I’ve shown you clothing options and talked about elements that are well suited to your body shape, but I haven’t talked about shoes for your shape… until now. You can meticulously pick every design element in your outfit right down to your shoes and handbags (which I dive into in this post) Shoes are just as important as any other piece to the puzzle.
Let’s look at each individual body type and some wardrobe basics that most women should own. Keep in mind, the specific pieces may not suit your specific needs and lifestyle, but you can translate the design elements that I’m discussing to other shoes.
Just because I refer to them as wardrobe “basics” doesn’t mean that they have to be boring. Interesting shoes are a great way to add a pop to your look and develop a signature style that is truly your own.
Triangle
The triangle body shape will want to wear shoes that elongate the leg. This can be accomplished by wearing heels, sleek styles, pointed toes, vertical lines and colors that blend with the color of the leg or pant or styles where the shoe is open above the throat like pumps or ballet flats. Avoid overly chunky footwear as it can emphasize the width of the hips and thighs.
Wear to Work
D’orsay pumps are a great shoe to help elongate the hips and leg. Not only is the whole top of the foot open, but the side is completely open too, so the eye travels down the leg and just keeps going, giving the illusion of a longer leg which will help slim the hips. The pointed toe adds length too. Click on the picture to go to my YouGotShoes website. They also come in nude.
I know that everyone doesn’t like wearing heels. The Stella Studded Flats are a great. The top of the foot is open, creating a longer looking leg and it is capped off with a pointed toe. These could be a staple in your closet. Like I said before, basics don’t have to be boring. Other than your work-out clothes, is there anything you couldn’t wear these with? Click on the picture to see the amazing price on these stellar studded flats on my YouGotShoes website.
Sandals
Heels don’t have to be sky-high to add length to the leg. Look for styles that are open on the top of the foot. This type of design element makes the leg look longer, thus helping balance out the hip. The nude color also blends with the leg adding inches to your visual height. These Neima Softspots brand shoes from Amazon hit all the high points you want to look for in a dressy sandal.
Add leg length without the height with the Jana Braided Thong Ankle Strap Sandal by Universal Thread which you can snag at Target. Since this has an open design that exposes most of the foot, it also elongates the leg while looking casually cool.
Casual Shoes
Are you seeing a common thread? Look at these cute sneaker-like shoes. NO LACES!!! and the top of the foot is open again!! You don’t always have to choose styles that are this sleek, but I just love the point of the foot opening and the toe shape of this shoe. This ballet flat with a twist is the Women’s Mad Love Kim Pointed Toe Knit Sneakers,
Boots
This snazzy bootie comes in TEN COLORS! . . . 4 of which I really, really want, but sadly, I don’t need another pair of heeled booties. What are the design elements that make this shoe great for a triangle body type? The heel is great, but I really love the curved detail at the top of the boot. The suede is cut making this nice angle that draws the eye down and makes the ankle look slim. Click here to check out all the other available colors on Amazon.
If you want to go for a chunkier look with a taller shaft, make sure there are vertical lines of some kind like the shoelace eyelets on this style. The Women’s Lene Faux Leather Lace Up Fashion Bootie – Universal Thread™ Blackomen’s from Target.
Inverted Triangle
Inverted triangle body shapes can use heavier footwear to counter their upper body. They can wear round or square toed shoes well as they tend to lead the eye down. Pointed toe shoes are also a good option especially if worn with wide leg, boot cut or flare leg pants, because round toed shoes that are hidden underneath the pant make the leg look shorter.
Wear to Work
Inverted triangles look fantastic in platforms and wedges. The heaviness of the sole is a great counterbalance for the fantastic shoulders of this figure type. The Kaylyn Platform Heels from YouGotShoes come in black and nude.
If heels aren’t your thing or you’re looking for an alternative to heels for your workday, here is a modern take on the classic loafer. The patent leather look of the Caroline Tassel Loafers from YouGotShoes gives them a sleek appearance. They also come in black.
Sandals
JACQUELYN Ankle Wrap Wedge from YouGotShoes are another good example of a great shoe for the inverted triangle. The wedge heels and the substantial width of the straps are great.
Even if wearing a foot baring style with no heel at all, look for some element that will draw the eye down like the multiple ankle straps on the CHARMAINE Studded Sandal from my storefront at YouGotShoes.
Casual Shoes
Even for casual shoes, look for a shoe with a substantial presence. The NAYA Slip-On Sneakers are bound to get noticed. Click on the picture to see if they’re still available in your size in my YouGotShoes storefront.
Boots
The JOHANNA Block Heel Ankle Boots from YouGotShoes are one of my favorites. First of all, I love the color and the block heel. The heel will create the visual weight that you need and the color is just so interesting. Move over blue suede shoes, these wine suede boots are taking over.
Somehow sleek and chunky at the same time while not having much of a heel. So cool and casual. See if the LORRAINE Chelsea Boots come in your favorite color by vising YouGotShoes.
Oval
Oval body types should avoid very round or extremely chunky shoes styles. A somewhat substantial looking shoe is okay as long as it doesn’t look TOO heavy. Like the triangle, they should opt for heels, sleek styles, pointed toes, vertical lines and colors that blend with the color of the leg or pant or styles where the shoe is open above the throat like pumps or ballet flats.
Wear to Work
What I love about the Allegra Smooth Faux Leather Heeled Mules by Who What Wear from Target is that it has both a sleek and substantial look at the same time. The block heel with the wood grain design is a focal point as well as the sleek curved edges of the leather. The shape at the top of the shoe will elongate the leg and the peep toe will draw the eye down.
For my non-heel lovers, the Micah Pointy Toe Loafers by A New Day from Target is a sleek loafer and a good choice, the pointed toe is very elongating.
