SOLE-mates

You’ve likely heard that perfectly matching your shoes to your handbag (or to any other element of your outfit) is passe — old-fashioned and too…too. But sometimes you find a shoe that pairs just about perfectly with another item in your closet, and you can’t contain your excitement — as in the cases below. And let’s face it: sometimes breaking a fashion rule or two ain’t a bad thing! Why do you think heels are now a staple in daywear (much to my delight — and to the delight of other 5’1 chic peas around the world)? At one point not so long ago, sporting stilettos in the workplace meant that you moonlighted in a somewhat risque industry, if you catch my drift. Consider, for example, these uh.may.zing (and shockingly affordable) glittery pumps I bought for my bachelorette party last year ($79, Nordstrom):

(Have a Tiffany complex? Snag these comparable — and more expensive — Giuseppe Zanottis for $595). Sigh. Love. Must admit this look has been heavily inspired by this shot from CherryBlossomGirl’s blog:

Looks like the puppies featured above were made.to.go with this Anya Hindmarch clutch ($395, Diani Boutique), these drusy studs ($198, Scoop), and this stud ring ($80, Noir Jewelry), n’est-ce pas?

This silky Stella McCartney playsuit would be a lovely, elegant base for your evening wear ($195, Net-A-Porter) — or even while primping, slipped beneath this little silky robe ($358, Journelle):

More into the gold, less into platinum/silver? Test-drive these Steve Madden puppies ($89, Nordstrom) — they’re almost too over the top to be acceptable, but for NYE or a trip to Vegas? Why not?!

Ideal for this necklace ($135, Nordstrom), this clutch (do you not love the Lady GaGa-esque bow clasp?! — $58, eBags), and this beyond watch ($150, Swell):

Cinch the waist of your LBD with this sparkling belt ($24, J. Crew) and offset your look with this glittery eye-shadow quad by Bobbi Brown ($40, Neiman Marcus) and a spritz of Coco Mademoiselle ($61 and up, Sephora):

Finish by adding a little shimmer with this Nars body oil (I have this — and it smells de.lic.ious — $59, Sephora):

Finally, noir glitter is tres of-the-moment, and these puppies are all kinds of hot ($200, Zappos):

Made for this clutch ($60, J. Crew), a spritz of Fracas ($95, Sephora), and some falsies (I used these for a recent evening event and LOVED them — $18, Sephora):

$fracas$ Pair with this glitzy necklace ($96, John Lewis) or this glitzy Antik Batik jacket ($575, Net-A-Porter):

If you’re less into the glitzy, frou-frou side of things, test drive these naughty-meets-nice Chinese Laundry booties ($84, Lori’s Shoes) — lately I’ve been more and more interested in the bootie:

Perfect with this chiffon floral clutch ($98, Lori’s Shoes) or this fabric statement necklace (on sale for $98, Farfetch):

Meshes perfectly with this chiffon tank ($49, Madewell) — and some lacy unmentionables beneath ($62 for top, $36 for bottom — Cosabella):

Use this over.the.top Valentino tote if you need a roomier bag ($2,400, Net-A-Porter):

Switching gears entirely, I’ve been seriously sweating tassel accents this season, and these Tory Burch flats ($225, Net-A-Porter) have made it all the way to my “winter lust list,” as I’ve been looking to invest in classic flats with a twist:

Seriously made for this Anya Hindmarch tassel tote ($950, Scoop) and this Lanvin layered chain necklace ($1,190, Farfetch):

Tuck your personals in this little Comme des Garcons pouch ($98, ShopBird) — and consider layering this tassel-print cami/boyshort combo beneath your get-up ($105 for set, Net-A-Porter):

Now, I’ve been blabbing left and right about these amazing Nine West finds — l.o.v.e. them and insist on wearing them with my cropped black minnies to work at least once a week — but I’m gonna go ahead and feature these puppies again ($88, Zappos):

Pretty much made for this minaudiere ($350, Rebecca Minkoff), especially with this patterned tube of mascara (Helena Rubenstein, $48, Amazon) and this Guerlain eyeliner for your smokey cats eye ($35, Nordstrom):

This necklace ($115, LesNouvelles) would be the perfect accoutrement…and even though I think that adding more a leopard would be total overkill and would send you to Cruella De Ville territory, I have to admit that I’ve been hunting high and low for an affordable leopard swing coat lately, and have to share my dream pick (on a dream budget…$1,450, Tory Burch):

{Swoon.} And if I can’t have the jacket, I’ll gladly take these gloves ($198, Henri Bendel):

Underneath it all, this grown up Mimi by Demaris set is beyond precious ($80 for top, $60 for bottom — Net-A-Porter):

Speaking of swooning, how un.be.liev.a.ble are these Brian Atwoods ($720, FootCandyShoes)?

Adore the bow at the back, and would pair with these killer Lanvin earrings ($920, Net-A-Porter), this stack-o-bangles ($88, Zappos), and a classic navy blazer ($188, J. Crew):

Perfect with this grosgrain, bow-accented, and Lanvin-esque bag ($55, TopShop — for the real deal, check out this $1,760 Lanvin lovely) — and by the way, I’m completely unbothered by the clash of navy and black, as long as you keep the remainder of the outfit simple: skinny black or dark denim jeans and a silky white blouse.

Alternately, do you not adore these Zanotti flats ($449, Bluefly)? Perfect with a long chain necklace ($54, PiperLime) and this darling rope chain belt ($150, Scoop):

This sueded chain-trim bag seals the deal ($98, ASOS):

And finally — because I have a hunch that this is where we’re headed next after a season of beige/taupe/camel neutrals — I’m drawn to a bold, neo-graphic, near-geometric color block style shoe. Based on what I’ve seen at Celine and Lanvin, I’m convinced that deeply saturated colors are next up on the “it list.” And shoes like this will be all.the.rage (on sale for only $41, Heels):

(And this shoe in particular is reminiscent of Giambattista Valli’s elegant, uber-feminine heels from this past season.) Pair with a deeply colored silk bag (I’m loving either this bow-bedecked Valentino — $795, Net-A-Porter — or this minimalista-chic “Palm Beach” clutch — $425, Barney’s) and a classic red pout (Chanel, $15, Amazon):

Add a sparkling bib necklace ($198, Henri Bendel) on top and this gorgeous canary yellow satin undergarment set ($560 for top, $430 for bottom, Net-A-Porter — pricey, yes, but gorgeous, and I set a bad spending precedent in the lingerie department thanks to my wedding/honeymoon preparations):