Tag Archives: large womens shoes

Rockin’ Barefoot Tess’ Ella-Ella-Ella-Eh-Eh-Eh…

11 Mar

If it’s not clear yet—I adore ankle booties. With denim; with dresses; even with fierce pencil skirts and prim lacy tees—and year-round, too! I’ve tried the hidden wedge 80%/20 western-inspired Clyde ankle boot from Barefoot Tess (and loved it) for casual/weekend wear, but hadn’t come across a more elegant, elevated ankle bootie until….the Barefoot Tess Ella. Hey, Barefoot Tess may as well be my Footwear Fairy Godmother!

The TESS by Barefoot Tess ankle boot, c/o BFT

The TESS by Barefoot Tess ankle boot, c/o BFT

Barefoot Tess is my go-to resource for stylish, on-trend shoes in sizes 11-15. With the most comprehensive selection of designer-exclusive shoes from  favorites including Jeffrey Campbell, 80%/20, All Black, and Corso Como AND the fabulous in-house brand TESS, the BFT site is full of shoe-candy that ensures that we tall, larger-footed ladies don’t have to sacrifice style to get comfortable, versatile, made-for-us fits. Particularly, the Barefoot Tess brand offers classic, elegant, European-quality designs—each style in the house line has been meticulously crafted and fit-tested for that that Cinder’ella’ fit. The Ella bootie is certainly worthy of any modern girl in search of her own fairytale!

In sumptuous black and tan suede colorways with a curved vamp and 3″  stacked wood heel, the Ella is as classy and leg-flattering as an ankle boot can possibly get. I have the Ella in the sand suede—ensuring that I will get wear well into the spring and summer months—but I can only imagine that the black is equally magical. I should add that despite the not-insignificant heel, the Ella is incredibly, remarkably comfy. We’re talking wear-it-for-a-day-on-your-feet comfy or hoof-it-into-work-on-unforgiving-city-streets comfy. And at the current sale price of $89.99, this boot is a versatile, affordable, high-quality  ’must-have’ for any tall girl’s closet. I’m pairing my Ella bootie with vibrant sheaths, tailored work trousers, and of course–jeans and nubby sweaters. And I recently donned this posh little shoe with a boyfriend blazer, silk minidress, and black tights for a photoshoot to promote Stilista, the Boston styling-agency I work for on weekends.

Check out those TESS by BFT Ella booties! Photo courtesy of Rita Rose Photography

Check out those c/o TESS by BFT Ella booties! Photo courtesy of Rita Rose Photography

And would you believe that the wonderful shoot photographer, Rita Rose, advised me to “change up my leg poses, to show off those AMAZINGLY cute shoes”?! She totally did. Try them, and you’ll be looking for ways to show off their amazing cuteness too, I’m sure!

Are you trying out ankle boots for the first time? Flummoxed as to more styling options for Barefoot Tess boots and ankle booties? Be sure to comment or email me, and I’d be happy to advise as to any shoe-centric styling conundrums. And thanks for all the bibbity-bobbity-boo on my shoedrobe, Barefoot Tess!

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Hunting Down the Perfect Shoe…with Shoes of Prey

20 Dec

“There’s a little hunter in all women, right? Think about it: every woman is constantly stalking the perfect pair of shoes…”-Shoes of Prey

I know ladies everywhere will agree with me when I say this: there is nothing so evocative as a fiercely fabulous shoe. Whether your idea of  ’fabulous’ is a prim ballet flat or an aggressively ostentatious stiletto, a fabulous shoe speaks—and more than that, imbues its wearer with the near-magical power of transformation. Any woman who has slipped a foot into her dream sky-high, peep-toe, red  leather platform after tossing on a years-old, staid sheath dress feels that power. A shoe can really be a game-changer; a transporter; and a confidence rocket.

But for many of us sized out of conventional women’s footwear—we forgo “fabulous” for “sufficient”; “jaw-dropping” for “tolerable”; and hope that we can find shoes that are marginally stylish but mostly offer us room and the right fit. While I personally hadn’t entirely hung up the towel on fierce, wonderful, and COMFORTABLE size 12.5s when Shoes of Prey first contacted me to write a review of their product, I was admittedly skeptical. I couldn’t imagine that designing the transformative “shoe of my dreams” and getting a model that was high-quality, comfortable, and at all affordable was even in the realm of possibility. I couldn’t fathom that “bespoke” shoes sized specifically to my feet would be any better than a standard size 12.5 picked up at Nordstrom Rack. And yet, Shoes of Prey—true to their word—offered me a shoe that was worth hunting to the ends of the earth (and back) for.

My Shoes of Prey-centric outfit: ASOS blouse; J. Crew skinny belt; Rock & Republic miniskirt; Simply Vera Vera Wang tights; Shoes of Prey custom heels

My Shoes of Prey-centric outfit: ASOS blouse; J. Crew skinny belt; Rock & Republic miniskirt; Simply Vera Vera Wang tights; Shoes of Prey custom heels

 I was nervous with anticipation opening the well-appointed black box that arrived speedily from Australia—impeccably packed with a suede dustbag, complimentary gel inserts, and a charming handwritten note from Lucy, the “Customer Happiness Wonderperson” (indeed!) When I pulled the kitten-heeled, ankle-strapped, black suede-and cream-Italian-silk-peeptoes from their smooth tissue wrappers, I must have audibly gasped, as—in that moment—I imagined myself slipping them on for New Year’s Eve with a coquettish frock. They were girly and gorgeous and as I buckled them on, sans inserts—I realized that the 43.5s were a customized fit unlike any other shoe I had tried before. As you might imagine, I have tried on, lusted after, squeezed into, and suffered my way through numerous shoes in my lifetime. But with this singular pair, I got it and felt what—for me—was one shoe of a game changer; transporter; and confidence rocket.

