Fashion Fix

What to wear with Ankle Boots?

I recently bought a pair of ankle boots with a heel but I haven’t worn them yet as I am unsure what will work with them. Any tips? Thanks Maura.

Hi Maura,

What a good choice as ankle boots are big this season. However many women are unsure how to wear them so here are a few ideas for you.

• Wear under or over a pair of skinny jeans.   
• With a tunic or pinafore dress teamed with some opaque tights as ankle boots can look very cute with shorter length skirts and dresses.
• These are just a couple of option for you but do play around with your look a little to achieve a look you are happy with try various length hem lines and see what suits your boots best. Also ankle boots can elongate your legs a little when worn with the correct length hem line.

Have fun!

Buying Vintage Shoes

I love all the shoes that are sold in second hand shops and I recently saw a lovely pair of heels in a vintage store in Dublin. However I was unsure if I should buy them or not as they looked a little tatty. Is there some way of restoring old shoes? Thank you, Vanessa.

Hi Vanessa,

I know what you mean. I love all the vintage shoes and boots you see in vintage clothes shops as you know you are getting something unique. You do have take into account the condition of the shoes as you will probably have to re-dye them to disguise any scuff-marks and also get them resoled and reheeled as this will help to improve their look.

And before you store them give them a polish and then stuff them with tissue paper to help regain their shape. But do go back and have another look at the shoes as you will have a pair of original vintage shoes that no one else has.

Comfortable shoes for standing in all day?

I work in a shop and spend a lot of time on my feet. I want to get comfortable shoes that look nice and trendy but I don’t want anything with a heel. Can you suggest anything?
Thanks Marie.

I think you won’t get much better then a ballet pump - they are in every shoe shop for summer in all colours and in a varity of styles like pointed and round toes.

But pumps can be very flat and offer little support so pop in a pair of gel filled insoles -  they will help to cushion your feet and absorb shock and impact. There is also a pair of insoles available that helps relieve lower back pain and discomfort in the arches.

It may also be worth your while paying a little more for your pumps and getting a good leather pair - Clarks are doing some nice ones for summer in a range of colours.

Eco-Friendly Shoe Range in Arnotts

From the Irish Times today I notice that some of the Terra Plana range of eco-friendly shoes are carried in Arnotts in Dublin. Terra Plana won the Observer Ethical Fashion product of the year award in 2007.

From their eco and ethical policy page:
..materials include chrome free leathers, vegetable tanned leathers and recycled materials...

A sample from their range - the Doll ;-).  Click on the shoe photo for a link to their online store.

martina

Old Jeans = New Sandals

Softwalker is a relatively new business that was set up by ex-employees of Clarks and K-Shoes when those businesses moved their production to other countries.

They have a great twist for sandals - send them your old jeans and they will use the fabric to make the uppers for a new pair of sandals!

Their website is linked here.

martina

What to wear with wedge sandals?

I have bought my first pair of wedge sandals but I am unsure what to wear with them. Have you a few suggestions for me? Thanks, Sheila.

Hi Sheila,

We all love the wedge sandals that are around again this summer as they are versatile and, even better, comfortable. You can wear your wedges with just about anything and you can dress them up or down.

They look great with jeans and little tops, knee-length skirts or cute halter neck dresses. As I said they are versatile and the fact they give a little bit of height without killing your feet is all good.

Shoes for pink halter neck dress?

I have recently bought a pink halter neck dress but I only have black shoes and I don’t think they work very well with my dress. Can you give me some idea as to what colour shoes would look nice with my dress? Many thanks, Ciara.

Hi Ciara,

I think a silver or gold heel would look great with pink and there is a lot of metallic in the shops for summer. You could also opt for a pink which is the same shade as your dress. Do buy a pair of shoes that are comfortable and flattering - there is a wonderful choice available at the moment so hit the shops and remember to take your dress with you to achieve the correct match!

Shoes for black satin halter neck dress?

I am attending a James Bond themed birthday party in a couple of weeks. I have bought a black satin halter neck style dress and I was wondering what shoes I should get to go with my dress? Thanks Kate.

Hi Kate,

Well the fact you have bought a plain black dress means you can glam it up as much as you want. You could go for gold or silver killer heels with matching clutch bag - you will see a lot of gold and silvers in the shops as they are big for summer. If not you could opt for a bight colour pair of stilettos, which will make your dress pop.

Don’t forget the tights may be fishnets or seamed stockings if you really want to vamp it up a little! Think glam and sexy and have a great evening.

Boots and large calves

I have big problem getting boots to fit my large muscular calves so I always end up buying ankle boots which are fine but not great with skirts. Is there a brand of long boots I can buy here in Kilkenny that have a little more give in them for my wide calves? Thanks for your help, Una.

Hi Una,

You are not alone on this one - a lot of women have the same problem. I recently put together a guide for buying boots for wide calves on the internet so I have become familiar with the various brands available. Here in Kilkenny we have the Gabor range which cater for the larger calve through the use of a side panel with an elastic insert. This allows for extra stretch and comfort. The Gabor range is available from Kings shoes on Parliament Street.

A second brand to consider is the Emotion range of boots which has an extra calf width - this brand is available from Padmore and Barnes.

Another option is a stretch fabric boot which you pull on – these are great for the wider calve but do take your time when buying your boots as there is nothing more uncomfortable than a pair of boots that cut your blood supple off because they are too tight. 

There are also a couple of options on the internet such as Duo Boots. They have a great selection of wide calf fitting boots and also boots for thinner legs - take a look at their site which is www.duoboots.com. I would advise a call into Rossiters shoe repairers on the Butter Slip as they have a heat activated machine installed which can stretch your boots a little for you. Pop into them for more information on this process.

Boots are definitely the answer for wide calves as they are very flattering and will also encourage you to wear skirts more. Hopefully you will get a pair that is stylish and comfortable.

Footwear for knee lenght shorts

I have just bought a pair of knee length shorts in the sales and I was wondering what style of footwear to wear with them? Thanks for your help, Pauline.

Hi Pauline,

Knee length shorts are big news news this season and can look great teamed with the right footwear. Who would have thought we would be wearing shorts in the middle of winter! Here are a few of my suggestions.

1.    Black opaque tights with flat shoes can look cute and this is a comfy option that will also keep you warm.
2.    Flat leather boots is also a nice look with shorts.
3.    High-heeled ankle boots will help to dress up your shorts a little

Also try a pair of high-heeled peep-toe shoes worn with a pair of patterned tights for an ultra glam sexy look.