May 9th, 2011 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

First you see them on the runway, then you see a few fashionistas wearing them their own way on the street, then all of a sudden they’re all over the mall and in every boutique. Trends. These are the good ones this season.

MILITARY OUTERWEAR-Their neutral colors match everything. They complement your casual clothes and make a great contrast to your dressier items, especially sparkles and busy prints.

Ryden Military Jacket: J.Crew; Daytracker Vest: Madewell

HIGH-WASTED BELL BOTTOMS- The beauty of this trend is that it really flatters the tall girls.  Shorted girls tend to look a little stout in this style. With some killer platforms though, anyone can rock the look. Hint: Don’t want to buy them? Check your mom’s closet.

1. 7 For All Mankind bell-bottoms ($198; piperlime.com)
2. Blank Denim bell bottoms ($75; singer22.com)
3. Gap wide-leg trouser jeans ($80; Gap)
4. J Brand 1277 “Bette in Wonderama” jeans ($218; J Brand)
5. Current/Elliott high rise flare jeans ($210; net-a-porter.com)

PLATFORMS-They give you some height and flatter your leg, but they’re way more comfortable than heels, and luckily, they’re way more of-the-moment too!

Both available at Barefoot Tess.

SILK BUTTON DOWNS- One of those articles of clothing that make you look instantly put together. They’re fab when paired with platforms and high-wasted bell botttoms.

Equipment Signature Blouse: Revolve Clothing; Silk Bromley Blouse: Madewell

TOP-SIDERS- They’re everywhere, along with tons of other prepster accessories. Both collegiate-chic and laid-back-beachy looks work with these shoes.

Top-siders available at Barefoot Tess.

May 2nd, 2011 by admin

I love a shoe that can do it all.  Black-tie appropriate flats are tough to find, but once you find them, you really have a leg up on the short girls.  Because they’re flat, they can also be warn with more casual dresses.  Sometimes, and definitely in the case of these lace flats, they even work as a contrast to your ultra-casual weekend wear.  Check ‘em out!

May 1st, 2011 by The Barefoot Blogger: Laura Kleinbaum

I woke up at 5am on Friday to see the royal procession and wedding. Fun, beautiful, a little stuffy for my taste.  I couldn’t help but notice the hat situation. So many women wear them– it’s so much less of a thing here. Here if you wore a hat to a wedding, you’d be one of the only ones, which had me wishing I lived in London…and I was invited to that wedding…and I was over the age of 40. (I didn’t see a lot of young women in hats.)

Once I started browsing hats, I realized there are plenty of appropriate situations for them. Here are some fab hats and the BFT shoes to match.

At the Races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, etc.)

At a typical Sunday brunch and subsequent flea market shopping.

At the Beach.

To a dinner party.

On a road trip.

To make your friends laugh at you.