The phrase “dog days of Summer” refers to the hottest most sultry days of Summer. I dont know about other parts of the country, but right now it is so hot on the East Coast that stepping outside almost takes your breath away. As the heat index rises, my tootsies have a tendency to swell a bit, so now more than ever comfort is key. My mission for finding good looking, comfortable yet fashionable shoes is an ever-present quest because this is a combo that is truly hard to find!
During my time off I spent A LOT of time in flats and I gotta tell you, I love a FAB heel but there’s nothing like your feet feeling good all day. My brand new all time favorites are FitFlops. I’d never seen them or heard of them until two weeks ago, and now everywhere I look I see people wearing them. (I may just be late to the party, but I’m glad I finally arrived!) The FitFlop tag line is “It’s the flip-flop with the gym built in. Put on a pair and get a workout while you walk.” I can’t vouch for the workout while you walk , but they make me feel as if I’m walking on a bed of marshmallows – and if I’m getting a great workout to boot, who am I to complain?
Now, if truth be told, my feet have never felt anything but good in a pair of Birkenstocks. I know they conjure up crunchy granola, but once you wear them they feel so good that all thoughts of Woodstock will melt away. The thing that makes Birkenstocks special is that the footbed is created to mimic the shape of a healthy human foot, so they’re “anatomically correct” (which is more than I can say for any pair of Manolos I’ve ever owned!). German powerhouse, Heidi Klum, has taken her countrymen’s shoes to a new level, same footbed but designer uppers. My faves are the Gizeh, Sydney and Kairo. Goodbye Woodstock, Hello Hollywood Bowl!
Celebrities these days are swearing by Skechers as a great run-around shoe. They claim to get you in shape without having to set a foot in the gym by promoting weight loss, toning muscles and improving posture. They’re a little clunky for me, but if they do half of what they claim to, I may have to go on and buy a pair. And I know the Millennials swear by Havaianas, which have been around for almost 50 years so there’s definitely some there there. Created in Brazil for those girls from Ipanema, their makers were originally inspired by the Japanese Zori sandal – the slipper of Japan, you know the rice straw soles with fabric straps- which have been around forever. In terms of a basic flip flop, you need look no further. One note of caution, flip flops are great in the right context. I think you all know what I mean. For any who aren’t sure, shoot me an email and we can chat about when and when not to wear flip flops.
Oh, and fellas – the cool thing about each of these brands is that they have shoes for both men and women.
Stay tuned as my quest for comfortable yet fashionable shoes continues!
Possess Your Style is going on a little break for the next few weeks. We’ll return to your inbox on August 17th.
Summer has become synonymous with vacations for many of us. The state of the economy may mean that long weekends have co-opted two week Summer vacations, but going away is going away no matter how long the trip. Post 9/11 travel has certainly become an exercise in patience, but don’t let the new security measures prevent you from traveling In Style. Since most airlines are now charging a minimum of $15 per checked bag (unless you’re taking an international flight), taking everything but the kitchen sink is no longer an option for most of us. You can dress comfortably and still be a stylish member of the friendly skies, the Greyhound set, or the Amtrak hoi polloi. Choose a neutral color pallet for your trip (i.e., black, white, cream, etc.) and pack coordinating items, casual as well as dressy. Take the time to mix-and-match your outfits before packing to make sure that your coordinating items do in fact coordinate. Be strategic in your packing, really think about what you’ll need while away versus what you think you might want. Use your accessories – jewelry, purses, clutches, scarves and shawls – to dress up or dress down your outfits. No one but you is going to be focused on whether or not you wore that pink tunic two days ago. Shoes? Shoes are always tricky. They can take up lots of room, but that one special pair can really make an outfit come to life. My general rule of thumb is to pack one heel and one flat and then coordinate outfits around the shoes. For the days you are actually in transit, opt for a great pair of jeans, a long skirt/dress or slacks over sweats. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes that you can take off easily (if traveling by plane and you don’t have socks on, bring an extra pair in your carry-on to put on when you go through security); and dress in layers on top to insure that you’re equipped for the various temperatures you’re bound to encounter while traveling. It is always great to have a shawl to keep you warm – it can also provide just the right pop of color to your neutral ensemble. The perfect way to complete your stylish travel look is a great tote bag. Use one that’s big enough to carry your essentials on board (toiletries, make up, jewelry and possibly that extra pair of shoes); if you check your bags, your clothes may get lost in space but you will arrive at your destination with the most important items in tow. This way whatever travel drama you encounter, and hopefully there will be none, you will arrive at your final destination perfectly attired and you can focus on having fun and getting into the spirit of things!
It took until July for the dog days of Summer to finally arrive, but it’s here!! Waking up to sunshine makes me smile. But, with hot weather comes perspiration. Admit, you sweat. We all do. Some of us have genetic dispositions that mean we only sweat when we’re at the gym or when it’s 95 degrees and we’re sitting on a beach with no umbrella and no breeze. But I think we’ve all suffered from overactive arm pits at one point or another. Those genetically pre-disposed not to sweat are few and far between.
Aside from resorting to 
Petite is defined in Webster’s as “one having a small trim figure – usually used [to describe] a woman.” Petite-sized women account for 56% of the female population. Isnt it ironic that the fashion industry seems to based on tall thin women when a larger portion of the retail buying population is the exact opposite of the illusion created by the fashion industry? Well I guess if we learned nothing else from The Devil Wears Prada, we learned that fantasy rules the retail industry, not reality. In the retail world, manufacturers consider anyone under 5’4” petite, whether you are a size 2 or a size 16. Petite sizes aren’t just smaller than Misses sizes; if made well, they should be proportioned differently with shorter neck-to-waist and waist-to-hip measurements. 
Is it time for a new purse? Suit? Do you need a new cocktail dress for the round of parties you’re invited to this Summer? It may be time for something new, but for most of us the question is, “Can I really afford to buy a new XXX right now?” I’ve come up with an equation to help you really figure out how much one of these “needed” items may cost you, I call it KALYN’S SHOPPING RATE of RETURN:
A Shopportunity is a shopping opportunity. A good deal. One of those deals that makes you think that tomorrow or 6 months from now I’ll regret not having purchased this dress, pair of shoes, handbag , you fill in the blank. A shopurtunity equals beautiful clothes that fit you well at a fraction of the retail price. It’s not a shopurtunity if the price is right but you don’t love the look or the fit. Remember to keep this little nugget in mind as you hit the racks or the online sales. Our economy has taken a turn for the worst, but the economic downturn is a fashionista’s paradise. 
WHAT: 
