FIFTYFABULOUS, Stylecuratrix: GIRLS DAY OUT

Cape Town is abundant with shopping malls and streets, and when two Stylistas set out to play, with both having a penchant for fashion and extravagant shoes, the only constraint would be wearing the wrong footgear! Beware when going out shopping not to destroy your venture by wearing uncomfortable shoes. Hence my decision to step out in wedges that provide ultimate comfort. Ever heard anybody say "I'd rather be dead than seen wearing ugly shoes?". I could do more justice to the culottes by stepping out in high heels, but wasn't in the mood to squeeze my already tormented feet into a mould that resembles the pyramids of Giza.

There is a certain stage in your life when comfort starts taking preference, especially after having subjected your poor feet to the misshapes of certain sought after shoes..... painted Red on the soles for extra dazzle. It might be cute to succumb to the luring aspects of those triangular shapes walking on stratospheric heights, but it's poor punishment to your feet. Take my word for it, been there, got the T shirt. And the surgeon's knife to undo my indiscretions of the past...... It's hard to find a shoe that is both befitting to a shoe fanatic and allowing your feet to be enveloped in it's natural shape. So for now, I am settling for comfort.

So what's the style point of departure ? When wearing culottes, you need height. Strutting the cropped pants with flat shoes is like squashing a chocolate cake into a pizza shape, so the solution is to find balance between a slight heel that instantly gives a more slender look to the legs. If higher heels is not an option for you, opt for culottes that are slightly skinny and tapered down, and be mindful of the length by carefully studying your profile before you embark on a mission. Best is to take a photograph to look at yourself and adjust the length from a distance. Perspective, that's what it's all about. The kimono jacket is a staple item in my wardrobe, and this cropped version in animal print Suedette by Michelle Ludek, is a perfect workable piece. To get an honest picture, I admit that I look somewhat shorter than my statuesque 1,78m in my lower heels. Shop Michelle Ludek at the Watershed, V & A Cape Town.