Sandals
Adina Block Heel Pumps by A New Day from Target is super cute. The block heel and square-toe create a counter for the
For a similar look in a non-heel form, try the Stacia Knotted Satin Slide Sandals by A New Day from Target. The feminine knot of the soft fabric is a nice detail, but it’s not too round.
Casual Shoes
The lines that extend from the shoe opening to the toe help create some vertical lines to lead the eye and elongate the foot. The Meena Slip on Sneakers by Universal Thread from target would be a great addition to the wardrobe of an oval. Can you just imagine running around town doing errands in these gems?
Boots
The zipper detail is the star design element on this slick book. Notice the line that it creates. The dv Jameson Double Zip Bootie from Target for the win!
For just as cute of a boot, but with less heel, try the Women’s Camdyn Laser Cut Buckle Bootie – Universal Thread™ from Target. They don’t have as much going on in terms of elongating lines, but they are still sleek with some interesting perforation detail.
Rectangle
Rectangle body types should avoid square
Wear to Work
So, it’s possible that you can’t wear open toed shoes to work, so maybe the Ruffle Heeled Slide Sandals by Who What Wear from Target don’t belong in this category for you, but they are just too cute not to showcase because they are just so perfect for the rectangle. The ruffle is a soft touch that adds the illusion of curves even to the foot.
For an option in a flat, try the IVETTE Ankle Strap Flats from YouGotShoes (clicking on the picture takes you to my personal storefront). Rectangles wear ankle straps really well. The ankle strap breaks up the rectangular look and the pointed toe elongates.
Sandals
For a heeled sandal, try the BELINDA Strappy Color Block Stiletto from YouGotShoes. Again, the ankle strap helps carve out the curves. This particular shoe also has a nice vertical line down the center front of the shoe which give it a more connected look.
For a flat and more casual option, check out the ASHLEY Strappy Sandals from YouGotShoes.
Casual Shoes
Even when shopping for sneakers, use the soft lines to counterbalance the straight angles of your figure. Look at the way the ruching on the top of the foot creates a softness on the REESE Slip-On Sneakers on my YouGotShoes storefront. These will really showcase the athletic look of your figure without looking boxy.
Boots
The SADE Block Heel Booties from my YouGotShoes storefront introduce curves into the style lines of the shoe using the cut outs. rectangular body shapes also look good in shoes with ankle straps. While these aren’t exactly ankle straps, they give of the same impression with the wide band at the ankle.
The Wenda Cut Out Booties by Universal Thread from Target are a win. The way the line from the heel curves around the foot and cuts around the top of the foot and then around to the sole again creates this fantastic curvy section of skin (or sock) showing and done all with a mostly flat heel.
Hourglass
Hourglass body types can wear heavier looking shoes and style with rounded toes to balance the bust, but they can also wear sleek slender elongating styles to balance overall vertical proportions.
Wear to Work
These Elisabeth Pumps by A New Day from Target are a great way for an hourglass to play up the curves. The curved lines come to a point to create the toe box and the lines of the shoe curve from the heel toward the front. The small ruffle detail also adds to the curved feeling and femininity.
This fun DANIELLA Scalloped Flat from YouGotShoes is a great heel alternative. It comes in several fun colors (I have them in coral). They kind of feel like house shoes. Having the top of the foot open with ballet
Sandals
I love the mix of straight and curved lines in this shoe– the curve of the canvas at the heel, around the ankle and over the toes as well as the curve of the bottom of the foot over the wedge and platform. The interior pieces, zipper and the weave of the espadrille make up some of the straight lines on the Emilee Espadrille Sandals by Mossimo Supply Co. from Target.
For a flat sandal, look at the dv Bryn Asymmetrical Slide Sandals that are from Target as well. They also have a subtle play on curved and straight lines going on with the two straps.
Casual Shoes
I love the knotted fabric top of these Women’s Alloy Slip On Sneakers with a Knot and Bow by Mossimo Supply Co. from Target. They are soft, feminine and casual all at the same time. The folds and softness of the fabric are great at accentuating and emulating curves.
Boots
In the SONYA Ankle Boot from YouGotShoes, we see more ruching elements that create a softness and design elements line the zipper that create vertical sleek lines.
The deep cutouts on the side of the Autumn Braided Cut Out Fashion Boots by Universal Thread from Target are a great design element that will elongate the leg even without much of a heel.
There are so many factors to our body shapes. Not only do we have a shape like a triangle or rectangle, but we also have different heights and we have different size ankles and calves independent of our body types. We have to give extra consideration of these things.
Petite
If you’re petite or have short legs, follow the guidelines for elongating the leg used by the triangle and oval body shapes.
Tall
If you’re tall, embrace those legs and wear tall shaft boots, ankle straps, gladiator sandals and other shoes that take up some of the leg real estate.
Large Calves
If you have wide calves, it’s probably best to avoid calf height boots and opt for ankle or knee highs instead. If you have wide ankles, you should avoid shoes that stop at that line, so no ankle straps that may emphasize the width. For ankle boots, look for a style that has a dip or a cut out on the upper edge instead of one that is straight across.
Small Calves
For small calves and ankles, fit is important. Make sure that the calf of boots or the straps of your shoes aren’t too loose and swallow you. If the opening is too wide, the shoe will look to clunky and be too visually heavy. My hope is that you’re not only learning how to accentuate and appreciate your best features, but that I’m also able to point you toward some affordable styles to round out your wardrobe with items that you’ll love to wear. I have a preference for a more classic style. If you have a different style and would like for me to make some personalized recommendations for you, leave me a comment on my blog post. For more examples, tips and tricks for your body type, be sure and follow my body shape pinterest board.
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