How To Turn Tricky Fall Fashion Trends Into Office-Friendly Treats

Seasonal weather changes always bring the thrill of new fashions. This fall is no exception.

It’s frightening, though, how many trends appear to be wearable for weekends-only…or look so intimidating. It’s easy to feel like we are wearing costumes.

Don’t get spooked!

Here are my top guidelines for turning this fashion nightmare of tricks into office-friendly treats:

• Phantom Fears: What you wear can support your feeling your most dynamic self on the job. That’s why I always recommend giving a fashion trend a try, if it intrigues you at all. Fear does not need to override your excitement. Just be sure and follow the rest of my guidelines to make it work for work.
• Supernatural Solutions: When it comes to tackling trends for the office, I suggest you opt for the most conservative styles. This way, even if you are slightly pushing the dress code, the odds of you magically appearing modern, elegant, and professionally polished will be in your favor.
• Hocus-Pocus: Style your next career look by incorporating a maximum of two top trends. I advocate for two, because your co-workers focus will then remain on you and not solely on what you’re wearing. Beware! More than two can easily be distracting. Accessories are occasional exceptions to my two-max rule. Keep the rest of your outfit simple and classic.
• RIP: It’s all about exuding confidence and competence, right? To ease any anxiety about wearing a fashion trend to work, I suggest objectively checking yourself out in a full-length mirror to truly make sure it is appropriate for your work environment & position, it flatters your specific body type, and it is something you absolutely feel enlivened wearing.

SHOE BLOG ROLL

Want to be on my blog roll?  Email me a picture of your favourite pair of shoes (beafunmum (at) gmail (dot) com), your web address and three words to describe your blog. Vertical pictures work best. It doesn’t have to be a fabulous shoe, although, I think every shoe is fabulous, it just has to be  a YOU-SHOE!

Browse the blogs below by clicking on the picture.  As you hover over the shoes, the name of the blog will appear.  Have fun!

If you love looking at gorgeous shoes, I’ve put together a designer shoe guide for buying shoes in Australia.

What Does Your Favourite Mocks Colour Say About You?

According to the theory of chromotherapy, the colours you love most may say a lot about your personality. This could mean that, with so many fantastic colours to choose from, there really is a pair of Mocks for everyone!

So, what does your favourite Mocks hue say about you? Read on to find out, and let us know if we got it right!

If you sport a pair of Oxford Green Mocklite Classics on your feet, chances are you’re often trudging through the woods, rambling through fields and wallowing in the mud, as people who love the colour green are said to be extremely close to nature. According to chromotherapy, green is also a peaceful colour that brings calmness and harmony, so you’re also likely to be a laid-back lad or lass who everyone will love to be around! Oh, and don’t forget – our Mocklite Classic styles for men and women are not only durable and lightweight but also completely washable, so you can get them as muddy as you like on your next outdoor adventure.

The coolest colour of all, blue, is said to be preferred by people who are faithful, loyal and practical. You’re likely to be the member of your friendship group who always organises the festival trips and nights out, makes sure everyone has a fantastic time, and takes control when things don’t quite go to plan. What would your friends do without you? With a pair of men’s or women’s Classic Canvas Mocks in Buenos Aires Blue on your feet, you’ll always be ready to take on your next challenge in comfort and style.

The song ‘Mellow Yellow’ wasn’t entirely accurate as according to chromotherapy, people who love the sunniest shade are far from chilled-out! If you’ve added a pair of men’s or women’s Mocklite Classics in Monte Carlo Mustard to your shoe collection, chances are that you’re energetic, curious, cheerful, creative and love to travel. And what’s more, you have the perfect shoes to explore all those new places in!

As the colour of love, it’s no surprise that people with a penchant for red are said to be passionate, energetic, courageous and strong. Good luck to anyone who tries to hold you back! With a vibrant pair ofmen’s or women’s Mocks Classic Canvas in Havana Red on your feet, the world will be yours, and you’ll look as great as you feel.

Clean, crisp white – the colour of simplicity, truth, and our fabulously fresh Brighton White Mocklite Classics! If white’s your colour of choice, you’re likely to be a straightforward, honest person, and as white is also believed to be a spiritual colour, you may have a great connection with your own mind too. Lucky for you, our soft and flexible men’s and women’s Mocklite Classics are just perfect for slipping on after your next gruelling yoga class.

How to Make your Legs Look Longer

Truth: Girls love long legs.

If you’re blessed with them, flaunt them. If not, yes – you can still flaunt them! How to make those legs of yours look long? Well, it’s all about the shoes and the clothing. You just need to find what style tricks work best for your body or which patterns create the illusion of elongated legs.

1. Buy shoes with heels of any height, preferably pointy. Heels give you extra height, creating the illusion of an elongated leg. Opt for skinny heels over chunky heels to avoid adding bulk to your foot and lower leg.

2. Match your shoes with your pants or stockings. For example, try wearing a panty hose with black heels. This one-colour look creates a clean line, as the eye travels from the top of your leg straight down to the floor without stopping.

