Show Me the Shoes: 30% Off Spring’s Must-Have Ballet Flats!

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Alissa

The ballet flat isn’t dead! Not when they look like this & they’re 30% off!

SHOP: ballet flats with bows in stripe, black white floral, blue floral, & beige black @Ardene (on sale: $10.43, available in sizes 6-11).

At such a great price & with so many fun & springy details, how can you not order all of them? I love the stripes for a classic tee & jeans look with layered necklaces of the blue floral with a cotton eyelet dress & cardigan. Not to mention the black floral will add some feminine flare to a midi dress. Also, the beige & black is perfect for a casual Friday in a cardigan set & windowpane pants.

Which style do you like best? How would you wear them? Where are you shopping for can’t-miss shoe deals? For more stylish posts, check out: flutter t-shirts from Old Navy, short-sleeve pajama sets for under $19, & a silver crossbody bag for any weekend getaway! Happy Styling!

Show Me the Shoes: Fabulous Floral Flats for Fall!

Posted on August 28, 2022 by Alissa

When it comes to fall fashion, bold florals don’t usually come to mind first, but I like mixing it up when the seasons change with unexpected pops of colors so as not to look like everyone else in plaid & still challenge myself. Anyway, expressing one’s style isn’t about following trends!

Florals are not for everyone & I typically veer my style attention away from a traditional grandmother/curtain-looking floral; however, one pair of floral flats that I’ve had since last year always seems to stay in rotation. I love the Dream Paris casual pointed toe ballet comfort soft slip on flat shoes in floral @Amazon (on sale: $21.99 & available in sizes 5-12) for the color versatility with magenta, purple, white, neon green, navy, & black.

I’ve worn these to the office with virtually every solid maxi dress that I own, paired with a crochet bolero or cardigan, as well as with different pant & blouse outfits. After getting another closet look at them online & wearing them on & off cue the last few months, I suspect that the floral pattern placement on each pair may vary, as seen with my shoes below.

For fall, I even love mixing these flats with a navy & magenta outfit, as well as a black & purple color-blocked look. Not to mention that the shoes are perfect beyond the office with a shift or fit & flare dress for a special occasion. They’re super comfortable & I get so many compliments on them every time I wear them.

Additionally, they’re reduced in priced from $35.99 & have a 4/5 rating from over 7,000 reviews! However, one downside is that they’re not available for shoppers needing a wide width size.

Where are you shopping for all-year must-have items? Do you wear florals on your feet? What’s on your fall fashion wishlist? For more stylish posts, check out: kimono-inspired tops from Amazon in multiple colors, stylish patterned tights from Target, & Time & Tru’s latest dresses & cardigans! Happy Styling!

Show Me the Shoes: Mules for Back-to-School!

Posted on August 23, 2022 by Alissa

One style of shoe that’s growing on me (& the trendiest this past spring-summer) is the mule, which always gave me pause since I like to feel a footwear all around my foot—with the exception of flip-flops. However, as I’m getting ready—mentally & stylishly—for the fall semester, as many teachers & professors are, I have my sights set on fashionable, but comfortable footwear.

The Time & Tru twist mule @Walmart ($16.98, available in sizes 6-11) is the answer, especially in black & blush! The low heel & twisted front present a stylish option to coordinate with any blouse & trousers look for parent-teacher conferences, a midi dress & cardigan for the first day of school, or a pair of dark denim jeans with a button-down.

Also, one thing to keep in mind when viewing the miles online versus in person is the difference in shade for the blush pair, as seen below from my discovery of the shoe in-person:

I did try these on & they were comfortable. I didn’t get far walking in them, but they’re still on my mind. I do wish they were available in navy or olive since those are some of my favorite summer-to-fall transition hues.

What do you think of these mules? Would you wear them to school or the office? How would you style them? For more stylish posts, check out: must-have clearance earrings for $3.50 & under, 10 fashionable & fun music videos by Dua Lipa, a fashion flashback of Kacey Musgraves’ most stylish moments for her 34th birthday! Happy Styling!

07/09/2022 Darling of the Day: Stranger Things Star Sadie Sink Appears on TODAY in a Floral Miu Miu Dress!

Posted on July 9, 2022 by Alissa

Now that volume two of Stranger Things‘ fourth season has finally hit Netflix, the show’s stars are talking up that major cliffhanger ending in preparation for a final fifth season. This week, Max Mayfield herself, portrayed by the always luminous Sadie Sink, hit the press circuit with an appearance on Today, wearing all Miu Miu in a floral prairie dress & kitten heel loafer slingbacks. The 20-year-old actress discussed not only “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush as Max’s escape song, which, by the way, is still charting strong, but also Netflix’s binge-worthy success with Stranger Things, her supportive family, and starring in Taylor Swift‘s short film for her song “All Too Well.”

