How do you put an outfit together?
Do you take a key piece like a well tailored jacket and then build the outfit around it?
Or maybe you start with a particularly striking colour combination or unusual print?
Or perhaps it starts with a knock out accessory?
Sometimes though, it starts with the shoes. But not just any pair of shoes. No, no, no.
A smokin’ pair of snakeskin print, block heeled, 3 strap pair of shoes.
You see, not all shoes need to be towering, spindly creations
to be fierce enough to be the starting point for an outfit.
These babies were a recent purchase because… you know… I need another pair of shoes like the Sahara needs more sand.
‘Why, oh why?’ said small voice of reason.
‘Because I could smell their fierceness as soon as I walked into the shop. It lured me in and I was helpless to resist, just as the smell of warm bread wafting through the door of a bakery pulls you in to buy croissants and crusty loaves.’ I said.
‘Well, fair enough.’ said small voice of reason. ‘Can’t argue with that.’
These babies were champing at the bit to strut around town and what better way to debut them, than a night out on the town. So the shoes became my starting point for a fierce yet feminine outfit for a date night with Tall Brown Fox. I was building the look from the bottom upwards with rock solid foundations.
You can be feminine without going down the obvious route.
There can be many different ways of expressing sartorial femininity, without having to put on a dress and sky scrapper heels, especially for a night out. Or even being more obvious and showing excess skin or cleavage. Now don’t for a minute think that I’m against dresses, I’m not. I don’t wear enough of my dresses! Nor am I against showing skin or cleavage; I’m quite comfortable with both. I just don’t always need to put on a dress with ridiculously high heels to feel feminine.
What I’m interested in, is dressing to feel confident as well as comfortable. That in turn makes me feel feminine and that will sometimes involve dresses and / or heels. I don’t have much truck these days – in fact I never did, if truth be told – with sky scrapper heels! Despite being short in stature, I have no desire to knacker my feet, thanks very much! Plus, I have more than enough chutzpah to make up for my lack of inches.
Which is why I love these shoes, where the snakeskin print is carried onto the uber comfortable to walk in block heel. They’re feminine but with an edge; a great choice for when sandals don’t work with London Summer weather conditions.
Their dainty straps and their ‘don’t mess with me’ pointy toes
quietly ooze sexiness, without having to shout about it.
So what to wear with my new fierce shoes?
– Simple black bistro pants. The shorter length is ideal for showcasing eye catching shoes, with the snakeskin really standing out against the black.
– An abstract print blouse in pastel Summer colours of coral and green.
– A sheer lace bomber jacket. The sheerness adds a subtle sexiness to the design of the bomber.
Straight legged, ankle skimming bistro pants are a great staple for any wardrobe, whatever the season and my plain black linen ones were the ideal choice for date night last week, when it was mild enough to be out without a coat in the evening but not necessarily warm enough to wear a floaty dress and sandals.
Playing with textures and fabrics always gives depth to an outfit. The lace of the bomber jacket acts as a counterpoint not only to the snakeskin but to the abstract print of the blouse – a little pattern mixing if you will. I love the fact that lace has been used in a garment that is usually more utilitarian in style.
The lace bomber, like the shoes, was a fairly recent purchase. I fell in love with it when I saw Kelly from Alterations Needed style it, back in May. The soft lace with the feminine, open toed sandals play off the masculine feel of the classic menswear striped shirt and distressed jeans.
Kelly’s nailed that feminine yet fierce look with masculine undertones, right on the head.
I slightly softened my look with a tie neck blouse.
Can you mix different snakeskin prints together?
Of course! Just as you can mix different leopard prints together such as in my Leopard Print & Plaid Accents post.
Snakeskin comes in various shades from orange-y browns to silvery greys. The tip is to keep them to the same tone and colour as I’ve done here. Although my clutch has a slight iridescent sheen to it, the size of the snakeskin prints of the bag and the shoes are similar.
Zara Black Lace Sheer Bomber Jacket currently reduced in the sale. They also have this Plain Black Sheer Bomber Jacket
If you like the idea of a lace bomber without it being sheer, here’s a Petite one new in at Marks & Spencer Lace Front Petite Bomber
Camaieu Linen Bistro Pants (old)
J for Jasper Conran Tie Blouse (old)
Vera Wang Snakeskin Clutch (old) Seen here previously on the blog. Jane Norman Snakeskin Clutch
Snakeskin Shoes from T K Maxx. A pretty Pink Snakeskin Block Heel from ASOS
Where did my fierce shoes go on date night?
Off to the circus, that’s where!
Now if any man can pull off wearing a giant glitter ball around their torso, whilst standing in the middle of a giant hula hoop, a big, muscly, bearded man from Canada can!
We had such fun last year watching the Australian circus troupe Company 2 at London Wonderground’s Spiegel Tent, when I wore my Polka Dot Circle Dress, we returned to see this year’s resident show, Barbu performed by Canada’s Cirque Alfonse.
I can definitely vouch for their poster tag line of
‘DARING, DAFT AND SEXY AS HELL’
I’m quite partial to bearded men, what with Tall Brown Fox being a bearded wonder. The gents in the troupe had mighty fine beards and coupled with them dressed in only black underpants for alot of the show – yes, I know, oh là là – whilst doing amazing and ridiculously dangerous hand and body balancing, and acrobatics nearly gave me heart palpitations!
I had to calm myself down with an alfresco, post show tipple, as we basked in the after glow of the evening’s entertainment.
Smokin’ Snakeskin Footnote
Don’t be fooled into thinking that all shoes need to be towering, spindly creations to be fierce enough to take centre stage when building an outfit. Print, shape, style can all easily trump the height of the heel. And yes, that goes for petites too!
