Just add heels

So the love all of things more traditional on the shoe front continues. 

And I've progressed from the flat loafer to the full on Granny versions.

To be honest, these are the ones that I first tried on in the mecca of all things fantabulous that is the Gucci store on Bond Street.  These pre-empted the thinking that a loafer could be cool.. the thought process started with a heeled pump which I loved but alas, I just knew I wouldn't get that much wear out of them to justify the cost.  

I would love to be able to wear heels on a daily basis.  But I just know won't.  It's as simple as that - I am too lazy and my lifestyle doesn't warrant them.  Even if there is a "style occasion" (could I sound more cretinous?) to wear them, I fear I would just revert to flats.  Maybe I'm becoming a true gimmer but I have fallen well and truly in love with all things heel-less for during the day.  I would love to say it's purely a style thing but let's be frank - they're just more comfortable.

However that doesn't stop me gurning like a toddler in a sweet shop whenever I see rows and rows of gorgeous heels.

These are the ones that I fell in love with.  Gucci does Alice in Wonderland.  

Gucci Peyton Texas Heart Leather Pumps £605

Here they are on me... they really were rather special but I wouldn't be able to justify the cost per wear.  And yes, obviously their floor is orgasmic too.




So I then came round to still thinking red, but something that I would be able to make work harder and ended up with the red flat loafers. 

Job then on to find an alternative to the heels so I started to hunt down inspirations elsewhere for a hell of a lot less money. 

Good old Topshop came to the rescue again.  They are the definition of shoe heaven this season.  The genius of them is that, unlike some other competitors out there who copy exactly a designer shoe, they take inspiration from the catwalk, whilst making enough of a difference so it doesn't feel like you're wearing a designer fake.  They create beautiful shoes in their own right - staying very true to the "Topshop look" whilst lending an ear and an eye to what the designers are offering (at very very VERY different price points - try x10 less).

So caught my eye.... starting with the sling back that I saw at Selfridges the other day.  

Grammercy Slingback Shoes from Topshop £69 in the pink.



And in the off white £69. 



Another pair of Granny classics which are completely on trend.  Throw on with boyfriend jeans and you're off.

Janel Slingback Shoes from Topshop £65



Slightly lower slingbacks but again in two tone from Next. They also score highly in the shoe points this year.  Some complete corkers.

Monochrome Slingback Pointed Shoes £32




Two tone again at Next and this time with a T bar. 

Monochrome Forever Comfort T Bar Shoes £35



Higher again and back into a slingback at Topshop.

Gina Slingback Shoes £69



But bargain of the day has to be these from Clarks.  Yes, good old Clarks.  Yes, they're properly Grannyfied.  But thanks to Gucci et al, these are the chicest shoes you can buy this Spring and for less than £30 it would frankly be rude not to. 

Gabriel Mist from Clarks in navy were £55 now £27.50




And this season's must have nude shoe - eat your heart out Kate Middy... THIS is what you should be sporting love.  Ditch those blooming wedges PLEASE.

In patent nude pink were £55 now £27.50



Moving onto a more mid heel now which I simply can't do. 

Jenna slingback shoes in lime at Topshop £59


And these which I ADORE.  With cropped kick flares, blazer or even just sling a sweatshirt and a trench on, these would be too amazing.  It's unfortunately a heel height I struggle with, which I'm gutted at, as these are a steal.  Wear with a traditional suit but instead of a blouse, wear a modern knit.. to eliminate any Royal Mother references.

Navy Forever Comfort Detail Trim Courts in Navy from Next £32



Plus the black versions also £32



These are definitely up there with my favourites apart from them not being high enough for me but as every day shoes go if you can rock a mid heel, these are perfection.

Juliette Mid Heel Shoes £49




Loafers with a little bit of height now.

Chain trim loafers from Next £35



And in the nude £35



But I had decided that metallic was what I was after.  If I was going to go off piste then I may as well go the whole hog. 

These were too low but if you're after a mid heel, look no further.

The Jennas in silver from Topshop £59


Another mid heel from Topshop - the Juliette £46



However if we're looking at mid heel, these from Next would be winners for me.

Metallic Slingback Pointed Shoes £32



These were an option but still, not quite right... 

Jean Tread Down Loafers from Topshop £66


In the end these are the ones that stole the show.  I think they're new in at Topshop as I certainly didn't see them last week and in Selfridges, they hadn't even put them out on the shop floor.  They are A.MAZING. 

Dare I say, I actually prefer them to the Guccis?  The heel isn't as high as the super high Gucci metallic loafer but for me so so much more flattering on than the lower mid heel.  It says online that they're a 4inch heel but I'm really not sure (and no, I can't be bothered to go and measure them, sorry).  I did though, measure them against my Iro boots which aren't vertiginous by any stretch of the imagination and these are the same, if not a smidge lower than them. 

Certainly I didn't feel super tall when I went out in them last night.  I am In. Love.

Gina Slingback Shoes £69



Here I am sporting the evidence last night.  I can also confirm they are super comfortable.  I sized down in them - Topshop shoe sizing is always very random but I found these came up very big.   I would happily wear these during the day (were there an occasion when a heel was appropriate...).