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5 Types of Shoes to Have in Your Closet [infographic]

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There are some people out there who have a pair of shoes for each day of the year. Some others seem to get by on just two or three pairs for different occasions. For the most part, there are five types of shoes that every woman should have in her closet, and they are enough to cover every occasion.

1 – Black Pumps

Never mind the stiletto, and forget about those thick double soles. Instead, find yourself a pair of pointy-toed black pumps and call it a day. These are some of the most versatile shoes you will ever own. You can pair them up with your most formal dress, or you can wear them with a nice pair of jeans to add a little flair. Choose wisely; make sure your pumps are comfortable, easy to clean, and durable.

2 – Sneakers

Everyone needs a pair of sneakers for their morning jog, marathon shopping trips, or any time when comfort takes precedence. However, there’s no need for your sneakers to be anything but stylish. White sneakers are incredibly versatile, and you can pair them up not only with your yoga pants for your morning run or tip to the gym, but also with a cute skirt and cardigan for that trip to the mall.

3 – Sandals

There are thousands upon thousands of sandal styles. You have your thongs, your lace-ups that rise to your mid-calf, your highly embellished sandals with huge flowers and clunky accessories, and even your brightly-colored options that match a single blouse in your entire wardrobe. All you truly need is one minimalistic pair of flat sandals in black, tan, silver, or gold. They are versatile enough for vacation or work, and they pair well with most anything in your warm-weather wardrobe.

4 – Ballet Flats

The black pumps are nice and all, but spending a 12-hour day in three- or four-inch heels is enough to make anyone’s calves scream for relief. Ballet flats give you more versatility than any other type of shoe out there, and they are also quite comfortable. While black will give you more options as far as pairing your flats with your wardrobe, you might also choose red, brown, or even olive green if it will pair well with some of your favorite pieces. Pair your flats with a nice dress at a wedding or a pair of cutoff jeans during summer trips to the beach.

5 – Ankle Boots

Ankle boots are almost the perfect shoe. They look great with dresses and skirts in the summer, but you can also pair them up with leggings and jeans in the winter to keep warm and look stylish all at the same time. What’s more, you can incorporate a bit of flair into your boot purchase, too. Go a little country, or get an industrial feel with a chunky zipper. The choice is yours.

As you can see, while having 200 pairs of shoes may seem like every woman’s dream, in a realistic world, you only need the five types of shoes listed here to get you through every day, every season, and every event. Of course, chances are good that you’ll continue to splurge here and there, but these five styles are timeless, go-to staples.

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Shoes and Suits: How to Match Them Up [Infographic]

A sharp-dressed man looks distinguished and commands attention. What’s more, every man should have at least one nice, expensive, designer suit. However, failing to match shoes to that designer suit properly is a major fashion faux pas. Here are some tips for choosing the right suit and shoe combinations.

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Understand the Difference between Formal and Casual

Before you can truly understand how to pair shoes with suits, you must first firmly understand the difference between a casual suit and a formal suit. The most formal suit of them all, the tuxedo, requires a much more formal shoe type than a more casual suit. Shoes are the same way; some are considered formal (shiny black leather) while others are on the more casual side (soft tan suede). A good rule of thumb is to pair casual suits with casual shoes and formal suits with formal shoes.

Pay Attention to Color

The most common formal suit colors are charcoal gray and navy blue. These are incredibly versatile, and they give you plenty of room when it comes to accessorizing with ties, dress shirts, and even shoes. Black, brown, red, and burgundy shoes pair well with a navy blue suit, though it is important to tone down the brightness of your tie if you choose a red or burgundy shoe. A charcoal gray suit is perhaps the most versatile of them all, and it pairs well with black or burgundy shoes. Brown is a no-no with gray, though, since gray and brown contrast visually. Black suits, although they are classic, give you very little in the way of versatility. You should only pair black shoes with a black suit – no exceptions.

Consider the Situation

Another important consideration is the type of event. The formality of the event dictates the formality of the suit and therefore the shoe. As an example, you should usually only wear black suits to funerals and very strict business meetings. For everyday formal affairs, such as business office attire, stick to gray or navy blue. For dinner reservations in a casual yet upscale restaurant, a brown suit with less formal brown leather shoes suffices. Bear in mind that suit colors other than black, gray, brown, and navy are casual.

Style and Finish

The finish of a shoe is also important when pairing it with a suit. For example, a shiny black patent leather shoe does not pair well with a casual light gray suit. Patent leather is for extremely formal events, such as ballroom dancing or a wedding. On the other hand, a soft, brushed suede is casual. It pairs well with a casual suit and is appropriate for most business attire. The most versatile style and finish is traditional leather; in this case, the color dictates the formality.

Men’s dress shoes, like Clarks come in various styles. Some simply slip on, others have laces, and some even have tassels or faux laces tied in bows. For the most part, you are free to choose the style you like best as long as the color and finish follows the rules above.