My Top 5 Core Basic Shoes For Every Personality!

Good morning,

First of all, I want to say thanks to you and all of the readers who have written in asking questions, but mostly I want to say thanks for your patience because I know that I have not gotten to some of your questions yet.

When I first decided I was going to put out a bi-weekly newsletter, I planned 26 topics in advance and scheduled them so that I would be prepared. What I wasn’t prepared for was all of the wonderful feedback and the many interesting questions that I receive weekly. I have enough to keep the newsletter going for months and months to come. Let’s just say that I have tossed my planned topics out the window for now!

I received this question from my client Jeni about a month ago.

Hi lovely! Miss you soooo much! Love your blog!! Jeans, shoes… always super helpful. It still helps to have you hold my hand to go through it though!

Ok another question to add to the pile! How does one find inspiration for their style? I would love to keep putting great outfits of things we bought together in new fresh ways, but I still don’t have a clue. What websites, for me, would you recommend? Celebrities I should follow etc.? 

Side question: Example you said in last blog to create a “shoe list”, but I need the step before that one of what shoes do I even look for what’s missing in my wardrobe to make it work – which just lets me know it’s time for another clothes audit with you!

Massive love and thanks,
Jeni

Thanks Jeni for all the love and your sweet kudos! I am delighted that you are finding my newsletters so helpful!

Since we addressed “shoes” in Newsletter 16 a month ago, I want to answer Jeni’s “side question” first and then I’ll address her first question in a coming newsletter.

Like clothing, we get distracted by the shiny new shoes that sparkle as we walk the shoe aisle. I know I do. And yes, fun, colorful shoes with interesting heels and straps and pretty little details are much more interesting than the basics. But being a “shoe girl” (and again, who isn’t?!), we have to reel ourselves in and get practical when it comes to finding basics that compliment our Personalities and work within our Life-Style Requirements.

Now, mind you, practical does not have to be boring. Like clothing, we just need to have the right basic shoes so that completing our outfit becomes effortless or at least easier to do. I know how frustrating it can be when we have a pulled-together outfit and all we’re missing is a pair of killer shoes to go with it. Yes, shoes can make or break an outfit, but killer shoes do not always have to have lots of bells and whistles to complete an outfit. Most of the time a simply chic shoe will do.

Here’s a list of my top 5 core basic shoes that every girl should have in her wardrobe in her “core neutral” colors. Your “neutral” shoe colors (Black, Nude, Navy, Brown, Grey, Taupe, etc.) should consist of neutrals that are flattering to your “core basic” items in your wardrobe. Your “core basic” items in your wardrobe are your more classic pieces, in solid neutral colors, usually in flat textured woven fabrics and knits. The shoes don’t necessarily need to “match” your core basic pieces but they do need to pair well with them.

1. Black or a dark neutral low heeled or flat shoe: A heel that is not too high and perfect for work to a casual evening out.
2. Black or a dark neutral heel or dress shoe: I call it my LBS or “little black shoe:” Shop for this kind of shoe like you would shop for a LBD. It should go with a variety of outfits and to many different events. This look would range from a dressier pump to a strappy stiletto sandal.
3. Nude heels: My all time favorite of late. Buy in a pointed toe pump or slingback (Classic girl), a pump topped with a bow (Charming Femme, girly girl), to a chunky wooden heel sandal (Casual girl) to a modern pump in nude patent leather (Living on the edge, Fashion Maverick.)
4. Black or brown boots: Flat or heeled, short or tall, pick a pair that you will love to live in during the fall and winter months.
5. Casual sandals or loafers: These are your weekend shoes that pair well with skirts, shorts, dresses or jeans. They can vary from a loafer type tennie (Casual girl) to a men’s inspired penny loafer. (Fashion Maverick)

The styles that you pick are really based on your Personality, and Life-Style Requirements. The more classic your Personality, the more classic your shoe will be. If you are a more girly girl, peep toe pumps or Mary Jane type heels and flats will be your go-to shoe. If you are a trendy girl who likes to live on the edge a bit, your core basic shoes might be more modern or trendy (not too trendy though!) – perhaps they have a platform or a chunkier heel. And if you are a casual girl, you might prefer textures and leathers that are less refined, and shoes that are easier to get around in.

Whichever your Personality, the shape might be classic or more unique but keep the details to a minimum so that they will go with a variety of your outfits, and work for many of your social and professional events. The styles of shoes I featured are just suggestions based on your Core Personality, not taking into consideration your Sub Personalities, particular Body-Type or your Life-Style Requirements. For example, if you are a casual girl and don’t like riding boots because they always seem to be too tall for your petite calves, opt for a shorter ankle boot.

Now, this list is just a bare minimum of what you should have in your closet when it comes to your core basic shoes. However, I can tell you that I have conducted hundreds of closet audits and I discover all of the time that many women are missing most of these core basic shoes, because they are attracted to shoes that make a bold or unique statement.  No wonder it can be so challenging completing an outfit!

Bonus Tip:

The one shoe that I recommend to have in your closet that I consider a basic but it is not a solid neutral color is an “animal” print dress shoe. This would vary from snakeskin to leopard and crocodile, as long as the print or texture is in your “core neutral” colors.

The reason animal prints are considered part of your core wardrobe basics is because they give a textural interest by combining neutral colors adding excitement to your outfit. Just be sure that you keep the styling more classic with few details and no extra “bling” (subtle gold or silver buckles are OK) that would limit where you can wear these.

Animal prints work great with a head-to-toe neutral outfit, and if done right can really add an element of surprise to an outfit of color, print or pattern. However to keep the look interesting without going overkill, I don’t suggest wearing more than one or two accessories of the same animal print with your shoes. Too much leopard print (shoes, blouse, handbag) starts to look overdone and tacky. It is much more interesting to pair your animal print shoes with another print such as a floral. So have fun and mix it up!

As I mentioned before, interesting shoes are more fun and exciting to buy, but it is our stylish neutral basics that will get us through the day to day. I promise you that if you have these 5 basics in styles that you love, are comfortable to wear all day long, and are kept in great shape, completing your outfit will be much easier.

Now, it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you.  Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.

Blog me.

Love,

~Michelle