Will it be all white on the night?
Or during the day at least...? Yes we're talking white.
And as the sun is due to make a welcome arrival this week, I am talking Summer shoes. Including sandals - the key is white.
So we've done white trainers. And now everyone does white trainers. Is is time to try something else white? A couple of years ago, I can't imagine even contemplating a pair of white shoes but now - well, suddenly white is all the rage (I say, managing to sound 79).
Apparently (the husband told me this, which is why I say "apparently" as I can't contribute it to an actual reliable source.. although he does read proper newspapers and listens to "worthy" radio stations so I'm happy to take it on good authority) the rise in popularity of all things white (cars for example - who would have ever thunk it? Still slightly scarred by the white Ford Escorts of the 80s? Me - very much so.) is all thanks to Apple. Which sort of makes sense.
But I'll be frank - I'm very much a big picture person and not too worried about the provenance of a trend.
The sun is coming out and I feel the need for white shoes.
Now I have had a pair for the last two years which I have worn and worn and worn. Although they were sandals. And not shoes. From River Island of all places for a bargain price. Problem with white sandals is that they don't last forever and do end up, in my experience, looking shabbier than a pair of black or tan ones would.
These are virtually identical and would do an amazing job with trousers, jeans, dresses long and short. And of course shorts (although no, I can't get my head round shorts just yet..).
We are now moving into proper holiday territory here I feel. Maybe too much for the first sunshine of the year?
Leather now and white gladiator with a woven difference at ASOS.
However my favourite are the big buckle sandals from Topshop. As I mentioned previously, they are on Top form (no pun intended) with their shoes at the moment.
Or the good old, faithful Birkenstock. Now I've never quite been able to pull these off. They look less ironically fashionable and more orthopaedic when I wear them. But I do have my non cork and definitely not Birkie but with a nod to the theme from Zara (the Givenchy copies) which are going to be making their 3rd year roll out this year.
Other people manage to rock these though. Lucky gits. So effortlessly cool on so many whereas I look like I should be selling joss sticks at Glastonbury.
But is it too cold to head straight into sandals? Or are you more of a shoe person generally and like to keep sandals just for holiday? I know lots of people for which this is the case - especially if you work and can't really wear sandals.
White shoes are the ultimate in Summer chic for me right now and when you combine that with a loafer? Well. Perfection in a shoe. It may not have escaped your notice that I am having a loafer love in at the moment and have tracked these down instore - merely in the interests of research... I was actually in danger of wearing out my new Guccis before they come into their own in the Autumn.
Would it be better to have a pair of flat white shoes instead of a pair of white sandals?
If you were looking to justify the white Topshop loafers at £62, take a moment to look at what the designers are offering and suddenly they seem ever so bargainous (a ridiculous exercise. But frankly it works).
I have to say I would happily still be wearing these into the Autumn as well. Am thinking of the holidays I've got coming up at half term and in the Summer and seeing as they involve a "Very Western European climate" (aka highly likely to be shit), a pair of shoes is a much better option than a sandal in my book.
Or pointed loafers...
And then of course, there is the classic ballet flat.
Square toed now at M&S and there is 20% off until midnight tonight. And that is off everything...
Square Toe Pumps from M&S were £15 now £12
Now you will either love or hate these.... yes they're granny but yes they're cool... Minimalist Scandi style but at fabulous UK high street prices.
Or the other option that I've mentioned my love for is the mule. The perfect compromise between a shoe and a sandal.
So.... for me the jury is ever so slightly still out. Do I cave and keep the loafers or carry on looking for another pair of sandals? I am still planning on wearing my £15 Forever 21 sandals from last year (not white), as well as the two aforementioned pairs that will be in their third year (and are limping along...)
But I am astounded by how much wear I've had out of my red loafers in a matter of weeks. Plus we're going to Ireland in the Summer when historically I've always been optimistic in wearing my sandals...
Sandals or loafers, sandals or loafers....
Black and white jumper - H&M
Khaki industrial pants - Current/Elliott from Quattro Rish
Black blazer - hush
Red loafers - Gucci
Black Mario fringed bag - Jerome Dreyfuss
Tomorrow I will be reporting back with a couple of things I managed to find when I was on rugby tour...Did I mention how near we were to Kilver Court? It was all in the interests of research....
But I am astounded by how much wear I've had out of my red loafers in a matter of weeks. Plus we're going to Ireland in the Summer when historically I've always been optimistic in wearing my sandals...
Sandals or loafers, sandals or loafers....
Black and white jumper - H&M
Khaki industrial pants - Current/Elliott from Quattro Rish
Black blazer - hush
Red loafers - Gucci
Black Mario fringed bag - Jerome Dreyfuss
Tomorrow I will be reporting back with a couple of things I managed to find when I was on rugby tour...Did I mention how near we were to Kilver Court? It was all in the interests of research....
