Gone but Never Forgotten

Dress: The WhitePepper | Boots: ASOS (a couple of years ago)

There are some pieces in my wardrobe that 100% don’t get enough love; this outfit represents that. I was actually looking for something else entirely when I re-found these boots and remembered how little I wear them, and this dress is one of my favourite ever purchases from one of my favourite ever brands. I’m still not over the loss of The WhitePepper from the virtual high-street, never have I coveted so many pieces from one shop, and it’s loss has scarred me to the same level as the loss of Tammy Girl from my adolescent life.

This outfit, and the rediscovery of these boots also made me realise how much I neglect my clothing choices a lot of the time these days, and how I especially neglect my footwear choices.
I used to have a vast (under-statement) collection of shoes and I wore and loved them all. Then I broke my foot and injured my back, and whilst I can now stand in heels (walking in them is another matter) without causing extreme discomfort I have fallen in to the habit of flat ankle boots for work, and the same boots or trainers out of work.

Clothing choice wise I used to not be afraid to stand out. My work wear and out of work wear represented my personality far more than my current rotation of outfits does. I put a lot of this down to being older now, now I’m in to my thirties I have an idea that perhaps I should blend in a bit more, dress less like I’m in my early twenties. That an a chronic loss of confidence mean my work wardrobe revolves around five key pieces, and despite owning many outfits for all manner of occasions, out of work I mostly end up in the same baggy dresses or, when feeling especially brave, a pair of jeans.

Am I too old to dress as I used to? I probably am for some of the crazy shit I used to put together, but I would like to get back to not caring so much, for allowing myself to stand out a little more and to actually feel confident in what I’m wearing, rather than drab and like I’ve given in.

Which high-street brands do you miss the most?

Stepping in to Autumn with Rydale*

Boots gifted by Rydale

If there is one thing that has been consistent over my years of blogging then it’s my love of ankle boots. I wear them pretty much all year round and they are often the top of my wish list despite owning numerous pairs.

I was recently very kindly gifted a new pair from Rydale (this pair to be precise), a British brand founded on the love of the great outdoors.

Dress: Monki

These boots are everything my collection has been missing; Chelsea boot style, suede, the perfect autumnal colours and hands down the comfiest pair of shoes I have owned in a long time. I’ve been sporting them recently with little floaty dresses, but as we rapidly approach the cooler months of th year I can’t wait to team them with skinny denim and chunky knits.

At £60 I think these are an absolute steal- they are so high quality you just know they’re going to last. This particular style comes in two other colour ways too, and there are plenty more beautiful boots (and a whole lot more) on the Rydale website.

This is one pair of boots that certainly were made for walking, and I can’t wait to put them through their paces.

Choosing a Pair of Designer Shoes: Getting the Fit Right *

Photo by Charisse Kenion on Unsplash

If you’re planning to invest a significant amount of money into a beautiful pair of designer shoes or sneakers then the last thing that you want is to end up with a pair that simply don’t fit. Shoes that feel uncomfortable probably won’t be worn as often as you would like, and if you do get around to wearing them you’ll probably regret it after they’ve been on your feet for five minutes. Getting the right fit is absolutely crucial when you’re buying a pair of shoes, not only to get the most out of the money that you’ll spend, but also to ensure that your feet are well-protected. Here are some tips to keep in mind. 

#1. Have Your Feet Measured for Size:

The first thing that you should do is go to a store and have your feet measured by somebody who’s been trained to do so. Even if you’re considering buying your Gucci sneakers online from a reputable site like SSENSE, for example, you will find that many shoe stores will offer a free measuring service and will be more than happy to tell you your size. You may be surprised as to what you hear; adults don’t always stay the same shoe size throughout their life as there are many factors which can contribute to changes such as pregnancy, injuries, or weight changes. 

