Cart Curator #81 - Making work heels work for you

Plus a sneaker that may have been run over by a tractor, a home brand holy grail, and my favourite new Saturday night haunt.

Oct 30, 2024

Hey friends,

I have just arrived back in London after an amazing week in Italy. I started the trip with a few rainy days in Rome before heading to Montalcino in Tuscany for their Sagra del Tordo festival. I’ve fallen in love with Tuscany and Montalcino and plan to head back there next year.

I plan on updating the Italy travel special to include a few new places and things to purchase if anyone is heading to Italy, so keep an eye out for that! In the meantime, you can see a recap of what I got up to in Rome below.

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Enjoy,

Jess x

You Asked For It

This week's YAFI comes from CC alum Nic, who is looking for some new work shoes with a heel. This kind of shoe must satisfy many requirements for work, including colour, heel height, comfort, and versatility. Some of my favourite work pairs of heels would be some that you would look at and immediately think they would inflict pain. Something to note with this category is that this is not something I particularly want or value spending a lot of money on, as I want to save that for funner purchases. For obvious reasons, these styles may be better suited for wearing with dressier tailored trousers, slip skirts, and more formal jeans than, say, a fun party dress.

JW PEI Carla Soft Padded Kitten Heel Pumps

This pair of kitten heels from JW PEI leans into a mule style. I like the smaller heels on these, and a sling-back style is comfortable, especially if you will be on your feet a bit. These shoes are reminiscent of a style straight out of the 90s, but with the added puff detail, which gives me Prada vibes. I also love that this style heel flares out a bit at the bottom, giving a bit more detail to an otherwise standard kitten heel.

Zara Leather Slingback Shoes

I am so beyond obsessed with the shape and style of these shoes. The shape of the toe is very similar to the LOEWE petal-shaped toe, which I love, and we have yet to see filter down through the high street stores. Again, you have a slingback and kitten heel, which is non-negotiable for any work shoes for me. I touch on this below in Add to Cart, but this pony texture is a real up-and-coming trend. I love that this adds a bit of fun to a work shoe, but its black sheen is relatively inconspicuous compared to some other textures like fur and boucle that may not see you get that repeat wear.

Tony Bianco Harriet Black Satin

I have previously spoken about these Tony Bianco mules, but I honestly could not love a shoe more. Obviously, these are inspired by the Prada Satin Mules, but without this fact, they are just a classic chic style. The lower blockier heel means that these will be perfect for walking, and the toe is pointed without being super harsh, so if a severely pointed toe is something you avoid, this could be for you. This style is available in several different colours, but black satin is my favourite, providing that bit of extra detail to a pretty plain shoe. If your workplace isn’t super corporate/formal, these are another great pair to work into outfits with jeans, slip skirts, and Bermuda shorts.

MANGO Crocodrile kitten-heel shoes

I wanted to include something in more of a classic style that you can find in most places, but this MANGO pair adds a bit of a twist with its deep burgundy shade and faux croc texture. I’ve owned many pairs in styles nearly identical to this, and despite the intense pointed toe, they have been so comfortable for walking in and are super easy to slip on and off if you are wearing a more walking-appropriate shoe into the office. A shoe like this brings a bit of personality to a work outfit without being a massive pop of colour or texture. We are seeing an increase in the popularity of burgundy clothing and accessories this season, which I love.

Zara Leather Block Heel Loafers

Lastly, we have another pair from none other than Zara. All pairs I have included feature a slingback, so I wanted to include something fully enclosed for those who prefer. Loafers are such a classic look, and I like that this style is more sleek and streamlined than most of the blockier and chunky styles we have seen in the past. The block heel is, as we know, a really easy shape to walk and stand in, and the shape of this shoe's upper is so different. I love how this was styled in the image below versus covering this detail with a pair of pants, and this would be highly versatile for any work wardrobe.

Add to Cart

What’s sitting in carts, or what’s been checked out.

Reformation Kylo Top

I love a fun top, and with the popularity of baggy jeans or denim jorts, a colourful option like the Kylo Top from Reformation is a must-have for warmer weather. Wearing jeans and a nice top has become a thing of memes, but I still genuinely believe in this combo, and it’s something I am trying to get back into versus always opting for a t-shirt or something on the plainer side. This polka dot halterneck gives Audrey Hepburn/La Dolce Vita vibes and looks feminine without being overly girly.

DISSH Ellison Black Strapless Midi Dress

DISSH’s new styles can honestly do no wrong if you love a neutral-toned wardrobe filled with cotton and linen. The new Ellison Strapless Midi Dress, which recently launched as part of their On Tour: Sydney collection, is the perfect staple piece coming into spring and summer. It is very similar to a style both Nicole and I purchased from & Other Stories in 2023. The version I owned has to be one of the pieces in my wardrobe that I have received the most comments on, as the drop waist style of both that and this DISSH version is incredibly flattering.