The dress includes many classic summer dress elements, including the delicate floral print, button down closure, & puffed sleeves, adding maturity & retro style to the ensemble that is paired with an unexpected, though on-brand, menswear-inspired footwear choice. See below:

SHOP: long printed crepe de chine dress in pomegranate yellow / red ($3,900) & leather loafers with heel in white ($1,700) @Miu Miu.

However, if shopping the luxury price tag of Miu Miu isn’t in your budget realm (it’s not in mine, that’s for sure), I selected some look-alike summer dresses to recreate Sadie’s anytime look, which is perfect for work with a cardigan & pumps or weekend with flat sandals & a crossbody bag.

SHOP: 1. BebreezChic floral puff sleeve chiffon dress in yellow flowers (available in sizes XS-XL, $39.99 + $6 off coupon code on site) @Amazon, 2. SheIn allover print ruffle a-line maxi dress in multi color (available in sizes XS-L, $33.99) @Amazon, & 3. Agnes Orinda casual ditsy floral midi shirt dress in white (available in sizes 1X-4X, on sale: $34.99) @Target.

SHOP: 1. metallic chain decor slingback mules in white (available in sizes 6-10.5, $38.00) @Shein, 2. faux weave mule flats in white (available in sizes 6-10, on sale: $10.00) @Ardene, & 3. Nina loafer in white (available in sizes 6-10, on sale: $25.00) @New York & Company.

Do you like Sadie’s Miu Miu look for TODAY? Would you mix a floral dress with loafer heels? Have you been binging Stranger Things? Who is your favorite character from the show? For more stylish posts, check out: The Crown star Emma Corrin on the cover of Vogue‘s August 2022 issue, Kim Kardashian’s beauty regimen interview with Allure, a flashback to Cameron Diaz’s best red carpet looks, an entire any-day dress look from H&M for under $100, & Keira Knightley’s little black dress inspiration from Paris Fashion Week! Happy Styling!

Martha Stewart’s New Shoe Line for Payless!

Posted on December 6, 2018 by Alissa

Over the years, there have been countless celebrity collaborations with designers & retailers, resulting in some memorable pieces that stand the test of time, or just turn into fading trend pieces that you might remember. However, one such celebrity is entering, or re-entering, the world of fashion with a new shoe collection for Payless. Martha Stewart, designer of all things luxury living, has created Martha Everyday exclusively for the affordable footwear retailer, featuring plenty of must-have shoes perfect for the holiday season & beyond, as well as the daily work grind.

According to the lifestyle maven’s official website, Martha is “thrilled to partner with Payless to design a line of footwear that’s both beautiful and affordable.” She adds, “For as long as I’ve been in business my goal has been to deliver well-made, beautiful products to my audience, at the right price. Payless has the same goal, making them a perfect partner to collaborate with to create gorgeous shoes that our customers can afford.”

The collection includes some holiday staples, such as the Primrose ballet flats (in metallic neutrals & suede with a delicate scallop detail), Wayside mule slides, Laurels slingbacks, Haven kitten heels, & Highclere strappy sandals, as well as the new color “gilver,” which is a grey-silver combination with just enough sparkle to be easily integrated into your evening wardrobe rotation. Prices range $29.99 – $34.99, which is definitely an affordable buy (& it’s so easy to get a coupon for Payless to use on top of the great price).

Which shoe is your favorite? How would you style these options? Where are you shopping for holiday shoes this season? For more shoe-related posts, click here, here, here, & here. Happy Styling!

Velvet: The Holiday Season’s Most Luxurious Texture!

Posted on November 18, 2018 by Alissa

When shopping for holiday must-haves, it’s easy to be attracted to the intricate details of jacquard, colors of tweed, lines of corduroy, & patterns of knits. However, when mixing & matching your favorite separates to prepare for a stylish season, there’s one texture that remains a constant (& it’s really affordable too). That’s velvet!

Right now @Old Navy, velvet is everywhere & affordable in tops (ranging in sizes XS-XXL) & shoes, perfect for coordinating with a printed pencil skirt, skinny jeans, trousers, & much more. What I love the most of these velvet items is their hue. Shoppers can easily enjoy the softest pastel pink & cream, but also go for something more dramatic a jewel tone or luxe charcoal.

cami glitter top

ruffle top

heels flats

These pieces are easily transitional from day to night, especially when replacing a pendant necklace with a statement bauble, swapping out a pair of pants for a tiered skirt & patterned tights, or playing with layers of leather & silk too. Velvet gets me super excited for all of its styling possibilities, inspiring me to take a closer look at accessories with pearls, ribbons, studs, & mixed metals!

