Unless you’ve been on a year long retreat on an isolated island in the Indian Ocean, I’m sure that by now, if you’re a regular reader of blogs and take an interest in fashion, you’ll know that this year’s colour from Pantone isn’t just one colour.
Whereas last year’s colour – marsala – was rich and deep, for 2016, Pantone fairly zipped along to the other end of the colour spectrum and two pastel colours were chosen for this year: Rose Quartz and Serenity.
Now I know that not every blogger is necessarily jumping for joy with these two colours. Pastels can be tricky to wear for certain skin tones, me included. I can very easily wear Hot Pink next to my skin…
… and candy pinks also work well, especially if worn on the lower half of my body and paired with a stronger colour, such as in my French Artist Palette post.
However, really pale, baby pinks and blushes worn next to my face are too insipid and can wash me out. Fortunately, I can wear any shade of blue, so at least I’ve no problem with the other 2016 colour. Serenity makes me feel serene!
What if you want to stay on trend though? How can you still incorporate this year’s colours if
pastels are a tad too much on the girly side for you
and / or
they are the least flattering colours for you to wear?
Step forth footwear to the rescue!
By wearing them away from your face and in a smaller amount of colour, you can easily circumvent the problem. And it’s easy pairing these colours with so many shades in the colour spectrum.
I’m showcasing different styles in each colour, covering all options from the casual to the more glamourous, with the added bonus of them all being suitable for those of us blessed with petite feet! Let’s start our footwear shopping trip by looking at what’s currently available in Rose Quartz.
Casual
For the ballet flat lover, these feature a gun metal bow and are currently in the Office sale reduced from £35.00 to £25.00.
For petite feet they start at size 3.
Chloe Ballerina Butterfly Twists
If you prefer your casual to be more sporty looking, then these part textured trainers would look ideal with midi length, lightly pleated skirts and jeans or with shorts or wide legged linen trousers in the Summer.
For petite feet, these start at size 2 / 35.
Kurt Geiger Pink Flat Low Top Trainers
There’ll be those who’ll be saying now bring it on, Petite Silver Vixen. Let’s be having a full on, die hard, pink moment here.
Er… can you have a die hard, pink moment?
Anyway, Finery, an online womenswear brand, who I keep my eye on (I own one of their Summer Sandals from last year) and who have only being trading a year – Happy Birthday Finery – have really knocked it out of the ballpark with our next pair. We’re pink as pink can be, we’ve tassels, we’ve even got crocodile stack embossing, they’re patent leather, heck, they’re even made in Italy.
I mean here’s a statement shoe that’s just dripping in class and style.
For petite feet, they start at size 3 /36.
But if the tassel loafers are making you run to put your sunglasses on, then these brogues are a calmer, more low key alternative. They are a fun, yet muted mix of peach, pink and nude leathers in the classic brogue style. A masculine style shoe with a feminine twist.
Ideal for petite feet as they start at size 2 / 35 AND they come in half sizes. HURRAH!
Stylish
Now I do love a good wedge and these wedged courts from Dune, tick both the dressing up and dressing down box.
For petite feet, they start at size 3 /36.
Ghillie style shoes are still as popular as last season and if you’re dreaming of being pretty in pink like a modern day Mollie Ringwald, then these block heel ones are equally perfect for summer weddings, or weekend chic. New in at Kurt Geiger, priced £100, they have a decent heel without it towering, leather uppers and a comfortable round toe. I’m swooning already.
For petite feet, these start at size 3 / 36.
Glamorous
If the idea of wearing all pink, plus laces on your feet makes you feel like you’re 5 years old again in ballet class, wearing a tutu, then these Court shoes with a delicate ankle strap in black are guaranteed to make you feel grown up again. But they do come with a more grown up price; £180.
For petite feet, these start at size 2 / 35.
Before we all feel we’ve gorged on too much candy floss, let’s now take a look at what’s on offer with Serenity.
Casual
Pair these diamante trimmed pointy pumps with everything from skinny jeans to floaty dresses for an easy chic Spring/Summer look.
For petite feet, they start at size 3 / 36.
I’ve got my eye on these trainers from Topshop, although I’ll have to be quick as they are only left in sizes 2, 3 or 9! Let’s hope they are restocked. Perfect if all the snakeskin slip on’s are leaving you a little ‘been there, done that, got the pair’. And there’ll be little that these won’t work with for a Spring/Summer wardrobe.
These tassel loafers bring back school memories. I wore a pair in senior school waaaay back in the 80’s, reaffirming that most styles at some point go out of favour but then come back into favour! Like the brogues above, we’re borrowing design from the boys again. I love the light blue colour and the sleek look is suitable whether you wear them for work or play.
