Fitting Fall's Best Shoes in Your Wardrobe

InStyle Magazine's Lisa Arbetter Gives Her Suggestions for How to Wear This Season's Best Shoes Without Breaking Your Budget

(CBS)  When it comes to fashion, a fabulous pair of shoes can make an outfit. But this season, women's footwear runs the gamut, from thigh-high boots to the masculine wingtip shoe. So, what's the best style to compliment your fancy footwear?

Lisa Arbetter, deputy managing editor of InStyle magazine shared her suggestions on "The Early Show."

According to Arbetter, " You don't have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, you have to get the proportions right to make the shoe look good."

When you're getting dressed in the morning or shopping for a new shoe this season, Arbetter said there are a few things to consider when it comes to your wardrobe.

Fall's hottest shoes, she said, go beyond the basic pump or a simple boot.

"We are seeing trends like over the knee boots, peep-toe booties and other type of booties, and the platform pumps are still in. They make a statement," she said. "Because they are so special, one or two pairs can update an entire wardrobe. If you have a lot of basics in the wardrobe these shoes can pump them up."

Arbetter said with these shoes, you won't have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, but you have to get the proportions right to make the shoe look good.

"Shoes this stunning will make last year's looks suddenly exciting again," she said.

And when it comes to buying a dress, Arbetter said you should "build from the bottom up," starting with your shoes.

She said, "Some shoes are just a finishing touch, but the shoes we are seeing today are statement shoes like these are so much a part of the outfit-not just a finishing touch. It's not really about which comes first. It's the total look."

PEEP-TOE BOOTIES
• These are pretty versatile. This is a hot color for the fall. They can be worn with jeans-boyfriend, or skinny-leggings, skirts and trousers.
• You can wear tights with them, especially if you choose a pair with a small peep-toe.
• Loose jeans keep this silhouette relaxed, even with a super high heel.
• The bright clutch is a beautiful contrast to the muted, neutral shoes.

Brian Atwood suede booties, $933; Saks Fifth Avenue.com, American Apparel vest, $36; American Apparel, Banana Republic silk racerback tank, $60; Banana Republic, Elizabeth Cole gold plate necklace, $163; Elizabeth Cole Jewelry, Louis Vuitton satin, leather, and metal clutch, $2,575; 866-884-8866 Levi's boyfriend jeans, $79.50, Levis.com.

OVER-THE-KNEE BOOTS
• Some end right over the knee, while others go up to mid thigh. The taller you are the higher you can go.
• Wear them over dark tights to get a long, leggy look. You don't want any skin showing between boot and top
• Skirts and dresses should fall about one to three inches above the boot.
• Or, if boots extend under the skirt, make sure they do so completely -- you never want to see the top, even when you sit or walk
• Other options: Tuck in a pair of leggings
• If you are worried about looking too "Pretty Woman" choose a low heeled or flat style.
• Temper these sexy boots with an oversize, chunky cardigan, a soft jersey scarf, and simple black leggings.

Sergio Rossi suede over the knee boots, $1,495; Visit ShoeBoxNY for stores, LOFT dropped shoulder cotton cardigan, $59.50; Loftline.com, Joie silk tank, $154; at Nordstrom American Apparel scarf, $18; American Apparel, Sequin sculpted cuff bracelet, $32; Nordstrom.com Wolford leggings, $42; 800-965-3673

HIGH-HEELED BIKER BOOTS
• They are tough looking, so you want something softer-like this silky dress-to play off that edge
• Mid-calf boots go well with shorter skirts. The expanse of leg makes you look taller. If it's cold, dark tights will give you the same effect.
• Since the skirt is short, keep everything else covered
• These boots would also go well with leggings or skinny jeans. They are meant to be shown off, not worn under pants.
• Next to the tough heels, a dress in a delicate fabric and arty print looks unexpected and chic.
• Stick to a short hemline to really pull this look off; the short length helps keep your legs looking long in these mid-calf boots.

Tod's leather boots, $945; at Tod's stores Armani Exchange feather print dress, $130; Armani Exchange.

BROGUES
• (Brogues, often known as wingtips in the United States, are low-heeled shoes made of heavy leather, originating in Scotland and Ireland as a coarse, usually untanned leather shoe. The term wingtip derives from the toe cap pattern, which forms a W and resembles the profile of spreading bird wings.)
• These are masculine shoes, so you want to contrast them with something feminine, like a mini.
• You can wear longer skirts, too, but too long and it starts to look dowdy.
• A dark tight is very flattering.
• They also look great with cigarette style pants, rolled up jeans, and leggings.
• Bare legs and a mini-dress keep these masculine shoes ultra feminine.
• The sheer cardigan adds another layer of sexiness.

