Living Aloud Allowed

14 shoes you must own

The Thought

Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.

Be a girl. Own the shoes. I have 84 pair. I never thought I’d own 84 shoes. I adore them though. I’ve learned that they can make an outfit. You can get noticed for them. I met my current boyfriend because of my boots. Who knows. You may too!

The Inspiration

The Fabulous Imelda Marcos

The Gear

14. Extremely Tall (preferably 6 inch) heels - black (preferably with red soles - knock offs allowable!)

Yeah, don’t even hesitate. If a pair like this doesn’t make you want to stomp evil out of the world – nothing will!

Ebay: Sexy Red Sole Platform Pump Mary Jane Black Snake Print $31.74

13. Red high heels

You need color. Red is the best “neutral” color to start with. It goes with black, white, grey, khaki. Try it. It suits more than you might think.

Nordstrom: BCBGeneration 'Tinas' Platform Pump (Nordstrom Exclusive) $98.95

12. Ballet Flat

Going on a trip – want to look good but still be able to walk at the end of the day? Try a pretty flat!

Newport-News.com: Velvet flat with satin bow $11.99
11. Rocker pair of boots - motorcycle, studs, something with an edge

Motorcycle gang…spice up a pair of skinny jeans? wear with cut off shorts and a thin sweater in the fall? These will touch up all those from “meh” to “HELLO” in seconds!

Chadwicks: Triple Buckle Boots $64.99

10. One pair that speak louder than the outfit, but you own the attitude

Take a black suit and heels from basic to edgy with a pair of oxfords. The idea here is to get your feet noticed – that way their scanning your long legs all the way down!

Kohls: Apt. 9® Isis High Heels $59.99
8 and 9. Flip flop - one dressy, one casual

I love shoes, but I’m a weekend flip flop girl. From glamour to grocery store, these two basics will walk you through Saturday and Sunday!

Target: Women's Mossimo Supply Co. Lonnie Studded Gladiator Flip Flops – Brown $12.99 & Women's Mossimo Supply Co. Laverne Flip Flops – Black $9.99

7. Any type of shoe that only has one outfit that goes with it

I have a pair of red plaid heels. I have a pair of paisley pumps. At the first glance, they went with one thing. and then I found freedom to pair more and more – and they multiplied by closet’s worth just by matching new and interesting items together to make them work!

Ebay: Brown Round Toe Platform High Heel Pump Shoes $32.98

Kohls: Candie's® Classy Peep-Toe Dress Heels $54.99

6. Chuck Taylors or Converse

Being a dancer, converse or the like with a bit of suede glued to the heel make EXCELLENT dance shoes. But what shoe queen wants one pair of many colors? NOT I!

Payless.com: Canvas Kicks $24.99, Knee High Kicks $32.99, Kicks Hi Watercolor $24.99
5. Cowboy Boots - one roper sensible and one that's flat out fabulous

Texas born, bred and raised. These work overtime right now since they’re so on-trend!

Bootbarn.com: Justin Women's Roper Boots – Black $59.99

Sears: Roper Womens Vintage Underlay Boots Black $63.95

4. Over the Knee Boots

This is the new tall boot – don’t forget your knee high wonders, but you have two ways here – a flat one for those mini skirts and bumming around town…the tall ones with a pair of tailored shorts to wow him! Put under a long skirt for a tantalizing peek! Or take a pair of over the knee socks with your current boots and make them speak as well!

JCPenney: Decree® 'Salem' $90.00
3. Equestrian Boots

Classic boot that walks more places than you give it credit for! Under jeans and a flannel shirt for a camping haute couture. With a great tartan skirt for a Ralph Lauren classic look. Buckle detail here shows that you’re adding a bit of jewelry and polish.

JCPenney: St. John's Bay® 'Amelia' Suede Riding Boot $89.99
2. Ugg or fuzzy boots

I had Uggs (or knockoffs thereof) before Uggs were cool. Honestly. These are FANTASTIC. They are my favorite shoe. I wish I had more weather to wear them in. Grocery store. Snow storm. After a hard day even as slippers for house work. OH! Please!

