December 2nd, 2009 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

It happens to the best of us:  You’re browsing unsuspectingly around the shoe department, nothing much in mind and then BAM. You spot that pair of shoes that you simply must have.  You don’t know what it is-they just strike a chord.  It’s as if everything around you, fellow shoppers, the smell of mixed perfumes wafting over from the cosmetics counters, the blaring Christmas music, all disappear and it’s just you and the shoes.  They’re gorgeous, a work of art.  They’d look beautiful on your feet and warm your heart. They’d flatter your calves and solve the world’s problems. Sweet Jesus, they’re perfect!  But then your heart sinks.  “What will I wear those with?” you ask yourself.  And then you start to feel a little disappointed.  By this time the salesgirl comes over to rouse you from your fashion trance.  You tell her your size because after all, you should at least try them on.  She brings them.  You try them.  They’re beautiful, but you are utterly despondent.  You can’t think of a thing to wear them with.

This happened to me recently and I was ready to give up when I remembered something my mother taught me: The Core Outfit Rule.  There are certain core outfits that enable you to incorporate any shoes you’d like.

1.     Jeans and a White Shirt:  You have to pick the jeans and the white shirt carefully and accessorize as you see fit (see this post), but it’s certainly your most loyal wardrobe stand-by.  Of late, I have chosen dark skinny jeans and white v-neck t-shirt.

2.     The LBD and Black Tights, especially this season when you can wear tights with open-toes shoes.

With these two core outfits, you are set to buy and show off any shoes you’d like, boots, flats, you name ‘em.

Thank you, mommy.

Here is a pair of shoes that upon first glance, made the rest of the world disappear for me:

In fact, when I saw the Apepazza ‘Tormelina’ for the first time, the room went dark except for a single spotlight over the shoes and I could hear cherubs singing.  There may have actually been a cherub flying around near my head, but my peripheral vision has disappeared.  I could hear the flutter of wings and a tiny harp though, so I think it was there.

I woke up to smelling salts and a cool rag on my forehead.  Needless to say, I bought them.

What happens to you when you see perfect shoes?  And does anyone have suggestions for more Core Outfits?