I feel like shoes and accessories are the finishing touches to any outfit…and yet the hardest to get just right! While most of my wardrobe feels pretty “ready for anything,” my shoe selection always seems to be lacking. And these days, with painful feet, it’s even harder to find shoes. I’d like to have cushiony sneakers on my feet every day…but I don’t like the way they look with everything…and even less so in the fall/winter, when so many outfits just scream for booties.

So the struggle continues. These are some things I’ve seen that I think would round out my wardrobe and make it truly “ready for anything.”

Cognac Ankle Booties

I think cognac is such a good, modern color for fall. It’s rich and warm and looks good with black and denim and grey and other autumn basics.

Vionic Jolene Mocha Booties

These will be my first try as I’m hoping the Vionic footbed will feel good. But they’re pretty expensive, so if they’re not amazing they will go back and I’ll try another brand and just have to wear inserts (which aren’t that effective, either but).

Me Too Zoey Booties

I like that these come up slightly higher on the leg than the Vionics, and that they have an elastic gusset on the side with that “tulip” opening at the top. I have very large calves and ankles and most straight up booties are just too tight on me, they cut into the front of my leg, which is unpleasant. I also like the height with dresses. They have a rubber sole which I find so much better, especially as the weather changes and the ground can be slippery.

Black Oxfords

I was thinking a black oxford might be a nice alternative to a bootie this winter – at least for dresses with tights. Thinking about my feet again and trying to stay out of a heel as much as possible. Flats aren’t so great right now for me as there’s not generally enough cushioning between my heel and the ground and flats are not known for their arch support. And they don’t fit me well once I put an arch support insert in them. Plus, I find a shoe with little more “heft” or chunkiness to it seems to visually balance out my thick ankles better than a more delicate shoe like a slipper or ballet flat. Just some things to keep in mind.

Journee Collection Sissee Oxford

These look very comfortable with that thick cushiony heel-less sole. I’d really like to find a pair of laceless oxfords, as the tying is always an issue for me. Do you think there’s a difference between an actual laceless oxford and one with the laces just removed?? Sometimes I see a different design, but sometimes they have lace holes…just with no laces in them! Boy would that be easy! But I don’t want it to be sloppy, like in the summer when I take the laces out of my Keds. These also come in the prettiest blush pink.

oxford

I do like the added height of these with the thick wedge sole. They also have a “Cushion Soft™ Ortholite® footbed” which sounds very fancy and like it would be comfortable. They might also be a little more modern looking, though the one above is so classic and pretty!

oxford

Cognac Cross-body Bag

Like the booties, I’ve been wanting this warm color in my wardrobe for several seasons now…and my present purse really is due for replacement as the cheap “faux leather” on the shoulder strap is all cracked and awful. I never really liked it all that much anyway. What pushed me into buying it was the “included” external cell phone charger that my daughter “borrowed” to take to Ireland and I never saw it again.

I really only ever look for crossbody bags. I have bad “purse shoulders,” as they sort of slope down and shoulder straps always slip right off. And I certainly don’t want to have to carry a bag around all day (oh the horror), so crossbody is my main purse jam.

BP Foldover Crossbody Bag

I feel like I’ve been watching this one for a very long time. The price is reasonable, it ticks all the boxes, I’m not sure why I haven’t pulled the trigger on it yet. Maybe the color is a tad too orange…but really, the online pictures are always at least a different than “real life” anyway, so…I don’t know. bag

Cassie Faux Leather Circle Crossbody Bag

Maybe this is why. This totally darling, not nearly as practical, trendy circle bag – that I am totally adoring. I’m just afraid the strap will be too short for all the body it needs to cross, like the cute straw bag I bought this summer and had to return (sadface). I could could never find a suitable replacement strap and in the end it just didn’t work. The straps on circle bags are set low, down on the sides…unlike a normal square or rectangular bag, where they’re set in at the top or the upper corners. Those couple of inches lower made enough of a difference in the strap length that it was unwearable by me. Do I want to make that same mistake and have my heart broken by yet another adorable bag??

bag

Black Cross-body Phone/Credit Card Case

Now this is a practical, inexpensive option for long days in the city or out running around the countryside when all I want to carry is my phone, ID, and a little cash or credit card.

MINICAT Nylon Small Crossbody Bags Cell Phone Purse Smartphone Wallet For Women

Comes in about a gajillion different colors.

Gold Medallion/Pendant Necklaces

I most enjoy jewelry that has a special meaning to me. My mother had a lot of charms that she wore on chain necklaces. I remember initial charms and zodiac signs most of all, so it would be fun to replicate that.

Kate Spade New York One In A Million Initial Pendant Necklace

I’m never sure with an initial pendant, are you supposed to wear your initial? Or someone else’s? Like a child…or a dog? And do you think a child would be upset if you wore a dog’s initial and not theirs?? Or a dog’s and theirs??

Francesca’s Virgo Coin Necklace

Small Thick Gold Hoop Earrings

My challenge with hoop earrings is I can’t wear post type earrings at work. I spend so much time on the phone, and the phone against my ear presses the pointy end of the post into the side of my neck. Weird but true. And just try to find a thick hoop that’s not a post! Why do things have to be so difficult?? Does anyone else have this issue? Have you found a type of earring that isn’t, literally, a pain in the neck?

The M Jewelers Ravello Hoop Earring

Scarves to Break Up Solid-on-Solid Pairings

Recently I realized I have a lot of solid items, and when paired together, even though different colors, it’s just a whole lotta solid. So I’m looking for ways to break that up besides just buying more printed items – longer necklaces with charms or pendants, scarves…is there some other option? Cuz I’m all ears.

Leopard Print Stripe Scarf

I’ve been searching for an oblong leopard print scarf with a red border to wear with my camel cardigan. I don’t think this is it but it’s the closest I’ve seen.

Frye Paintbrush Wool Scarf

I’ve been eyeing a chestnut brown long cardigan but it’s a little pricey…but man would this scarf look great with it! Don’t you kind of hate when you create an amazing, life-altering outfit in your mind but you don’t own a single piece that you need for it?? Yeah, that’s a retailer’s dream 🙂

And that is enough wishing for one post…now I have to try and actually find some things in real life! Do you create wish lists? Or do you just browse around and let things catch your eye?

This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you click on them and/or buy something as a result of clicking that link.
 

Gwynnie Bee