Fashion Trends

Say sayonara to your clunky, boxy shoes, ladies. At least for a little while. Pointy toed shoes are a definite do for spring and summer and I’m here to tell you how to wear them well. In addition to some styling tips, I’ll also give you a brief 411 on choosing a shoe that fits as it should.

Throughout the story, you’ll also see pictures from NYC’s very own Boutique on 57, a store that provides high fashion must-owns that won’t send you into a panic attack after buying them. In other words — they’re affordable. Boutique on 57, which happens to be across the street from Bergdorf Goodman, truly embodies the sophisticated New York shopping experience. Shop ’til you drop for designer label business suits, casual attire, cocktail dresses, red carpet gowns, handbags, shoes, and jewelry at up to 75% off retail.

Kasia Bosne

Boutique on 57

Styling Your Pointy Shoes

Fact #1: Pointy shoes actually elongate your leg, making you look longer, leaner and taller. And if they’re nude and pointy? Even longer! Your legs will look like they go on for days.

Fact #2: Pointy toed shoes can be worn with anything. Anything. Skinny jeans, cigarette pants, trousers, leggings, bodycon dresses, maxi skirts, cropped pants, midi skirts, summer dresses, shorts. Seriously — anything!

I recommend owning a pair of high quality (read: invest), pointy toed shoes in nude, red, black and white. There’s not an outfit in your closet that won’t go with one of those colors. From there, branch out into funkier colors or prints. Trendier shoes don’t have to be as high quality since you won’t wear them for as long, but they do need to fit well and be comfortable (read below for tips on that).

As for heel height, right now the pointy-toed pump is actually your trendiest option. That’s not to say it’ll ever really go out of style, though — it’s just what everyone’s wearing this season. I find pumps are your most versatile option in terms of styling, as they work in a variety of settings (office, casual meetings, dinners, etc.).

Pointy-toed kitten heels are another option. Though I find that kitten heels aren’t as flattering as pumps, they’re an ideal option for someone who wants a wee bit of extra height without worrying about falling.

Pointy toed stilettos are less easy to style, simply because they have a sort of sexy appeal to them. If you’re going for a business professional, casual or serious vibe, opt for the pump or kitten. If you’re heading out for a night of cocktails, rock those stilettos.

Oh, and I can’t forget flats. Pointy toed flats aren’t extremely common, but they do exist. I recommend them with jeans or a breezy summer dress. Basically, wear them anytime you want to go for an ultra casual or carefree vibe.

Comfort Is Important

You want to know what isn’t sexy? A woman hobbling around in ill-fitting shoes.

You never want to wear shoes that are too tight, nor do you want to wear shoes that are too loose. Heels that are too loose can lead to twisted ankles and even tripping if your foot accidentally slips out.

Shoes that are too tight are a more common problem with pointy toed shoes. That’s because the toes jut inwards quickly, leaving less room for your toes. For pointy toed shoes, you may need to go up a 1/2 size (this also allows for extra room when your feet swell during PMS, air travel, etc.).

A properly fitting, pointy toed heel should allow your toes enough room to wiggle around slightly. They should never be so cramped that you can’t move them at all. Additionally, your arch should be completely supported. Higher quality shoes typically come with some sort of padding that eventually molds to the interior of your foot, so look for that padding when buying. Mid-End brands I recommend include Ivanka Trump, Jessica Simpson, Steve Madden, Nine West and Cole Haan. Almost all of the luxury brands you’re familiar with (Jimmy Choo, Badgley Mischka, Prada, Gucci, Manolo Blahnik, Alexander McQueen, etc.) will also have that necessary padding. For example, the shoes pictured here, found at Boutique on 57, are all winners.

Ralph Lauren Heels

YSL Pumps

Manolo Blahnik Suede Pumps

Brian Atwood Booties

Blue Girl Leopard Print Heels

D-Squared open toes heels

Tip: Buying in stores is always a better choice. This gives you an opportunity to walk around in the shoes and see how they feel on your feet. When buying online, read the return policy very thoroughly and never buy unless you can return the shoes for a full refund or exchange them for a different size.

I’ll leave you with the following advice: Always have a pair of rollaway flats in your bag. Wear the flats when you’re running to catch the train or walking long distances and switch into your heels later.

By Wendy Rose Gould

If there’s one thing I noticed about the season 6 premiere of AMC’s Mad Men, it had to be the abundance of facial hair. Particularly, the variety of rumpled beards and ultra long sideburns, even on otherwise clean-cut characters such as Pete Campbell.

But I digress. I’m not here to talk about the abounding “manscapes” that are sure to become even more prevalent as the season progresses; I’m hear to discuss the clothes and accessories of the first episode. Naturally.

I will say that the slow migration toward the ’70s was ultra apparent in this season’s premiere, and not just because of the scruff and all those “dope” and “reefer” references.

Don and Megan’s Resort Wear

I’ll start at the beginning (though I will skip the weird CPR flashback…). We find Don and Megan lounging it up along the tropical beaches of Hawaii and both look fab in their resort wear digs. For the most part, Don adheres to his sort of stringent, stiff apparel, but we do catch him in a pair of seashell-laden red swim shorts. We also see him stray from his standard suit to wear a pale, avocado green number at the impromptu wedding he becomes a key player in.

