Lots of smaller footed folks have asked for masculine shoe recommendations in the non-sneaker shoes arena that won’t break the bank. I’ve picked up a few more ideas since my last post in May. 

My biggest recommendation is to do the thrifty thrift! Men’s feet used to be smaller, so there are some gorgeous vintage finds out there for next to nothing. Blake got these bad boys for $4. Bobby from Boston had an incredible selection of smaller men’s shoes that ranged from 30 - 60$. If you make visiting your neighborhood thrift store a regular activity, something fantastic will pop up.

Onward! I chose pretty spring colors, because I can:

Bass Women’s Ely Shoes 

I’ve had these Bass bucks from Bass for 2 years now, and they are still one of my favorites and one of my most vesatile pairs of shoes. They fill an in-between space from casual to fancy. They come in several colors and contrast soles. Retail is $69, but you can usually snag them on sale or on Ebay for $40 or so. (See me wearing mine here!)

Loafers are never a bad addition to your wardrobe. Equally at home at the office or with some shorts on a summer stroll. Women’s Hayden Loafer, $85 at Sperry Top-sider.

Every fashionisto needs at least one pair of fashion boots! Clarks Women’s Desert Boots, $94.95 at Infinity Shoes

I always dislike how boy’s shoes have a rounder toe and chunkier heels than men’s. As if they still need help walking past toddler-hood. However, J.Crew has some of the less obnoxiously shaped boys’ shoes in the most fabulous of colors! These are the Kids’ Suede Bucks with Contrast Sole, $98. They’ve also got pretty nice wingtips for $118, though I’m less convinced of the chunky design in the dressier shoe.

These are so pretty! Can’t speak to their quality. But… WANT! Halogen® ’Lindy’ Oxford, $99.95 at Nordstrom

Cole Haan has some fabulous choices this season. I tried a pair of their Skylar Oxfords and found them very comfortable! They would make for a great dress shoe. The leather sole feels like it would last for ever. The black ones are currently on sale for $179.95. They also have the Alissa Oxford (pictured above) — the same thing with a rubber sole a different kind of leather (nubuck) in brighter colors. Those are now running as low as $88 on Amazon.

In other news I crossed these Steve Madden oxfords off the list when I tried them on IRL. They feel like a flimsy piece of felt glued together by a child. There’s women’s clothing for ya. 

Am I missing anything? Add it in the comments!

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I really love it when people put green and blue together. It’s so unexpected and a pretty combo. Also love her glasses. I highly recommend this outfit to anyone too tired to show up to class on monday morning. Picks ya right up.

Anonymous asked: I’ve been wanting to incorporate blazers into my wardrobe, but I’m just not sure how to and I want to be able to on an everyday setting. Any tips? Thanks :)

I mean, we can always reread the article I wrote for Diva about blazers. They can pretty much go with anything; all kinds of T-shirts, polos, dresses, hoodies, blouses, jeans. Here is some blazered outfit inspiration:

(source: global-couture.tumblr.com)

(source: labelleza.ru)

(source: closeupandprivate.com)

(source: guerreisms.com)

(source: blackfashion.tumblr.com)

(source: iamgalla.com)

(source: carolinesmode.com)

It can be really fun to put them over printed Tees like this and step up the outfit. (source: aliexpress.com)

Drooling over ties is something that I do about 80% of the time. (And the other 20% goes to shoes.)

I mostly shop for ties at department stores like Loehmanns, Macy’s, Marshalls; all those big discount places. They usually have fancy ones on sale. I’ve gotten some gorgeous finds for just $10. I also recommend checking out Ebay. Put This On has does these great posts called “eBay Roundups” where they tell you the best eBay finds, including ties. It’s kind of magical.

When it comes to tiespiration, these are the ones I’ve been all over lately:

Mosaic Menswear

Nep Wool Tie, by Gant Rugger, available at Gant

Blue Floral Printed Tie, available at Pocket Square Clothing

Charvet Knit Silk Tie, Yellow, available at Neiman Marcus


J. Crew Gingham Check Cotton Tie, available at J. Crew


Alexander Olch, The Winters Plaid Wool Tie


Ties by Steven Alan (Source: thinkcontra)

Gitman Vintage Donegal Tie, available at Barneys
Roxburgh Tie, available at Pierrepont Hicks

Thin-Stripe Silk Tie, available at J. Crew

Bradley Tie, available at Club Monaco

Alexander Olch, The Walter Plaid Wool Tie

I’m starting to evolve my style past dapper prep to dapper preppy boy who likes baseball. As evidenced by a Club Monaco wool hat, socks with shorts, and primary american-esque colors. obvi. 

