Shoe Advice

 Image Credit:vincecamuto.com


I've been re-reading some pages I tore out of fashion magazines.  Vince Camuto, who founded Nine West and has shoes and clothing at Nordstrom, among other places, has some very sound shoe advice. InStyle magazine calls him the Shoe Savant.

When asked about fit, Camuto says: "The most important thing to do is make sure your heel sits firmly against the back of the shoe and that the front part of your foot, from the ball to the toes, is lying flat."

Before buying a shoe, Camuto recommends you "Push down on the insole with your index finger. If the material takes the imprint of your finger and lifts back up as you remove pressure, it's made with memory foam--a good comfort indicator."

The three shoes he says should be in one's closet for summer and early fall are:
           Booties "Wear them as you would pumps."
           Pumps
           An embellished sandal

Perfection Found

Photo Credit: Oldnavy.com


Not long ago I wrote a post on seeking out the perfect T-shirt. Last week I found it. Where, you may ask? Old Navy. Really. It is a white cotton V-neck that fits just right and it was under $10. I plan to by several more.

Goodness Knows I Try

My Wardrobe Wisdom advice often goes unheeded by those I love most. I am talking here about my dad. He showed up in these bright red cargo shorts/knickers the other night. I suggested he try LL Bean, Lands End, the Gap. . . ANYWHERE  to find some standard, normal shorts. He just laughed and said he would look into it. 

My husband, on the other hand, looked so handsome as he headed off to work last week. He heeds my advice about 75% of the time. Sigh. 

A Cute Hat

Almost every guide or article I've read regarding packing for a trip emphasizes the value of a few great accessories. I must say that a cute hat is one that works for me every time. It shields my face from the sun, looks chic, covers my "vacation" (i.e. too lazy to style hair) hairdo, and pulls an outfit together. The one pictured here has worked for me many times, in many places. I purchased it at J. Crew 5 years ago,  but the store carries it every summer. I also wear a white cotton hat with black trim when I go to the beach or pool (at home and away from home). It can be folded for packing and goes with almost anything. I like hats.

Funny Expression

I am back from my travels and have a lot of wardrobe insights to share. First I want to let you know about a humorous phrase I recently came across in a very silly book, The Love Detective, by Alexandra Potter. This phrase seemed quite appropriate for my situation during my trip. On some days, I pulled it together and wore a chic outfit and makeup. But most days I had on casual, unpressed clothes and did not feel very fashionable. You might say I had, as Potter wrote, a "total style lobotomy." I will tell you what worked and what didn't and why during my month away in future posts.

How I Pack

Go to page 22 in Carpinteria's Coastal View News to read this month's Wardrobe Wisdom column. You can double click on the page to enlarge it and learn about how I packed for my big trip this summer.