I seem to have inadvertently slipped into a polka dot theme today. I would apologise, but let’s face it, it’s not exactly a new development for me, is it?
Anyway, these shoes were just too cute not to show you, so here they are. They’re from Next, they’re £38, and they’re now on my wish list for summer, because I absolutely love the polka dot scarf tie and heel. Would I be able to do without the raffia platform? Probably, yes: they make them very much “summer only” shoes in the type of climate we have here, and really, I’d want to wear these all year round.
Still, at least they’re not too expensive, and I could see myself wearing them a lot during Spring/Summer, so they get the thumbs up from me. If they get the thumbs-up from you too, you can click here to buy them.
I happened to be in my local branch of Next last weekend, and the bright red colour of these shoes drew me to them like… well, like a Shoeperwoman to a pair of red shoes, basically. (I feel I should note that they also come in black, but who cares about black pumps when there’s bright red patent to be looked at?)
One of the best things about Next’s footwear is the price: these are only £32, which is one of the cheapest price points you’ll find on the high street, especially considering how much use you could get out of a shoe like this. And by “you”, I mean “me”, obviously.
Other than the eye-catching colour, the other stand-out feature is the little three-layered bow on the toe, which adds a cute touch to an old classic. Click here to buy them from Next.
Yesterday’s post about those tan wedge loafers prompted me to take a closer look at Next, which, I must confess, is a store I tend to neglect, despite being consistently impressed by their shoe collections. I’m glad I did, too, because shortly after arriving on their website, I discovered these fabulous teal platform boots.
Aren’t these gorgeous? The colour would be great on its own, but I also really like the shape, which is practical but stylish, and which looks to me like it would stand up to a lot of use: always an essential for a winter boot.
My one concern about these is the leg width. Judging by the photo on the website, they’re wide enough to be worn with jeans tucked into them, and that can lead to a “wellies” look if you’re trying to wear them with tights. Still, I think they’d be worth investigating anyway, so I may just have to pop into the store, next time I’m out shopping.
Using a ribbon or scarf rather than boring old shoe laces is a really simple way to add interest to a shoe (And an easy DIY, too, if you have a pair of lace-ups you want to breathe new life into), and will turn even the simplest of shoes into something a whole lot prettier. These Next court shoes probably wouldn’t have merited a second glance without the wide ribbon tie, but with it they’re instantly more attractive to me, and have me wanting to try the same thing with some of my own shoes.
If you just want to buy these ones, meanwhile, you can click here to do it: they’re £40 at Next.
In honour of Shoesday, today I’m wearing my polka dot pumps from Next. (These are still in stock: you can buy them here.)
These shoes have actually been a bit of a pain. My shoe size can be anything from a UK 3 to 5, but I’ve long suspected that my true size is a 4.5: which is unlucky for me, because very few shoe brands here in the UK seem to stock shoes in half sizes.
Next do, though, so when I saw that these were available in a 4.5, that was the size I bought. And they were too big. Only a little, though, and, working on the assumption that some shoes which seem to fit when you first put them on can start to pinch after a few hours’ wear, I decided to keep them.
This was a mistake. A few weeks went by. I passed the point where Next would’ve allowed me to return the shoes, and all I’d ever done was put them on and walk up and down the hallway in them, trying to convince myself they weren’t half a size too big. But the heels kept on slipping, and although I might’ve been been able to get away with it (it’s not like I walk long distances in heels, anyway), they just didn’t feel secure on my feet.
So I added some insoles. Problem solved!
Except no, it wasn’t. I still just kept putting them on and walking up and down the hall in them. I didn’t actually wear them anywhere, because I could tell that if I did, I wouldn’t be comfortable. And all the time, a little voice was whispering, “Should’ve bought the 4. Should’ve bought the 4. You’re an idiot. Should’ve bought the 4…”
Finally, I cracked. I bought the size 4. I sold the 4.5. And since I’ve had the right size, I’ve been wearing them almost non-stop.
Which shoes are you wearing today?
(P.S. If you’re posting links in the comments, please could you make sure you link back from your post? Thanks!)
I’ve said before that kitten heels aren’t my favourite style of shoe, and I don’t think they ever will be: I’m one of those people who likes her shoes to be either very high, or totally flat, with nothing in between. The style has been going through a resurgence in popularity recently, however, and if you’re a fan of the kitten heel, Next has one of he best selections on the high street right now, with all of the shoes shown above retailing for £25. I do love the uppers they’ve used on these, particularly the striped ones, and, of course, the red and blue bow-front styles. There are a few other colours available too, so if you want to take a longer look, click here.
I had planned to make the next Shoe Challenge a little easier on myself. “I’ll get rid of a few pairs of shoes before it starts,” I told myself. “Then I’ll just make sure I don’t buy any new pairs until it’s over.”
Then the very next day, I walked into River Island and was confronted by these babies:
I’m really loving Next’s work in the shoe department right now: first we had those adorable polka dot pumps, and now these classic toe-cap pumps, which have cute brogue detailing on the trim, and a little bow on the toe: perfect. (There’s also the small matter of a lovely pair of nude pumps that I may or may not have to buy soon, given that they’re only £25. But let’s not talk about that.)
Black and white has been one of my favourite colour combos for a while now, and that works out well for me, seeing as it’s such a firm favourite of shoe designers, too. These will add a classic twist to jeans or pants, or go all-out with a string of pearls and a beehive for instant ladylike glam!