And with a print such as snakeskin, you’ve the perfect playmate with which to mix textures and prints for visual interest.
Bearded men are an optional accessory!
Do pop by tomorrow – I’m blogging every day this week!
Linking with Confident Twosday / Garay Treasures / Style Me Wednesday / High Latitude Style / Happiness At Midlife / JerseyGirlTexanHeart / Eleganceandmommyhood / A Labour of Life / Fashion Should Be Fun / A Pocketful Of Polkadots / Jeans And A Teacup /
Oh wow, the circus! Now that's entertainment. And how fabulous are your new shoes, your whole outfit. Thanks for sharing with Vis Monday, xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thanks Patti – the circus was a hoot. I think my new shoes quite enjoyed their night out on the town!
First—welcome back!!! And back with a vengeance if you're doing every day—wowza!!
I totally will start my outfit with the shoes—because, of course, they can be the highlight of a look!!
And I love these beauties you're wearing here!! (and I'm going to use that phrase—like the Sahara needs more sand–hilarious. But really it does because I'm sure some of it gets blown away, and if it was never restocked, it wouldn't be the desert anymore?!!)
How fun to go to the circus!! Haven't been in ages!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you Jodie. It's good to be back. I know, I've set myself a challenge this week – mad!
Good – you're like me too! They totally can be the hook, can't they? Ha, ha, glad that phrase made you laugh – it's a good'un, isn't it? Yes, we need lots more sand!
You have just taking mixing patterns to a whole new level for me! As you might know, I'm a bit obsessed right now with learning the art of pattern mixing and, as I read through your post and looked at your photos, I just devoured every detail I could. Each piece–shoes, bag, top, jacket–has a pattern on it and they all work well together.
And you're right about this being a fierce, feminine look for a night out with bearded men! You look fabulous!
Glad to see you back in the snakeskin saddle! 🙂
Hugs,
Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
That's a wonderful compliment, Sherry! I'm still developing my pattern mixing skills, so I'm chuffed to bits that you think I've taken pattern mixing to a whole new level for you. This mix is quite understated mixing – creeps up on you – and even though there are 4 patterns going on, I'm really pleased at how well they all look together. The patterns are all harmonious with each other.
Ha, ha, yup I'm back in that there snakeskin saddle (love that!).
I was just thinking of you yesterday – and boom, you appeared! 🙂 Such a striking pair of shoes! I also like your bomber jacket here. You created a great outfit!
How kind of you to think of me, Natalia and such sweet words. Yes, I've been away from all things blogging for a little while. I'll be doing my blogging rounds so watch out, I'll be popping by – do pop the kettle on!
Those shoes are seriously amazing! What a great purchase!
Hee, hee, they are pretty amazing, aren't they? They had to be bought!
Nothing wrong with building your outfit from the ground, especially with snakeskin.
Now that sounds like a circus I would like to see,beaded lads in sexy black undies, so much more appealing than caged animals of times past.
Sorry forgot to mention how I loved the outfit, the black pants and lace bomber and pattern top showcase those shoes perfectly.
Exactly Jill, I'm not into caged animal displays either. It was a really good night out and the outfit match the feel of the evening too. Thank you for your compliments.
Definitely fierce shoes ! Love the clutch too. You styled them perfectly. Can I just say, it's so good to see you back in blogsphere xx
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
Aw, thanks Laurie for your supportive words. It's good to be back too.
You do realise I'd be the last woman on earth to ever say there's such a thing as too many pairs of shoes, right? I mean, I just purchased another pair this morning (heavenly floral velvet ankle booties, to channel my inner Daphne). And I've always been so fond of your outfits. They are, in my mind, the perfect balance of feminine and tough. Never saccharine. Never gangster. Just perfect.
Ha, ha, Sheela, you and me – we're shoe alike! Ooooh your floral velvet booties sound divine! Can't wait to see them.
Thank you Sheela for your very sweet compliment about my outfits. I take that as high praise from you. It's a tricky line to walk, isn't it but I do hope that more often than not I hit that sweet spot of feminine and tough. One of the few things I don't mind being sweet!
Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. These shoes are cute.
Thanks Nicole. They're going to worn to within an inch of their life!
Haha … maybe the glitter ball tutu will catch on?! You look chic and cool …. nice to see things put together in unexpected ways! Great shoes!
Thanks so much for sharing with Fun Fashion Friday and have a wonderful weekend!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Maybe Dawn… but only for men, eh! Thanks for hosting.
Oh,those shoes are quite fierce! I can see how you could not resist their siren call. I am also loving your bomber jacket – so pretty And cool. Really great look!
I've been so pleased with that bomber. I wasn't sure how much I'd wear it – turns out alot! And I love the shoes with it too.
OMG, the shoes – you are a woman after my own heart. Love 'em… and love a bearded man in a pair of black skivvies! Sweet evening out!
They are awesome aren't they? They're my favourite pair at the moment! I've come to realise that I am definitely a shoe woman!
"Because I could smell their fierceness as soon as I walked into the shop. It lured me in and I was helpless to resist, just as the smell of warm bread wafting through the door of a bakery pulls you in to buy croissants and crusty loaves" … you speak my language, Girl! And you love of bearded men matches my own (The Husband recently shaved his off which I still not happy about) Those shoes are fierce and your outfit was stunning. Thank you for adding your post to my Fine-Whatever link up.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Ha, ha, glad you liked that Rena!
Oh no, he'll have to grown another one.
Thank you for your lovely, fun comments and for featuring my post in your link up!
I love that bomber!!!
I can't tell you enough how many times I planned an outfit around a pair of great heels 🙂
xo
Melissa
Thank you, it was a real find this summer and I've so worn it.
Yes, the shoes are always a good place to start! Thank you Melissa.