Sneakers And Dresses: A Revolutionary Combo

I have a confession to make. I hate flats. I can't for the life of me see the pleasure in wearing this type of shoe on any occasion. I understand that the pointy-toed version looks lovely on Alexa Chung. I'm also impartial to the Chiara Ferragni collection of whimsical flats with little cat faces. However, I will never find them flattering. They don't elongate your legs, nor do they do anything for your figure. I like to refer to them as the "useless" shoe.

via cosmopolitan.com.au

Unfortunately, summer is a season that inspires a lot of walking. From a casual stroll in the park to simply a walk on the beach, 'tis the season to let go of the vehicle and opt for a more eco-friendly leg-strengthening oxygen-inhaling mode of transportation.

I, for one, am a huge advocate of walking. Perhaps it's the winter months of isolation and hibernation that make me want to walk everywhere come summer, but I just can't resist taking the longer route to my destination.

As a woman who loves her heels more than anything else in her closet, it pains me to admit that my favourite shoes are NOT walking friendly. So, when the sneaker trend took over the fashion world, I was beyond pleased. Believe it or not, I can fancy myself in a sneaker much more than a ballet flat. It's an inexplicable attachment that makes me want to wear them with absolutely everything. Though my heels will remain my favourites, I will sometimes intentionally choose a pair of sneakers for style purposes rather than mere practicality. It's beyond comprehension.

I can't seem to figure out why I prefer a sneaker. Maybe it's the little tomboy inside of me trying to inch out. Either way, what I once believed to be a shoe reserved for sport is now a fashion piece I actually enjoy wearing. As sneakers continue to gain popularity amongst fashionistas like Man Repeller, Leandra Medine, and top models like Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn, they have become increasingly more versatile. Worn with skinny jeans, skirts, and dresses alike, it's clear that anything goes.

My favourite pairing of the moment? Sneakers with a summer dress.

via thetrendspotter.net

If there's one thing I love in the summer time, it's putting on a simple dress for a walk in the park. Choosing to wear it with a sneaker makes it a fashion statement I simply cannot resist. After all, sneakers with pants are way too conventional for me.

Will you be wearing sneakers with your dress this season?

Ponder It,

Bella

My Relationship to the Infamous Sneaker

via thefashion.gr

It has come to my attention that designers and bloggers alike have decided to succumb to comfort and opt for the sneaker rather than that jaw-dropping high heel. As a representative of short women everywhere, I am slightly disconcerted by this shocking, yet simultaneously inevitable, decision.

What happened to that statement shoe that made us all stop in our tracks?
What happened to roughing it up during fashion week in impractical shoes as you run from show to show?
Are we all being led to believe that we are just like models and can afford to wear comfortable shoes in public?
Or have we all just given up on trying so hard?

Now, don't misunderstand. I love the idea of women embracing comfort and I know that we curse those heels every night out when we opt for 5 inches or more after dancing the night away. I've done it too. However, I've decided that if I am stepping into those high heels, I have no right to complain that my feet hurt. There's nothing more unpleasant than someone complaining about a decision that was made consciously. Therefore, I vow to stop regretting my decision to wear heels, because I love them too much to get angry at them when they hurt me.

But this post is not about my love for heels. Rather, it is about my relationship to sneakers. Let me give you a lowdown. When I was in High School, I wore Converse. Honestly, who didn't? Those Converse continue to sit in my closet untouched with frays from my youth and I don't have the heart to get rid of them. Though I prefer a heel for every occasion, I feel emotionally attached to my sneakers. They don't just provide physical comfort to the foot, but they remind me of those carefree days where I didn't care about being the shortest girl in the room.

via stylelovely.com

Today, I enter the world of sneakers, swayed by bloggers like Man Repeller and Sincerely Jules as well as Karl Lagerfeld and Christopher Bailey. Though I used to belief that high heels were the only empowering footwear on the market, I've currently discovered that sneakers can have that same effect. In a new stage of my life, I can wear a pair of Addidas high tops and proudly expose my height to the world. I look at sneakers in the same way I look at baseball caps. No, I do not play baseball, but I love to play with boundaries and when it comes to fashion, practicality barely figures into the equation. If all men are going to wear their caps, I want to do it too. And if athletic boys can wear their Nikes and Addidas every day, why can't I? The popularity of sneakers arises from a trend of androgyny or rather, a desire to be "one of the boys", while keeping that femininity alive in other ways. It's a challenge in the same way a pixie is, but slightly less risky.

