I found a pair of flats I like that go with both jeans and dresses and replaced them with the same kind whenever they wore out. But unfortunately for me, this particular brand recently discontinued that pair of shoes, and I have not been able to find anything similar enough for my own satisfaction.
Believe it or not, this has caused some considerable distress! So where do I start in selecting new shoes?
Well, I can't say enough for the idea of "neutral shoes," like the ones I owned. Every savvy young lady should own at least one pair of shoes in black, brown, tan, cream, or a shade of grey (or all of the above if you really enjoy shoes).
These shades easily coordinate with almost all others, making them the perfect companion to virtually any outfit you own. Shoes like these make choosing your footwear a minimal issue whenever you're trying to rush out the door but still look great.
I tend to go for plainer shoes with few bells and whistles, but if you are someone that likes to make more of a statement, there is nothing wrong with choosing "neutral shoes," that come in a hue like black or beige but have a design that calls attention to itself.
When it comes to buying shoes, try to hunt for new pairs before your current shoes wear out. That doesn't mean you have to develop a collection that spans the whole floor of your walk-in closet, but buying shoes in a rush because the heel broke off of your favorite pair means you won't be able to give yourself enough time to consider a wide selection and hunt for bargains.
Be careful of shopping online for shoes, at least with unfamiliar brands, as some brands don't align in size with others. I have clown feet, so my size ranges anywhere from eight and a half to ten.
If you have your eye on a particular shoe that you have found for a great price online, try to find it at your local mall and find your exact size before ordering. You might also consider going to or hosting a "shoe party," which is like bringing a shoe store into your own home.
My bottom line rule for buying and wearing shoes is never purchase something that isn't comfortable or attractive to you. There is nothing that ruins a special occasion like dressing up in shoes that you hate wearing. Just wear what you love!
My Shoe Shoppe (http://www.myshoeshoppe.com/) is a shoe party. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
Tags: fashion, beauty, shoe party