Love them but must not sucumb! Any chance you could do something on chunky heeled mules? Looking everywhere for a pair in red - similar to the Gucci darlings - too high, too expensive! Would love to know if you've spotted anthing anywhere. Closest I've come to is Zara - not red, not leather: http://www.zara.com/uk/en/woman/shoes/view-all/mule-sandals-c719531p3153954.html. Thank you Kat!
ReplyDeleteHave a look at Topshop Boutique although they are expensive, not red I don't think, so probably not what you're looking for!! Apparently they are The New York shoe at the moment, so I"ll definitely do a blog on them shortly!
DeleteLOVE them. currently added to my basket, damn you! I live in white sandals in the summer, and even have 2 white bags including a Mulberry one. 'Fess up, I saw those Mulberry bags on Instagram :) Jo
ReplyDeleteAHA! That wasn't my bag!! That was my friend's! I only bought a pair of jeans and a top. And not from Mulberry! I will report back (although I am also going to Bicester tomorrow.. it's just how the shopping chips have fallen - all in a couple of weeks! Last time I went I bought NADA....)
DeleteI can't wrap my head around the white loafers, although I'm sure they will look brilliant on you (everything does), because my father-in-law (Italian-American, what can I say) has been wearing those same shoes, albeit in size 13, for the 30-odd years I've known him. With his blue leisure suit. Guess I'll just have to stick to my Birkies. -- Catbird Farm
ReplyDeleteOh they SO have a Eurotrash (am I allowed to say that? Let's call it Eurochic instead - a much much more apt description) about them. Very Lake Como!!! I am STILL IN!!! (and I can't do birkies so you can have them..!)
DeleteToo cold for sandals yet... I get cold feet and haven't even bared my ankles yet *wimp*. The white sandals look great, I do like my navy birkies, do you think it's a foot shape thing? I have quite "chunky" feet with a high instep rather than long, slim, elegant feet, so chunky shoes/sandals generally suit. Mind you, I can't really do loafers.
ReplyDeleteYou TOTAL wimp! Honestly my ankles aren't remotely cold.. it's verging on tropical this week. And you're too polite about slim elegant feet - mine are more skeletor which is where loafers come into their own as they cover so much of them!
DeleteI bought the gold top shop chunky heeled Gucci-esque sling back from last week and they are fantastic!!! Wore them out to dinner with boyfriend jeans and black silk shirt and skinny black neck scarf felt sooooo happy in them, just want to thankyou very much for finding them...white loafers from top shop are now in my basket but again what size!?!? Did you go for 40 or 39?! X
ReplyDeleteAren't they THE best! Right - well I bought the 40 BUT I've just ordered the 39 (which they didn't have instore) to try... The leather is so so so soft, I think it will stretch and worry that the 40 will be too big shortly as it's quite gapey at the side. I also ordered the gold ones (hmmmmmmm). Which size did you go for in the slingbacks?
DeleteI've just bought these from good old John Lewis. Lovely soft leather too which I think will work well with some of the cropped flares that appear to be dominating my spring/summer wardrobe of late. http://www.johnlewis.com/kin-by-john-lewis-hanna-two-part-pumps/p2355775
ReplyDeleteOh they are fab! Good old D'orsays!!
DeleteI've always loved white shoes & actually went to topshop on Sunday to have a look at the white Kola loafers... But they didn't have them in stock. Also had look at the Next Granny shoes ages ago & weirdly quite like them. So they've both been ordered and are winging their way to me, so I can give them a try at home. X
ReplyDeleteI don't think you'll be disappointed!
DeleteThe topshop kola mules have arrived & they are gorgeous! Oh and so comfy. they are definitely a "keeper" x
DeleteYAY
DeleteI do get the point of white shoes!
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of white loafers that must be at least ten years old - they have an intention worn look to the leather, and I thinks this helps them stay looking good. I think if the leather is too pristine they can look shabby quickly.
I also have a pair of off white brogues from Clarks, I wore them to death last year. They'll be my go to shoes this summer (together with my blue/grey Stan Smiths).
I will stay away from white stilletoes, definately too eighties for me! Having said that my eighties white shoes were a brogish (is that a word?)leather shoes where the main bit was woven strips of leather - I kept them looking good with some of that white stuff I normally associate with canvas shoes - worked a treat!
Danish Pastry
Forgot to say that if I was in the market for new white shoes I'd go for the Top Shop ones.
Delete(There are those red gucci's again!!)
Danish Pastry
Who would have thought the red loafers would be so wearable??!!
DeleteHi Kat, go sandals, the loafers remind me of my work shoes in the 80's (I'm a nurse!), :0
ReplyDeleteHA HA HA!!!! (I may be going another colour instead.....hmmmmm)
Deletesnort
ReplyDelete