For petite feet, they start at size 3 / 36.
Ravel Brantford Tassel Loafers
Stylish
Summer might still be a few months away – I mean we’ve not even reached Spring yet – but sandals often get snapped up before the Spring tulips have popped their heads up! The quirky twist of the basket weave detail on the heel and toe strap, tickles my fancy and if I didn’t already own a pale blue block heel pair of sandals, I’d be seriously considering these.
For petite feet, they start at size 3 / 36.
Glamorous
Patent leather always adds a touch of glamour and these ankle strap sandals will be right up your street if you’re able to strut confidently in spindly heels. More power to you if you can. I would feel like an apprentice stilt walker in these!
For petite feet, they start at size 3 / 36.
Tempted by any of the above offerings?
I’m trying to decide if I can justify going all out girly and stretching the budget to the pink Ghillies! Who’d have thunk I’d be even considering baby pink shoes????? Shock horror!!!!!
Can someone take my temperature please?
No doubt over the coming weeks more choice will be filtering into the shops as the last of the sale and Winter stock is cleared away.
How will you be wearing Rose Quartz and Serenity this year?
Do you like these pastels colours, or are you finding them a style challenge to wear or even avoiding them altogether?
Linking with Confident Twosday / Turning Heads Tuesday / Bloggers Who’ve Inspired Me / JerseyGirlTexanHeart / Style Me Wednesday /
The rose quartz color is perfect for shoes and bags if it isn't a shade for you. I love the shoes you've featured!
Exactly, accessories is the way to go. I was quite surprised at how much there is available even this early in the season.
I think you're right, these colours can look fabulous in accessories. Provided they mix well with the colours that suit your own colouring better, of course. I have a very pale pink bag that seems to go with most things I have in my wardrobe. And serenity would probably look good paired with purple.
Oh yes, I love your pink bag. That was a great buy and very on trend. And I love the idea of serenity with purple.
Ahhh…leave it to you to "fix" our problems of making sure we wear the pantone colors!!! As a confirmed shoe girl, I must admit to loving them all. The true question is did you buy a pair? I actually have a pink pair of shoes from last year (who knew, I'd be ahead of the crowd) but I can't say there is a light blue pair in my closet. Hmmmm….may have to remedy that soon! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Not yet, Jodie! I'm sorely tempted by the Ghillies though.
This post just set so many shoe goals for me! I adore all of the pink in the footwear!
– Liz @ Downtown Demure
Ha, ha, you'll have to buy them all! I have too many shoes at the moment, but I'm still dreaming!
I am seriously, completely in love with the pink ghillie pumps…I kid you not. You, my friend, have just provided me with a new obsession!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
They are pretty cool, aren't they? I'm glad to be your enabler!!!
It is certainly a delicate shade.x
I've been an ardent fan of Rose Quartz for quite a bit now so thankfully, I have my arsenal of wearables on hand 🙂 Serenity, on the hand, is going to take me some getting used to. Fact, I never wore Blue until I was around 30. Fact, I bought my first pair of jeans when I was almost 40. Fact, I don't quite like blue BUT I have every intention of getting to know it better this year 🙂 thank you for showing all those options, my friend, and you're right. We can all wear every single colour, just perhaps in varying doses and locations around the body xoxo
I love that phrase – 'arsenal of wearables'! That's interesting; I'm the opposite of you. I adore blue, it's my favourite colour. Took me years to wear pink comfortably and then only the hot/jewel shades before I moved to the paler ones. It's great we're both exploring these colours – me pink and you, blue!
I love all your shoe picks..that first pair in rose quartz are gorgeous. I am not a huge fan of pastels…I go more for the vibrant colors..but I do like them if I find just the perfect outfit. You look lovely in these styles!!
Valerie
Fashion and travel
mapleleopard.com
I'm the same; I tend to go for the bolder, more jewel like colours but it's good to mix it up, isn't it from time to time.
I feel similar about wearing blush close to my face. I do love it though. Great suggestion about footwear. I WANT that first pair of shoes at the top of the post!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
They are gorgeous aren't they? Blush is tricky for so many skin tones but feet is a neat way around the problem.
Very nice colors on you, I am a fan of both. I do love the shoes you chose, the lace up ballerina ones in pink oooh lala, I would wear them if they had a smaller heel.
thanks for linking up to turning heads tues!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Those lace ones really are a hit with folk!
I was really disappointed with this year's choice of colours. I like more rich and bright shades and not something as pale as these two. Besides, same story as yours with me and rose quartz – absolutely doesn't suit me. But wearing shoes in these colours may work. Thank you for the post, very useful!
I'm exactly the same Olga, I too prefer the richer shades but glad the idea of footwork is useful.