shoes

Sartorial Saturday–A “D’Lite”-Ful Sneaker

Last year after Combo Breaker, I promised myself that I was going to get a pair of shoes with a bit more ankle support/stability before the next event. So today, just in time for Combo Breaker 2026, I’m taking a look at the D’Lites-Popular Vote sneaker by Skechers.

I have been a fan of Skechers for almost 20 years. I was first introduced to the brand when I was pregnant with Ladybug and having some back trouble. I tried a pair of the old Bikers style of Mary Jane with the crisscrossing straps, and fell in love. They were so comfortable, and my back felt so much better, that I started wearing them regularly, and haven’t stopped since in one design or another! These are my first full lace-up sneakers, though, and they provide just the support I was looking for.

These caught my eye one day at Kohl’s both because they’re a pretty shade of blue but also because SPARKLE! They’re a little hard to see in a photo, but next to every lacing loop is a little rhinestone, and they really catch the light in the sun!

My only complaint with these shoes is that they run a tiny bit small, which is, in my experience, pretty unusual for Skechers. I wear a size 11, and there was no bigger size for me to try, but if there had been, I probably would have gotten those instead. It’s a minor complaint, though, and I find them pretty easy to wear!

Hopefully my feet will thank me at the end of the weekend!

Sartorial Saturday–A Footwear Flashback

Today let’s take a look at a pair of shoes that bring me back to high school…Dr. Martens 8065 Crazy Horse Mary Janes!

I’ve been wanting to get these shoes for well over a year, especially once I saw that they were available in brown. I had a pair very much like them when I was in high school that I loved (although back then, I wasn’t wearing name brand!), and I’ve been thinking about how great they would look with overalls, wide leg jeans, and especially dirndls, which is how I first styled them:

I know they say if you remember wearing a trend when you were younger, you should pass on it when it comes back around, but that’s the brilliant thing about a time-tested company like Dr. Martens…they never went out of style in the first place, and a timeless piece is always appropriate!

Sartorial Saturday–The Perfect Dirndl Shoes

Let’s get straight to the point…the perfect shoes to pair (if you’ll pardon the pun) with your dirndl are the ones you’re comfortable in! Even going to relatively small Oktoberfest and Maifest celebrations, not to mentioning visiting a fairly small Christkindlmarkt, I know there is going to be a lot of walking when I wear a dirndl, so having supportive shoes that you’re comfortable in is super important! But so is style…

When I first ventured into the land of dirndl-wearing, I wanted to wear traditional-looking shoes…typically, black, low-heeled Mary-Jane style shoes. I found a pair from LifeStride that are quite comfortable and easy to wear, and I love the way they look with all of my dresses!

But of course I wasn’t going to stop there. Next I tried a pair of short black boots, which are especially nice with tights in the winter:

Speaking of boots, my iridescent Docs are perfect with my Everyday Dirndl for a kind of punk princess look:

I also like ankle boots, especially in the fall:

And sometimes, when I’m feeling fancy (Hello, Christmas!), I wear sparkly silver t-straps. They are the only pair of shoes that I wear with a dirndl that aren’t comfortable to walk any great distance in, which is why they’re special occasion shoes. (The rest featured here, however, are all great for walking around places like Grant’s Farm and Oktoberfest!)

Speaking of comfort, most recently, I’ve paired my faithful old Birks for summer style!

I still haven’t worn traditional heels with a dirndl, but I have an idea that I may try out eventually…what footwear do you like to wear with a dirndl?

Quote of the Day

You can never take too much care over the choice of your shoes. Too many women think that they are unimportant, but the real proof of an elegant woman is what is on her feet. Christian Dior