Style Dilemma Solved: Blushing Toes Go Bright

When Kate, who's twitter "about" says "I'm a 50s housewife, in a nerdy kind of way," tweeted for help finding a pair of wide, high(er) heeled nude pumps, I didn't exactly spring to action, but with gentle prodding, I did finally get off my blogger butt and give her some options, here.

In the end, it turned out she didn't need any help from lil' ol' me, seeing as she'd not only managed to find a pair (she went to a brand she knew fit her, which is always a good start), but she found them online, "ignoring" my "get thee to a shoe store and try them on" advice.

Brava! I say, for doesn't she look maaaaaahvelous in her new Corso Como pumps? I'm absolutely in love with her ensemble. Each piece is just a leeeetle bit unexpected: the kelly green blouse is simple, but has sweet, just-below-the-elbow buttons; the white trousers, well, they have a Bow; and the layered long chains + molded cuff make the whole deal not only enviable (in a good way), but attainable and copyable. Kate herself tweeted, "I loved the outfit so much I didn't want to take it off."

I don't blame her one. little. bit. If my name were Kate, and I donned this outfit, I'd rock the day, channeling Kate H. in all sorts of ways. Which I'm sure she did.

The only negative, she tweets, "was how much work it was to get out of those pants." Her day-of tweet? "Love these pants, but with a zipper, a button, two hooks, and a ribbon they are not exactly #gulps4glam compatible."

Here's hoping I'll feel the same way, and not want to take of my outfit when I blatantly copy her, which I'm going to do as soon as I get to that #healthyme goal: on the shopping list? Kelly green blouse and off-white trousers.

Have a style dilemma? Email me, tweet me, facebook me...and I'll see what I can do to help! You just have to promise to update us on the results, like Kate did! Want to see what other Style Dilemmas we've solved here? Search the site for Style Dilemma or Style Dilemma Solved, and twitter for #StyleDilemma. Curious about #gulps4glam? Go find that hashtag, too!

Style Dilemma: Blushing Toes

A few weeks ago, Kate tweeted for help finding "The Perfect Nude Pump." I happily said I'd help. A shoe hunt? Absolutely.

The kicker is, the "perfect" shoe is elusive, and not just because we have a Picture in Our Heads. There's fit, material, comfort, heel height, details...the list goes on. Never mind that, like Kate said, blush or nude is intimidating in the decision making realm. Too light? Too dark? Too pink? Too tan? Does skin color matter? And if skin color matters, what about those of us who get darker as we move into the warmer months (this is me not saying a single anti-tanning/browning-please-embrace-your-fair-skin word. not one)?

It's tempting, like I've done in the past, to "zappos" it, and buy 3-4 pair of shoes to try, returning what doesn't fit. Return policies nowadays are incredibly forgiving. It's a viable option, and a retailer like zappos or even amazon has a broad enough range of styles, brands, and price points to give us the options we need.

But it's overwhelming to shop online for shoes sometimes. So. Many. Pretty. Ones.

So, with a little prompting from the Woman With the Style Dilemma Herself (she tweeted me the Corso Como pair over the weekend), I got my rear end online and found a few - some traditional, some not - options. As for color, I personally don't think that there are any rules around pale skin/dark shoe or vice versa. That being said, I do think that your skin tone and shoe need to compliment each other. Unfortunately, there's no replacing going shoe shopping.

In the set below, there are some personal favorites (eagerly awaiting my own lillybee Kates, thankyouverymuch), and some unexpected brands (Jessica Simpson's heels, I've found, are predictably comfortable). Now, if you're looking for a straight pump, stick with the closed toe variety. I happen to adore the ever-sexy D'orsay silouhette, and the past few seasons of granny booties have grown on me. Snakeskin + granny bootie? Ok, so it's not exaaaaactly a nude pump. I just couldn't help myself. It's pretty.

As for what to wear with these pretty petal-like slippers? In my book, a nude pump goes with practically everything, from a dark suit you want to elevate to jeans and a fitted white T. Pale pink (because, let's face it, ladies, that's what it really is) blends in to your foot and ankle and elongates those fabulous gams of yours.

Kate, my dear? Get thee to the shoe store. And gleefully prance around, trying on every. single. pair. But you have to promise to report back in and tell us how you solved your Style Dilemma.

Nude Pumps by dcceline featuring high heel shoes