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stefania bartolomei 10/20/21 stefania bartolomei 10/20/21

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: BACK TO THE OFFICE - 3 COMFY SHOES AND HOW TO WEAR THEM

When we go back to the office, we often expect ourselves to put on those heels and begin to relive the aches of stilettos and work shoes, but what if I told you there were work appropriate shoes that won’t feel uncomfortable from the first minute? Well, there are shoes that work for the office and for your feet, so in this article I wanted to share 3 comfy shoes you can wear to the office, and how to style them.

Often my clients struggle to match shoes with their outfits. Now that the priority seems to be comfort, particularly after such a long time at home in slippers.

However, when we go back to the office, we often expect ourselves to put on those heels and begin to relive the aches of stilettos and work shoes, but what if I told you there were work appropriate shoes that won’t feel uncomfortable from the first minute? Well, there are shoes that work for the office and for your feet, so in this article I wanted to share 3 comfy shoes you can wear to the office, and how to style them.

Loafers for women, and how to style them

Loafers were often a men’s-only shoe, but now that shoemakers have moved into a more androgynous flow for their offerings, loafers have become incredibly popular for women. They’re not only comfortable, but can be matched with a multitude of outfits, here are a few of my favourite ways to style loafers, specifically for the workplace.

Loafers with tapered trousers

When you’re wearing a beautiful pair of loafers, why not show them off with a pair of tapered trousers that are cut above the ankle? You can match a stunning pair of red trousers with a gold pair of slip on loafers as a funky stand-out look, or keep your look monotone with black trousers and black leather loafers that have a little detail in them to keep some style in the outfit.

Loafers with a midi skirt

If you are more into skirts at work over trousers, then as with the tapered trousers, a midi skirt is a great option to match with your loafers, throw on a turtleneck and a belt and you’re ready to take on the office with style! You can go completely flat, or you can find a pair with a small heel, depending on your preference. A quirky pair with a fabulous pattern, like these bumble bee pattered Gucci loafers are a fabulous and fun addition to your wardrobe, and work well if you want to showcase personality, but can’t do so in your full outfit – match them with a black midi skirt, simple shirt and blazer and you are ready to take on the office!

Pumps for work and how to style them

Now, bear with me here, ballet pumps have come a long way from our classic school-wearing pump days! You can get some incredible elegant women’s pumps that are both comfortable and work-wear ready.

There are an incredible array of options when it comes to pumps, you can have flat options that are perfect for sheer comfort. They usually have a very minimal heel as this can help those with flatter feet who need a little uplift for comfort, or just prefer shoes that have a heel and feel better to wear them for work.

Pumps with a dress for work

The beauty of ballet pumps is because they are often very decorative, which means they can be paired with a minimal outfit such as a classic office dress. Look for a pair with a scalloped pattern to bring a little edge to your look without having to go all out with a pattern!

You can also wear a pair of ballet pumps that have a stiletto-like toe, without the heel, and I love finding these pumps without the rounded toe, as they really do match the expectation of a stiletto, without causing aches in the heels.

Pumps with flared trousers

I love seeing trousers that hit just a few millimetres above the floor (we all know winter can mean puddles so be careful not to go for trousers that are too long!) and pumps can be a great option to match with flares that work really well for those of us with larger his to balance us out. Throw on a colourful pair of pumps, match them with a dark pair of work wear flares, and then match with a flowy blouse on top.

Boots and how to wear them for work

As I am writing this in the colder Autumn month of October, boots are on my mind! While we can play with fun boots for casual wear, such as combat boots, some of us have steered clear from wearing boots to the office, but they can work beautifully, and they can be very comfortable! Now, I may not be suggesting combat boots for the office (unless you have a more casual workplace that is), but there are some great options that I wanted to share with you.

High boots with tights and a skirt

Skirts can work really well at the office, when they are paired well with the right accessories and footwear. When at the office, skirts may not be as favourable, but when Autumn comes along, you can pop on some thicker tights to feel more appropriate for the office. Pair with some black high boots that have a small heel, in black leather and you will feel on top of the world. I highly recommend investing in a pair of boots like this, as they will last year on year, and will look much more appropriate for work when they are of a higher quality. I would also recommend a pair that fall just below the knee, as over the knee can feel a little less appropriate for work. Try a mini skirt with a blouse; or an a-line skirt that cuts just below the knee so you have no gap between the boot and the fabric.

Ankle boots with an a-line dress or skirt

Another option when it comes to boots at the office is the classic ankle boot! One way to wear them is with an a-line skirt or dress as they will graze below the knee with enough space for the boots to not cut you off. Ankle boots can be a little trickier to pair with garments at the office, so styling with a skirt is often the best option in my experience. You could also try a pair of cowboy-esque leather boots with a pair of flared trousers as they are more comfortable than classic heels, but have a slight heel so you feel uplifted yet cool with the western style.

