Trend: Shoe Clips

By Leah

I live by two style guidelines: (1) the secret to building a versatile and affordable wardrobe is to invest in classic staples and then enhance/update them with inexpensive trendy accessories and (2) multi-use pieces are fashion's gift to the frugal shopper. (I got a $6 flower accessory at Old Navy designed as a hair elastic/brooch, but I've also worn it as a bracelet, over a belt buckle, and clipped around the handle of my purse. I can't accurately describe the joy that brings to my little cheapskate heart.)

This summer I'm crushing hard on shoe clips, since I can buy a whole bunch for the price of one pair of shoes, and they're simply lousy with possibility. I can wear them to add fun and interest to basics like gold flats, black heels, or white sandals, and I can also attach the clips to shirts, blazer lapels, elastic headbands, you name it. Depending on how pinchy they are, I might even wear some on my unpierced earlobes if I'm feeling brave. Check out some of the cute stuff available on Etsy right now and tell me you can't think of your own brilliant ways to use shoe clips:

Pom clips from Embee Style (This looks a lot like my beloved Old Navy $6 accessory (which I can't find online anywhere, otherwise I'd totally share), but the important thing to notice here is the placement of the clip at the anklebone instead of over the toes. Chic and modern.)

Pink and white from B. Poetic (I love the double blooms worn vertically up the laces.)

Vintage 50s glam from Park Blvd Emporium (How awesome would these be with strappy turquoise sandals? Pow!) (Like these but think rhinestones more your speed? We got 'em.)

Metal and feather flora and fauna from Recrudescence (These aren't for everyone, but if you have silver heels, nice ankles, and somewhere faaaaancy to go, I think you should get these right the heck now. And iIf you're REALLY fancy and have $85 just lying around, please buy these fabulous peacock ones so the rest of us can live vicariously through your glamorous feet.)

Veering back into casual:

Classy and classic chocolate brown silk flowers from Byrdferth, who also does custom orders if you have a special color in mind.

These chiffon flowers from Sunshine and Carousels remind me of the giant floral belt brooch I've been coveting since last summer. The fact that I'm still thinking about it means I need to get one now, right?

And finally, if you're ready for a spring/summer project and want to make your own shoe clips, Etsy, eBay, and brick-and-mortar craft stores sell bare clips by the dozen, and you can attach anything to them--fabric flowers, silk flowers, feathers, costume jewelry from yard sales, any cute little doodads you want, really--aaaaand I think I know what I'm going to be spending my evenings doing for the next few weeks at least.

Say it with me: Shoe clips!