Fancy Footwork

What a difference a day makes… Glorious sunshine and all of a sudden everything is better. And it’s about bloody time too as I was almost ready to ceremonially burn all my knitwear as an offering to the weather god to bring us some warmth. I was at the end of my winter tether, all out of inspiration and desperate to move onto spring clothes. Hurray because now I can legitimately talk about something other than coats, boots and knitwear.

So this week, I’m all about the feet. As ever it is one of the easiest ways to update your look and change the whole feel of an outfit. I’m not saying I’m totally with Imelda Marcos and her 3000+ collection but I do think shoes are important.

Here is what’s out there to put the proverbial spring into your step:

Fancy Flats

I am possibly a touch premature in the desire to bare flesh so these Leather Block Heel Brogue Shoes £49.50 from M&S are a win -win halfway house between a boot and a pump. I love them in silver but they also come on black which would be perfect with tailored trousers for the office or with tights and a dress. For a more casual look you can happily wear with either your skinnies or a more relaxed pair of jeans. However, I would say you might need to size down as they come up big.

Do you want your legs to look longer? Well this is a shoe that will deliver on this most desirable of outcomes. All you need is a pointed toe and to have a good amount of your actual foot on show. Simple. And there are lots of options:

Pointed Ballerina Flats £59 from &Other Stories which come in black and blush.

Or they have these Pointy Ballet Flats £59.

Massimo Dutti also has a similar style with its Nude Leather Ballerinas £69.95 which also come in red and black.

J Crew’s Audrey Flats in suede £138 are another option in black or light beige but only if you are a US 10 which is a UK 8.

Zara has these Cap Toe Ballerina Flats for £19.99.

If you want to hedge your bets and keep all colour bases covered then go for their Three Tone Flat Shoes £19.99. Super slick for work.

For some real fancy flat action then Boden’s Leah Flats £98 are gorgeous and also come in pink, yellow and check.

All these are your wear anywhere shoe: office, date night, supper, pub, out and about. You name it, this shoe will take you there. Ok maybe not for a country walk or on the beach but as near as dammit. With jeans, trousers, skirts and dresses.

Slingbacks

The Cas U Cut Slingback Court £80 from Dune comes in a lovely grey suede and blush leather. Forget the standard nude patent Kate Middleton shoe and go for one of these instead which will look much more modern.

Or for a flat their Cassius U Cut Slingback Flat Shoe £70  comes in black and blush.

Now you can never go wrong with a bit of animal in my book so I love these Chiara V Cut Slingbacks £99 which also come in black and white.

For a bit more colour then head to Next for their Suede Point Wedge Slingbacks £38 which also come in red as well as various neutrals and a check.

I love a bit of metallic so these Hilary Slingbacks £80 from Boden are right up my street but they also come in spots, stripes, mustard, pink and  black.

Or try the Eve £62.10 from Jones. They do also come in black and blush.

Give it the v

The new shape on the court shoe block is a higher cut v shape and this might be the answer to updating your work wear. These Leather Stiletto Heel Wrap Court Shoes £65 from M&S also come in black but I love this colour for the spring and summer.

If these feel a bit too high then try the Stiletto High Cut Court Shoes £25 which come in khaki – very sophisticated – as well as mustard and a light metallic gold and black.

Why just kill one bird when you can do two and tick the slingback and V boxes? Autograph’s Cone Heel Slingback Court Shoes £65 are bang on in lilac or there is a mocha colourway with a white heel.

They also have these which may be a step too far for many…

 

You can’t escape the 80s this spring so a white slingback is a must but these Pointed Slingback Kitten Heels £79 from &Other Stories work (for me at least). With a boyfriend/girlfriend jean and a longline blazer I am sold. Or with chiffon skirt and that’s just for starters.

Loafing around

There are many different types of loafer around and if you want a daintier look then Boden’s Abbie Loafers £80 are very slick indeed and come in red and navy as well.

Then there’s the slightly more slippery loafer like these Clarence Flat Shoes £98 from Jigsaw.

Then there’s a whole host of mules around which I am never all that convinced by but I love the embroidery on these Embroidered Mules £25.99 from Zara.

Or go Gucci with these Kale Trim Mules £46 from Topshop which also come in green.

And what did I buy…? Well, given the endless winter and the fact my feet and slip ons don’t really go together, these Red Stretch Ankle Boots £69.99 from Zara. There was method to my madness as my leopard boots from Office have been so useful, I thought another statement boot would do the job. So these will be coming to a pavement near you. Just no more snow or rain – the fabric won’t keep me dry. Hmmmm maybe I haven’t totally thought this through.