Cap: Club Monaco Tyson Wool Baseball Cap (mens)
Polo: Tommy Hilfiger Boys
Sweater: H&M (mens)
Shorts: Gant Rugger
Socks: Urban Outfitters* BEFORE I KNEW IT WAS BAD!
Shoes: Bass ”Ely Gobi Suede”

Anonymous asked: My friends and family always make fun of me for matching colors. It is true i do tend to match color alot to the point where i even color co-ordinate my underwear lol. But i don’t know how to clash colors successfully :/ How can i pick items that go together without having to worry about how the colors match?

A.D. says: 
Have you ever seen color swatches? Or “palettes?” If you haven’t, they’re collections of colors across the spectrum that go well together. With clothes, palettes get even more interesting because there are layers and textures. The deal is finding palettes that you like; these can range from 2 colors (pink and blue) or many (like dark blue, light blue, coral, forest green, light green, mustard, etc.). The important thing with color and clothing is remembering the visual statement that a given outfit gives. Your outfit shouldn’t say, “I know my colors and I can match!” Your outfit should be a reflection of you. It should convey your unique sense of self. Pick items that reflect you and work well together. Start with the “palette” and see where it takes you!

Sonia says:

Check out the website Color Scheme Designer. It automatically creates color palettes.  You can play around with it and get ideas for color schemes. Then just observe outfits you like and take note of the colors, shades, and materials. And think about why it works. Also, don’t be afraid to take risks!

This outfit makes use of the complimentary colors blue and orange. (source: onemanstyle.com)

This outfit uses colors that are close together — blue and green — and then adds a dash of yellow as a highlight color. (source: 22g.tumblr.com)

Model Katherine Roll makes use of the primary colors in this bright and bold ensemble. Sometimes all you need to carry out bold colors is a smile to show that you love what you’re wearing. (Source: modelmayhem.com)

Related posts: Green Light: Mixing Black and Brown

Anonymous asked: Hi! I’m pretty short (4’11”) and want to find straight slim/fitted but not skinny pants for the fall. My height eliminates the possibility of shopping from men’s (unless I just haven’t looked hard enough) and all the womens’/petites’ pants are either boot cut or skinny. Is there any possibility of me finding pants with the fit I want? Thanks in advance for any advice you can give!

A.D. says: You’re in luck. Go to J.Crew or Banana Republic. Both have slim straight pants in womens that are awesome. If that doesn’t work, have you tried the boys’ section? I hate to suggest such a thing, but pants for them could work for you.

Bennet Chino, available at J. Crew for $79.50

Broken-in straight cords, available at Banana Republic for $49.95

Corduroy Pants, available at H&M Boys for $24.95

Sonia says:

Very similar to the ones at Banana Republic, Gap has some Broken-in straight khakis that are in a boy fit. I fucking love them. I just bought 3 pairs.

Broken-in straight khakis, available at Gap for $41.99 (Prices vary depending on color) 25% off through 9/9

Also, tailoring is always an option for men’s pants that are too long, or women’s pants that you want less tapered. Check out Blake’s pants tailoring tips. She wrote them about plus sizes in particular, but the same rule would apply to anyone.

Related posts: “Anonymous asked, I’m 5’5”, but all my height is in my torso…”

Since we’re on the subject…

Berg & Berg Argyle Socks, available at Vetted for $25

Royalties Tartan Socks, available at ASOS for $24.86

Stripe Calf-High Sock, available at American Apparel for $8.00

Plantlife socks, available at Huf for $12

Woolen Socks (red stripe) available at J shoppe for $10

Sole Warming Socks in Peach, available at ModCloth for $11.99

Selected Tommy Striped Socks, available at ASOS for $8.29

Gant Chunky Stripe Socks, on sale at ASOS for $20.71

Nectarine Orange Tiago Fine Cotton Socks, available on sale at My Wardrobe for $11.01

Camp socks, on sale at J. Crew for $6.99

Related posts: Ask Men’s Sock Rules: Are They Right?

Anonymous asked: Hullo! Just bought a pair of aqua skinny jeans and am still slightly afraid of them, having not much experience with boldly colored pants. I'd really appreciate some advice on how to rock these pants, if you please! :]

They sound awesome! I don’t really think you can go wrong with them, so just do you. 

Sources: hellofashionblog.com, www.jackwills.com