3. Go nude-or dark. Not in the socialite way.  Get nude coloured shoes. These are shoes that closely blends with the tone of your skin. Or cover your legs with dark colours. Black and other muted shades have a slimming effect, and wearing them on your legs will make your legs look more slender, leaner and longer.

@Sh. 2999

4. Look for open-toed or peep-toe shoes. Sandals and open-toed shoes expose more skin on the top of your foot. The more skin you show, the more leg an onlooker’s eye will see. And don’t forget to paint your toe-nails!!

5. Look for ballet flats with a pointed toe. Again, a pointed toe makes your foot look longer, which, in turn, may also help your overall leg look longer.

6. Know the Right Pair of Shoes for You. Whatever shoes you like, better know what clothes to pair it with. For example, jeans are best paired with ankle boots while long skirts look cute with calf length boots. If you have slim calves, try knee-high boots. Basically, the most effective way to elongate your legs is to show skin. That means it is advisable to wear peep toed shoes or flip flop sandals.

- See more at: http://blog.batakenya.com/#sthash.lzQEErxl.dpuf

6 Shoe Care Tips for Guys

1. Leather shoes- Polish, polish- often

You’ve invested money—and probably time—in your new shoes. Show them off, and make sure they look good. So as soon as you take them out of the box, polish them.

Read more: Shoe Care Tips for Leather.

2. Suede shoes- clean and brush

If you’re investing in suede kicks, treat them with a protective suede cleaner or spray that resists water, salt and mud so they won’t be damaged-and to look good. The best option is the neutral suede cleaner available in all Bata stores, never mismatches the colour. You should also commit to a good suede eraser and brush for maintenance. First, use your eraser to target stains. Then, follow up with the brush to bring the nap of the suede back to its original state

Read more: How to clean your Safari Boots.

3. Canvas Shoes-Hand wash and cool-dry.

Use a wet cloth to wash your canvas uppers and a brush for the rubber lining, and then dry your canvas shoes in room temperature. No direct sunlight or they will fade out.

4. Wet shoes- newspapers have more use than just reading.

If you get caught in the rain, save your shoes from permanent damage by drying them as soon as you get home. Stuff your shoes with newspaper to soak up the moisture and place them in a well ventilated area as you wait for them to dry. The heater will crack them.

5. That habit – Don’t use a sponge

Don’t use sponges on your shoes-you never know what’s in them. Sponges tend to suck everything and may permanently disfigure your shoes…instead use a cloth or a hand brush.

6. Classic-add a layer of rubber.

No other shoe company will tell you this, but before you wear them, ask a cobbler to place a thin rubber sole on your new dress shoes, if only on the heel. The rubber will protect the leather soles from damage, AND also give you extra traction. Plus, worn rubber soles are easily—and more affordably—replaced than leather. Your shoes will last, and last.

- See more at: http://blog.batakenya.com/2014/06/03/6-shoe-care-tips-for-guys/#sthash.eOsAGHOs.dpuf

Shoe Care Tips for Leather

Research shows that fashionistas are in agreement that – “You’re not dressed up, if Your Shoes are worn down”. Whereas physical health experts are in agreement that footwear is meant to protect your feet as well as the general well being of your physical body. Psychologists on the other hand are in agreement that what you wear on your feet is a reflection of your personality.

Available in Bata stores @Kshs.3299

When these three schools of thought are blended, we find that footwear protects your feet and at the same time, it is a reflection of your personality since your personal style says a lot about who you are.

However, we tend to forget that the beauty and lifespan of a shoe is dependent on how well we take care of it. For instance, shoe experts world wide are in agreement that leather is nature’s perfect shoe material:

Leather breathes which allows your feet to breathe as nature intended. Leather flexes and bends with every move you make. Leather is luxurious and durable. Leather is restorable and is an investment that requires personal care. Leather may cost a little more but will last a lot longer with proper care. (Atkinson Shoe Repair Inc.)

Below are some general tips on the best way to care for your leather shoes:

Available in Bata stores @Kshs.4299

1. It is possible to minimize the effects of exposure to water as well as other weather conditions such as excessive heat from sunlight.

- In case your leather shoe has been exposed to water, do not wear it while it is wet and do not expose it to sunlight in an attempt to dry it. Simply, allow  your shoe to dry at room temperature. Footwear should be kept away from direct heat because prolonged exposure to heat may dry and crack leather.

2. Don’t let dirt build up, clean shoes and boots regularly:

- Clean off dirt after every wear with a soft brush or rag

- Maintain the leather gleam: polish, polish, polish.

3. Keep your shoe shape by loosening laces or buckles before removing.

4. Use a shoehorn for slipping your shoes onto your feet, this prevents breakdown of the heel counter, the leather support between the lining and the upper of the shoe,  from losing its stability.

5. Don’t wear tight shoes. Wear an appropriate size for you.

6. Practice preventive maintenance. Repair your shoes before every-day wear turns into damage.

Keeping your shoes looking good is not hard to do. Shoe care is especially easy if you have just the right stuff.

- See more at: http://blog.batakenya.com/2011/08/09/shoe-care-tips-for-leather/#sthash.a3weGuIR.dpuf