Fall Wardrobe Wish List Part 2: Shoes & Accessories
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.
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).
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.
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!
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.
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.
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??
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.
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.
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.
Iris
WOW, this post was worth waiting for. Glad you’ve back up and running again.
The bane of my existence is shoes!!! I have difficult feet to fit – they don’t make shoes with narrow heels anymore (inside – my heel) and so many of them just slip off. I love the booties you listed (don’t love the prices, but it is what it is). I will only order shoes online if there is free shipping/free returns- so I’ve used Zappos and Amazon Prime quite a few times – and returned quite a few shoes. Seriously need to shop for them again – it’s just such a challenge it makes me tired thinking about it.
Love the little crossbody purse/wallet/phone holder. I hate to change purses, so I’m not ever coordinated with outfits – and I always carry way too much. Why? Habit I guess – always have stuff I don’t need. Maybe I’ll work on that.
Love scarves on other people. They seriously get on my nerves when I’m wearing them. Jewelry – tend to wear the same thing over and over. I do love ear-rings and have acquired a few more longer/dangling ones. They are probably too ‘young’ for me, but I wear them anyway.
So, again… loved your post. Thanks for all the ideas.
Grace & Peace, Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
Yay, somebody saw the post! Ha ha – this is the post that went up while FashionSchlub had disappeared during the self-hosting migration process…I’ve never had a post get zero likes and comments so I wasn’t sure if it was actually out there or not 🙂
Yep, shoes are tough. Ya gotta wear them but so many are uncomfortable…or insanely expensive…and I find in-person shoe shopping SO exhausting, and most shoes do not fit so online shopping is very inefficient…sigh. That’s a good point, Iris, about the free shipping and especially free returns. Sometimes I get caught up in The Item and forget to read the fine print and am then so annoyed to discover I have to pay return shipping…or a restocking fee (I’m looking at YOU Woman Within/Jessica London).
I try to keep as little in my purse as possible to keep it light. I get a weird pain under my right rib cage when I’m on my feet for an extended period of time and it gets worse if I’m carrying anything, like my camera or even my light cross-body purse. Photographing events has become like a little torture for me. Hours on my feet with my heavy camera in hand, it’s not good. I’m not taking any more personal jobs but I still shoot events at work. Maybe I should check my lottery numbers from last night to see if I’m a billionaire.
Iris Smale
I’m sorry you haven’t gotten more likes/readers – this is really a great post. Maybe it was meant just for me 🙂
I did get the email – then couldn’t get to the post but saved the email to check later.
Maybe you should just repost it.
Iris
bettyewp
I was considering re-posting but though that might seem, I don;t know, like HOW DARE NO ONE ACKNOWLEDGE MY POST, DON’T THEY KNOW WHO I AM?! Ha. (don’t think I ever told you guys the “don’t you know who I am” story.) I really don’t feel high and mighty 🙂 Like, people will suffer from not seeing one of my posts.
But thank YOU, Iris, for saving the email and coming back later to read it 🙂 You’re a good egg.
Jayne Soule
Good options there Bettye! I always prefer tan/brown shades to black as I think they are more versatile.
Also….I can recommend Clarks shoes – they are always comfortable.
bettyewp
I’ll try some Clarks, thanks Jayne!
jodie filogomo
I’ve been wearing my cognac cut out booties a ton: http://shopstyle.it/l/TYRS. It’s funny because I don’t really think of them as booties, but I’m planning on wearing them with tights in the winter!!
And oxfords are always a great idea. Both my hubby and Nancy and me have the Cole Haan versions: http://shopstyle.it/l/TYSB They are really sneakers that look like oxfords. We all ended up finding them for much less at DSW….didn’t always have a selection for colors, but couldn’t beat the price when we did find them…
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
I love DSW, it’s my go-to for shoes for sure.