Shoes can make or break your outfit. There is nothing worse than seeing someone dressed beautifully wearing dirty or ugly shoes, or even worse wearing sky high stilettos they can’t walk in. So how do you get it right?

Colour

Choose a colour that ties in with your outfit. If you have a patterned dress with blue and red, then consider shoes in one of those colours. Alternatively, if your dress is particularly busy you may wish to wear black or nude shoes to avoid overwhelm. Nude is particularly strong at the moment, and if you wear a nude stiletto it can create the illusion of a longer, more slender leg.

Seasons

Bear in mind the time of year and what you are wearing. Heavy, leather knee-hi boots can overwhelm a summery dress and are better left to the cooler months. However, ankle boots can be a great alternative.

Lighter styles and shades are best for spring/summer and can also be worn in autumn, although autumn/winter styles tend to be darker and heavier.

Heels

Stilettos will help elongate the leg, but be careful not to overdo the height as it can cause your calf muscle to “bunch” and look fuller.

Watch heel height in an office environment too - over-high heels can look inappropriate, and raise the hackles of your female co-workers lol! Low to moderately high, or kitten heels work well.  Also be mindful of not going too flat and looking overly casual.

Beware of the ankle strap if you have short legs - this can cut the leg off visually, making your legs look shorter.

Wear your favourite heels with a great pair of jeans and a blazer for an on trend look to go nearly anywhere.

Crocs

These are marginally acceptable for gardening - marginally!