A Flat Shoe Renaissance

Our 3rd Guest Blogger, Halli Mulei of Social Stylists - the fabulous fashion community where people who love fashion can have their say! Halli gives us the low down on the Flat Shoe Renaissance this season...Hear her thoughts and let us know if you are in or out this season...

I love stilettos.  I have the closet to prove it. 

But when you live in the city like I do, walking – or running for the train – is a way of life.  Ultra high heels are not exactly supportive of that routine.

 

And let’s be honest: always wearing extreme high-heels is hard on our feet.  A picture of Victoria Beckham’s toes in the Daily Mail a few months back still haunts me. Perhaps it explains why the style icon herself has taken to flats recently.  With even style icon's like Victoria Beckham wearing flats these days, the shoes have definitely moved from the practical to the fashionable column.

 

So now that flats have moved from the practical to the fashionable column, we can all give our feet a rest.  Ever the shoe diva, not any pairs of flats will do for me, style is absolutely required.

The ones that make my heart flutter are these ostrich-embossed flats with tassel by Spanish designer Pilar Abril. 

 

First, they are completely work appropriate for any environment.  The embossed texture gives the depth and the edge necessary to pair with today’s looks.  Then the tassel balances with the conservative touch.  So whether you are working with trendsetters or traditionalists, you look proper.

 

Second, the color is ideal.  The pinkish brown hue is perfect for wearing with the floral prints of the season.  I also happen to love the look of pink against the brown detailing.  Plus, this works wonderfully with grays  - the color for this season (and next).

 

But the ultimate reason these little darlings are requisite for the season is that they move from work to play – taking me with them.When the weather warms up, last minute invitations are more frequent. In these adorable flats, my feet will be ready for anything.

Halli Mulei

You can follow me on twitter @SocialStylist or join in the fashion community at www.socialstylists.com 

 

I like Clogs. There I said it...

Our 2nd Guest Blogger, Kellie Hill aka Bigfashionista gives us the low down on the phenomenon that is the clog trend this season...Hear her thoughts and let us know if you are in or out this season...

Our 2nd Guest Blogger, Kellie Hill aka Bigfashionista gives us the low down on the phenomenon that is the clog trend this season...Hear her thoughts and let us know if you are in or out this season...

I like Clogs. There, I said it. I stood loud and proud and admitted that Clogs are cool. I make no apologies for it. I like how they look. So there!!!-imagine a little smiley face with its tongue sticking out right about here ->

Kindred Soles’ brand new Bloom Clog is a happy medium. With its lightweight wooden heels and slate blue leather straps, it is cute enough to keep clog wearers happy and smart enough for summer wear to the office.

Kindred Sole have done it yet again. It is like they have dug into our brains and pulled out the best bits to bring us the perfect shoes for summer.

Admit it, who can’t imagine themselves wearing these shoes? Whether to a beautiful countryside pub where you can sit in the garden enjoying lunch with a loved one, or shopping in the city with friends, these shoes are like the person you always wanted to be. They just slip effortlessly into any situation with grace and ease. (I really do want to be that person one day)

The rivet and nude leather detailing on Bloom give the shoes yet another dimension. Wearing these shoes, you don’t just “fit in” you are the sort of person that takes a classic and gives it a twist to bring it bang on trend (Well done you)

Which if we are honest is what Kindred Sole do with all of their shoes. Anyone who has followed me on twitter knows my preoccupation with ALEXA. I still curse my size 7 feet, why oh why couldn’t I be a size 3, 4, 5 or 6? 

But if I have to transfer my love to another shoe I really think Bloom could be “The one” Sassy, cute and clog like, what’s not to love?

Big Fashionista

You can follow me on Twitter @Bigfashionista or read more about fashion and beauty at www.BigFashionista.blog.co.uk

Black and White With No Gray Area

We want to give the opportunity for customers and fashion writers to write guest blog features including: reviews on our current styles, talk about whats on trend each season, fashion Do's and Donts, put forward Style Mavern Of The Week (you can nominate yourself) and anything fashionable on your mind. We want to know! Check out our debut Guest Blogger, Janise Middleton aka @CaMillionShoes on Twitter... 

"Have you ever heard that some things are not always black and white; there is always some sort of gray area? According to the chic Cup Buckle Sandal Hi, black and white can be so clear.  These sandals are cute and ready to accompany you for a night on the town or anywhere you want to have a good time.  If you are a workaholic and hardly ever have time to get out, it is possible to look stunning and fashionable at work with these must-haves. 

If you are headed to work, let these shoes tagalong.  Wear them with a tailored skirt and jacket and you are ready to ask for that promotion.  If you are headed to a weekend brunch with a few friends, try pairing these shoes with a flirty skirt, cardigan, and a flattering belt to get that downtown fashion look.

Shoes at Kindred Sole are known to have a classic and modern design, the Cup Buckle Sandal Hi ties right in with that concept.  Designed by United Nude, the sandals have a patent leather toe strap with elastic foot and ankle strap.  Can’t forget the 4.5” stiletto heel with a cup design to give support to your feet.  

