Hooks the Look

Metallic Shoes: Accessory To Style

Last week I announced that the theme for the link up post on the 3rd Saturday of the month would be switching from Color My World to Accessory To Style. Recently, I’d found myself struggling with the theme of color combinations so I’d brainstormed to come up with other ideas. One of the ideas that really hit a cord for me was accessories. I thought to call the theme “accessory after the fact” or “accessory to a crime” (as in a fashion crime, LOL) but those seemed a little bit negative.

In this “first out of the box” post on the theme of Accessory To Style, I’ve chosen to share a pair of metallic pumps.  These beauties are a recent addition to my wardrobe. Perhaps by definition footwear is not truly an accessory, they are a necessity in an outfit, but it’s my blog and I have final editorial authority. If I hadn’t been so keen on changing the theme of this week’s post, I might have titled it “Pewter And Gold: Color My World“.   But, I’d already been committed to the change and what you see is what you get. Fine, whatever.

Now for some background on how I got to this Accessory To Style look. First, the shoes. You may remember reading about the blogger meet-up I attended back at the end of June (if not, here’s the link to Catch Up And Meet Up). One of the activities for that weekend had been a brunch hosted by Kande Hall, the founder and top dog designer at French Kande. Besides the unique and fabulous jewelry her company makes, I found myself admiring the chic styling of her headquarters as well as the outfit she wore that day.

Kande’s outfit was nothing “over the top”, just a simple white tee and a pair of slim fitting jeans. The white tee was the perfect undistracting backdrop for the necklaces she wore and I recall that hem of her jeans was slightly above her ankle. What I don’t clearly remember is whether the hem had a raw edge or had been rolled. However, what I do clearly remember is the shoes she wore. They added such an elegance and stylish edge to her look and created a balance against the decorative details of her necklaces. Hence, the inspiration to perhaps seek out the same or similar shoes.

I’m fairly sure that Kande was wearing the Gucci pair you see on the left of the top row above. At the time, I was quite certain that they would be out of my price range (which I’d been able to confirm during a browse through at Nordstrom a week or so later). And while fond of the style and look, what I wasn’t certain of was whether a pair of metallic shoes would fit in with the rest of my wardrobe.

Jumping to several weeks later, I found myself face-to-face with a pair of rosegold metallic loafers while shopping one day (seen in Floral Jumpsuit: Up Down All-Around). I quickly decided to snap them up and my fear of metallic shoes was conquered. Shortly after that episode, I was browsing through a big name department store and stopped short when I spied the gold shoes you see me sporting in this post. The style was very similar to the Gucci pair (as best as I could remember at the time) but I wasn’t sure about the gold as I tend to prefer silver toned accessories. At my inquiry about the shoe’s availability in other colors, I was told they only came in gold and black.

Still unsure, I tried them on anyway and they fit perfectly so after a few minutes of additional “yes/no” waffling, I decided to buy them. My reasoning being that they would be out of the norm for me (not necessarily a bad thing) and mixing metals looks modern. Besides, it’s never my intention to copy an inspiring look exactly. I strive to identify the elements of the outfit that resonate with me and work them into a look that is then uniquely mine.

There’s a second inspiring influence in this outfit. Sleeveless sweaters like the one I’m wearing were big last year (and that’s when I bought it).  While in NYC last Fall, I saw a mannequin in a window display in an outfit that consisted of a sweater like mine worn over a white long-sleeve shirt paired with jeans. At the time, I didn’t have a suitable shirt with which I could recreate the look.  However, I do now, thanks to a recent thrifted find.

Initially, when I set about putting together an outfit for my gold metallic shoes, I was going to just go with jeans and a white shirt, much like Kande had done in her look. But as inspiration can strike at any time, I’d been reading through another blogger’s post who’d shown a summer/fall transition outfit that included a sleeveless sweater (don’t remember who though). That post triggered my memory from NYC so I combined the two inspirations and that’s the rest of the story behind my first Accessory To Style outfit.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link up for this week. My featured contributor from last week’s link up is Amanda from the blog Midwestern Casual Chic. I selected her post because not only is she rockin’ a fabulous kimono (cuz who among us doesn’t love the ease of a kimono) but last week was the first time Amanda had posted in this weekly link up. The tagline for Amanda’s blog is “Fashion and Beauty for Trendy 40-Something Ladies” (hey, we all fit that category, right?).  She has a great sense of style so do pop over to Amanda’s blog and take look at what she’s all about.

From where do you draw your fashion inspirations? What looks have you found that have caused you to leave your comfort zone? Does the name of this theme, Accessory To Style, sound like a who-done-it story you’d like to read?

