SHANE WATSON: How to dress like an adult… A shortcut to freshen up your look? Heels
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Women interested in fashion fall into two broad camps.
There are the peacocks who change their jewelry twice a day, mismatched prints, layered colors, do their hair four different ways depending on their mood, and love to dress up.
And then there are the rest of us ‘hawks’ who prefer to keep things simple but effective. We like glamour, we love clothes, but we don’t need anything you can’t put on faster than you can brush your teeth, and we love a one-step solution.
A hawk (me, in case you haven’t guessed) approaches every dressing opportunity with three clear goals: to look your best, to look a little different, to take no trouble. No problem shows: We’d rather wear a blazer and pants than a flowy button-down dress.
It’s not that we’re lazy, we just prefer to find a formula that works and adapt it to what’s new.
And now to the point: right now, the secret to making your clothes look new and interesting, with minimal effort, is to change your shoes. In the picture: actress Katie Holmes
Peacocks love parading in front of the mirror, trying this on that, reaching for the belt in the back of the drawer that might be the perfect finishing touch, seeing what amazing things work in the day.
The hawks pretty much know what they are going to wear, the only question is how they will modify it to make it look better and more contemporary. We look in the mirror but only to see if the boots or shoes look better.
And now to the point: right now, the secret to making your clothes look new and interesting, with minimal effort, is to change your shoes. It’s no big secret that shoes and boots will bounce your style from year to year faster than anything else in your wardrobe, but some seasons there’s a distinct change in shoes. Spring 2023 is one of them.
From now on, the shoe last that will make your pants (any pants, as long as they don’t fit too tight) look like you bought them yesterday is a slingback low heel.
The Me+Ems don’t come cheap (£250, meandem.com), but if you want maximum wearability out of this style, you can’t do better than these, in either shiny black or snake print patent leather. Wear it with a pair of relaxed, ankle-skimming pants, a blouse, and a blazer for a smart work outfit or an easy option for cocktail parties.
They’ll also give a dress that Holly Golightly sparkle, although this year it seems like it’s all about wearing pants.
From now on, the shoe last that will make your pants (any pants, as long as they don’t fit too tight) look like you bought them yesterday is a slingback low heel. Pictured: Model at the Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week, Spring Summer 2023
When substituting your chunky sneakers, loafers or booties for a stylish pair of tiny heels, try & Other Stories for a shiny black (£85, stories.com) or Zara for a leopard print (£59.99, zara.com). , you I am adding the elegant lady touch that makes everything look new this spring. And by elegant I mean polished and feminine, not prim or pretty.
It’s amazing how much of a difference they make: in one step you’re dressier, higher off the ground, and you look so much more dressed up.
Otherwise, the ballerina is back, which also works well in leopard (£35, marksand spencer.com). With ballerinas, it’s best to stick to the classic three: snake, leopard and black (£89, hush-uk.com).
The ones you want are cut higher on the foot, so they look less ballerina-like, and the simpler the better. You wear them with tailored trousers or jeans, never with a dress. Too feminine.
And then there are the sharper new boots. I’ve dug up some old black pointy booties from Zara that look a bit acne-like; High shine, a longer length, a slim fit and a pointed toe are what you’re looking for in an ankle boot to wear under shorts or wear with midi dresses.
If you’re after something similar, try H&M’s sexy pair of block heels (£34.99, 2.hm.com) or Hush’s Tallis boots (£169).
For the rest, cowboy boots are still having their moment. Sadly, they’re on my personal list of items that make me look like I have a serious case of age denial (along with tulle, sheer jackets, biker jackets, and slogan T-shirts); but if you want to give them a go, Arket has a simple pair that’s just a jean because he’s got a Cuban heel (£199, arket.com).
All you need then is a feminine bag. I like the Mango Chain Strap Leather Bag (£89.99, shop.mango.com) because it has room for an iPad and a spare pair of shoes, but the Stylish Rectangular Chain Bag, also from Mango (£22.99, johnlewis.com) is the classic ‘can’t go wrong’ way.