#2. Avoid Brand-Based Shopping:

Yes, SSENSE stock Gucci shoes with a great range of choices available, but there are plenty of other designer brands to choose from to, so don’t limit yourself to just one. It doesn’t matter just how much you love one particular shoe brand – they just might not have a shoe that’s perfect for your needs right now, which is especially true if you are planning to buy designer sneakers or running shoes. Try several different brands to find one that works – you might be surprised to find that the perfect brand for you right now is one that you’d not heard of before. 

#3. Shop Late in the Day:

Even if you’re planning to take advantage of cheaper prices by shopping online, it’s a wise idea to go to the stores first and try shoes on in person, so that you have a better idea of what they look and feel like, and have the opportunity to try them on and have a walk around in them before you buy. The best time to do this is late in the day – your feet tend to swell more as the day goes on, so later on in the day is when they will be at their biggest. It’s better to shop now so that you don’t end up with shoes that are too small in the evenings. If you’re planning to shop online, then it’s also worth bearing in mind that shoe sizes can run small or large depending on the brand, so the size that fits you well in the store is the one you should order online. 

When you’re investing a lot of money into a designer pair of shoes, a well-fitting pair is essential. 

Posted in shoes, shopping

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Ace the Races with PrettyLittleThing*

It’s been a very long time since a brand approached me about a clothing collaboration so I was more than a little bit excited when PrettyLittleThing got in touch about styling up some race day worthy outfits. I’ve never been to the races myself but have seen plenty of coverage from those who have and I had my own idea of the kind of style I’d like to sport- PrettyLittleThing have everyone covered though with a huge selection and my toughest choice was narrowing my selection down! In the end I picked two outfits that I feel wouldn’t be out of place at even the grandest of race days, I’d love to know what you think and what you’d have picked.

Dress | Shoes both c/o PrettyLittleThing

I fell in love with the retro vibe of this chocolate brown midi dress instantly, the sleeve detail is so unique and it hangs beautifully. I wouldn’t usually go for such a delicate shoe but I love how the rose gold looks with this outfit, and despite having to size up in the shoes (hello wide feet woes) they are a lot more comfortable than they look.

Dress | Shoes | Bag all c/o PrettyLittleThing

This emerald green dress is unlike anything I have ever owned before and I was in two minds about picking it as I wasn’t sure a plunging neckline would be my friend. Thankfully it worked, although a bit more in the boobs department might have helped! I was taken by the tied cuff details and the wrap around effect, I kept shoes more subtle this time as the dress is far more revealing than anything I usually wear, and I couldn’t resist adding in this little marabou feather clutch bag for a finishing touch.
Have you ever been to the races before? As a complete novice, how did I do with my outfit selections?

Indulging my ankle boot obsession with Fashion World*

If I could only wear one style of shoes for the rest of my life it would without a doubt be ankle boots, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is, they are what I gravitate to and I’ve been living in the same two pairs of boots for the last couple of months. This could, of course have something to do with the fact that these are the only shoes I’ve got around to moving house with me- the perks of having my parents’ living near by is that I didn’t have to move everything at once, handy as we’ve had a couple of storage hiccups, and to be honest I haven’t really missed most of my shoe collection (although I will be glad to have them all under one roof in the new year!)

Now I’m done with my Christmas shopping- insert smug gloat here- I’ve gone back to my routine browsing of things I would quite like to own, although now all of my money has gone on Christmas, and unexpected vet bills, it really is a case of browsing only.

Today’s edition of “share my pain in lusting over things I can’t yet afford” features ankle boots (as the post title might have given away), specifically those from the magnificent collection over at fashion world.

I kind of feel I’ve covered all bases with my browsing here, from smart to casual, from day to night, I’ve fallen in love with an ankle boot for all occasions. I think my favourite pair has to be the black ones with the pearl detailing, such a pretty way to liven up an otherwise plain party dress, or for wearing just to feel expensive…and expensive they are not, costing a very reasonable £26.00 in the wide fit style, which is perfect for my flipper feet.

You’ll also find a selection of familiar brands on the fashion world website – from irregular choice to mode in pelle (which is who the delicious burgundy button detail boots are by).

What shoe style would you choose to live in?