Spring 2014 Trend (2): Metallic Shoes

上周提到了金属色的鞋子，这个风也是从去年就开始刮的，今年愈演愈烈，除了银色的镜面鞋，今年还出了不同的颜色和质感，金属色不光被应用在高跟鞋上面，还广泛出现在平底 坡跟 牛津 和运动鞋上，可以说是全面开花。金属色的鞋子非常好穿，几乎能搭配任何颜色和风格的服装。只要没有用力过猛，可以画龙点睛，迅速提升整体的时尚感。

You can't call yourself a shoe maniac if you haven't got a pair of metallic shoes yet. Metalwork was a huge influence to the SS/2013 catwalks. The shoes are the easiest way to re-introduce metallics into your wardrobe in preparation for spring. The trend of metallic shoes stays strong this year.

While silver pumps have been a running favorite so far, this year we see the trend expanding in color (silver, gold, rose gold, gunmetal, or even colored metallics), texture (e.g. cracked, perforated) and style (flats, sandals, oxfords, sneakers, wedges, flip flops, etc.). Pick whatever excites you. The good news is: metallic shoes go with almost everything! Just keep in mind that the beauty of metalwork is their subtle statement factor. A hint of sparkle goes a long way in a simple day-time ballerina shoe, while effulgent heels will add a fancy, fairy-tale feel to an evening look.

Almost all premium shoe designers offer wide range of metallic shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood has metallic pumps in both high heels and low heels. Giuseppe Zanotti offers a two-tone pair with an edgy heel design. Absolutely beautiful. Saint Laurent and Brian Atwood, instead, have a fun play with texture. Prada adds a cute bow to its sleek silver stilettos. Jimmy Choo continues to offer its highly acclaimed Agnes, and has extended its metallic collection to super chic and sexy Able Metallic Suede-Toe Pump, Black Silver. Only interested in classics? One can't go wrong with a simple pair of Manolo Blahnik, either in high heel or in mid heel.

At a more accessible price point, JCrew offers a suite of metallic shoes. Besides its highly successful strappy mirror metallic pumps, it also offers Viv metallic flats, Lucie slingback flats, Lillian metallic low wedge, Tybee metallic slide sandals, Rio metallic sandals and many more. Among all these, this Viv mirror metallic bow flats really stands out! Everly pumps and Valentina pumps have been updated with new texture, but I prefer the simple sleek mirror metallic version offered last year. Club Monaco also has a silver pair this year on the shelf. And of course, Kate Spade is always a brand to check out if you want a less expensive substitute for premium designer bags or shoes.

Too shiny and too edgy for you? A pair of stilettos with a metal toe-cap (or other metal details) can have just as much as an impact. Isn't this Nicholas Kirkwood pair cute?

Photo credit: bittersweetcolours, pinkavenueblog, oliviasstyle, vintagebeautyxox, wendyslookbook, crazystylelove, fashionindie, chictopia

Safe Hemline for Office

人人都爱长腿妹，可是你可能已经注意到我的职业装的裙子都在膝盖左右长度，有的甚至在膝盖以下。短裙显腿长，对我这种小个儿来说尤其重要，可是在办公室里却可能带来麻烦。

看看这条JCrew Emmaleigh dress，我站直的时候，裙子刚刚到膝盖上缘，并不短，可是坐下来的时候就将将盖住那些不得不盖住的部位了。姑娘们，如果你不想在办公室有出糗的危险，这个裙长差不多就是安全线啦！

我刚开始工作的时候，有一次老板叫我跟他一起去见客户，我面有难色地说：“今天不行，裙子太短了，不合适。”其实那天的裙子并不是特别短，站着的时候也就大腿中下部的样子，可是坐着的时候我得很小心。老板哈哈一笑，说：“既然知道，为什么要穿到办公室来呢？”于是我把这个教训牢记在心，绝不再让臭美之心碍我的大事啦！

We girls like showing off legs. But you might have noticed that my business dresses or skirts always hit around or even below the knees. Sure, short hemlines highlight your asset, and are especially instrumental to create a leggy image for us petite women. However, they could bring unnecessary trouble in the office.

Look at this JCrew Emmaleigh dress, one of my favorites from JCrew. It hits right above my knee caps when I stand straight, but as I sit down, it is just long enough to cover what is not supposed to get exposed. Ladies, if you don't want to risk any wardrobe malfunction in office, you probably don't want to go shorter than this.

Honestly, when I first started this job, I once made a mistake of wearing a short dress to office -- it was not insanely short, of course, but short enough to make me aware of the issue. My boss asked me to go to a client meeting with him. I looked down and said:"Sorry, sir. I can't go today. My skirt is too short for client meetings..." He laughed and asked:"Why would you wear it to office then?" Lesson learned: I will never again let my fashionista obsession get in my way. :)

dress: JCrew Emmaleigh dress
blazer: JCrew puff-sleeve blazer
belt: JCrew skinny leather belt in fuchsia
pumps: Jimmy Choo 100 mm