Hi, my name is Lorna and I am a shoe addict.
I have been this way for several years now and I cannot describe my emotional connection to footwear. I've tried to wean myself off them, but it's hard, you know. Every morning, trying to decide what to put on, and the dilemmas that ensue. "Will this match?","Can I wear these flats if it's going to rain?"; it's become a daily internal battle. Thankfully, since I work in fashion, I've been able to address my problem through the medium of writing and styling which keeps me close to pretty shoes so I don't feel the need to go out and buy a pair everyday. UNTIL NOW.
The weather is impossible; we live in the only country in the world where you have to have an umbrella, SPF and rain jacket in your possession at all times. And the shoe choice? Well, I tell you, that has me in a kerfuffle. Either we leave the house in a pair of ballerina flats to be met with a monsoon at the front door, or, we wear knee high boots to get stuck in them as our feet swell in the heat! It's hard out there.
So what can we do to alleviate the stress of the shoe decision at this weird time of the year? It's not summer anymore (not that we had one), and it's hardly cold just yet. We need help!
From top left: John Rocha at Debenhams; Grey Boots, €48, Next; Black Low Heel boot, €111, Office; Black High Heel boot, €135, Dune.The ankle boot is one powerful little piece of footwear mechanics, and it is perfect for the wetter days.
They keep your feet dry, and you can tuck in your jeans or leggings into them to keep the ends from getting soaked (oh how I hate when the ends of wet jeans graze my ankles). The high street have answered our calls with some light styles in leather for this in-between stage of the fashion calendar. We don't need to opt for black either, light grey, navy and brown are all available across retailers like Debenhams, Office and Dune, so you are spoilt for choice. Boots are an investment, and quite timeless, so you should get a few seasons out of these.
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Left: Brown Metallic Brogue, €89, Office; Black Brogue, €99, DuneFor the days that are just a little drizzly, the brogue is a good choice. Now they are not to everyone's taste (my husband does give my feet funny looks when I wear mine) but styled with black opaque tights with a pencil skirt for work, or tapered trousers/ankle grazers, these are ideal.
To keep them flattering to your legs, make sure your trousers end just at your ankle to keep your calves in proportion.
From left: Brown Metallic trainers, €34.99; Right: Cream leather trainers, €59.99; both from H&MAh the comfie one! When we are our down time, the last thing we want is clunky shoes, and with the emergence of the sports luxe trend in 2013, ta-dah, we now have the trainer/runner/sneaker in our wardrobe repertoire. Perfect with jeans on a Saturday these are chic and cosy - in essence, the perfect shoe.
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What is your favourite shoe for next season? Or do you have a pair you simply cannot live without? And do you have a pair that you know your other half would like to throw in the bin if you weren't looking?