It’s Megan’s fashion choices that made me swoon though. I’m just going to say it: the best look of the entire episode was worn by Megan on the beach as she snapped a picture of Don at the wedding. The bold purple and orange breezy number, her floppy lavender sunhat, carefree hair and those round, oversized sunglasses came together perfectly. And I may or may not be buying a pair of those sunglasses in the near future. I need them, okay?

Picture Perfect Joan

If I’m going in order of the show, the next outfit to highlight is the form-fitting, frilly purple frock worn by fiery-haired Joan. (Note – ruffles are so hot for SS2013.)

Though we only saw a few minutes of our favorite voluptuous character in this episode, Joan definitely made a statement while standing on the staircase waiting to have her photo taken. Even Roger, who’s forever dapper, muttered something about not wanting to follow “that act.”

Funeral Duds

This whole episode was rife with underlying, mysterious messages and nods toward death. Roger’s mother’s funeral was a more blatant moment in the recurring motif. And while somewhat dark, I couldn’t help but fall in love with another outfit, my second favorite of the episode: Jane’s black and white ensemble.

Roger’s second ex-wife made a brief appearance and, my heavens, she looked divine. Her raven hair was swept up tightly and hiding underneath a tall, off-center hat. The kind of hat that belongs on the cover of haute couture magazines. It was paired with the perfectly applied makeup, oversized pearl earrings and non-form fitting, funeral-appropriate sheath.

In my opinion, Jane has sort of always fulfilled the “on the cutting edge of fashion” role in this show. This particular outfit only furthers my point.

I must admit that I’m excited to see where this late ’60s fashion goes this season. I have a feeling that, in addition to the dapper apparel worn by the Mad Men, we’ll be seeing more of the gritty and gruff sides of fashion that the era was known for, as well. Can’t wait!

By Wendy Rose Gould

Fashion is clearly the highlight of any runway show, but never forget about the thoughtful hair and makeup that completes the designer’s full concept. Below are four fall 2013 NYFW beauty trends that you can wear tomorrow.

Let us know what your favorite (and least favorite) beauty/hair/fashion trends were in the comment section below.

Dramatic Indigo Eyes

Christine over at the Hair Romance blog shared a series of her favorite fall 2013 NYFW beauty trends, and among them were Jason Wu’s dramatic, bluish-purple eyes. The look was done by makeup artist Diane Kendal, who used a lilac on the center of the eyelid for a little bit of dimension. Kendal also applied a smudgy line of color underneath the eyes and up toward the brow for a futuristic, winged effect.

Berry Pouts

While a deep, red oxblood hue adorned the lips of models on last year’s fall runways, this year it was all about berries. For example, Rachel Zoe and Derek Lam showcased berry-stained lips, as did Vera Wang. Check out the tutorial by The Platform on Youtube that shows you how to create a sleek and simple makeup look with berry lips.

Velvety Skin

ChickAdvisor‘s Alexandra was particularly fond of the velvety, au naturel skin worn by Fall 2013 NYFW models. Highlighting and contouring was kept to a minimum, she writes, as was blush. The key to achieving a velvety finish is to apply a primer before a tinted moisturizer or BB cream and then blend, blend, blend. Only apply heavy foundation or concealer where you truly need it and allow the rest of your skin to breath.

Art Deco Nails

Sahra Schukraft at Feminspire gushed over the Fall 2013 NYFW nails. “At NYFW it’s all about creating something unique, something that’s your own,” she said. For example, DKNY and The Blonde’s adorned their models’ hands with spikes, chains and an assortment of bells and whistles. Also spotted were dark, earthy browns and murky greens very reminiscent of scenic woodlands.

By Wendy Rose Gould

As you shop for spring apparel this year, make sure you buy plenty of white. And while you’re at it, pair that white with an extra side of white.

You read that correctly. White is the hottest (or should I say coolest?) color of the season and it’s taken stage front and center. Eggshell, cream, bone, stone and optical whites as tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes and accessories are all spring 2013 do’s.

Gone is the traditional school of thought that says white is a color exclusively appropriate for high summer through Labor Day. In fact, fashion gurus and stylists urge you throw on your prettiest white garments and accessories as early as yesterday, so don’t concern yourself with all those outdated style mores.

Below are a few ways to style white for the spring 2013 season.

Layered Whites

The whole white on white layered white look is probably the easiest and trendiest way to style your whites this season. You can also layer the same shade of white to achieve a sort of airy effervescence.

White and Nude

This spring, get creative with beiges and nudes mixed with your prettiest whites.  Gold or bronze jewelry looks particularly striking with this color duo and the same is true for golden and bronzy makeup. When mixed together, these colors take on a sort of modern earthy goddess vibe.

White and Bold Color

Neons are also a trendy do for SS2013, so consider employing both trends with one fell swoop in a white and neon ensemble. Neons are already bright, but they’ll pop even more against a pure white background.

Black and White

Black is yet another trendy color for the season and it looks particularly dramatic when paired with its opposite, white. You’ll find dozens of garments that already mix the two colors (lots of black/white chevrons and stripes, for example), but feel free to mix your own separates.

Lafayette 148 New York
Printed Faith Dress

Reed Krakoff
Atlantique Mini Tote Bag

Vince Camuto
Sleeveless Colorblocked
Halter-Neck Maxi Dress

By Wendy Rose Gould