickness, vamp and ankle strap variations. You should LOVE to put these puppies on. They might be a little trendy. Don't be afraid of that. You should wear them so much and so hard that the soles & heel caps have been replaced multiple times. Loving your shoes means caring for them, not babying them.
Emerson Fry D'Orsay Pump | Black Nylon


The Boss Lady

If you talk the talk, you better walk the walk. Buy your grown-ass-woman feet some grown-ass-woman shoes. I always go to Manolo Blahnik for timeless, quality pumps. This is where you should trust your instincts. If you like a pointy toe, buy a pointy toe. If you like a 4 inch heel, buy a 4" heel. Keep them in good shape and you'll always look pulled together and professional.
Manolo Blahnik BB 105mm | Black Leather

The Workhorse

These are probably going to be the most versatile shoes in your closet. Buy quality and a style you love. Add interest with fabric or material. Investigate different shades of nude that compliment your skin tone. Wear with everything. They're especially useful if you have a tendency to walk out the door in head-to-toe black (guilty) but would like something to soften your ensemble.
Manolo Blahnik BB 105mm | Nude Snakeskin


The F*** Me Pumps

You should be alright with touching your evening companion because you'll be holding on to them by the end of the night. My suggestion is So Kate over Pigalle/Pigalle Follies (something about the toe cleavage in Pigalle). Alternatively, if Christian Louboutin isn't your jam, try the Manolo Blahnik BB in 115mm for a little more comfort but just as much sex appeal. Get them in patent leather for something fancier than The Boss Lady and to limit redundancy.
Christian Louboutin So Kate 120mm | Black Patent Leather

The Summer Sweetheart

You’re going to wear these with jorts or a summer dress to brunch when the weather is nice. It's a perfect time to incorporate a wedge into your shoe-drobe so you can sip champagne while standing in the grass to play croquet. This will also double nicely as a spring/summer wedding shoe when The Naked Shoe is too sexy.
Stuart Weitzman (Similar)


The Wild Side

This is a great chance to show off the extremes of your personality. Think Charlotte Olympia and Sophia Webster for something whimsical, Valentino and Balenciaga for a little grit. For me, it's an grown up way for me to reference my punk-rock phase. They're a little edgy, but versatile and elegant. These are the heels you wear on a girl's night.
Valentino Rockstud Noir T-Strap Pump | Black Leather


The Black Strappies

These should straddle the line between formal and trendy. Don’t buy shoes for the one formal event you attend a year. The Black Strappies are sexy enough for clubbing (if that's a part of your lifestyle) and polished enough for an evening out with your friends or partner. For even more flexibility, don't be afraid to bust them out with a pair of boyfriend jeans for a celebrity-worthy "I woke up like this" look. 
Stuart Weitzman Nudist | Black Sheepskin


The Naked Shoe

The high heel equivalent of Carrie’s Naked Dress. Appropriate for both summer weddings and sexy dates with your partner. Accompany with an impeccable pedicure. People will be looking. Feel free to deploy these shoes in warmer months for an alternative to The Workhorse.
Stuart Weitzman Nudist | Fawn Sheepskin

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