If you haven’t figured it out, these should be on your shoe wish list for spring and summer this year.  The Cup Buckle Sandal Hi is in stock and can be found at www.kindredsole.com.  They come in sizes 4-8 and Kindred Sole has free next day delivery in the UK.  If you live in the US, you too can have these sexy cuties by logging on and ordering today.  Don’t forget to comeback to our site and review.  If you already have these shoes and love them, please share your review on our site so that other fashionistas can paint the town in these trendsetters."

By CaMillionShoes, follow me on Twitter!

Kindred Sole: If you would like the chance to guest blog on Kindred Sole please get in touch:info@kindredsole.com

Dress For Success

Whether you are working in the corporate world or going back to work after starting a family we all feel the pressure to dress in the latest styles and trends that are suitable for us. First impressions count! so if you are about to go for job interviews, going for a promotion or even want to be noticed and appreciated at work then you must 'dress for success'. Here we look at styling outfits that scream Boardroom Chic!"

Reiss:

Shorts: Reiss Mickie Pinstripe Short
Waistcoat: Reiss Maria Pinstripe Waistcoat  
Blazer: Reiss Jonesy Double Lapel
Shoes: Linear Court by United Nude

Calvin Klein:

Dress: Calvin Klein Jersey off-the-shoulder dress
Blazer: Viktor & Rolf
Shoes: Cup Buckle Sandal by United Nude 

Karen Millen:

Dress: Karen Millen Tailored Cotton Shift Dress 
Shoes: Lo Res by United Nude

All the outfits we have styled above are versatile, stylish and complete the Boardroom Chic look - Get ready to Dress For Success! What is your favourite look? 

Here at Kindred Sole each of us have a "good time dress" - when we wear these dresses good things seem to happen! Whats your good time dress?

Designer & Celebrity Inspired Shoes

Want to be on trend with the big designer names this summer but can not afford the hefty price tag? Then these designer inspired Spring Summer 2010 styles are a must have for you.

Vogue New Shoes 2010 - "Our favourite footwear from the spring/summer 2010 catwalks"

After looking at Vogue's online feature on its favourite shoes for Spring Summer 2010 we came across these fab shoes by Michael Kors. "Spindly heels make a comeback and when in court form - are the perfect wardrobe update" say Vogue. Our new arrival from United Nude is Cup Buckle Sandal Hi which is a fabulous shoe with on trend features similar to the Michael Kors lovelies; including: toe strap, sprindly stiletto heel and foot/ankle strap.

Camila Alves - Matthew Mcconaughey Girlfriend

Whilst flicking through the weekly Hello magazine we came across this image of Camila Alves rocking black, low heeled ankle boots. Our first thought was what a similar design to Rambler Boot and if we say so ourselves Rambler is more on trend with its red and black check panelling. Both Camila Alves Boots and Rambler Boots have lace up fastening detailing, cap toe feature and low block heel. Enbrace the military look this Spring Summer season and if Matthew Mcconaughey agrees...

Socks & Shoes - An English faux pas or sheer Fashion brilliance?

Autumn/Winter 2009

The first season where we saw the fashion pack step out in socks and sandals was Autumn/Winter 2009. We remember seeing these first images and thinking what a fashion statement and questioning whether it would continue on as a fashion trend in following seasons or as a fashion faux pas. Above see's Fearne Cotton wearing socks with wedges in August 2009 and Chloe Sevigny wearing socks with flat sandals at the LA Coachella festival. So what happened...the trend continued....

Spring Summer 2010 Lacoste Collection

This seasons biggest shoe trend to hit the fashion world continues to be socks and shoes. The trend has developed since Autumn/Winter 2009 however with more statement making shoes being teamed with socks such as the above Lacoste peep toe ankle boots. We have found that the sock and shoe 'combo' seems to be embracing the Sports Luxe trend of the season also.

Rihanna at Kids Choice Awards 2010

This image alone was the reason for this blog - we heart Rihanna and this image of her wearing shoes with ankle socks was twittered by the Fashion Savvy twitter-arty! It first reminded us of Alice and Wonderland with the 'cutesy' styling but concluded it was more like Dorothy (we heart the Dorothy mantra!) So will Spring Summer 2010 be the final season of the trend that was once seen as an English faux pas - Unlikely.... 

Alexa Chung for Madewells' Autumn Winter 2010 Collection

So we have reached the third potential season for the unlikely pairing of socks & shoes (somehow it seems an obvious pairing now we've seen it so much lol). Alexa Chung has created a collection for Madewell Winter 2010 collection with Chung-inspired pieces from long sleeved dresses with pretty peter pan collars to knee length skirts but now for the shoes...As you can see from the promotional fashion image above the collection includes Brogues (which you know we love - just look at Lois Brogue), Clogs - Alexa has been named as the patron of them this season (keep an eye out for Kindred Sole Clogs: Coming Soon) and wooden heeled sandals. As you can see they have all been styled with ankle socks!! 

So I don't think we need to investigate this trend any further - Socks with Shoes - GO FOR IT!!