chanel ballet flats
The most versatile shoe style in my wardrobe is certainly my Chanel ballet flats. You can wear them from desk to dinner, from the plane to sightseeing, dress them up, dress them down… you really can’t go wrong! Over the years I’ve amassed quite the collection, as you can see from the photo above. The color I’ve worn the most is the subtle gold leather pair on the right. They’ve been so versatile for year-round wear and look gorgeous with literally every color I have in my wardrobe! They are the most comfortable shoe too. They’ve been a go-to travel shoe for me since I purchased them in 2014. As you can imagine, I’ve had to have these babies resoled more than once due to wear. Totally worth it!
My latest acquisition is the bright gold pair with a black grosgrain cap toe. I picked these up last month just in time for the coming fall season! I feel like they’re going to be a great style for dinner this fall/winter. They look a touch more fancy than my other pairs, and will be good style when I want to be comfortable but still look polished at night! While I can’t link to new pairs (Chanel doesn’t sell online!), below is a roundup of previously owned/discounted pairs available at The Real Real:
classic neutral handbags
I didn’t choose a specific designer for this because I really can’t choose a favorite in my closet! BUT, I have narrowed down which colors have been most useful for me personally. I would say my best investments have been the camel Givenchy bag I got in December 2015 and the medium Chanel beige boy bag I got last summer. Clearly, lighter neutrals dominate in my wardrobe! Both have been great sizes for day to night wear too. Below are some current neutral designer bags I love – all of these are classic styles that I believe will stand the test of time!
knockout cocktail/evening dresses
Another investment piece I always tend to hold onto over many years is a fabulous cocktail dress. There are some I still have and wear from my college days a decade ago! Maybe it’s all of the debutante balls and parties, galas and weddings I’ve gone to all my life, but good cocktail dresses and eveningwear have both been musts in my wardrobe. This may not be a category everyone needs to shop… but if you if you’re in the market for a cocktail dress for an upcoming fall/winter wedding, gala or other fancy event/party, don’t miss these styles I’m coveting right now:
beautiful boots
I don’t know about y’all, but I wear my fall/winter boots for YEARS. I’ve tried more budget-friendly styles in the past, but generally am underwhelmed in terms of quality and general aesthetics. A clunky looking shoe/boot can take down even the chicest ensemble, don’t you think? That’s why if I’m choosing between investing in clothing or shoes, I always pick shoes. Boots are no exception, and I’ve been extremely happy with the boot investments I’ve made over the years! From my Stuart Weitzman 50/50s I wore consistently for five years, to my Sergio Rossi suede over-the-knee boots I bought in 2015 that I plan to keep wearing this season and beyond, all of my boots have been wearable year after year. Like all of my shoes, I keep my boots looking fresh and in tip top shape by taking them to the cobbler – Deno’s in Highland Park Village is my go-to!
If you’re looking to invest in a quality pair of boots for fall/winter, don’t miss these fresh styles: