Men: The Brown Shoe Debate

Few things have changed as much in men's fashion like wearing brown shoes... with everything.

I picked up a GQ Style Manual a few years ago that had a great quote from designer Domenico Vacca about wearing brown shoes (and nobody does men's fashion better than the Italians). 

“Many Americans have this idea that if you put on a dress shoe, it has to be black. But Italians - and I myself, especially - very rarely wear black shoes, except for very formal occasions like weddings and funerals. I’m almost always in brown shoes, because they just work with everything.”

— Domenico Vacca

A quick modern update (that any man can do), is to opt for brown shoes. 

What shade of brown?

My favorite is anything in a carmel-like color (exactly like the brogues in the picture shown above).  A lace-up shoe is dressy and can "up" your casual look, while slip-ons and loafers are best in very casual settings. 

Yes, men don't wear as many pinstripe suits or blue shirts with the white collar and cuffs (unless you want to look like Gordon Gekko), but the brown shoe is here to stay.  It's versatile, timeless, and it makes getting dressed sooo easy. 

Pssst - If you really want to push the fashion envelope, then try wearing brown shoes with black as well.  Again, what color?  The lighter the better so we can see (and appreciate!) the juxtaposition. 

Do you wear brown shoes with navy and gray?  What's your go-to pair of shoes?  Let me know your favorites in the comment section below!

Scarf Ties That Work With a Large Bust

This is a question I get asked a lot.  A video is the best way to illustrate how to wear scarves if you have a larger bust.  

Remember to think about the fabric of your scarf so you don't add any extra bulk to the bust line.  You want to choose something that has a nice drape to it (it's either very fluid or a bit heavy so it doesn't add volume). 

This video also has a good demonstration of how to avoid being "too matchy, matchy" as the natural tendency is to match the scarf to the exact same color in our outfit. 

I shared more tips on how to avoid being too matchy, matchy in May 2016's newsletter.  Click here to read that fun issue. :)

What's your favorite way to wear a scarf?  Or do you reach for a different accessory?  I'd love to hear what you love to wear! 

Comfortable Flats

While heels are sexy and make your legs look nice and long, every woman should have a great pair of flats for when she needs to move far and fast.   

Here are some of my favorite (and stylish) brands I recommend for clients.

*  Attilio Giusti Leombruni, otherwise known as AGL - These are the Rolls Royce of flats.  If you want something to walk around in all day (on vacation, to and from work, running errands), then these are it! 

I've had at least one woman on each of my Paris trips in a pair of these and they love them (available at Nordstrom).  They are about $325/pair, but when your feet hurt, you can't focus on anything else.  

*  Corso Como - Yes, named for the famous street in Milan, these are padded so they're super comfortable and each pair has a little rhinestone placed in the middle of the sole of the shoe!  So chic!

*  Sam Edelman - Tons of styles available and at a great price point.

*  Me Too - This is the brand of my flats that I take on vacation.  They're padded and the styles are very basic (I stuck with a pointy toe and bought a size bigger, but a half-size bigger is probably all you need -- I have super flat feet! :).

*  Ivanka Trump - She has classic and some trendy flats available (the basic styles are usually available in wide, narrow and extended sizes). 

*  Anyi Lu - Another fabulous brand that so many of my clients swear by (especially those that have to stand on their feet all day!).  This brand is usually found at Nordstrom and can be expensive, but again, well worth the money.  She doesn't offer a lot of flats, but instead has a wide range of boots, heels, flats et cetera. 


Shoes say a lot about your sense of style, but just because you're not in heels, doesn't make you any less stylish than anyone else - it's the whole look that counts.  :)

**  Many people tell me they feel dumpy in flats.  My advice is to opt for a pointy toe (go up a half size if you feel your toes get squished) and look for something with a slight wedge - about a half-inch is all you need to give you a little elevation so you don't feel so "flat." 

Do you have a favorite brand for flats?  I love check out new brands and would love to hear what has worked for you!