*Full Disclosure: I am an expert high heel wearer and my feet are on the narrow side.

Now let’s get real, Ugg slippers are comfortable. High heels and Ugg slippers do not have anything in common! The So Kate pump by Christian Louboutin is celebrated for its dainty design and criticized for its sky high (4.75 inch) stiletto heel. If you’re a high heel rookie, this style Louboutin is not what you should start off with. But for everyone else, mark my words: you can do it!

Regardless of the brand, always break in your high heels before the first wear. It’ll spare you physical and emotional pain later. Blisters and buyer’s remorse are not fun. Sounds crazy but whenever I buy a new pair of shoes, I wear them in the house for several hours or days before stepping foot outside. Picture this: me in my bathrobe and So Kates (hot!), emptying the dishwasher and vacuuming the carpet. Yep, it happened…all in an effort to break in my new kicks, and guess what, it worked! I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t easy, but I’d rather teach myself how to walk in the privacy of my own home than for everyone to see. Tip: Use New-Skin liquid bandage on pressure points to prevent blisters!

The So Kate pump is narrow. As a result, many retailers suggest sizing up in this shoe style. I bought the 36.5 and the 37 to err on the side of caution. But sure enough, I was stepping out of the 37s. Here’s the thing, leather stretches. Do your house chores in your So Kates and stick with your regular size. After a few wears they will mold to your foot. My biggest pet peeve in life is having to grip my toes in a pair of shoes. I’m so glad I kept my standard size because when my feet are cold, the 36.5 starts to get loose. Consider this your warning.

Now with regards to the approximate 5 inch heel… I give these shoes a four hour time limit. My feet have a medium arch and the arch on this shoe is very dramatic. I imagine they’d be more tolerable for someone with a high arch and an absolute no-no for flat footed sisters. It’s also important to note the fineness of the stiletto. If you have a history of balance issues or ankle injuries I would suggest a Louboutin with a thicker heel. The “Pigalle” is a good compromise. Maybe this stability “issue” is a disadvantage, but then again, these are special occasion shoes. I wouldn’t wear them for an all day affair anyway! But it is these design attributes that make the So Kate the sexiest heel on the market. Beauty is pain my friends.

P.S. Store your So Kates in the included dust bags to prolong their shelf life. Also, find a reputable cobbler near you and have him or her apply a clear shoe protectant to sole of your loubs. I recommend doing this before your first wear. But if you cannot wait (I’m guilty of this), use packing tape to shield the sole in the meantime.

Shop the Post:

So Kate Pumps | Look for Less here and here

The post Christian Louboutin So Kate Pumps: Are they Worth the Splurge? appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.

Mix Textures

Mixing textures is the easiest way, across the board, to add dimension to your ensemble. But dimension isn’t always necessary. When styling neutrals or a monochromatic look, however, it becomes very important. Picture this, a white cotton top, with white cotton pants, and a white cotton sweater. Boring, right?! Now picture this: a white cotton top, with chevron white pants, and lace sweater. Clearly the latter ensemble is a more interesting look.

Opposites Attract

Normally when I style a look I come up with a theme for the outfit. Is it edgy, feminine, or simply chic? After I establish the theme, I stick with it to piece together the outfit. But when I work with neutrals or a monochromatic scheme, I always mix unexpected items together. In this case, the pants SCREAM boho. I mean those flare legs and fringe hem say it all. But to keep people curious, I dressed these jeans with sequin stiletto heels. They don’t really to go together…but that’s the point!

Act Shady

An all white outfit does not have to be snow white head to toe. What I mean is, it’s ok, rather, I encourage you to mix different shades of white (or whatever color your are working with). I did not even consider whether or not the shades of ivory would perfectly match when I coordinated this look. In fact, I was hoping they wouldn’t. A slight variation in color alone will make your neutral outfit more appealing. Are you allergic to color or are you a color addict? Let me know in the comments, below!

Shop my neutral outfit:

Top | Jeans | Stilettos (look for less here) | Earrings | Purse (look for less here)

The post Make your Neutral Outfit Pop like this! appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.

Form Fitting Top

Mom jeans are not tight fitting. In fact, I have yet to find a pair that even stretches. When you have a lot of baggage going on below the waist, balance it out with something form fitting up top. I am so confident I would have looked like I was wearing pants three times my size had I paired a boxy t-shirt with these suckers. Consider a crop top or a tight fitting bodysuit. I chose the latter and it is only $12.90 – score!

Hot Kicks

Hot kicks go a long way. Mom jeans with sneakers on a petite frame is not a winning combination. Pair ’em with a stiletto heel and now we’re talkin’! When you are styling a garment that can potentially come off as “frumpy,” a sexy shoe is a reliable remedy. I jumped at the opportunity to wear my Christian Louboutin sequin pumps (as seen here). I think they did the trick!

Fab Belt

Ladies and gentleman, belts are back in style and I mean belts of ALL kinds. Remember those “fanny packs” we used to poke fun at. Yeah, those are now referred to as “belt bags” and homegirl is rockin’ one loud and proud (insert laughing emoji)! I must admit, it is so nice toting your belongings hands-free. But if a fanny pack is too much for you, synch your waist with a traditional belt instead. See ya on the street, hot mama!

Shop the Post:

Bodysuit | Jeans (similar here and here) | Jackets (similar here) | Belt Bag | Pumps (look for less here) | Earrings | iPhone Mirror | Glitter iPhone Case

A special thanks to Alexis Exstrom Photography for capturing the moment.

The post How to Wear Mom Jeans – Even if You’re Not one appeared first on Kelsey Kaplan Fashion.