Shoe Thing

Since as far back as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by shoes. Growing up, I never felt like an outfit was complete without the proper tennis shoe or sandal, often driving my parents crazy with my endless request for a new pair. Although my style has evolved over the years, my addiction to footwear has remained, often leaving me lusting after styles found on blogs like Classy Girls Wear Pearls. Below are some of my top shoe recommendations perfect for long summer afternoons strolling through the quaint streets of the Vineyard.

Sperry Topsider: A stylish mix between a moccasin and a tennis shoe, Sperrys are a quintessential summer staple for any preppy New Englander. Originally produced with avid boaters in mind, these shoes have a unique anti-slip sole and are the perfect mix between a loafer and a tennis shoe. Recently making a huge comeback on to the fashion scene, Sperry’s are sold in a wide variety of colors and styles making finding a pair that fits in with the rest of your wardrobe very simple. Being the bargain hunter that I am, I’ve been lucky enough to purchase both of my pairs for far less then retail (around 40 dollars) and am happy to report that they definitely stand up to their fair share of wear and tear. For anyone seeking a similar deal I would recommend looking through the "sale" section on the Sperry website or even checking out stores like Marshalls that often receive shipments when there is a surplus of a certain model. I actually got mine at the annual "tent" sale that s shoe store in my town holds every summer, so definitely be in the lookout for local events as well! Although the Bluefish 2-Eye is probably the most popular among most college girls, my personal favorite is the all leather 2 – Eye in brown and navy. Their vintage appearance brings a pleasant blast from the past to any outfit, while adding a nautical touch to a very casual look. My personal favorite is a pair of cuffed jeans with a navy and white striped top- basic yet very chic.

Stripes & Sperrys

Hunter Rain Boots: Despite the fact that as summer approaches, most of us are hoping for an end to grey skies and plenty of sunshine in the forecast, there is no doubt that there are a fair share of rainy days ahead—this past week it rained 6 out of 7 days! In order to be prepared for these sudden fronts, and still look stylish, it is essential to invest in a great pair of rain boots and Hunter’s are definitely the best choice. Like Sperry’s, these rubber boots come in a wide variety of colors and styles, with lengths ranging from short to tall (which hits just below the knee). Although the bright pinks, blues and metallic shades are fun to look at for a little while, I would definitely suggest purchasing a pair in a navy or hunter green, as these colors will never go out of style and match almost any outfit. In all honesty, these boots are pretty expensive, with the tall pair costing around $120, but they are totally worth the investment as they can stand up to anything from a light afternoon shower to a morning spent bird watching on some fairly soggy marshland. Another thing that makes these shoes so appealing is the fact that they have been being made in Edinburgh, Scotland since 1856 and even have the official seal of approval from her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. Below is an example of an outfit I put together centered upon these royal favorites- trench coat included.

Hunter Rain Boots

Trench & Sailor Dress

Jack Rogers Navajo Sandals: The preppy girl’s Birkenstock and a country club favorite since their release in 1960, these chic, comfortable sandals look as good with a simple t-shirt and shorts as they do with a formal sheath dress. Functional because of their flat soles, yet stylish due to their dynamic color selection and stich detailing, you will never regret investing in a pair. As with Sperry’s and Hunters, they tend to be on the expensive side- averaging out at around $100, but will pay for themselves, quickly becoming your go-to choice for any summer outing. Recently, the company has even expanded to include monogrammed options as well as styles inspired by the school colors of several prominent colleges and universities. If you are still a little bit nervous about spending that much money on one pair of sandals then I would suggest purchasing a knock-off pair at a department store like Marshalls. I recently came across a very well-made mock at Tj.maxx that only cost $30! Getting a cheap "trial" pair is a great way to test out how well the look integrates into the rest of your wardrobe (something to consider for Sperrys and Hunters as well). If you end up loving the fake then there is little doubt that making the decision to get the real thing will be a mistake. To get you inspired, here is a simple summer look centered upon my new favorite sandals- knock-offs included.

Jacks and Shorts