A dress like this is perfect for summer BBQs, a dressier lunch, or even something more formal, like an engagement party. It is so versatile that it can be worn with thongs, sneakers, or heels, and feel comfortable with all these items.

Ancient Greek Sandals The Slipper

Leather mules and slippers are having a real comeback after slipping off the radar following the peak popularity of the Gucci Leather Horsebit Slippers. If anyone was going to bring this style back in a modern way, it was going to be The Row, of course, with their Dante Leather Mules.

Both the Gucci and The Row styles are out of most people's price range (including mine). Still, footwear brand Ancient Greek has been hot on The Row's tail, releasing pieces inspired by the brand's styles, including The Slipper, available in a black pony fabrication, which I love for heading into fall and winter. Pony has been popping up across shoes and bags over the past couple of months, but this sleek all-black pair is perfect for pairing with a baggy tailored trouser or blue denim jeans for a casual occasion. We have just been through a considerable leopard print phase, but this pony texture is coming up next.

Beauty Counter

Prod of the week.

SEPHORA COLLECTION Reveal The Real Soft Radiant Skin Tint

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I was desperately trying to give my everyday makeup a bit of a glow-up as it was starting to look a bit drab and heavy for what I wanted. Obviously, off the bat, I love the price. Given that it's essentially a home-brand product, it is far more inexpensive compared to most other skin tints on the market and is available in 20 shades, which is a decent range.

This product is extremely thin and very much a liquid, which I love. It applies effortlessly, gliding over skin with minimal buffing. This product's coverage is hugely decent for a skin tint with a finish that doesn't look like you are wearing anything. I often wear this for 12 hours without any touch-ups, and it will still look perfect at the end of the day, which is rare for any product.

The perfect way to apply this (and any base product, really) is with a fluffy bronzer brush. Dispense some skin tint onto the back of your hand, dab the brush in, and then blend onto the face. This will give an even and light application, avoiding caking and applying more than you actually need.

One to Try

Recent openings and discoveries.

Lisa’s Notting Hill

This One to Try has been tried and tested by myself, and I honestly can’t wait to go back. After having a few drinks at The Pelican in Notting Hill, I met a few friends at Lisa’s, a cute Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. At 10PM, they shut their outdoor area, which pushes everyone inside with the cosy and intimate space, turning into a dancefloor, which is so wholesome and fun. The owners and bartenders are so much fun and join in singing along/dancing to the music - if you look closely, you can see me make a little cameo appearance in the IG video below. Honestly, Lisa’s is one of the best nights out I have had in a long time, and I am so excited to go back.

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Lottery Win

A girl can dream.

Golden Goose Ball Star Distressed Leather-Trimmed Suede Sneakers

Golden Goose sneakers are such a controversial topic, but I firmly stand in the camp of loving their shoes. This style of shoe is newer for the brand, and I really love the more streamlined toe, which gives off a bit of an Isabel Marant Beth Sneaker vibe. I love the taupe and navy blue combination for something a bit different, and I feel this colour combo would make for the perfect casual sneaker.

I currently own a pair of the superstars, and they are probably the comfiest pairs of sneakers (and shoes in general) I own, so I definitely see the value in spending the money. Also, for those who say they look like they have been run over by a tractor—they absolutely do—but you know what? That’s perfect for hiding all of the scuffs and damage I am going to do with them without it being completely noticeable and out of place.

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Consumables

What we can’t stop binging.

Cory’s World

Okay, this has to be my all-time guilty pleasure. I'm sure most of us have seen Cory's World on our FYP, but recently, I have spoken to many people who also love watching his and his friend's videos. It feels remiss not to mention him, given he just proposed to his long-term girlfriend (all of which was documented on his TikTok). Cory's content mainly focuses on food, including what I eat in a day and mukbang-style videos around the UK. Expect lots of chippy teas, chaotic cooking videos, and unhinged Chinese plate-ups, and I love every second of it.

@corysworldd Forever mine 💍 @Lea Charlotte x

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IYKYK

Super specific recs and niche hyper-fixations.

Backgammon

This is such a new one for me, but heading out to lots of wine bars recently, I have seen a couple of people playing a travel version of backgammon over a glass of wine, and I loved the idea of this particular one as it forces you to leave your phone alone and be present in the moment which I think we all struggle with a bit. My housemate purchased a cheap set from Amazon, and we have taught ourselves to play, and I’m in love. It’s a combination of racing to be the first to get all of your pieces off the board and strategic thinking to stop your opponent from getting there first (if you have played or know the rules, this will make a lot more sense). I think this is a chic little activity to take out for a casual afternoon drink, and I feel like this may start to be something we see more of at wine bars. Anyone for chic travel board recs?