What textures do you like to wear in the fall-winter? What colors are your favorites for this time of year? For more posts on affordable fashion, click here, here, here, & here! Happy Styling!

The Best Floral Shoes for the Holidays!

Posted on November 12, 2018 by Alissa

The holidays are just around the corner & as much as I love indulging in seasonal duds (red knits, green velvet pieces, fair isle sweaters, etc.), I’m always excited to get my hands on (or feet in, in this case) a new find that can be interpreted for the holidays & beyond. I’m talking about the Habit pump & Gigi flat @Payless by Project Runway winner Christian Siriano (a favorite designer of mine!) whose shimmer black floral footwear opens up the styling possibilities for fall, winter, & spring!

Habit pump @Payless

Gigi flat @Payless

I love these shoe options because of their versatility. They can be worn to the office & easily transition for evening for a night on the town or holiday party. They offer the perfect pop of personality for a little black dress, gold-burgundy outfit combination, & a blush blouse & skinny jeans. Also, these two styles of shoes are made in another matching heel-flat companion (for example: black with silver studs here & here), both of which are equally comfortable & chic for a variety of looks.

Holiday florals don’t have to be the traditional poinsettia or all about holly, especially when getting the most mileage out of your wardrobe investments will pay off better in the long run. For more fun shoe-related posts, click here, here, here, & here! Happy Holiday & Happy Styling!

Splurge or Save… on Lace Up Ballet Flats?

Posted on August 9, 2017 by Alissa

This time of the summer is when retailers are rearing to go with the newest fall items for shoppers to clamor over. This includes trend items that might not stand the test of time, but there are definitely some worth seeking. For inspiration on the best of the newest arrivals for the next season, it’s easy to turn to luxury designers & brands. Those styles trickle down the price point pole & then look-alike items finally become affordable for a Style Darling on a budget.

One example is the lace-up ballet flat, a stylish option to help transition your wardrobe from summer to fall. The below styles range in prices from $685 (wowie!) to $24.99. These are examples of the next level of the ballet flat craze that’s obviously not going anywhere. What will designers think of next? A black ballet flat doesn’t have to be basic anymore, especially when styled with a little black dress or blouse & silk shorts ensemble.SHOP: 1. Gianvito Rossi flats @Neiman Marcus, 2. Sam Edelman flats @Bloomingdale’s, 3. MICHAEL Michael Kors flats @Macy’s, 4. lace-up flats @LOFT, & 5. SO flats @Kohl’s.

Which designers do you follow & invest in? What trends do you buy for less? Where are your favorite places to shop for shoes? What are you most looking forward to wearing for fall? Happy Styling!

Show Me the Shoes: Affordable Fall Flats for the Office, Inspired by Emma Stone, Victoria Beckham, & More (Dedicated to Christine)!

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Alissa

I love getting inspired about fashion when chatting up my friends, & today’s post is no exception. My dear friend Christine, styling it up in New Jersey, recently shared her concerns about finding comfy, yet stylish flats for the office & my brain went spinning with inspiration. Given my crazy day-to-day schedule between two jobs & grad school, I’m constantly on the go, which also means that my collection of flats has grown exponentially with fashionable possibilities for a chic, professional look. To get started, I sought out some images of the best dressed A-listers wearing elements that make up a great work look, especially with a fall wardrobe on the brain.These celebrities include: Angelina Jolie, Camilla Belle, Emma Stone, Emmy Rossum, Jennifer Lopez, Karlie Kloss, Mandy Moore, Olivia Palermo, Pippa Middleton, Reese Witherspoon, Taylor Swift, & Victoria Beckham. Flats are certainly not a cop-out, adding a little extra splash of femininity against a cardigan & shirt pairing, sleek menswear look, blouse & trousers ensemble, & sheath dress.

And for some affordable flats to amp up your office style, consider a few elements for an interesting look: pattern, texture, & shine, which will also help transition any Style Darling from day-to-night, as well as date & weekend.

SHOP: 1. loafers ($14.99) in navy @H&M (also available in black, camel, hot pink, & gray), 2. boucle pointed flats ($15.00, was $25.99) in black & white @Charlotte Russe, 3. stud flats ($15.00) in black @Wet Seal (also available in burgundy), 4. pointed patent flats ($19.90) in black @Forever 21 (also available in nude), 5. Gigi flats by Christian Siriano ($24.99, was $29.99) in wine @Payless (also available in black & taupe), & 6. lace pointed flats ($34.90) in black @Express.