Me in my gorgeous new Shoes of Prey bespoke heels!

Me in my gorgeous new Shoes of Prey bespoke heels!

Each shoe produced by Shoes of Prey is handmade in Australia, down to your specifications as to heel height, toe style, fabrication (in leathers, suedes, textiles, sequins and more), and embellishments (stitching, bows, straps, et cetera). Offered in European sizes 35-49 and ranging from $219-$379 based on chosen design components, each bespoke pair of shoe can be sized to wide feet, narrow feet, excessively large feet, quite small feet, or even feet of two different sizes—and the Shoes of Prey artisans will work with you to get the exactly right fit for your unique footsies with a liberal return policy (and free shipping worldwide!). Better yet, each design is thoroughly unique—meaning you will never see the exact same pair anywhere, and will have a customized collectible to wear and enjoy for years to come. Founded in 2009, Shoes of Prey is now a global force of a brand and favorite of numerous celebrities and editors including those of Vogue, Grazia, Oprah Magazine, Marie Claire, and The Wall Street Journal. So what are you waiting for? Visit the site, chat with the indeed-wonderful Customer Happiness team, learn about the cat behind it all,  and hunt down your own fiercely fabulous shoe (or choose from the equally-awesome online gallery of favorites)…I guarantee that your life will never be the same, my tall lovelies!

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Merry Christmas to T(all)! And to Tall a Great Wishlist!

14 Dec

I love the holiday season. The lights, the parties, the music, the cookies…and, of course, the giving of gifts to those loved. As anyone will tell you, I adore giving gifts and can spend days planning the perfect gift. I consider every year an opportunity to do better—an opportunity to show those close to me even a fraction of how much they mean to me (if you hadn’t guessed, I’m a show-er, not a teller). But—honestly—I also delight in receiving. This is the time (thank goodness it only comes once a year!) that I feel less guilty for wanting completely whimsical, pretty, and often utterly impractical things under a cute little tree. In truth, I have never *really* let go of the greedy excitable child within…and there’s always a bit of magic in waking up on Christmas morning to find nattily-wrapped presents under a glittering tree. I love you, Santa (I mean…Mike, my incredibly generous fiancé)!

So without further ado—here’s my wishlist of all things pretty that I’d like to find under the tree. Hint to all ‘Santas’ out there: All of these clothing items are GREAT if you have a tall lady in your life…but be sure to send me an email if you need a little extra help in shopping for that leggy elflette in your life. I am happy to help out with more ideas!

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1. The Land’s End Tall Luxe Scoopneck Coat: I love coats of all shapes, sizes, and fabrications. But even with a veritable wardrobe of coats for all seasons (hey, it’s New England!), I have NARY a black wool coat! This year, Santa wanted to get me a classic black coat that would stand the test of time—and I picked out the Land’s End Tall Luxe Scoopneck Coat. In a cashmere blend with on-trend, military-inspired epaulets, leather buttons, and a sweet scoopneck, this coat ticks off the boxes for stylish, high-quality, budget friendly (with the current 30% off, it’s now under $100 down from $289!), AND tall-of-all-sizes-friendly (from 4-16T). It also comes in red, yellow, green, and camel colorways. THE best tall, classic winter coat for all elflettes.

2. Madewell’s Belted Silk Dress in Dashdot: Getting dressed up for holiday occasions is a fine art—don’t we all want to look festive yet comfortable (allowing for lots of noshing)? Enter this Madewell dress. Although it is unlined, the silk fabrication and pattern is thoroughly gorgeous, and the tie-waist means a flattering, customized, yet unrestricted fit. While it hits mid-thigh on us tall ladies, it is flatteringly-short and a great companion to black tights and heels. I plan on wearing it year-round, too!

3. Long Tall Sally’s Pindot PJ Set: I’ll be honest—I spend 90% of the time when I am not in work clothes in pajamas. Red plaid flannel pajamas. Completely unsexy, unpolished, and absolutely slovenly heavenly! I love flannels (am always cold), so I would love to find this pajama set under the tree. Bonus: these PJs are far cuter and more feminine than my red plaid flannels, and would also offer necessary winter limb coverage. In teal and purple.

4. Love Knot Earrings in Rose Gold Vermeil: I wear lots of post earrings, and prefer them for professional occasions. I also prefer rose gold. These classic love knots are slightly oversized, completely chic, and would go with any single outfit I’d wear (including red flannel pajamas)…and I simply cannot get over their price. It’s $24.50! An unreal stocking stuffer from Ross-Simons!

5. J. Crew’s Copley Saddlebag: This little bag (and it is little) packs a lot of punch for its size. With multiple pockets, a removable crossbody strap, and unexpected colorways (wisteria! neon persimmon!), this petite number would be perfect for work, play, a party, a snowball fight, or any other hands-free occasion. (This is why I love crossbody bags…) With an extra 30% off and free shipping, this bag is ALSO under $100, so another bargain Christmas buy!

6. Any Fossil Women’s Rose Gold Watch…: As you know, I like rose gold. But what you may not know is that I am desperately in need of a new watch as my Rotary is banged up beyond belief. Fossil offers the best selection of fashion-forward, mid-range watches in rose gold plate—and I particularly love the chronograph, chunky ‘boyfriend’ styles (it’s all about juxtaposition)…

7. Tamarac’s Molly Slipper: Who doesn’t love/need a warm cozy slipper? With this suede, fur-lined cutie, your toesies will stay warm all through the winter. And with sizes up to 13 M, these babies are great for those of us outsized by typical ‘S-L’ slipper sizing.

Merry wishlisting to all you t(all) lovelies! Leave a comment and let me know what you’re coveting this holiday season!

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