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How To Wear Very Casual Shoes Without Looking Like You’re Carrying Your Heels In Your Handbag.

How To Wear Very Casual Shoes Without Looking Like You’re Carrying Your Heels In Your Handbag.
Carly Jacobs

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* Dress from Sportscraft * Toms Shoes from eBay  * Fiorelli sunglasses from Myer *

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Kenneth Jay Lane tiger bangle * Medalian bracelet from Mama Smaggle

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Buy a Funky Colour 

My first pair of Toms shoes were grey and they always looked a bit like I was trying to make people not notice that I was wearing glorified sneakers. Those Toms died in the New York Hurricane of 2011 and I promptly replaced them with red ones and it was an excellent choice. When I wear red casual shoes, it looks like I’m doing it on purpose, you know?

Dress Up… But Not Too Much

I always prefer to be overdressed than underdressed. My  philosophy is that if you rock up to a party and you’re way overdressed what’s the worst that could happen? You look the most fabulous? It’s on that note that I always dress up a little when I wear casual shoes. This dress has a gold visible zip so I blinged up the sporty look with a few gold bangles. You see what I did there? Just jazz it up a little. I’d probably draw the line at a ball gown though, but if it feels good, go for it.

Own It

I’ve read countless blogs that bag Toms shoes and say they’re ugly but you know what? I like them. I think they’re well designed, inoffensive and a really nice casual starter shoe for those of us who usually live in heels and very fancy ballet flats. 

Oh and please excuse my pasty pins. They’ve been encased in 100 denier tights since April and I also don’t really like sun very much and that’s why you can almost see my insides through my skin. Tasty.

This outfit was worn for lots of city walking, writing, a few meetings and couple of hours of teaching. 

 What type of footwear do you wear every day to work? Heels? Flats? Crocs?

*Dress was purchased with a voucher that was gifted to me by Sportscraft.

13 Comments

  1. Nikki | Styling You 11 years ago

    Looking mighty damn fine there Ms Smags. Loving that dress and splash of red.

  2. Nikki | Styling You 11 years ago

    And PS. Cannot believe you have even published the word Crocs!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Some people wear them! They have actual real life stores so people clearly buy them. I also live in Fitzroy and they’re the artists choice. 🙂

  3. GoddessMel 11 years ago

    I used to wear ballet flats for my commute (public transport) and for lunch time shopping runs; I have beige/nude, black and leopard print pairs. I’d keep heels at work to wear around the office (again, options in beige, black and leopard). That is until I splurged last week on a pair of Mary Jane-style black court shoes from Ecco (I got a promotion so figured I deserve it (the promotion and the shoes LOL)). I have since worn those babies every day bar one to walk to and from my transport and all day in the office.

    However, ‘casual’ office Fridays are still usually a ballet flat or Volleys day (the Volleys come in navy, white, red and black canvas options). I’ll also continue to wear my flats on days that I want a change from black heels (at least until it’s warm enough to pull out last summer’s beige/nude cage heels!).

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I used to do a bit of chopping and changing myself during the day but I live in Melbourne so I walk EVERYWHERE! I rarely have a chance for heels these days.

  4. Erika 11 years ago

    I have nightmare feet (high arch, wide at the toes, orthotics required and way too sensitive skin), so finding shoes I love and can wear is a major effort. Actually, just shoes I can wear! That said – when I was actually in the office every day, it was heels. Now, comfortably connected in from home, it’s uggies (yes, still cold enough in Canberra), propped up under the workstation. Later on, it will be the birkenstocks. Oh the shame!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I have a high arch! Ex-ballet dancer. Try Toms!

      • Erika 11 years ago

        Will have to think of a work around for the elastic insert first….

  5. Anita McLachlan 11 years ago

    Looooove Toms! They are my favourite casual shoe especially in summer as they are so light and cool. Love their reason for being as well. All mine are red..hawaiian, striped…. 🙂 Was thinking I need to order my next lot for this summer. Nice post. Ax

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      I love it too! There’s nothing better than a company that has a social conscious.

  6. Emma Bovary 11 years ago

    Absolutely love this look – and may I add, every outfit post you have makes me wish even harder for curly locks! I don’t have anything like Toms, but I agree that the red makes it look like you really meant it. I quite like the idea of dressing up but having comfy shoes, I’m awfully grumpy when my feet are sore so this seems clever!

    • Author
      Smaggle 11 years ago

      Ha! Thank you! The hair honestly has a mind of it’s own. Toms are rad. Highly recommend them.

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