In a recent blog post we looked at how to choose shoes to suit your size of feet, but that’s really only half the story! Shoes, sandals or boots, whatever you choose to dress your feet in, it can impact on your body shape.
Here’s the lowdown on the pitfalls to avoid:
Ballet flats – comfortable and versatile, ballet flats are a classic style. Worn well they can complement a day or evening look but there are rules:
- If you have short, chunky legs they should only be worn with a hemline that finishes above the knee
- Make the most of your legs by wearing the same colour tights as shoes to elongate the leg. There is a ‘grey’ area here as certain fashion camps decree that ballet pumps should only ever be worn without socks or tights, but we disagree if the look is well thought out
- Narrow and cropped trousers look great with ballet flats, wider trouser silhouettes are harder to carry off with pumps as they generally require a heavier shoe or sandal
- A slight point to the toe or feature provides a twist on a classic look. Ballet flats are everywhere so you need to find unique features to stay fashion forward – studs are big for summer 2010
- Remember that ballet flats are delicate in style so are best suited to narrower and lighter frames
Sandals – a must have for every summer wardrobe sandals are incredibly versatile. Here’s how to select sandals that are perfect for you:
- Calf-length hemlines and flat sandals can look frumpy so only run with that combination if you have the height or leg length to carry it well. Instead choose slim Capri trousers and a slight wedge
- Delicate strappy sandals are best suited to delicate frames. Think proportions – small-scale requires small-scale, large-scale requires large-scale. That applies to heel shape, strap width, features and embellishments
- Wider trouser silhouettes look great with chunky, flat styles. Think European classics like Birkenstocks to wear with loose linen trousers
- If you are exposing your feet, a manicure and nail polish is essential -whatever your shape
- For longer feet create a horizontal line across the foot, for smaller feet create a mid line from toe to ankle for an illusion of length
Boots – whilst we struggle to free ourselves of the winter weather and temperatures boots still have a place. Here are some basic rules to remember when investing:
- High-heeled boots elongate the leg if your hemline is below or on the knee, but can look less than sophisticated with a higher hemline.
- Think about the length of your boot and the line you are creating. Petite ladies suit shorter boot lengths as calf or knee lengths can cut across legs and make them appear shorter.
- You can extend your leg length by wearing boots that are the same colour as your outfit. Contrasting colours are great if you have a narrower frame and the height to carry it off.
- Slouchy or rolled down styles look best on medium to large builds, as they tend to swamp small or petite frames.
Gumbies Ewe Boots in a shorter length are ideal for petite body shapes, drawing the eye down the leg and lengthening it.
Birkenstocks are ideal in combination with loose trousers to capture a European look.
Wear Pretty Ballerinas with a Capri trousers or narrow cigarette pants for a slice of Audrey Hepburn’s style.
