Dress: Eliza Parker
Belt: Eliza Parker
Shoes: Poetic License
Shoe Clips: Dainty Button
Sometimes when you’re on a budget (and trust me, I work in publishing, despite all evidence to the contrary I know all about being on a budget) it’s simply not viable to buy a pair of new shoes for an upcoming special event, or to go with that new outfit that you forgot wouldn’t match anything but bare feet. For me, that issue’s compounded by the fact that I’ve got rather wide feet, and finding comfortable shoes that I can wear all day can be challenging at the best of times. Trying to find a comfortable, affordable pair that fits a certain style criteria can be impossible.
Which is why I was so excited to re-discover shoe clips!
Like sweater guards, shoe clips are having a bit of a renaissance at the moment.
Shoes Clips: Dainty Button
Shoe Clips are jazzy little devices that kind of look like clip-on earrings, but with pointy clippy bits so that you can clip them on to your shoes to add a bit of decoration. They are also extraordinarily easy to find! Etsy, eBay, as you might expect; but there’s also a whole new rash of designers doing shoe clips, including WA-based Emmersen (they do a bustle, too!) and Shoe Bling which can now be found in Myer. Here are some of my favourites!
Vintage 50’s Rainbow Bow Shoe Clips
I loves the peacock one.
I love the frock with the belt, good way to mash it up a bit.
I saw some shoe guards at myer and they have them at mimco too.
as for budgets – I will have to tighten my belt too as I will only be working part time/studying full time so won’t have much to spend on couture. Speaking of belts, luckily I bought a nice one at veronika maine, also have my eye on a red one at jigsaw. Loving belts
LOL, me too! I just bought a good tan one from… Target.
I have wide feet too and finding the style of shoe I love (vintage inspired maryjanes or t-bars) is close to impossible in Australia 🙁 When I see Chie Miharas on eBay, I always contact the seller about the width of the shoe and they’re always too narrow for my D-fit (EE in the UK) footsies.
If any of your readers can help me with finding gorgeous wide fit shoes in Australia, or that are shipped to Australia, I’d love to hear it!
I’ve just found Evans shoes recently – wider fit shoes, regular sales, and delivery to Aus is 9 GBP set rate. I’ve been getting some shoes as cheap as 5 GBP / pair.
I’ve never tried the Evans shoes! How do you find them for size?
Another commenter mentioned Evans (www.evans.co.uk), and I know that Duo (www.duoboots.com) does width-fitting shoes too. Hope this helps!
You look absolutely gorgeous in that dress – the colour is just right with your skin tone! And the belt too! And I see it has pockets too! Anyhow – I love it – but that might be enough gushing!
LOL, I love it too, Anita!
THANK YOU. I bought a sweater guard after your recommendation a while ago and for someone on a budget, it’s the perfect antidote to a few missing buttons. Better yet, I have AUS size 11-12 feet (nice shoes are next to impossible with wide feet) and as I walk everywhere I burn through shoes way too quickly. This is a godsend.
Yay! I’m glad you’ve found some inspiration!
I am afraid of shoe clips. I am always terrified they will rub against my foot D: do you have this problem at all?
I didn’t, Nicole 🙂
I was a bit worried they’d snag a hole in my pantyhose, but they sat really flush against the shoe, and I didn’t have any problems at all!
You know, it’s funny you mention being on a budget; I’m in the US and while I love your blog I frequently find myself asking, “how much does this girl spend on shoes?”
After loving your Chie Mihara shoes, and going as far as to find out how much they were (about $500 USD including shipping) I figured they’d still be pretty pricey (by my thrift shopping standards) for you. You do seem to spend a bit on your shoes, and clothes. But you almost always look smashingl.
I have noticed most of the “thrifty” style blogs I read seem to budget more for their shoes than for the rest of their wardrobe, propotionally.
That said, I feel your pain–my absolute utter upper limit for a pair of shoes is 30.00. In practice it’s more like 10.00. If I drop more than ten dollars on a pair of shoes (or any other clothing item, for that matter), I literally start getting sweaty and my heart races. 🙁 I had to buy a last-minute shrug for a formal event a couple of weekends ago and was forced into spending forty dollars and literally wept at the register, it was so embarrassing.
Oh you poor thing 🙁
At least you should get plenty of wear out of a shrug.
Oh my God – yeah, I’d never be able to buy Chie Mihara’s at full price! All of my pairs came second-hand from eBay – usually for under $50, though the browny-cream ones were $150 or thereabouts. I usually wear my shoes to death (I’m not very careful with them *guilty*) but the most I’ve ever paid for a pair of shoes was about $250 for a pair of knee-high leather boots.
Your legs look great. What kind of hose are you wearing? I love the nude color but have trouble finding hose that don’t look obvious.
They’re the Kayser Plus no waist sheers. The only kind of nude hose I’ll buy anymore. SO comfortable! http://stockingsonline.com.au/product.asp?pID=8050&cID=348
wow – red is your colour! love it 🙂
thanks Rubenia!
I am inspired.
Yay!
I love the neckline on this dress. It’s feminine and sexy at the same time. Red looks wonderful on you, by the way! Shoe clips, huh? You’re always giving us nifty ideas, Lilli! Thank you!
My pleasure, Bella!
You made me buy this dress.
LOL, I hope you love it as much as I do! It’s in my top 3 favourite items in my wardrobe.
How do you manage to wear two entirely different colours like an off white dress and this beautiful red? Both looks great on you but I have to say Red is your colour Lilli.
Never heard of shoe clip before, I think it’s a bit fancy for me. I am always on a budget, but sometimes I regret not buying the more expensive and obviously better items 🙁
Thanks, Amna! For what it’s worth I can’t do neutrals to save myself! I do like a bit of colour though, red is my favourite!
I cannot say how much I love the colour of your dress! I also like the idea of shoe clips. I might see if I can get some of the cameo ones.
They’re my favourite too, Monkey! I’m seriously thinking I might need them. Neeeeeed them!
Nominated you lovely thing for a Stylish Blogger Award – http://themcawesomes.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/stylish-blogger-award/
Aw, you’re lovely – thankyou so much!
Shoe clips — adorable!
Thankyou!
I love this trend! Way easy to customize a pair of shoes to whatever outfit you want to pair them with.
me too! And usually pretty cheaply, too!
I’ve never even heard of shoe clips. Will get a look at them.
I love the red dress, I think it’s such a good color that will compliment most skin tones.
Thanks! It’s my favourite colour to wear, actually.
So, I’ve been stalking you for quite some time, but now I’m just going to say it. I love your blog. I love your style. I love how beautiful you are. And now I’m following. I’m out of the closet! Keep up the loveliness. All of it. xx
Yay! Thanks for commenting, Kymmie! I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog.
Really cute post on the toe clips. I just think this is one of the best looks I’ve seen for valentines even though you didn’t really focus on that – the color, the understated elegance, it totally works. Thx!
My pleasure! I’m glad you found it useful!
Loving the outfit, Lilli. At first I wanted to put a necklace on you and then I thought that the simplicity of it is what makes it. Well, that and your awesome curves 😉
Loving it!
Thanks, Misae! I actually tried it with a necklace and it just seemed to be too much.