Via Spiga leather shoes, $198; at select Bloomingdale's stores American Apparel cardigan, $44; American Apparel, Parker silk and ponte knit dress, $242; at Saks Fifth Avenue, Forever 21 metallic bowler bag, $24.80; Forever 21

SCARLET SANDALS
• The easiest way to wear them is to let the color pop and keep the rest of your outfit neutral.
• Opt for thick straps and a platform. You don't want them to look too delicate or they could be mistaken for evening shoes.
• They also need to stand up against tights. Opaque is best. Black always works. Gray or brown can also look sophisticated.
• Also would look great with long, wide-leg pant or trouser or a cropped jean.
• An outfit of dark neutrals makes a fantastic backdrop for red - this season's hottest shade in accessories.
• The tank's subtle alligator pattern picks up on the lizard texture of these platforms, pulling the look together.

Rene Caovilla satin sandals with Swarovski crystals and feathers, $1,100; at Neiman Marcus Theory feathered dress, $365; Theory for stores Aldo "Elroizea" clutch, $35; Aldo Shoes.

FEATHER STILETTOS
• Feathers are one of the hottest embellishments of the season, Arbetter said. They're fun, she said, because they blow around when you walk, which makes for a surprising sexy effect.
• Since these shoes are so eye-catching, Arbetter said, you can't go wrong pairing them with a simple cocktail dress.
• You'll look your leggiest if you wear these-or any -- ankle strap shoes with a hemline that's right above the knee or shorter.
• A dress with trim is fun and flirtatious.
• Just remember to keep other accessories minimal.
• Include only one statement piece per outfit!

Report Signature "Reade" strappy sandals, $225; Shop Bop. MM Couture by Miss Me vest, $87; missme.com C&C California pima cotton alligator print racer-back tank, $58; C&C California, Paul & Joe sister skirt, $192; 662-234-9907 Hue tights, $13; at Bloomingdale's Zaria gold cubic zirconia ring set, $64; Max and Chloe.

LOWER PRICED SHOES
Scarlet Sandals: Michael Antonio “Stratford” sandals, $49.95; Endless.com.
Feather Stilettos: Nina “Extina” pumps, $99.95; Nina Shoes for stores
High-Heeled Biker Boots: Jessica Simpson Collection “Jonas” boots, $149; Jessica Simpson Collection.
Over the Knee Boots: N.Y.L.A. “Petula” boots, $129.95; DSW
Peep-Toe Booties: Vince Camuto “Magena2” peep toe bootie, $139.95 at Endless.com.

[sam-kiley]

by cmcarthu1 October 14, 2009 10:58 AM EDT

let's show the shoes for 1 second and the models' chest and face for 30. Get some decent camera operators or producers.
mdrrr
.....
by grannybarb October 14, 2009 1:49 PM EDT
If your going to have a segment on fall shoes, show the shoes not the models. The camera man did a terrible job. You got about a 5 second shot of the shoes and 15 seconds of the models.

re-mdrrrr

cela dit et les chaussures et les boots ou bottines sont belles, les cuissardes ou genouillardes, il faut aimer pour vouloir en porter...merci
au revoir

[grannybarb]

If your going to have a segment on fall shoes, show the shoes not the models. The camera man did a terrible job. You got about a 5 second shot of the shoes and 15 seconds of the models. One pair I must of blinked, missed them completely!

[cmcarthu1]

It's bad enough NBC hides a fourth of the TV screen with their stupid, useless bars on the bottom. But hey, when you have a story about shoes, let's show the shoes for 1 second and the models' chest and face for 30. Get some decent camera operators or producers. Your morning shows seems like something a kindergardener could put on, they seem so unprofessional. I saw the Brogue shoes for a split second, but hey, you showed the model's upper area long enough for me to recognize her on the street. Typical men. I don't think your major audience are young leering boys.

[justfeelinduckie]

Are those shoes really practical? I personally would break my neck attempting to walk in something like that. Practical pricing? When the price of a pair of shoes is more than a monthly car payment there are serious issue with "affordability". I actually sit here and laugh that people will waste that kind of money on something that has got to be uncomfortable just in the name of fashion......