What if you could buy something...

...that you could wear now and on Christmas Day.  The temperature has dropped, the heating is on and I feel I can officially start to vaguely contemplate Christmas Day (don't all hate me).

So as a starter for ten, I'm going with velvet.  And I'm talking velvet footwear.  To be fair, we do need to make the most of wearing these outdoors whilst the weather is still on the not so wet side (apologies if you've been having wall to wall rain).  As the one fly in this fabric's ointment is that their waterproof capabilities are not good.  But these are still the ideal footwear to sport on Christmas Day - there is something deliciously festive about velvet no?

Now you all thought I was going to wang on about boots, didn't you?  Well, obviously I am but to start with I shall be easing you in gently, as full on velvet can be a tad on the Tim Burton side. but by the end of this blog, I promise you, they'll be top of your Autumn wishlist.  
For me - these are the footwear version of singing Christmas carols which you absolutely cannot do in October.  But adorn your feet with velvet - why yes you can.  It's practically obligatory this year. 

And a little loafer is surely the easiest option?

Now interestingly, I've only just noticed (on proof reading) that these are in fact men's shoes.  Oops.  I was just looking at the ankles as they came up rather large on the pic and thought hmmm, they look slightly oddish.   Maybe it's the foot that actually looked big as opposed to the ankle?  That's because they're not a woman, they are a man.  But hey, I still maintain these rock and they go down to a size 5.  I'm also always being asked for larger sizes so voila!  Here you go (although apologies that they're not actually women's shoes. I would happily wear these though!)

ASOS Loafers in Grey Velvet with Skull Embroidery £45

ASOS Loafers in Navy Velvet in Scorpion Embroidery were £45 now £27.  Yeah, these are men's too.  But who cares for less than £30.  Oh and you can guarantee no one else will have them.  No one else female anyway.



Ok I'm on a roll now and vaguely concerned that I didn't realise straight away these weren't a woman's feet. Oops.  Does give you some idea I clearly work by comparison and mine ming.  However I think they would be drastically improved with these loafers.  I LOVE them.  Again, from a size 5.

ASOS Loafers in Velvet with Beetle detail £45



Then there is always the trainer option.  Something rather attractive about the juxtaposition of the practical trainer aspect with the super not practical velvet element (not even I can pretend that it's a hardy substance that will stand up to rain or mud).

However there are some great high street options which don't cost the earth and a great nod to the trend.

Navy Velvet Plimsolls from River Island £28



And in the black again £28



Burgundy (sorry - they call it Cranberry - SEE?!  Could these be more Christmassy?) now at M&S.  They are on fire with their shoes this season. 

Velvet Riptape Trainers £29.50




Or in the black again £29.50




Another option is the court shoe.  Or a sort of shoe like that.  A little court with a heel.  Granny chic at its finest at River Island in velvet and leopard.  What could be more kitsch?  These are one definitely to be filed under "shoes that husbands will hate".  Pah.  What do they know?

Brown leopard print velvet ballerina shoes £30 from River Island 




With an ankle strap?  These are pretty darn lovely and super wearable from Office. 

Office Flashback Mary Jane Block Heels in Navy Velvet £55


25% of LKBennett with the code GRP25 (thanking you kindly Grazia).  And so you could perhaps stretch the budget.  Let your shoes do the talking.

Parka Floral Velvet Courts from LKBennett £195



Or just stick with the classic black option.

Parka Black Velvet Courts from LKBennett £195




And then of course, we get to Ankle Boot Heaven.  Still at LKBennett.

Pellino Floral Velvet Ankle Boots £295




The ones I've been wearing though that I was lucky enough to be given by Penelope Chilvers are the Carmen Velvet boots £299.  These are (unsurprisingly) sublime.  The perfect heel height as they have a hidden platform and so are scarily comfortable for a pair of heels.




It was a toss up between these and the lower Cubana boots.  These come in the most gorgeous selection of colours.  However I went for the higher ones as really wanted out out boots.  And out out I've worn them.  I've only had them a couple of weeks and have already worn them out three times at night.

Cubana Velvet Boots in Forest Green from Penelope Chilvers £269



And in the pewter...




But for a bargain version, look no further than Dotty P's where there is now 25% off everything.  Including these.

Burgundy Ariana Velvet Boots from Dorothy Perkins was £45 now £33.75



And if you want a bit of print?

Grey Ariana Velvet Boots from Dorothy Perkins was £45 now £33.75





If we're going for print however, then obviously these would be my choice from River Island. 

Brown leopard print velvet chelsea boots £40


However my high street pick, which I've seen in the flesh and have drooled over, are the following from Office.  I'm sure there is a technical fashiony term for this sort of heel but I'm going with "slightly strange but aesthetically pleasing at the same time.  And looks expensive".  

Office Literally High Cut Boots in Teal £64.00





Or there's always the pink.  For the rest of the season, you could just keep your whole going out wardrobe to a black and metallic theme and just add these.  They would see you through until Easter. 

Office Literally High Cut Boots in Pink £64

Finishing with the classic black. 



And here I am today, in box fresh white sneakers from the rather wonderful M&S.  What was that I was saying about them killing it sneaker wise this year?  Yes I did order the Isabel Marant ones and yes they were too small and yes the off white suede bit on the top did scream "I'll be trashed after one wear".  These are a much much more sensible option.  Teamed with lots of favourites from last year, jumper, joggers and shirt wise.


Navy jumper - M&S
White shirt - Me+Em
Navy Lucie with white stripe Loungers - Wyse London
White leather lace up trainers - M&S
Silver bag - Anya Hindmarch from Collen & Clare

I am off to London tomorrow but do need to start thinking about my holiday wardrobe as we go away at the end of next week.   Still in denial about what to wear around Universal Studios etc (I am still planning on wafting around in dresses - I appreciate that this is not the done thing but I'm not sure I can get my head around shorts and a tee...) 

I also am quite regretting not paying more attention to my sandal situation in the Summer.  This was a mistake.  I remember (at the time I thought hilariously) thinking about sandals way back in February or something, and wondering whether I should start planning for Florida.  I then didn't really bother and bought one pair of black, not v practical ones, in the Summer and now therefore, have a massive sandal hole in my wardrobe.  Not so hilarious.  The husband is out tonight, so I'm on a sandal hunt.  I could be some time...