Riviera Heels from Hotter Shoes

Hotter Shoes aim to produce stylish, good quality shoes with comfort built in.  They do great shoes for work but design more casual footwear also.  And their sale is now on with up to 50% off.

I spotted these great Riviera heeled brogues on the site at the moment.  They are available in black, coffee, dark brown and navy blue and are just perfect for work, day time or on the go.  The heel height is just right to give a little lift without being too high and the rubber sole means that they will fit well and feel great on; for an even better fit, they come in half sizes from a 3 to a 9.  They are fantastic quality being made from suede or leather.  And they're reduced from £80 to £60!

Fantastic Footwear: Groove Cognac Force Boots from Hot Topic

Hot Topic is an American website that stocks current, music-inspired trends.  They are really good for rock and band merchandise, but they also stock items relating to comics, cult films and cartoons, so it's easy to find something fun and unique.  They are currently offering 25% off everything so it's definitely worth a look at what they've got!

I've always been partial to a pair of military style boots and I love these lace up Groove Cognac ones. One can style military boots in so many ways - pair with a floaty dress to add an edge to a feminine look or simply wear with jeans.  The nineties grunge look is still going strong, so these would be perfect for recreating that era!  Originally $46.50, with the discount they are only $34.88 (about £22) and come in US sizes 5 to 10 - so UK 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 ish.

The only problem is that shipping isn't cheap - around £35 from what I can tell, but if one is buying a lot, it may be worth it for cool items that can't be found elsewhere!

Fantastic Footwear: Lunda Soft Leather Lace Up Brogues from Dune

I've said it before, but I find brogues a bit hit or miss; I prefer ones that are heeled or come in interesting and feminine colours and patterns, otherwise I feel too mannish - even if I'm wearing a dress!  However, sometimes there is a need for something fairly basic, which is why I love these blood orange coloured ones available from Dune.  Team with cropped jeans and a floral blouse, they would look lovely - or wear for work when it starts getting colder again!

Available in sizes 3 to 5 and 8, they've been reduced from £70 to £41.

Fantastic Footwear: Ugg Lucianna Marrakech Wedge Sandal from Ugg Australia

I think it's time to refocus on summer fashion and look to take advantage of the sales to get some great bargains to see me through till autumn!  I must confess, I still don't quite understand shops' motivation for having end of summer sales before the season has actually started, but if it means more bargains appropriate to the current season, then so be it!

Did you know that Ugg do more than just winter boots?  They do, and I've had my eye on these Lucianna Marrakech wedges by Ugg for a while now.  The pattern is really pretty, resembling silk printed Moroccan art.  They are fairly high, but not terribly so, so should be fine to walk in.  The quality is amazing and reviews confirm that they are comfortable, as you'd expect from Ugg.  The straps are silk, the cushioned lining is leather and the sole is rubber so they won't slip.

These wedges are perfect for summer parties, weddings and other outdoor events - as with all wedges, they won't sink into the ground, but being such high quality, they will work well with smarter dresses and skirts.  I would wear them with a midi length white broderie anglaise dress for a chic but simple summer look.

Normally £120, the best value ones that I have found online at the moment are available from the Ugg Australia website in sizes 4 to 8 for £80.  My favourite are the blue & white ones shown below, but they also come in brown & black and green & blue.

I've also found them on sale at House of Fraser for £85 and Kate Kuba for £89 but obviously, this is slightly more expensive and the sizes on offer are fewer.  However, it's more options!

I love my Ugg boots and I love even more that they have branched out into shoes and sandals.  What do you think?  Are you an Ugg person?  Let me know in the comments below!

Fantastic Footwear: Art Harlem 932 Oxford Brogues from Sarenza

I don't know if it is the weather or what, but I seem to be searching for shoes that are more suited to the autumn and winter months at the moment.  Surely there's something wrong with this picture?  Where is the sun?  But on the plus side, it does mean that I'm finding some really great bargains that can be stashed in the cupboard until later in the year - or, in fact, worn now if summer has truly been and gone...

The Sarenza summer sale has started and they're offering up to 60% off on over 50,000 styles of shoes and bags from hundreds of top brands, so it is definitely well worth a look.  They stock Art Company footwear, which is a quality shoe brand whose values are strength, quality, innovation and humour.  I think these Harlem 932 taupe lace-up leather brogues fit nicely into that philosophy.  Clearly inspired by the 1940's, they're a classic, fun, vintage style.  The fact that there is a heel means that the usual masculinity of brogues is lessened, and so they can be worn with anything.  A girlie tea dress or skirt would look fab, but so would jeans with a flash of ankle.  And I love the colour block, three tone effect of the shoe, making it unconventional and interesting!

Normally £92, they've been reduced by 30% in the sale to £64.40, which is the cheapest I can find online for these, and are available in sizes 3.5 to 7.  These shoes are also available in darker 'Moka' brown colours.  Sarenza offer free delivery as standard - always a bonus!

Heeled brogues, flat brogues or no brogues - what are your thoughts?  Let me know in the comments!

Fantastic Footwear: Miista Galaxy Oxford Brogues from Free People

Brogues have been a fashion trend for women for a couple of years now.  Since then, they've evolved from a basic flat shoe, found in simple brown or black, to one that can be found in all manner of patterns, colours and heel heights.  They are practical and comfortable, and a great alternative to a ballet pump.  Unless one is deliberately going for a mannish style, they work best when paired with more feminine outfits such as a floral tea dress, pretty skirt or cropped trousers.

I think these Galaxy Oxford brogues from online boutique Free People are a great version of the trend.  The fact that they're pastel and patterned counteracts the absolute masculinity of the traditional style; this means that they will balance well with most outfits, even if they aren't super-feminine.  So I'd not only wear them with skirts and dresses, but jeans too.  These shoes are leather and great quality, and were £158 - but have been reduced in the sale to £99.95 (with free shipping) and are the cheapest I can find on UK sites online.

What do you think about brogues?  Too mannish, or a practical, trendy and comfortable way to get through the day?  Let me know in the comments below!

Wardrobe Staple: Converse All Star Oxford Lace Up Shoes from Amazon

I don't know why, but in the last couple of weeks I have had loads of people moan to me about the cost of Converse All Star trainers.  Maybe because it's when I'm wearing my favourite purple pair that look amazing, and they're jealous?  Or they are overwhelmed by their fabulousness?  Or that they are sick of shops overcharging for a simple pair of sneakers?  I don't know!  But what I do know is that I paid £25 for them from Amazon a little while ago, which seems to have been a very savvy price.

The trick is to know what you want but to be a little flexible if needs be.  At the time, I had about three different colours I would have been happy with and I regularly checked whether any of them were available in my size, at the price I was willing to pay.  I think now, anything under about £28 is a good deal and you really shouldn't be paying more than the RRP of £35 unless you need the right colour, right now.

The best I can find currently are shoes in this charcoal colour, which are available for £27 in sizes 6 and 8.

However, there is a large range of colours and sizes under £30 available so it's a matter of searching and finding the pair that is perfect for you!  In my experience, Amazon has always seemed to have the best deals on these shoes but of course, it's always worth checking elsewhere on the web, just in case.