I got an email last night from one of my best-dressed and bestest friends and this is what it said:

"Hey there!!

I need some fashion advice, my dear. I am in a wedding in Wisconsin during Thanksgiving weekend. The rehearsal dinner is at this trendy little martini bar/lounge in downtown Madison. I have found my dress for it, I think. It’s a navy satin mini dress, boat-necked, with kind of kimono sleeves that are just below my elbows. The sleeves are split down the middle at the top and reconnected by three round satin covered buttons, so it shows the skin on the top of my arms. The length is mid-thigh and the cut is kind of trapeze, a-line-ish. So what the heck color shoes do I wear???

I was thinking some other bright color in satin, like a peep toe or pump, in fuschia or bright teal. And would you wear an opaque tight or go bare? Like maybe a soft or medium dark grey?

Please help!! :)

Love, Hannah"

Obviously she is on the right track for accessorizing but I am always happy to help! I think fuschia heels are THE way to go, especially since purple is such a hot color right now. I like the idea of teal but I would like it better in warmer weather. There is something about about bright fuschia heel that is really going to make this dress pop and come alive.

Hannah’s budget is up to $150 for her shoe choice, but she’d like to only spend on the higher end if it’s a shoe that she can incorporate into her work wardrobe, so she gets a lot of wear. Here are a few I found, in a range of prices:

 

Right now, these from daniblack are my first pick. Found on Zappos for $125, these purple satin pumps are a classically beautiful peep-toe with a rhinestone buckle that are sure to be versatile. You could easily dress these up or down, depending on the outfit. They say they have a 4" heel but a customer review says they are closer to 3.5", making them easy to walk in. They look to be the perfect shade to bring out the beauty of the navy satin dress and since they are from Zappos, its free shipping both ways (just in case!).

 

These edgier ones from Nine West come in a reallyclosesecond. They are on sale for $59.99 but they only have one size left: size 9. I know Hannah’s foot might be a little too small for that, but they might worth hunting around for. Since they are Nine West, they might have them in the stores or in department stores. I’m a little bit in love with zipper detail, the rich shade of purple in satin. These are definitely a pair that would get a lot of wear - at the rehearsal dinner, at work with a pencil skirt, to dinner with skinny jeans. I might have to get these for myself, if I can find them in a smaller size.

 

An even bolder choice (and Hannah can pull them off!) are these peep toe wedges I found on Victoria’s Secret’s website. On sale for $45, they would steal the show, bringing a lot of attention to the elongated leg they create and Hannah’s legs are already extra long! Since they are suede, they would add an earthier, rock star edge to the navy satin dress.

 

If she wants to really save money and have a shoe that easily transfers to a work environment, then these patent ribbon trim pumps from Old Navy are the way to go. On sale for $24.50, you can’t beat the price and the plum/cherry shade would complement the navy dress without upstaging it.

 

And in a totally different direction are these patwork leaf heels from Urban Outfitters. They are unique, autumnal and would look great with grey tights…which leads me to the next part of her fashion advice plea:

To wear tights or not to wear tights?

I say absolutely wear tights. Opaque grey tights are completely "on trend" and they are going to be completely worth it in cold Wisconsin. The actual shade of tights she chooses will be dependent on the final shoe decision but a medium shade will most likely complement both the dress and shoes. Plus, they will add definition and tone to her legs, and with a mini-dress, that is always welcome! Plus-plus, tights add an extra layer of security, which adds an extra layer of confidence and in the end, being comfortable in your outfit translates the most beautiful results.

Which shoe choice do you like best? And do you have any other suggestions? Leave a comment and let us know!