I hope these options for more comfortable work-appropriate shoes have inspired you for your next visit to the office. If you would like the support of someone by your side to help create a wardrobe that works for your day to day life, then please get in touch about my personal styling or personal shopping experiences.

stefania bartolomei 12/10/20 stefania bartolomei 12/10/20

PERSONAL SHOPPING TIPS: HOW COVID-19 HAS CHANGED FASHION TRENDS

2020 has been a strange year for all of us, and as a personal shopper and stylist I have seen many changes within the world of fashion. From access to sustainability, and even the trends that reflect the mood of the world right now, we are seeing huge changes in the industry. Within this article, I wanted to share some of my findings as well as the winter trends that we have seen previously, versus the trends we are seeing right now.

2019 Winter Fashion Trends:

In 2019, fashion during the winter was all about sparkles, dresses, and formal wear with fun at their core. With many people having special events to attend and parties to go to, fashion during this year, as with many years previously, reflected these events within their clothing ranges.

You will have potentially invested in some party dresses, sparkly jumpers, a long beautiful coat or gorgeous shoes for a special occasion in the past and either re-used them with a few additional accessories to change up the look, and hoped to do the same this year with a diary of events with work colleagues, friends, or family. To say our diaries probably look a lot different now is an understatement, and fashion houses are showing these huge changes within their collections.

2020 Winter Fashion Trends.

The real puzzle, after working from home which, for many, was a completely new thing this year, as well as shops being closed, parties being a no-go (at least in person) and gatherings not on the cards for the near future, your plans will undoubtedly look different. The truth is that fashion trends adapt to times and people’s needs, and nothing has been seen more this year than the need for comfort, but with a twist. People are becoming fed up of wearing their yoga pants and pyjamas, the element of enjoyment and fun wearing these items seems to have tired, and people now want to dress up, if even for an online gathering, small social event outside, or a date with their loved one in the home.

Here are some trends I have seen for this winter, from head to toe, from high street to high end!

Comfortable & Luxurious Sweaters

Countless companies have been adding loungewear to their collections, and there is no difference for the Winter styles, however, a touch of sparkle is being brought in. From cosy jumpers with a touch of sparkle, to luxurious yet comfortable loungewear sets, expect to make comfort & luxury a combination that will remain this month!

Upgraded Loungewear

Countless companies have been adding loungewear to their collections, and there is no difference for the Winter styles this year. Luxurious materials, unique colours, and comfort at the heart of each design, these loungewear designs have changed the way we can look at these comfortable styles. From luxurious yet comfortable loungewear sets, to a beautiful dusty pink set in soft cotton-jersey expect to make comfort & luxury a combination that will remain this month.

Fun & inspiring words

I’ve seen the classic sayings on tops and jumpers for a few years now, and with 2020 being as it has been, we all need a little bit of positivity, if even on our clothing to remind us & bring a smile to our faces, and to those we connect with through VC or in person. From eco-cashmere jumpers by Alberta Ferretti with a range of positive quotes, to colourful rainbow sweatshirts that are more casual, clothing is working to bring a smile to your face during these colder months.

Leggings and Jogging bottoms get an upgrade

With many of us only needing to dress-up from the waist up, we are seeing many designers creating luxe-joggers and leggings. From suede effect joggers by Max Mara, to cream knitted joggers by Mint Velvet, expect your jogging bottoms to feel amazing, and perhaps even work outside of the home (if you so wish).

Keep your feet warm!

If you’re foregoing the stilettos this year, or perhaps having your work Christmas do online, then you’ll be pleased to hear that keeping snuggly and warm for your feet is top of the agenda. Whether it’s gorgeous shearling-lined slip-ons by Porte & Paire, or cosy knitted booties from Mint Velvet, expect the most comfortable year yet – at least for your feet!

Glam but Comfortable

If you are on the lookout for a party-ready look, then designers have a huge host of comfortable yet glamourous styles that have come to retailers across the globe. So for those of you looking to dress up this Christmas, why not try a beautiful lace shirt by Dolce and Gabbana or a more budget friendly version by & Other Stories to add some drama to your look? If you love dresses, then there are countless comfortably glam styles to choose from. I think a knitted dress is great way to feel comfortable and warm, yet stylish, and with the right care they can last for years, so when we are able to go out once again, you can re-wear them. From a casual-chic cashmere and wool-blend midi dress by Isabel Marant with balloon sleeves, to a zebra patterned jersey midi dress with turtleneck and A-line silhouette, there are some beautiful options to get dressed up while remaining comfortable this season.