Fall Daily Essential: Ankle Boots + How to Pick the Right One

Ankle boots are an essential Fall wardrobe piece and picking the right one takes some fashion wisdom. After years of my own mistakes of shopping by "impulse", I have amassed quite a collection of shoes. There is a clear divide between the shoes I actually wear, verses the shoes I do not.

Over the years I have learned valuable tips to preventing shopping mistakes, and finding a product you will love for years to come. Here are my ankle boot recommendations:

If you do not own any ankle boots and plan on investing on your first pair, think practical. Do not reach for the first boot that may scream, "Awesome", but matches nothing. Control yourself and start by selecting a classic style boot, in either the color black or brown. 

                              THE CLASSIC STYLE

The classic style is simple, clean lines, and with very few embellishments. It may not be the most exciting, or creative in design, but it is extremely wearable.  This type of shoe should be part of everyone's wardrobe. It matches everything you own and can be styled up or down. 

Your only job is to consider the height of the heel or to opt to have no heel. This will all depend on your lifestyle and how much walking, and standing your day requires. Try it on, walk around and make sure it feels good.

                               POINTY STYLE

To point or not to point? 

Being quite petite and small, I have learned over the years that a pointy tip will lengthen, and slenderize your legs. A rounded tip gives you a chunkier more casual vibe, and knowing the difference, gives you knowledgeable control. As I own both types in my collection, I tend to have rounded tips with my higher heels, and pointier tips with smaller or no heels. 

                                LACE UP STYLE

Lace up boots, give off a casual vibe, and best suited for those with a more carefree lifestyle. They are extremely comfortable, and great for walking; however, they are a sportier style and are not appropriate for all situations. You can also mix this type of boot with a feminine soft style. It is a fun way to add a spicy element to a normally sweet tone. 

                             EMBELLISHMENT STYLE

If I belonged to a category, it would definitely be this one. I love embellishments and unique little touches! The problem is, they are not always the easiest to style. You really need to know your wardrobe very well, and how to balance color, textures, and embellishments, in total harmony. The look can easily look a bit crazy, and become overwhelming. My number one tip is keep your clothes with the same color tone, and match the embellishments on your shoes with your accessories. It works every time!

                        PEEK-A-BOO TOE STYLE

The peek-a-boo toe is a perfect alternative for those who live in a warmer climate. It gives off the effect of a boot but can still be warn like a sandal. I would not recommend this particular style to anyone living in a colder climate, or a place that rains. 

Join me everyday for more Fall Style!

xo,

Maya

FWI: Innovative Shoe Styling Tips

Fashion Week of Innovation

Shoes, shoes, shoes! Yes, I am a shoe addict. 

I don't know what  it is about shoes, but for some reason, the word "enough" does not exist. 

Therefore, if the latter is true, buying can not be the answer, and becoming wiser, and more creative is no longer a choice, but a necessity. 

Here are my shoe styling tips that curbed my addiction into a creative method of shoe styling!

1.) Ankle Bracelets

Ankle bracelets are an easy way to add character to any shoe. Whether it maybe boots, heels or sandals, it can be worn easily and matched to your other jewelry or outfits.

2.) Ribbons

A simple bow makes any shoe look instantly sweeter. Just tie it around your ankle or loop it through a strap, it is an easy way to change up your shoe.

3.) Permanent Markers

Drawing on my shoes, is something I have done since I was a kid. Now a days, with my colorful variety of permanent markers,  drawing on shoes, has become an art form.

Add your mark on your shoes, and let it inspire you all day. 

4.) Leg Warmers

Leg warmers not only keep your legs warmer, but add a new life to any shoe. If you live in a colder region, you are aware of how certain types of shoes, are just not practical to wear, during Autumn/Winter.

My favorite is, leather leg warmers, and they have been seen all over the runway. They are an absolute must, if you love wearing your stiletto heels. They turn any low ankle shoe, into an amazing high cut boot. 

5.) Socks with Fur Embellishments

I personally love boots with a bit of fur embellishment. It is very tempting to buy a fur embellished boot even though you have one just like it, minus the fur. The solution?

Fur trimmed socks. It is seriously the most genius creation that peeks out of every heel, ankle boot, and Mary Jane. It is also a fun way to warm up a strappy stiletto heel.

6.) Fun Knee High Socks

Gladiator shoes or leather cut out boots are sexy in the Summer, and fun in the Winter?

I love, wearing fun socks, that slightly peek through the holes of these type of shoes. Wearing funky socks simply on its own, can make you look like a clown, but paired behind leather cutouts gives a very cool effect. It's a bit like stained glass, where small bits of color peek through the black cut out structure. 

xo,

Maya

FH 1: How I Revive Old/Stained Shoes

FASHION-HEART: DAY 1

To read about Fashion-Heart click here: FASHION-HEART

These boots are by CHARLES JOURDAN, and I purchased them many years ago in New York. However, the white portion is canvas and a magnet to stains. I had only worn them a couple of times but that was enough to completely ruin them. Covered in tiny dirt, coffee,and tea stains, I tried everything to get the stains out, but could never find a solution that really worked. 