Uggaustralia.com: $180.00
1. One pair of black business heels that make you own that room

This is the basic gone bad. I love it. Make sure there’s a button. A ruffle. A zip. Something to strike fear into the hearts of men.

Charlotte Russe: Layered Front High Heel Pumps $30.00

The Art Opening Eclectic Snob

The Thought

Art for Art’s Sake

I have attended an art opening. And the people who show up to these things must mean that going to an art opening implies the inability to match or put one’s self together. I know art can be abstract or obscure, but a) these people do not have to be either of these and b) fashion rules should still apply. That said, it’s nice to be a bit quirky. Let’s just tone it!

The Inspiration

The Gear

Target: Xhilaration® Juniors Legging w/ Zipper – Black $12.99

Forever 21: Distressed Leaves Tunic $15.80 & Faceted Bead Belt $6.80

Charlotte Russe: Dangle Circle Shell Earrings $4.00

Braided Seed Bead Cuff Bracelet $4.00

The Roaring 20s

The Thought

Shake your Shimmy….

I’m a swing dancer, and this look comes to town often when we’re having a dance. That said, it’s easy to forgo the flapper wig and some of the more extreme “dance only” accessories and bring this look to the streets! The essential piece here is the dress – a fringe dress helps a girl show what she’s got to move! and easy necklace or two of beads makes that period of indulgence come alive. Want to take a step further – think feather or headband, cloche hat for those who get winter weather – The make up can play alot here – red RED red lips and dark eyes, make this subtle gesture to times forgotten!

The Inspiration

The Gear

Forever 21: Fringed Flapper Dress $29.80

Beaded Multi-strand Necklace $10.80

Holiday Cascading Pearls $9.80

Floral Beaded Headband $5.80

Chic Wool Cloche $13.80

Mother Earth

The Thought

Think gypsy meets boho meets hippy meets fantastic seaside picnic where you can nap freely and feel the breeze. Keep ethnic jewelry at play to give that “Just returned from East Asia” feel, the soft long dress giving shape only when shocking sunlight filters through it. Want a head scarf – keep it neutral, but good play! A big hobo bag holds a book for a lazy afternoon.

The Inspiration

The Gear

Kohl’s: Derek Heart® Crochet-Trim Floral Maxi Dress

Forever 21: Floral Etched Bangle Set $6.80 and/or Motely Metal Bangles $5.80

Polished Hoop Earrings $2.80

Target: Merona® Tassel Tote – Bronze $24.99

When Country is Cool

The Thought

She’s gone country…back to her roots…

Being from Texas, it’s not right unless you got hat, boots and will travel. I love a pop of turquoise to keep the Western look, but make sure that you’re still a lady. Forgo the jeans and gingham top a la Ellie Mae….try a tailored denim dress to show a little leg and show off those boots as well…it’ll go a long way – maybe even ride you off into the sunset.

The Inspiration

The Gear

Forever 21

Strung Cowgirl Hat $9.80

LIP Pinstripe Denim Dress $27.80

Ethnic Beaded Earrings $6.80

Gaia Stone Ring $5.80

DSW.com: SM Kendel Leather Western Boot $149.95

It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World

The Thought

…he wouldn’t be nothin’….nothin’….without a Woman….

This is a good staple look for any closet. You can play this super easy or super shocking – easy! Add a fedora and a vest and a debate team tie…you’ve got the very literal approach. The key here is CUT. It must look feminine – the suit that is. You want hips. You have a bosom – keep it! You’re still a femme fatale, but you need to be undercover in a man’s world – make sure you can still be picked out of a line up out of your male counterparts – keep it pinstripe or tweed, but make sure your accessories toe the line, but also stretch the boundaries! Pink tartan tie? ABSOLUTELY.

The Inspiration