I always thought that I couldn't pull off a sneaker because I didn't play sports. Who made up that rule? Maybe I want to wear my sneakers to make a statement. Perhaps I feel good in a shoe that represents comfort, equality, and an easy-going nature. Let's stop suffering and wear our sneakers with dresses. According to Cyndi Lauper, girls just want to have fun, and sometimes that's easier to do with a comfy sneaker on, don't you think?

Ponder that.

XOXO.

Bella

Why We Need To Stop Rationalizing Our Shoe Collections

via shoephoric.tumblr.com

We all have weaknesses and guilty pleasures that cause our brains to shut down and that stimulate our impulses. For me, this phenomenon occurs when I see an amazing pair of shoes and correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm almost certain that there are many others like me. Every time I spot a pair of shoes, I tell myself that love cannot be denied and I MUST have them. Let me confess that logic does NOT come into play. At least not real logic.

Sometimes I tell myself that I need a pair of sneakers for when I (don't) go to the gym. Occasionally, I'll spot a pair of sky high stilettos and justify them by remembering that it's my best friend's birthday next week and I HAVE to wear something new. Also, I'm 5" feet tall, so a pair of high heels is ALWAYS necessary. Fall is approaching and I obviously need a new pair of knee high leather boots. They are a closet staple, aren't they? The snow devoured last year's pair. Oh well. I also need a lower bootie for those slightly warmer days. Besides, they look ridiculously edgy with my new LBD. If I'm going to go out, I'll definitely need a high heeled version of both. I also need some Sorels for the snow because I don't want to get my nicer boots dirty. Can't make that mistake again. After all, they were a bit pricey.

Does this sound familiar?

If these words have played in your head every time you bought a pair of shoes, you fall into the same category as I do: The Shoe Addict.

How do you overcome it?

To that I respond: Do I have to?

To some of us, the shoe makes or breaks the outfit. With your basic white tee and jeans, that Sophia Webster heel may be all you need to take it from daytime chic to party on the town. While some spend all their money on clothes, all I need is a variety of shoes to dress up or down my simplest looks. Is that such a crime? Maybe trying to rationalize our shoe collections is pointless. Or perhaps we could all use that one perfect sneaker (unless you're my height). Whichever camp you fall under, fashion is NOT about rationale. It's about passion and self-expression. If that takes you straight into the arms of Valentino Rockstud Pumps, who am I to judge?

Perhaps we should all pay more attention to our shoes. Maybe being a shoe addict isn't such a bad thing.

But then again, that's also coming from a shoe addict, so who am I to talk?


Ponder that,

Bella

P.S 15 DAYS UNTIL NYFW

Your Summer Shoe Guide

Never heard that one before...

I know this is a caption you've seen in every fashion or lifestyle magazine on the planet from Elle to Flare to InStyle. Generally, this title is followed by a series of options for shoes you absolutely HAVE TO buy. I promise you, this one will be different.

Every summer, we find ourselves yearning to shop at every passing moment. This urge makes us ignore our bank accounts and omit the word "budget" from our vocabulary. In fact, there should be a rehab for summer shoppers who can't resist the bold colours sparkling in the windows of their favourite stores.

How do we quench that thirst, scratch that itch, satisfy that burning desire? Can it even be done? Can we resist those summer shoes that are calling our name? Lord knows there are enough excuses and justifications to last us a lifetime. "No room in my closet" doesn't seem to work.

