It is easy to find yourself wearing the same pair of shoes every day solely (pun intended) because they coordinate (or at the very least, don't clash) with many of your outfits. Chances are that your default shoes are not your favorite shoes and they may not even be your most comfortable shoes. Instead you wear them because when you slip them on as you rush out the door you can be reasonably confident that they work with your overall look. But there is a big difference between your shoes complementing your outfit and just being passable. Instead of a default shoe, you need to find a signature shoe. Signature shoes should reflect a bit of your style personality, whether through the color or style, and be comfortable enough to take you through all the events and errands that the day can throw at you. 

A shoe with personality is not going to be a good match to everything in your closet, but that is actually a good thing. First, it can inspire you to put together pieces in new combinations which is great for getting out of a style rut. Second, it forces you to wear some of the other footwear that has been collecting dust in the back of your closet. If your signature shoe doesn't work with a particular dress, then perhaps that will give you an excuse to wear the pumps you bought for a wedding and only wore once. Third, interesting shoes make for a more interesting outfit which is an easy way to give yourself a style boost. A pair of black pumps everyday may be appropriate at work, but that doesn't mean they are the only appropriate option and they certainly aren't the most exciting option.

The pointy flats in the photo are simple and sleek, with an appealing pop of bright blue contrasted against the navy. I like them because they are a modern and stylish twist on a sensible shoe that can be worn to the office or with jeans and a blazer for a casual dinner with friends. They are slightly less versatile than a pair of completely navy shoes because the lighter blue clashes with some colors, but a signature shoe should improve an outfit, not merely be an okay addition to the outfit. This doesn't mean that you will need to buy a new pair of shoes for every clothing combination you can dream up. If there are certain colors that you like to wear a lot, look for a shoe that works with that palette. Just because something isn't neutral doesn't mean that it won't be a good fit in your wardrobe.

Looking for some inspiration for your own pair of signature shoes? Check out these links for some of my favorite options that are available now:

Boden Darcie Point in tan leather with rose gold accents $138

Pikolinos Lille Bootie in black $180

Lands' End Blaine Open Toe Flats $34.99

Banana Republic Avila Pump with tassel in gunmental $128

Lately women in Chicago have been very interested in my sandals. They have spoken to me on the train, stopped me on the street, and chatted with me in the elevator. And everyone asks the same things. Here's a pretty standard conversation:

When people ask me about my sandals, I wish I had ten minutes to tell them everything I love about them. Instead I just say that I love them in a very enthusiastic voice. But here's the reality: most summer sandals just aren't that comfortable and until you've tried a comfortable pair, it is hard to really understand the difference that it can make. I bought my first pair of Birkenstocks because the cheap flip flops I had been wearing made my knees and feet hurt. It takes a couple weeks to break in a pair of Birks, but the payoff is more than worth it. I feel like my sandals are made for my feet. 

Birkenstock doesn't really change anything drastically from season to season so once you figure out your size, then you can order them online. (I usually get mine from Zappos or RueLaLa.) There are a ton of color options so you can always find something that will appeal to you, they last more than one season (just remember to get the cork sealant to protect them from the rain), and you can walk in them for days! Honestly, the only downside is that you get weird tan lines on your feet. 

Still not convinced? Check out Birkenstock on Pinterest and see all the user-submitted photos of people loving their Birks!

    Last week the New York Times posted a Room For Debate discussion about whether or not stilettos (and high heels more generally) are appropriate for the workplace. Contributors tackled the question in the context of health, style and professionalism, but what really stood out to me was that there isn't a consensus on what is appropriate footwear for women at work. We have many more options that our male counterparts which is great when trying to find a shoe that is comfortable as well as stylish, but it also means that we don't have an easy answer when we are trying to decide if we can or should wear a particular style. A black pump is a fairly standard pairing with a suit, but when does it become too high?

    My rule of thumb is that 3 inches is the maximum height for work and that platforms should be avoided in the office. Of course, there may be some exceptions, for example, some heels that technically have a platform front are designed or covered in outer material so that the platform is hidden. The biggest variable is your office culture. If you work at a fashion magazine, then chances are the norm will be to wear heels considerably higher than 3 inches and if you work in a law office you might feel that a wedge is too casual and that only a navy or black sensible pump will be acceptable. But regardless of your job, you should choose a shoe that is comfortable.

    Below the slideshow shows a few shoe options based on different office environments and dress codes, but only you know what will and will not be viewed as appropriate in your field. Let me know in the comments what you look for in a shoe for work. Do you rotate through several styles or wear the same one every day? Comfort or style (or hopefully you get both)? Are your shoes a bright and cheery hue or do you stick to neutrals? Share your thoughts as well as links to any shoes that you love for both comfort and style!

Although it has been 95 in Chicago this week, my calendar promises me that cool, fall weather is right around the corner. Soon it will be time to retire my sandals for until next summer because current temperatures will require closed toed shoes. While many of my friends soaking up these last weeks of heat, I am digging around in my closet looking for fun fall footwear to dust off in preparation for more tolerable weather.

If your summer wardrobe is mostly filled with light colored neutrals it can be hard to add the bright colors and patterns of the season. It either feels like an overwhelming task to find those pieces which are out of your comfort zone or seems like a waste of money to buy pieces that you aren't sure you will actually want to wear. Try picking up a few brightly colored accessories (lots of great pieces are on sale right now!) and incorporating them into your existing neutrals to give them a summery pop!