For years, I held on to them, hoping to have a use for them someday. Most people could not understand why I could not just throw them away. We have all heard the popular rule, "If you have not worn something in over 6 months, throw it away". How incredibly wasteful! 

 However, thankfully I never listen, because last year, I was feeling completely inspired and painted all over the stains with fabric paint. Now they are one of my favorite statement pieces to wear during late Summer and early Fall. 

                                 

Reviving these boots was accomplished in three easy steps. 

1.) Wet a clean rag and wipe the desired area to remove any dust or particles. Let dry.

2.) Use fabric paint and begin to Create! (Dry)

3.) Seal with Shoe Protector Spray.

Some other ideas....

Adding buttons, gluing fabric, fur, beads, or dying leathers. The skies the limit. Keep an open mind to fashion, and who knows where it will take you! 

How Autumn Inspires Me

Yesterday I posted shots of my Fall Shoe Collection, and I briefly explained how my shoes create these visual images in my mind that remind me of all my beautiful Autumn memories. I guess you would call them flashbacks, but it always surprises me how strong our senses really are. 

This is how Autumn Inspires me,

see what I see when I put on my shoes...

When I use to live in Brussels, I had two very large windows, over looking my bed. From my window I could see millions of Ivy leaves change from deep greens to vibrant orange, red, purple, and gold all throughout the Autumn months. It was like a fire work display of the final curtain call. It is remarkable to think Autumn is actually the ending of the seasons, and the leaves are actually dying. As humans, we always fear our deaths and the process of aging, and yet, leaves, climax till the very end. 

Such life and colors, why is it humans cannot live like leaves? 

 

Leaves are the fingerprints of life. They change so softly into beautiful shades of every color.

Walking through Autumn.

 I remember how my mind would be in awe of the beauty of this season. Such a juxtaposition.  Surrounded by the warmth of colors and yet the flow of crisp cool wind. 

I could walk for hours. 

Autumn nights. Filled in a sea of darkness, are golden leaves that glow in the reflection of softly lit street lamps. I close my eyes, and remember, such beauty falls in the hearts of those so alone. 

Blue skies and Rainbow leaves. Look up, it's magic. I remember...

Dancing leaves. Golden. How happy they must be. 

Like human hands, filled with veins of life. So intricately woven and mysterious. Leaves are exposed in sunlight. 

The sounds of autumn. Walking through puddles of dried leaves that have curled, you can smell the crisp Autumn air. 

My Fall Shoe Collection

Fall is my favorite season of the year. Leaves change to the most beautiful yellows, reds, and greens, and soon piles of leaves will fall like golden feathers.

 Unfortunately, Where I currently live, we do not really have seasonal changes, and witnessing the beauty that accompanies Fall, is rather difficult.

My Fall shoe collection is definitely my most favorite pairs of shoes and almost all of them are purchased in vintage shops from around the world. Each has a story and countless memories. Pulling  them out each Fall is like opening a time capsule filled with beautiful imagery and flashbacks. 

                                                   BOOTS

All of these boots are from vintage shops in Europe, except the brown rain boots with fur, which are by Marc Jacobs. The reason I am obsessed with vintage boots, is simply for the craftsmanship. It is impeccable. "Handmade" may not be as perfect as machine made, but that's the beauty of it. Our bodies are not made in perfect symmetry, nor in percise measurements. Variations are what make us human. This is why, handmade is more comfortable, and last longer. My leather booties literally grow with me, and age beautifully. Now a days, hand made is rare, and very pricey, but rummage your local vintage shops, and you might get lucky and find a gem. 

When I was a little girl, my mother would often read to me, "The Elve's and the Shoe maker". It was one of my most favorite fairytales, and it was based on magical elves that made the most extraordinary shoes. They would make them over night for the shoe maker and then leave them for the shoemaker to sell.  I can always remember hoping these little elves would one day stop by my house,and leave me a beautiful pair of shoes. Needless to say, it never happened but to this very day, I think of that story, and search for shoes that I "imagine" they would have made.  Shoes should be extraordinary, so beautiful, only magic elves could have made them. (At least that's what I tell myself...)

                                                CUT OUTS

Currently where I live, it has cooled down a lot,  but by no means is it very cold. I find myself constantly wearing cut out boots. It is the best way to recognize the seasonal change without necessarily heating up. 

                            ARTSY BOOTS and HEELS

                                              LACE UPS

                                             DETAILS

If there is anything that draws me quicker to a shoe, it is all in the details. Sometimes I even ask myself, "Is this amazing, or is this really awful?" For me, shoes are like works of art. It's not something I ever get rid of, unless, they are completely unrepairable.

Click here if you would also like to see my SUMMER SHOE COLLECTION