The key is to establish some ground rules. A number. Let's pick five. If you had to choose five pairs of shoes for the summer, which would you pick? This may sound daunting to the average fashionista, but I've made it my duty to simplify this task for you.

Here are the five shoes you MUST HAVE this summer:

A Nude Wedge

I know that your tendency deviates towards black, but this summer, it is essential that you purchase this style in nude. Wedges are a godsend. You will live, shop, and party in them. Get yourself a pair of magical goes-with-everything nude wedges and your life will become significantly easier.

via Who What Wear

Classic Flats

This season, the trendiest flat on the block is the pointy toe D'Orsay flat. I'm not a huge fan, so I decided to go for the traditional round toe. Keep it safe in a traditional black pair or go wild with some colour blocking. Whichever you choose, this one is definitely a must.

via Lolobu

An Open-Toe Stiletto

Your every party need will be settled with this pair of stilettos. I would suggest nude, black, or tan if you must pick just one. Otherwise, choose something in a wild print. Everyone will be staring at your shoes!

via Lolobu

Every-Day Sandals

These will be your go-to flats when you want to show off that pedicure on the streets. These absolutely SHOULD be trendy because they will probably only last one season and that's OKAY. Go wild with this one. Gladiators are preferred.

via thefashiontag.wordpress.com

The White Sneaker

The white sneaker is the new black (ironically). Everyone from Man Repeller's Leandra Medine to Rihanna swears by them. Naturally, we've all been racing to the stores just to be as cool as they are. Your white sneaker is the perfect daytime look when you're feeling sporty and heels ain't going to cut it. Wedge optional.

via lovelybylucy.com

Now, I cannot control your shoe purchasing habits, but I can encourage you to take this list as your conscience when you walk into a store. 

Happy Shopping!

Bella

Can Sneakers Be Replacing High Heels? NEVER

After Karl Lagerfeld had his models walk (read: skip) down steps in haute couture and white sneakers, the world stood still for a moment. Everything we thought we knew about fashion came into question. Do models actually need to wear high heels to walk the runway? Can sneakers be worn with dresses and skirts? Will the fashion world finally submit to a more comfortable footwear option?

My answer is most definitely no. I'm a strong advocate of the high heel. In fact, my life mantra is "the higher the better". I'm merely 5 feet tall and I cannot afford to live in sneakers unless I want to be mistaken for a 15 year old. I joke not. Since the age of 16, people have mistaken me for a pre-teen. Back then, I would take advantage of the movie discounts. Today, there are no real benefits to looking younger than my age other than the satisfaction I get when the bouncer cards me and finds out it's not a fake. And that's not even that satisfying.

via stylehints.net

I may love a sneaker as much as the next woman, but I will never give up heels. Sneakers are for taking long walks in the park, going for a run, or working out at the gym. Heels are for hitting the club with your girls, going for a casual drink, or simply deciding you'd like to look fabulous that day. In Montreal, this may be frowned upon, but who cares? Walk like a New Yorker, I say.

Will you let those downcast stares prevent you from looking your best? If women of the early 20th century never dared to wear a heel, where would we be today?

I challenge you to wear a shoe at a moment where your tendency is to hesitate.

Is this occasion fancy enough? Yes, it always is.
Will I look overdressed? Better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Will I be too tall? There is no such thing.
Will people stare? Yes, and so what?
Will they attract attention? Only the good kind.

Take a risk this season and wear those endless pairs of heels piled up in your closet collecting dust. They deserve to be shown off. After all, everything looks better with a pair of high heels.

