Visual Aid / ASOS Shoe Inspiration

There is really nothing more exciting or more motivating than pretty new shoes.

We’re clawing our way out of winter in Chicago and hopefully will permanently be sock and winter boot free very shortly.  I’m looking forward to a full week of no bundling up! Until then, happy thoughts of summer days and sandals are all that keep us Midwesterners going, so online shoe shopping it is.

ASOS has a ton of amazing styles in all sorts of heel types, which is especially good for the stiletto-phobic among us!  Below are my favorites on their website right now, all of which seem wearable and walkable.  Each photo is linked if you’d like to check the style out further.

 

Work Chic – No Need for a Stuffy Suit

Ever since my college years as a receptionist at a local salon, I’ve developed a serious love affair with wearing all black.  I would wear it all day every day if I could (and most of the time do).  There were a few years there were I didn’t even wear jeans, just black pants and leggings.  There was lots of confusion when jeans finally made a comeback in my wardrobe, but I digress…

My go-to fashionable, yet comfortable professional look includes these items:

1. a flowy cami or tank

2. a slim leg ponte pant (work appropriate leggings!  hell yes!)

3. a blazer (whatever style works best for your bust, shoulder and hip sizing– oy, isn’t finding that trifecta in agreement a challenge!)

4. a fantastic shoe (heel, bootie, shootie, flat– show off what you love best!)

5. THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM – a badass bright lipstick to add that final polishing touch

Remember: While I LOVE black, you could rock this look in bright yellow or blue if you wanted.  Always try out different colors when available in a style you like.  You never know what can happen!

Whether you’re going on a date or a dinner with friends, this style translates seamlessly to evening.

Big booty or tummy?  No problem!  The open face blazer and cami that I’m wearing drapes and conceals nicely.

Did you notice my new specs from Warby Parker?  They were delivered Friday and I’m 100% obsessed.

What I wore:

SWAK Pretty Cami

J.Jill Wearever Slim Ankle Pants

H&M+ Jacket

Sam Edelman Petty Booties

Chanel Lipcolor in Paris Red (discontinued)

SHOES – My favorite everyday looks in sizes 10.5 and 11

I should be honest that, given NW Indiana and Chicago are in the Polar Vortex Part Deux: The Revenge right now, I’m actually not wearing any of these favorite picks at the moment…only my Sorel snow boots (which, I should add, are one of the best shoe purchases I’ve made in years, but that’s another post for another day).

Nonetheless, as a true size 10.5 to 11, I’ve taken my fair share of disappointments when it comes to shoe shopping.  Finding a size 10.5 is a miracle in itself, when a lot of retailers only carry 5 or so pairs of each shoe above a size 8.5–which makes absolutely no sense by the way!  Luckily, wonderful places like Nordstrom, Zappos, Macy’s, Talbots, Cole Haan and DSW exist, where all of us double-digit sized ladies can shop stress-free.

I don’t have particularly wide feet, but they’re not a true medium width either, so I fluctuate between a 10.5 and 11 depending on the designer, material type and general shoe type (flat vs. heel, etc).  Today I’m featuring some flat and low-heeled styles that I absolutely love.  No sock weather will be here before we know it, so get those non-boot wheels turning!

 

STYLE #1: Classic ballet flat from Talbots.  Never goes out of style and works with any outfit. I have these in this red leather, a nude leather and a grey suede.  My size: 11.

STYLE #2: Edgy smoking slipper.  These fashion-forward little numbers are from Target!  I love the metallic finish and the spiked heel!  They look great with an ankle pant or skinny jean. My size: 11.

STYLE #3: Comfortable nude leather peep toe from Cole Haan.  These have the Nike Air shocks in the insoles, which makes them very easy for long-wear.  The nude color compliments anything from casual to fancied up and the little pop of gold on the heel adds that little extra polish! My size: 10.5.

STYLE #4: Tassled burgundy business flat from Joan and David.  These are my absolute favorite work shoes and go just as well with a full suit as they do with a casual Friday dark jean and blazer.  My size: 11.

STYLE #5: Suede stack-heeled ankle booties by Sam Edelman.  As you can see, I have them in black and nude-grey colors.  They are very comfortable to walk around in and perfect for cooler days sans bad weather.  I’ve put a few waterproof coatings on them, but I wear them so much they’re getting pretty beaten up.  My size: 10.5.

These are from Zappos and the style comes in MANY different fabrics and colors to suit everyone’s taste.  I recommend highly!