My primary new year’s resolution for the year is to grab all the opportunities that I can, and one of them is the opportunity to make this blog go the next level, or make it something other than just a repository of my outfits. In order to do this, I’ve decided to add more features like beauty and nail polish reviews. These I have been able to do for the past weeks (hurray!). I’v decided to add another segment in this blog which I would call Style Tips, to be posted every Sunday from here on. This would consist of brief fashion tips, style advice, and trend reports. I’ve written articles like these in the Philippine Online Chronicles, so why not extend it to my own blog? :)

Let me begin this new segment with Style Tip # 1: Basic Shoes.

There are basic pieces of clothing in your wardrobe and there are also basic footwear. Just the same as you wouldn’t be caught without a classic white button-down in your closet, you must also have basic shoes in your collection. These are your go-to shoes which can fit with most, if not all, of your outfits and are truly shoe closet staples. So what are they?

Plain nude flats

Have you ever heard of the tip that wearing nude pumps would elongate your legs and therefore make you look taller? Well, nude flats do just the same, though of course, heels would still give you greater height. When you want to look taller but can’t stand to wear heels anymore, opt for these babies. They can give the illusion of length even if they’re just flats.

When selecting nude shoes, make sure they’re the perfect nude for your skin tone. You’d see if it’s the perfect nude once you try it on, you’ll see the shoes match the color of your legs and blend with your feet.

Plain black flats

This one is a non-issue. Whether you’re a student or a working lass, you need black flats because it can go with anything in your closet. Blacks flats are perfectly handy when you’re at a loss on what shoe to wear with your outfit. When in doubt, wear black.

Nude pumps

Just as nude flats are important, so are nude pumps. Even more actually. Not only do they blend with your legs, thus not breaking the appearance of length, it also has 3 or 4 inches of heels to boost your height. Please go for at least 3-inch heels because what’s the point of using pumps if it’s not going to give you a recognizable added height. (Yes, I don’t believe in kitten heels.)

Black pumps

Really, black goes with everything. You can wear these with jeans for a smart casual look or with your office wear. There are so many possibilities for black pumps, so it’s a definite closet staple.

Gold or silver stilettos

You’ve got yourself covered for casual and business attires with the black and nude flats and pumps. For formal and semi-formal affairs, you need a pair of either gold or silver stilettos to complement your gown or dress. These are the basic colors you must get and they can match with anything! Your dress may be a vibrant red, bright pink, or donning all the colors of the rainbow, gold or silver stilettos would still fit like the missing piece in a puzzle.

Statement shoe

Every girl/woman must have at least one pair of statement shoes. Why? Because they’re a surefire way of bringing an outfit up a notch. They can be multi-studded platforms, lace-up wedges, or bright red maryjanes. Whichever you prefer, they can give you the result you need when you’re feeling adventurous.

There you have it. If you’re going to limit yourself to a few pairs of shoes (why?!), then let it be these basic ones. If not (and you’re like me who loves collecting shoes), at least have these in your arsenal. I assure you, they’re the pairs you’d keep coming back for.