Bella

A Letter to Stilettos

Dearest Stilettos,

Once upon a time, you were the most popular shoe on the market. Women everywhere desired you despite the pain that you caused and collected as many of you as they could squeeze into their closets. You gave them a sense of power and confidence that couldn't be attained through any other means. You were Regina George. Every other shoe wanted to be you. The higher you were, the more covetable you became. Short girls bowed down to you. But alas, your days came to an end. Like a high school prom queen who has finally moved on, you have lost your crown to the white sneaker. At first, you snickered at the thought. How could a sneaker be half as cool as a stiletto? Women want to be tall and elegant. Don't they? When Karl Lagerfeld converted, you knew your days were numbered. Then Marc Jacobs followed suit and your popularity status decreased immensely. However, for a classy night out, you knew you still had a purpose. Suddenly, your arch rival, the wedge, made a comeback. Isabel Marant invited a panoply of sneaker wedges, combining the two biggest shoe trends of 2013-2014. New fashion philosophy? The chunkier, the better. Though Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, and Manolo Blahnik continue to shower you with affection, you know that you must face the reality. Stiletto, you have fallen from grace. During Award Season, women continue to invite you to all the biggest parties, but you've been replaced as designated bestie. I hope you understand that this isn't the end for you. Remember that you'll always have a place in a woman's heart. You may not be number one, but you'll always be that wild high school friend we like to party with every once in a while.

via www.lovethispic.com
Jimmy Choos

See you in a few weeks!

Best,

Bella

Yes, There Were Sneakers On The Runway

via fashionmagazine.com

Karl Lagerfeld does it again, folks. As sneakers paved the Chanel Haute Couture catwalk, I think we were all a little mind-blown. That's right, ladies. Sneakers are the new couture, which means that high heels are SO yesterday. As an avid lover of the high heel, I couldn't contain my jaw throughout the show. Though I already expect Karl to be full of surprises, this was beyond what I could've possibly imagined. Nevertheless, the only man I could've envisioned bringing sneakers to Couture is the masterful Karl himself.

via www.fabsugar.com

Though he's made some "interesting" choices in the past few months, including choosing Kristen Stewart as his muse (view rant here) and using cultural appropriation in his Pre-Fall runway show, this designer's basket of surprises seems to have no end. I sense a pattern here, don't you? Someone seems to be challenging controversy time and time again and his name rhymes with snarl.

As much as I admire Lagerfeld for his bold choices, I can't help but question whether he's a creative mastermind or merely seeking attention from the fashion conventional. Has he chosen to put sneakers in a Couture show to make the models more at ease? Doubtful. Is he taking tips from K. Stew? Likely. Is this man just highly inspired by us regular folk? Maybe so.

Whatever this man is doing, it seems to be working. My fashion forecast definitely predicts sneakers in the near future, but I'm not ready to put those heels away just yet. Are you?

Happy Sunday!

Bella




11 Days Until NYFW

Jeepers Creepers Sneakers

Back in the late 60's and early 70s, platforms were all the rage and frankly, I don't think anybody wanted that trend to resurface. Despite the comfort of the platform heel, it was a little too clunky to be chic. However, lo and behold, it has resurfaced in the form of creepers.

via aviewfromtheshade.blogspot.com

For those of you who don't know what these are, they are sneakers on an elevated platform (that can be spotted on Miley Cyrus), giving you your desired height without that feminine delicacy. They're an interbreed of wedge and block heels. They're the trend of the moment that you either love or hate, and that is exactly what makes them worth talking about. Let's ponder. Are creepers creepy or fashionably edgy? Is it just a phase that will slowly dwindle away into the abyss of fashion faux-pas?

Truth be told, I don't wear sneakers very often and so, this concept is as foreign to me as it gets. I loved the Isabel Marant wedge sneaker, but this is a whole other ball game. However, I decided to do some research to find a pair that might tickle my fancy. And ladies and gents, it happened. They came in the form of chunky Burberry with a hint of attitude and a lot more femininity (way up my alley). As a woman who loves her high heels, these creepers appeared to be tailored to my taste. I fell in love with another pair of shoes and I wouldn't have had them any other way than my beloved Burberry.

Are creepers on YOUR wishlist?

Bella




15 Days Until NYFW