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It’s Not About the Shoes

Janet Camilleri · 16/10/2018 ·

So last week I was telling you all about the party I went to, when I felt like I was wearing the wrong outfit.

I happened to mention in that post, that I wasn’t happy with the shoes I’d chosen to wear as they just didn’t look right:

Leopard print dress 1

I’ve really struggled with finding a pair of shoes that work with this particular dress. My favourite black strappy sandals with block heels somehow made me feel like I should be standing on a street corner after dark!

Then I got chatting with Ann from House of Colour and Image after my Women’s Network meeting last week, about choosing shoes to go with my leopard print dress, and she said something very insightful:

“Maybe it’s not about the shoes … maybe it’s the DRESS!”

That thought really stuck in my mind.

But if that’s the case, then how did this leopard print dress manage to find its way into my wardrobe?

It’s a lot harder to find flattering fashion now I have an older, fuller figure, that ticks all of the below:

  • a. suits my shape, my colouring, and my age;
  • b. is easy care and comfortable; and
  • c. fits me AND my hip pocket.

So when I find a dress that meets my criteria, I buy it. I got this one in the end of summer sales earlier this year:

red dress and shoes
Dress from Crossroads; red shoes from M&S Collections, kindly #gifted

It was such a good buy, I went back to see if it came in any other colours or prints – and lo and behold there it was in a leopard print so I nabbed it!

And yet, much as I always feel fab in the red version, the leopard print has never had the same magic.

It was time to take a closer look at both dresses.

And do you know what I discovered?

The leopard print dress isn’t exactly the same style as the red one. The neckline is different, but I think I’ve identified the real problem: it has a seam around the middle and the red one doesn’t. Subconsciously I must have realised it was drawing attention to my tummy, which doesn’t suit me because like many women my age, I am battling middle aged spread. That’s why I never felt 100% comfortable in it – it really wasn’t about the shoes – it was about the DRESS!

Looking at the photos below (taken on a very windy day, can you tell?!), I actually think the black patent heels look the best and unlike what I first thought, they really don’t have a hooker vibe. Maybe it was all in my imagination?

nude heels
Nude heels
diana ferrari heels
Black heels
black flats
Black ballet flats
strappy heels
Black strappy sandals with block heel

I’d love to hear what you think … is it a yay or a nay for the leopard print dress? And which shoes look the best with it?



Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Denise Vermillion says

    16/10/2018 at 6:32 am

    Both the black heels and block heels look great! The dress needs a heel, the flat just don’t do it justice. Even the nude heels work.

    • Janet Camilleri says

      06/11/2018 at 8:37 am

      Thanks Denise, I do love how a heel shows off my legs 😉

  2. Victoria says

    16/10/2018 at 8:08 am

    The strappy/block heels.They make the outfit look connected…You look great in the red too..

    • Janet Camilleri says

      06/11/2018 at 8:38 am

      Definitely one of my favourites too – and thank you!

  3. Julia says

    16/10/2018 at 8:55 am

    I love either of the black heels. Absolutely adore the combo of the red (more like rainbow) dress with the red heels! 🙂

    • Janet Camilleri says

      06/11/2018 at 8:37 am

      In my head I think of it as my “rainforest dress”. I wonder if other people name their dresses like this?!

  4. Kez @ Awesomely Unprepared says

    16/10/2018 at 2:15 pm

    I am always a fan of leopard print!!! You do NOT look like a hooker in ANY of the shoes! I honestly would not think anything was wrong with any of them! x

    • Janet Camilleri says

      06/11/2018 at 8:38 am

      Thank you Kez, it’s silly the ideas we get in our heads sometimes!

  5. Nikki @ Wonderfully Women says

    17/10/2018 at 2:09 pm

    Black heels look fab…..and I love that dress on you!

    • Janet Camilleri says

      06/11/2018 at 8:39 am

      Thanks Nikki 🙂

  6. Victoria says

    19/10/2018 at 10:15 am

    All good!

    • Janet Camilleri says

      06/11/2018 at 8:39 am

      Looking at it now, I’m thinking it works best with black … as to style, I guess that will depend on the occasion.

  7. Bec Senyard says

    23/10/2018 at 8:42 am

    The black heels look fab and I think the leopard print dress looks lovely on you. x

    • Janet Camilleri says

      06/11/2018 at 8:40 am

      There’s nothing like a black heel to make a girl feel fab … and thank you x

  8. Jodie says

    03/11/2018 at 8:31 am

    Both dresses look great! I actually like the ballet flats best with the leopard print dress ?.

    • Janet Camilleri says

      06/11/2018 at 8:36 am

      They’re certainly the most comfy option Jodie!

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Meet the Middle Aged Mama

Janet Camilleri is an Australian bloggerHi - I'm Janet Camilleri aka the Middle Aged Mama; crazy cat lady, award-winning business woman, and mother of two grown children. I might be a middle aged woman, but that doesn't mean I've lost all interest in looking stylish! I love chocolate, chick lit, cruising holidays and the husbear - and not necessarily in that order wink. I live in Brisbane, Australia, and I'm learning how to fashion a new life now that we have an empty nest - did somebody say "travel"?!

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