One more piece of business before I sign off.   As I mentioned in last week’s post, the themes for the link ups on the 3rd and 4th Saturdays of the month were changing. You’ve now got the scoop on this week’s theme.  The plan for the new theme for the 4th Saturday of the month was to be “thrifted”.  I’ve decided to expand on that focus and the theme will be called Reclaim-Recycle-Reuse. Whether it’s a dusted off treasure from years past, or it’s an item that was bought from a thrift store, or perhaps a well-worn favorite that’s been given new life, it’s covered under this theme.

Let’s connect! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, love, pin … all options are available and waiting for you. I look forward to hearing from you. And don’t forget to add a post or two to the link up.

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30 Comments

    • Rena Post Author

      Jodie, another example of great minds thinking alike. I hope that you’ll showing your silver booties on your blog soon.

  2. Marilee Gramith

    I love your tweedy vest as much as I love the metallic shoes! You really brought out the fall vibe here Rena! This outfit seems to go in a casual direction but i also see it as work look if combined with a pant rather than jeans. I like it a lot.
    I just pucrcased a pair of metallic brogues in some on line shopping!

    • Rena Post Author

      Jude, I could also see dressing up the sweater for work and I plan to do just that (when the weather cools off, though). Aren’t metallic shoes just so much fun?!

  3. Lisa Cobb

    Really cute shoes. Love the whole outfit!

  4. Laurie

    Accessories are such an important part of creating an outfit. If you take away your accessories Rena it’s a casual ok outfit. Add your accessories and it’s gone from 50 to a 100
    I love any form of metallics to enhance an outfit. xx

    • Rena Post Author

      Laurie, I’m glad to have you with me on metallic bandwagon.

  5. shelbeeontheedge1

    Once again, Rena, you have proved how similar our sartorial tastes are! I have had my eye on shoes like these for so long! It is just a matter of finding the right fit for me at this point. I absolutely love them and the way you have styled them is perfect! You look fabulous as always! And if I ever do get my hands on a pair (or my feet in a pair), I will let you know…perhaps we will collaborate again!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Rena Post Author

      Shelbee, thank you for the lovely compliments and it would be fantastic if we collaborated again.

  6. Andrea@WellnessNotes

    I love, love, love your shoes! Such a great way to add a little sparkle to a basic outfit! And I love how you got the inspiration!

    Thanks for the link up & I hope you are having a great weekend!

    • Rena Post Author

      Thank you for the shoe love, Andrea, and I’m glad that you enjoyed the backstory.

  9. Jennie

    Goodness, everything about this look is speaking to me! You are definitely making me want to add more metallic shoes and sleeveless sweaters to my wardrobe.

    • Rena Post Author

      Jennie, I consider it an honor that I’ve inspired you. I certainly look forward to seeing how you will style metallic shoes and sleeveless sweaters.

  10. midwesterncasualchic

    Thanks so much for the love! I just recently purchased a sleeveless sweater like yours as well, looking forward to styling it now!

    • Rena Post Author

      You’re most welcome, Amanda. At first I thought that sleeveless sweaters were a crazy idea but I’m hooked now. I hope that you’ll be showing off your new one on your blog soon.

  11. Haralee

    I just am not a fan of metallic shoes or handbags. It looks good on you but…. A good friend of mine has a dislike for patent leather, which I adore. Something for everyone!

    • Rena Post Author

      Haralee, I appreciate your perspective and as they say, to each their own. I may not like a style for myself but I can still think that it looks fabulous on another.

  13. Suzy Turner

    I’m madly in LOVE with those shoes, Rena! They’re absolutely gorgeous and I imagine they’d look good with just about everything. Gorgeous! 🙂
    Suzy xx
    Suzy Turner at Yogadocious

  17. thestylesplash

    I love those shoes! Metallic accessories are great because they go with everything. I’m a little bit obsessed with Gucci loafers right now, especially the ones with pearls on the heels. Alas, I have champagne taste but a lemonade budget, but there is hope – Mango have some fab lookalikes for a fraction of the Gucci price tag…happy days 🙂 Thanks for linking up!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

  18. Sheree

    I love the metallic shoes trend! Pairing the heels with a similar necklace was a brilliant idea, because they really bring the whole outfit together. This look is casual yet chic, and I’m so excited to see all the fall fashion to come from you this season!
    Thank you for linking up this week!

    ~xo Sheree
    PoshClassyMom.com

  19. Melissa

    Those metallic pumps are adorable!! I love them. I think vest sweaters are here to stay, they can spice up any fall look.

    xo
    Mel