What do you wear to work? What details do you look for when it comes to flats? Where do you shop for your favorite office footwear? For more stylish posts, check out affordable plaid accessories for fall, florals to wear this season from New York & Company & Hollister, capes & ponchos inspired by Gwen Stefani & Jamie Chung, & Olivia Palermo’s BaubleBar collaboration. Happy Styling!

Show Me The Shoes: Black & White Spring Trends From Payless!

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Alissa

I’ve always been pro black & white when it comes fashion, loving the classic color combination, especially when it comes to patterns like polka dots, houndstooth, & stripes. However, now that winter is finally leaving us, we can focus on spring trends, like black & white in our accessories. Wearing black & white printed shoes, for example, will instantly punch up any look, helping transition the heavy layers from the winter to lighter, breezier separates for spring.

I know I can always count on Payless for the latest styles to mix & match with my other wardrobe staples, especially at such an affordable price. If you’re headed for the beach during the upcoming spring break, take the Sadia raffia high wedge sling ($24.99) with a maxi dress or shorts romper. Also, for the office, I love the Krime peep toe pump ($19.99) for a sheath dress, blazer & pencil skirt look, or for happy hour in a sequin tank & skinny jeans. If you’re looking for chic & comfy flats, I’m excited about the Chelsea flat ($16.99) & Claire scrunch flat ($24.99) that can work for a variety of occasions.

For more fabulous black & white shoes, check out luxury designs like these from Christian Louboutin, Michael Kors, Manolo Blahnik, & Loeffler Randall. More affordable options also include Nine West, Madden Girl, Fergalicious, & Croft & Barrow. What shoe trends are you following for the new season? What colors are you ready to wear? Happy Styling!

Show Me The Shoes: Fergalicious Flats On Clearance For Under $20 @DSW!

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Alissa

Whenever you’re shoe shopping in the clearance or sale section, you’re likely to run into that problem of “They don’t have my size,” since an item is older & there’s less availability. Well, I can’t make any guarantees for DSW‘s stock, but I was clicking around & found that there are tons of shoes on clearance, for as low as under $20, which is how I started my search. I could post about high heels until the end of time, but sometimes, there are just some flats that just step right into my heart, including the ones I’ve featured by Fergalicious.

This includes the Alana zig zag flat ($19.94), which can be worn with any basics look, adding a flair of print & personality with the color combination. Also, the Alana leopard flat ($19.94) is a must-have. I love animal prints & this can really help transform some essential pieces like a black button-down & pencil skirt to a chic work look, especially when adding a metallic belt & an embellished cardigan. However, my favorite is the Alana zebra flat ($19.94) since the black & white pattern is my favorite & I’d love wearing them with a purple sheath dress & black tights, or leggings & a chunky knit tunic sweater. Lastly, add a little sparkle to your shoe-drobe (get it? shoe + wardrobe!), with the Alanis too flat ($19.94) in navy. They’re also sold in black multi & grey, perfect for staying comfy in a sheath LBD with a statement necklace or some bangles.

Which flats are your favorites? Do you ever find great deals on clearance? Now is the time to shop for great end-of-the-season bargains & to help you out, check out previous posts, including up to 70% off on the Neiman Marcus Holiday Collection @Target, 40% off on pajama sets from Victoria Secret, & bargain outerwear inspired by Claudia Schiffer & Gwen Stefani! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown / Show Me The Shoes: The Entire 106 Piece Fall 2012 Collection By Nicholas Kirkwood!

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Alissa

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I talk about a lot of shoes here on Style Darling, but this is the biggest shoe gallery I’ve ever shared with readers- on top of this being my 600th post! As I was happily surfing through Facebook & Twitter today, I came across a link to Refinery 29 which included a 106-image slideshow gallery of designer Nicholas Kirkwood‘s Fall 2012 Collection of shoes. The line ranges in sandals, pumps, flats, & wedges- each sleek, flirty, fierce, & sexy for a variety of occasions. Here’s a chance for you to check out the latest trends in fall styles, including platforms & towering high heels that can match perfectly with so many colorblocked, solid, printed, or textured looks for the upcoming season.

For more shoe posts, check out Show Me The Shoes, including Lela Rose’s latest for Payless, Christian Siriano’s loafer pumps, & Prada’s fall runway shoes @Neiman Marcus! Happy Styling!