What Are We Wearing for Spring Shoes?

Plus: an accessories conundrum, cute athletic wear, and readers' underwear suggestions.

Welcome back to Can I Wear That?, a fashion advice column for anyone whose closet seems like it belongs to a previous version of themselves. If you’ve got a question, you’d like me to address, email nowweretalkingnewsletter@gmail.com. To see all of my recs from this post, click here.

Spring shoes that are not sandals that I can still wear with some kind of sock - since my feet get sweaty! Something that's not sneakers.

Heather

Hi Heather, I have to admit that I was initially stumped by this question, because in my mind, the very nature of a “spring shoe” was one that could be worn without socks, and you also don’t want a sneaker! What kind of shoe sorcery are you expecting here?! That said, I think I’ve come up with a few different options for you (I also feel you on the sweaty feet issue).

Left, Dolce Vita; right, Babi Lou

My first suggestion is a pair of loafers. I think they can be worn with cute ankle socks or you could probably get no-show socks that would work, and a light color would look appropriately spring-y. I like these from Dolce Vita because they come in a range of colors and they’re not too expensive. For something a little more ~elevated~, I’m really digging these Babi Lou loafers from Anthropologie. Get the lilac or the purple for a real statement!

I’m also REALLY liking these Jeffrey Campbell Mary Jane loafers, which come in tan (more like a brown if you ask me) and black, and which I also think would look great with socks. The reviews say they run quite small so I would definitely order at least half a size if not a full size up.

My final suggestion are almost a sandal but not quite, I think, because of the closed toe — the New Covered clogs from Swedish Hasbeens. I think these look SO great with socks or tights and can be dressed up or down; they’re incredibly versatile.

If you have other suggestions for spring shoes you can wear with socks, please leave them in the comments!

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Hi!

I struggle to accessorize at "my age." Let me explain :) Most of my favorite pieces are from ten-plus years ago, and I still enjoy wearing multiple items, such as fairly big earrings AND a necklace. I'm 39 and while I frequently hear I don't look my age, I fear it's because I don't dress well. Hopefully I'll be in maternity wear this year 🙏...I figured in the meantime, accessories can affordably improve my look?

Thanks for listening :)

Kimberly

Full disclosure: I read Kimberly’s email and realized that I am also rather hopeless when it comes to accessories. So I called on one of my best-accessorized friends, one Kate Spencer, to respond to this question. Thank you, Kate, for your service! Here’s her response:

Dear Kimberly, 

I am an accessories person by nature, and my dear Doree asked me to help answer your question. However, I don't actually see a question here! So while I will certainly offer up some accessories that I love, I wanted to first offer up some thoughts based on your message. Allow me to explain.