I love a stylish, affordable dupe that doesn’t break the bank. How about you? It’s not new for mainstream retailers to be “inspired” by high-end designers, especially the luxury brands. However, when it comes to footwear & trends, the possibilities are endless, which is the case for Steve Madden’s Kenley rhinestone sandal, left.
Of course, the heel styles & heights are different between the two shoes, but if you’re shopping for a special occasion already putting down some cash on a dressy look, why not save a little on the shoes & get some extra support with a block heel?
The 2020s have seen a major shift in style, especially concerning footwear as 90s & early 2000s trends are slowly creeping back. While a stiletto heel is classic, block heels have returned & we’ll be seeing them in the spring. Additionally, open slides with braiding details will be trendy once again, & why shouldn’t they be? The mule style is easy to slide on & when it comes in multiple colors, the stylish possibilities are endless.
Personally, I’m a big fan of the neutral/white mix, as well as both metallic gold & silver options. I envision them with a maxi dress, drop earrings, & floral wristlet for a summer date night or family party.
Additionally, nearly every major shoe retailer has some version of these mules, as well as ankle booties & flats, for the various seasons, mostly because the braiding detail is timeless & offers a cushion around the foot. Which color do you like best? Do you prefer a chunky heel or something slimmer? How would you style this shoe? For more stylish posts, check out: a must-have sequin sweater & leggings outfit, classic denim jackets in 4 washes by Time & Tru, & spring ballet dresses in sizes XS-4X! Happy Styling!
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.
During a recent black hole viewing of Instagram stories (I’m not the only one, am I?), I came across a blogger sharing their interpretation for summer-to-fall teacher outfits, including A New Day’s high-rise slim straight pull-on pants @Target ($25.00, available in sizes XS-4X). There are 2 qualities about these pants that I loved right away: 1. They’re pull-on. Ever since I’ve had my daughter, pants with zippers are the enemy & pull-on pants are my loyal subjects! 2. They’re available in 8 neutral, professional colors / patterns.
The variety includes navy (windowpane), black pinstriped, gray (plaid), gray (& black/purple houndstooth), cream, green, brown, & black. So far, I’ve ordered all, except the black because they weren’t available in my size, & I’ve received the navy & gray houndstooth. They’re very comfortable & run true to size. I love the length (being that I’m 5’3″).
For a professional day, they will pair nicely with a blouse-cardigan-ballet flat combination or a short sleeve sweater & statement necklace with mule heels. I’d love to style these pants for more than just work though. When headed somewhere more casual, I can see pairing the solid options with a dolman top & sandals or a printed tee & wedges. As always, the possibilities are endless! Check out some options by A New Day sold @Target below:
Lastly, an outfit isn’t complete without some stylish (& affordable shoes). Target really knows what they’re doing when it comes to products in the line for A New Day as so many neutral pieces can be coordinated, especially with the pants:
SHOP: Millie twin gore slip-on sneakers in green ($14.99, available in sizes 5-12, wide width options, 6 colors), Thea mules in black ($19.99, available in sizes 5-12), Sue heels in blush ($29.99, available in sizes 5-12 & 2 colors), Corinna ballet flats in mahogany ($14.99, available in sizes 5-12, wide width options, 6 colors), Danica platform loafers in off-white ($32.99, available in sizes 5-12, wide width options, 2 colors), & Kiki mules in cognac ($29.99, available in sizes 5-12 & 3 colors).
I’m guilty of being that “buy one in every color” shopper, as per my previous goddess dress post, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing because it makes picking out my day-to-day wardrobe seamless between family gatherings, prepping for class, heading into the office, or meeting up with friends. My latest obsession is ruffle button-front blouse from New York & Company, ranging in sizes XS-XXL. It’s currently on sale, ranging in price between $18.00-$26.97, depending on which coupon code you use & what your form of payment is; however, I like a top that I can wear with different bottoms, but also for different occasions.
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:
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.
Last summer, when my husband & I were planning our wedding, we included a basket of flip flops to give to our guests for those with tired feet after all the dancing & partying at our reception. Of course, we turned to Old Navy for comfortable, affordable, & colorful flip flops in bulk (& we couldn’t resist buying a few pairs for ourselves too). This summer, Old Navy continues its flip flop legacy with so many fashionable varieties, which brings us to today’s post!
Not only is Old Navy one of my favorite flip flop destinations (making traveling or packing for a quick weekend jaunt of errands so much easier), but there’s plenty of fashionable footwear to shop for if you’re looking for something with a little more flair this summer. Try out some slides, espadrilles, sandal flats, or wedges!
Try any of these shoe styles with a floral summer dress & denim jacket for a cool evening walk by the water, a t-shirt with layered necklaces & cut-off jeans, or ankle pants & a blouse while transitioning from work to play! Additionally, the below dresses are also available, perfect for styling (& super affordable) with these shoes!
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!
Style Darling Daily 