DON'T COMMIT SHOE-ICIDE!

For those of you who read The Chiconomista regularly, you'll have heard me talk before about how your shoes really can make or break your outfit.

Whether it's a daytime look or a wow-factor outfit for going out, don't commit shoe-icide!  Killer heels are called so, because well the heel is 'killer', not for any other reason.  Trends do appear and re-appear with shoe styles, but heel shapes and heights and toe shapes change dramatically and will let your whole look down if they're out of date.

Even if you're outfit is full of some amazing bargains, by adding a great pair of shoes or boots in gorgeous leather that wears well, you'll finish your look perfectly and give the illusion the price ticket overall was much more.

That doesn't mean you have to spend hundreds and hundred of pounds each season, with some clever shopping you can invest in key styles which will see you through and which you'll reach for on many occasions.

Equally, it's always worth a blow out every now and again, especially as shoes can make such a statement on their own and can in fact 'be' the outfit.  I had to feature this pair as a great example of this...

At £195 from Dune and such a distinctive, dramatic style these are more than an investment piece.  They are a 'go on treat yourself' or 'WOW, look at my outfit' kind of pair of shoes.  I actually think you'd find more places and occasions to pull these out for than you might first think and I think every girl should have at least one pair of WOW shoes!

If you're looking for some investment shoes, which will lift any look whatever the occasion, you can't go far wrong with a pair of nude patent heels - timeless, classic, elegant and moreover leg-lengthening!

This divine pair are Louboutins and whilst they'll set you back the best part of £400, if you calculate your cost-per-wear they may be worth saving up for as they'd see you through a number of years, events, 'dos', interviews, presentations, dates and looks!

I bought this pair by Stuart Weitzman, which are a great 'high-end high st' alternative.  I have already got my money's worth out of these and have worn them for meetings, client events and night outs - they go with everything and the patent effect looks elegant and classy as well as completely on-trend.  I scooped mine for $150 (approx £100) from the mecca that is Nordstrom Rack.  It was definitely a lucky find, but as they're such a timeless style, I am sure Weitzman will replicate the style season after season.  It is worth splashing out more on this kind of shoe as the lighter colour can look cheap in p-leather.

This pair are a fab new arrival I have just spied in Zara and for £49.99, these get the Chiconomista Prize for Style-for-less in the nude patent heel stakes!  The gold edging on the sole and heel adds an expensive looking touch and they make any foot look elegant!  Get these before they're gone!

Another staple shoe is a short, black suede shoe boot with a heel.  Teamed with opaque black tights, again these will go with absolutely EVERYTHING and look edgy enough to lift even the plainest style and look effortless.  Leg-lengthening - tick, as they'll tone in with tights and dark denim jeans.  Opt for detailing if you want to make more of a statement, such as feather detail, gold zips or tassels.

I've featured this pair before from Dune (£119) and by the laws of chiconomics they would warrant the expense....

Having said that, they are truly a match with the £20 pair Chiconomista fought over some time back in Primark, which I was talking about yesterday and wore to my latest promo shoot for my Styling work for www.styleoursouls.com.  I adore the feather detail and feel so fab in these; they do always draw in a gasp or two!

This is a great example of chiconomics at its finest!  At £20, they calculate an even better rate of cost per wear......you do the fashion maths and no shoe-icide in sight!