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What to Wear to the Office During the Summer

Our Top 5 Trends Keep you Professionally Cool When Temperatures Rise

Warmer weather is a perfect excuse to jazz up the work wear wardrobe. Now is the opportune time to mix in colors, prints and accessories that might look less than appropriate during the winter months. 

Look for inspiration everywhere. Allow music and art festivals to inspire your professional fashion spirit. Don’t forget that farmer's markets, outdoor concerts and other venues can be a wealth of outfit inspiration, and a treasure trove for that hard-to-find accessory you’ve been searching for.

1. Fitted, Detailed Dresses

These can be a fun day-to-night work option for the summer. Feel free to mix up the textures: leather and mesh, silk and metal, and a throw on a jacket and some accessories for an extra polished look.

2. Bright, Vintage-Inspired Prints

Who doesn’t feel lovely wearing bright floral patterns? Are fruits and flowers too much for the cubicle? Try a small purse or hand bag in a fun print.

3. Slick Jacket

A slick jacket is the working girl's go-to piece. Again, texture is fun, especially in the summer. Look for linens, soft suede and and juxtapositions in style/print like this floral bomber jacket or a sequined tuxedo.

4. Sequins

A few sparkles can really jazz up an outfit, but a word of caution; when incorporating sequins, a little goes a long way. Keep it to one sequined piece or accessory and pair with neutral tones.

5. Pencil Skirt

Look and feel pretty, and powerful! The pencil skirt is timeless, flattering and feminine, and can hold its own during a power lunch. Look for lightweight fabrics that offer some stretch and pair with a blouse.  

As a fashion conscious professional, use the summer to experiment with your professional look. Dabble in sequins and prints and, when in doubt, don a slick jacket. And don't forget some foxy shades. You're feeling cooler already!

Clickless High Heel Protectors

25 Types of Heels: The Ultimate Guide
Whether you've just started working in a shoe department and want to be able to talk the lingo, or you've recently gotten really into fashion, knowing your shoe definitions is a useful skill. When it comes to high heeled shoes, we have a special place in our hearts. So we've decided to create the ultimate list of types of heels. Some of these have gone out of style but with the cyclical fashion industry, we won't be surprised if they make a comeback soon. Without further ado, we give you 27 heel types. Think you could ace the quiz? 

High, Mid and Low Heel Types 

  1. Kitten Heels
    We recently wrote about kitten heels and love the style for the comfort / fashion mix. They're great for parties or work events where you don't need the extra height but will be on your feet for awhile. 


  2. Pumps
    Also known as simply high heels, pumps are usually wider and between 2 and 3 inches in height. They're typically low cut around the front.


  3. Stilettos
    The highest of all the high heels, stilettos can reach up to 8 inches. While these heights can cause problems walking for many, it's a worthy skill for the lengthening effect they have on one's legs. Note: many stilettos are also platforms due to the height (see below for platforms).


  4. Ankle Strap Heels
    A favorite of the Clickless team, ankle strap heels are very much in style right now. The height of the heel can vary, but the one common denominator is the strap that goes around the ankle, making the heels more secure and comfortable to walk in. 


  5. Wedge Heels
    There are two different types of wedge shoes: wedge heels and wedge sandals. Wedge heels are flush just like a high heel would be, and there is no separation from the heel to the sole.


  6. Wedge Sandals
    While they have the same type of heel as a wedge heel, wedge sandals have a more open, sandal upper.


  7. Cone Heels
    Wider at the sole of the foot and narrower at the base, cone heels form what you might expect: a cone. Just picture an ice cream cone on the bottom of your shoe. Disclaimer: while we know you love your shoe collection, please try not to eat them.


  8. Sling Back Heels
    Unlike ankle strap heels, the sling back heel just has a strap that goes around the back of the achilles heel. This provides a more elegant look while still achieving the function of stabilization. 


  9. Platform Heels
    You can see platform heels from short to tall. The main thing that makes them platform is the part of the shoe under the sole is thicker. Many say this makes the higher heels more comfortable because there's less of a height differential between the back and front of the foot.


  10. High Heel Sandals
    With varying heights, a high heel sandal is anything that has any of the heel types listed here (high, stiletto, kitten), but with a sandal upper.


  11. Peep Toe Heels
    Somewhat of a tease, peep toe heels come in all shapes and sizes. All they need is for a pop of your colorful toenails to show to be a peep toe!


  12. Cork High Heels
    These heels simply refer to the cork material used to make them. They can vary in height and style, but the cork material makes for a softer, more cushioned step.


  13. High Heeled Boots
    Steve Miller said, "in the wintertime when all the trees are brown, wear high heeled boots". Okay, we made that last part up. But these babies pair well under or over jeans or even with a skirt or dress.


  14. Ankle Booties
    Making their comeback within the last few years, high heeled booties, or ankle booties, are great for spring or fall days when a full boot is overkill. 


  15. Spool Heels
    If you think of a spool of thread, you may understand the concept of spool heels. The heel is thicker at the sole of the foot, narrow in the middle, and then comes back out at the base.


  16. Mules
    Mule heels are any type of heel that comes up high over the top of the foot. You could have an open or closed to mule; the height of the heel can vary.


