Style Dilemma: Jackie O Does Greek Holiday

Dariaux wrote me, after noticing the shoes in my Windy Day post, "the shoes that you are wearing with the wrap dress (yes, we've all been there on a windy day) - are they blue?"

Yup, they are, and they're a go-to pair in my wardrobe (neutrals with a pop of color on shoes, scarf, or cuff is a uniform for me). They're Joan & David Circa from a few seasons ago, bought to replace my Tiffany-blue d'orsay pumps from Nine West (yes, Nine West - I adored them, and wore them to death - one of the sexiest pairs of shoes I ever had).

"I'm still dying for a good pair of blue shoes to wear during the summer with a black sheath dress and a blue necklace," Dariaux responds. "Sigh." She has been looking for The Right Pair since last summer. I know. She wrote me then. (But then, we often exchange Style Dilemmas - we have eerily similar tastes - in style and single malts.)

Off to zappos.com I go. I'm such a faithful friend. Shoot back a note with four choices. Lots of options in towards the teal end of things, less robin's egg end of the spectrum.

"Oooh, these are some good ones," and she's tempted by the pair with the kitten heel - she's going for a more casual look...Jackie O on Ari's yacht.

Back to the drawing board...and here are the choices.

My first choice? KORS Michael Kors wedge. A little unexpected on a yacht, but if you're an "It" girl, you're not walking around the yacht, you're lounging behind your oversized shades and having drinks brought to your side.

Second choice? An aptly-named Bettye Muller sandal: the St. Tropez. (pooey on Flash sites that don't let you save pictures down...you'll just have to follow the link).

Third choice? Bronx's Fabiana. In flame. Yup, you read that correctly. With a black sheath and blue beads, a flaming red pair of shoes (or yellow, or orange, for that matter) would be gorgeous.

Style Dilemma Solved? Summer-Appropriate Closed Toe Shoes

Scarlet said...

Here is a dilemna I have:So, I work part-time at Barnes and Noble which requires me to be on my feet for 8 hours at a time and we HAVE to wear closed toe shoes. I would be so happy to wear flip flops while there and would never complain again but we're not allowed. Do you have any ideas for summer-appropriate, comfortable, closed-toe shoes? I usually wear knee-length type skirts and a normal top.

Scarlet,

I suppose the closed-toe rule @ B&N must have something to do with them not wanting you to drop a case of books on your pretty painted tootsies? I agree. Smudged polish is so yesterday...

Seriously, I'm a fan of neutral shoes as a summer standby. And by neutral, I mean brown, camel, beige, pale pink, green, yellow (you get the picture), or even black patent. If you do the "black is back" thing (which somehow seems particularly appropriate for a bookstore guru), then a pair of non-black shoes is just the key summer accessory. Navy or denim skirt, of course, would be a non-black alternative on top.

Style-wise, platforms and low heels are favored over flats (you've read my musings on flats). If your feet just won't take it, moccasins are comfy, summery, and go with everything, as far as I'm concerned.

Can you do a sling-back? You could pull off a sexy librarian look with those, if you're allowed the open back with a closed toe.

For Low-Budget shoes, I like Target's Mossimo Dylan Platform Pumps in brown - they look high, but the platform cuts some of the height, increasing the comfort factor.

Medium-Budget, try Nine West's Nesa in bronze (I'm a proponent of metallic = neutral) or Schutz 103008 in camelo (perfect for foot-weary jobs because of the rubber sole!)

And, if your budget can spare it, go for something like the Anne Klein New York cork-soled (cork is summery - cork = wine = cool summer drink) Crystal Two in black patent.

Now, I'll have to caveat all of this by saying that I'm a person who's totally comfortable in heels for the better part of a 12-hour day, so adjust accordingly. But the whole point is that tans/browns and other pseudo-neutrals (like pastels, patent leather, and even super-brights) can be really summery if you pay attention to the details!

Tell us if we solved your dilemma! We want to know!