Shoe Stories with Leopard and Lavender

Today I'm excited to be featuring a fellow Bay Area transplant, Miss Kelli Ryder of Leopard and Lavender. Besides having a great sense of real world style and being the only blogger I know to go without shopping for an entire year, Kelli works as an Editorial Assistant at Rue Magazine - how cool is that?! So, now to the good stuff - let's take a walk in Kelli's shoes ;) 

SHOE STORIES with Leopard and Lavender

Kelli Ryder

Leopard and Lavender

Heels or flats?

I know I’m supposed to say heels… but honestly- flats. I walk almost everywhere, so heels are just not logical for my sanity.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?
As of today- I have exactly 60 pairs. Yikes!

Favorite shoe in your closet?

My favorite shoes right now are my Kelsi Dagger leopard print booties. They are totally my style and over the top- but feel like I’m wearing clouds. Best of both worlds!

If you could be a shoe style what would you be and why?

I would be a ballet flat! It is above and beyond the style that has taken over my closet. Ballet flats are effortless and chic, and are the perfect symbol of my style as a whole- or at least what I aspire my style to be!

What's the most expensive shoe in your closet and do they have a  special meaning?

I have a pair of Badgley Mischka heels. They’re black with cute little bows on the side. They’re my most meaningful shoes because they were given to me as a gift for successfully going a year without shopping.

How do you store your shoes in your closet and do you have any tips for keeping them in good shape?

I keep my shoes all lined up on covered shelves in my closet. While I don’t wear heels a lot- I have a hefty collection. It is important to me to keep them clean- so I’ll dust them off when I’m doing house cleaning. I also swear by a good cobbler! All my favorite shoes have been re-soled when they needed it. Just because the soles are worn doesn’t mean their time is done! 

Current shoe crushes?

Right now, I am crushing on a classic pair of Chanel flats. If I could afford it- they would be my everyday shoe!!

Favorite brand ?

My favorite brand I currently own is Superga. I find myself wearing sneakers more and more since moving to San Francisco, and Supergas come in so many cute colors but don’t look like “dorky sneakers.”

Someday… I hope to own a small collection of Miu Miu and Isabel Marants. Both have endless options- from sneakers to gorgeous heels. Both are unique enough to fit into my wardrobe, but at the same time they’re timeless. They’ll last more than one season.

How do you store your shoes in your closet and do you have any tips for keeping them in good shape?

I keep my shoes all lined up on covered shelves in my closet. While I don’t wear heels a lot- I have a hefty collection. It is important to me to keep them clean- so I’ll dust them off when I’m doing house cleaning. I also swear by a good cobbler! All my favorite shoes have been re-soled when they needed it. Just because the soles are worn doesn’t mean their time is done!

Why do you think women gravitate towards shoes?

Shoes are in a league of their own. A blouse or skirt is sort of boring- you can have a hundred of them and they all mix and match. But shoes are a huge statement- they are the finishing touch for every outfit and can completely change an entire look. Shoes are an investment, you hold onto them for longer than you may keep a sweater.