  17. Ballroom Dance Shoes
    Strappy shoes that typically have an enclosed back and ankle strap, ballroom dance shoes have lots of support for (you guessed it) getting your groove on. They're low enough to be stable but high enough to provide a little vertical lift. They're becoming more popular at weddings.


  18. Cut Out Heels
    Getting more on the funky, cool side of high heel types, cut out heels are any type of heel that has a portion of the upper cut out for effect.


  19. Corset Heels
    Similar to a mule style of heel or a bootie, the difference with a corset heel is that the two sides are tied together as a traditional corset would be.


  20. French Heels
    Also known as Louis Heels or Pompador Heels, these are similar to spool heels wherein they are short but have some curve to the heel.


  21. Oxfords
    The traditional Oxford has that academy look with a flat heel. But lately, we're seeing Oxford heels come on the scene. The heel is still flat at the base, but with more height than a traditional Oxford.


  22. Chunky Heels
    This is the general term for any heel with a wider base that is typically square. They're usually on the short to medium side, and provide more stability than traditional high heels or stilettos.


  23. Comma Heels
    Think of the comma. Yes, we're referring to the punctuation mark. Now line that up with the heel of a shoe, and you have a comma heel!


  24. Espadrille Heels
    Somewhat new on the fashion scene, Espadrille shoes have a fabric upper and a plaited fiber sole, made popular worldwide by Toms. Espadrille heels are a take on this traditional flat, and can have a heel or wedge base.


  25. Fantasy Heels
    Here's the wildcard heel type to cover all of the crazy designs out there. There are so many types of heels you could never think of in your head, and yet they do exist. We're not sure who wears them other than maybe Lady Gaga, but they do exist.

 

Clickless High Heel Protectors

Our Favorite Kitten Heels for Spring

Something about the name kitten heels just makes us giggle. It's like you're not a full fledged cat yet, and aren't ready for the big girl high heels. But, we at Clickless LOVE kitten heels and think they're versatile for all sorts of activities. Try these kitten heels on for size the next time you're looking for a new work outfit, going out on the town, or want to look nice on a shopping outing.

But first, for the record, what defines a kitten heel? It's typically a stiletto heel that is less than 2 inches in height. Often, it's 1 or 1.5 inches. They were introduced in the 1950's and can be found on many types of shoes, from pumps to sandals. 

Kitten Heels Spring 2014

Coach Manya Sandal

French Connection Pointy Toe d'Orsay Pump

Jimmy Choo Mandy Pointy Toe Pump

Kurt Geiger London Tilia Pump

Maxstudio Mac Sandal

Michael Kors Trisha Genuine Snakeskin Pump

Salvatore Ferragamo Primerose Pointy Toe Pump

See by Chloe Hera Ankle Strap D'Orsay Pump

Trotters Prima Pump

Valentino Metallic Nappa Couture Bow Pump

Clickless High Heel Protectors

22 Shoe Hacks To Keep You Kickin'
  1. Use beeswax to waterproof canvas shoes. Don't forget to set the wax with a blow dryer. 
  2. Use a mixture of vinegar and water to scrub salt and water stains off leather shoes.
  3. Clean dirt off suede by rubbing it with a stale crust of bread.
  4. Make patent shoes shiny again using window cleaner such as Windex.
  5. Remove scratches on leather shoes with a tiny bit of moisturizer. 
  6. Break your shoes in by wearing them with socks and making them more pliable by blowdrying them.
  7. Look for stitching in shoe soles to determine if they can get re-soled. This is especially important when shopping for vintage shoes.
  8. Throw canvas sneakers into the washing machine to clean them. Let them air dry.
  9. When traveling, pack your shoes in a plastic bag or shower cap to keep the soles from touching your clothes and other belongings.
  10. Put wadded newspaper into shoes when you're not wearing them to absorb odor and moisture. 
  11. Use your shoe to open a bottle of wine in a pinch. See the video here
  12. Air dry your socks to make them last longer.
  13. Use pant hangers (the kind with clips) to store tall boots. It'll reduce mess and keep the boots from slumping.
  14. Add a colored pom pom clip to your shoes to add some flair to your next holiday (St. Paddy's, Christmas, or Independence Day).
  15. Add a pop of color to your oxfords by spray painting the soles.
  16. Use iron-on fabric to replace the insoles of your shoes once they get old, if you purchased a vintage pair, or if you just want to liven up the pattern.
  17. Once the heels of your high heels or stilettos are damaged to the point where you can no longer wear them, add glitter to the heels to cover it up and get more mileage out of them.
  18. Spray tights and leggings with hairspray to prevent runs.
  19. Use a ladder to store your high heels.
  20. Reduce the look of small nicks by using a similarly colored nail polish.
  21. Use a metallic spray paint to add a shiny tip to ballet flats.
  22. If you get a run in your pantyhose, use nail polish to prevent it from running further. 
Sources: lifehacker.comwhowhatwear.com, complex.com, lovelyindeed.com, thebudgetfashionista.com, grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.ro

Clickless High Heel Protectors

Our Top 5 Favorite Looks of ACM

Oliva Munn in Reem Acra and Christian Louboutin silver platforms

Carrie Underwood, in Oscar de la Renta, Jimmy Choo shoes and David Yurman jewels

Miranda Lambert, in Randi Rahm

 

Faith Hill in Saint Laurent

Taylor Swift with chic strappy Casadei sandals 

(Photos by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Clickless High Heel Protectors