Okay, I have to be totally honest with y’all. And please remember as I bare my fashion soul, that everyone makes mistakes. As we travel this fashion world, we can all use a little guidance.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of bad fashion, thy InStyle and thy Vogue, they comfort me.
In fact, I have spent some time undergoing some fashion therapy with The Other Gulley (Gulley’s sister) through email this week. I have a seersucker suit that I purchased from Banana Republic about two years ago when I was imprisoned in corporate America and I needed to figure out how to make it translate to a more casual look.
She suggested a navy tank and could not have been more right. It’s exactly what it needed, plus I’m going to get the pants hemmed to a length that doesn’t require three-inch heels and will allow for a fun, cute sandal such as this.
Any other suggestions are appreciated because I yearn for knowledge.
When it involves fashion.
Not so much if it involves algebra.
So, back to my error in judgement. I have made at least two references to these shoes from Payless. Here they are:
See? They look kind of cute, don’t they? The whole cork thing is kind of in right now and I enjoy the whole Chrissy Snow from Three’s Company vibe.
Except I’d never wear these with terrycloth short-shorts.
The problem is I’d never seen these shoes in person. And two days ago I drove to Payless because I thought they might be really fab with my seersucker suit.
Wrong.
What doesn’t really show up in the picture is some unfortunate faux-leather gold trim that is reminiscent of something you might see on a Bratz doll. Also not pictured, the pain and impending surgery that will be required if you decide to wear four-inch heels purchased from Payless.
Therefore, after further research, I withdraw my recommendation for these shoes. Unless you’ve already bought them and adore them, in which case I’m sure they are lovely on you.
So, we have questions.
1. Several people have asked a question along this basic line: “What shoes should I wear for everyday comfort with my trouser jeans, which are designed to be worn with heels?”
Here’s the thing about the trouser jean, they really are made to be worn with heels because they are a dressier jean. I am the first to admit that this makes them a little sketchy for day-to-day wear because some days just require a good, flat shoe. But with the wide leg of the trouser jean, you really need a heel to balance them out and not look dumpy, unless of course you’re six feet tall.
The trick is to find a shoe with some sort of heel that is attractive and yet comfortable. Maybe something like this or this.
Or check out what has happened to Crocs. I don’t know if I’d actually wear these, but it’s a cool concept and definitely answers the comfortable heel question.
But if you just have to wear flats, I think the only way to get away with it is to buy another pair of trouser jeans and have them hemmed to a length that can be worn with flats so they don’t drag the floor and look sloppy. Any good tailor will know what you’re talking about when you ask them to leave the original hem.
This is crucial to getting jeans hemmed because otherwise you will incur the same tragedy I did back in fifth grade when my Me-Ma got my Jordache jeans hemmed and the tailor used a bright gold thread that was more along the lines of OOH LA LA SASSOON than the more sophisticated Jordache brand.
Don’t let that happen to you.
2. Mrs. M asks: “I’ve just found out that the garden party I’ll be attending in May is a Kentucky Derby theme complete with hat parade. I need suggestions on my dress and hat and where on earth do I find it and oh by the way I’m on a serious budget so the entire ensemble should definately be less than $100. Also, what should my husband wear?”
Why am I never invited to cool things like a Kentucky Derby party complete with a hat parade? Because I live in Texas? Because I don’t know anything about horses? Because I am in a stage of life where I’m only invited to toddler birthday parties and all the icing from the “Dora the Explorer” cake would ruin a nice hat?
But enough about me and my lack of entree into the equestrian world. Let’s talk about you and the fact you get to wear a hat.
Target has some really festive dresses right now. Check out this one. And if you’re not a hot pink kind of girl, it comes in a yellow, green or even black. But since I am a hot pink kind of girl, I adore this one.
You could also do a sheath dress, like this. Or maybe a strapless cotton dress, like this. Or something really pretty and feminine, like this dress.
As for hats, it will depend on the dress you choose but remember the Kentucky Derby is all about the big, bold hats. I adore this one because my belief is go big or go home. But then again, I’m from Texas. That’s pretty much our state motto.
But you could always go for something a little more subdued, like this. I’d look at Target, JC Penneys, and a few other department stores to see what kind of reasonably priced hats you can find, but remember to have fun with it.
As for your husband, you mentioned seersucker, but are worried he’ll be too hot in a jacket. I would definitely go with the seersucker and have him wear a white button down. He can always take off the jacket and still look polished.
Have fun and see if you can get me an invite for next year. I’ll travel.
And that’s it for the questions today. I realize it’s a short Fashion Friday, but all the extensive hat research and my disappointment about not being invited to a Kentucky Derby garden party just wore me out.
Y’all have a great Friday!
