How to style the same LBD for the 9 types

Working from a request to see how each of the 9 Fantastical types would style a date night look, I've created a challenge for us. Below are the 9 types, in random order, and in all black (IRL I'd want to see you add in color, but there are times in life where the protocol is all black and it's nice to see how best to make it work). You've seen a few jewelry ideas before, so to make this more challenging, you only have shoes and jackets to go off of. After you're done guessing, scroll down to see the answer key, and share in the comments how many you got right!  


Click and drag below this text to highlight the answer key.

1.angel 2.maenad 3. seer 4. valkyrie 5. mermaid 6. dragon princess 7. fae 8. magic queen 9. nymph

How to Get Away With Never Wearing Heels Again Pt. 3 Midi dresses and skirts

Whew, we got through the mini skirts and dresses, which in my opinion is the hardest to do with flats. Midis are more in my purview. We are continuing to pair flats to fit the mood of the outfit, as a way to illustrate that there is a flat for every outfit that will look fabulous.

From left to right:

1. This knit, sleeveless, sheath midi is a bit sporty and a bit casual, but could be dressed up some as well. Everything but the sweetest or most formal of shoes will work, which leaves a lot of room. I chose textured loafers with metallic toe caps to push it in a funky direction. I think it would look great with a pair of sneakers. The shoes in the left column as well as the bottom row would all work. A dressy sandal would be pretty. Flatform slides are another good option. It would work well for some Maenads, and probably some Nymphs as well.

2. Cocktail bodycon dresses remain the most difficult challenge for flats, but these work well because they're closed toe, pointed toe, and have some blingy detailing. Adding a very small heel would drastically increase the dressiness. It's great for Maenads, possibly for some Valkyrie, possible for some Seers, and maybe even a few Magic Queens with the right jacket.

3. This one is too easy, right? Very Audrey Hepburn. The combination of the floral print, the fitted higher neck bodice, and the full skirt require a shoe that is also rounded and fairly dressy. There is a world of ballet flats that would pair perfectly, as well as simple (not too detailed or ornate or flashy) peep-toe flats. This could work for the right Magic Queen or Angel.

4. A really plain t-shirt midi calls for a flat with personality. This flat has color, straps, and a print. Most flats would work with this dress. I would avoid rounded toes (too sweet) and shiny fabrics (too dressy). This would really take the right person and accessories to be a good look. Possibly Fae or Valkyrie.

5. This is another really versatile look- the dress is a solid color, fitted but not clingy, with enough detailing to not be boring but still have lots of room to add personality in accessories. It could be personalized to work for any type. The point on the shoe wouldn't be best for everyone, but I imagine there is someone in each type for whom it would work. The dress and shoe are both fairly plain and need personality through accessories. 

6. This dress and shoe are both full of personality, and thus limited in terms of type. The pointed white brogues with silver metal bars I chose to emphasize a funky kind of cool. The dress is funky in print and detailing but the a-line adds some sweetness. The brogue pushes against that sweetness and this juxtaposition creates energy. Most styles of flats could work with it, and the best flat will be one that adds up to your authentic beauty. As-is, I imagine this outfit for Mermaids.

7. A plain black midi skirt could be pushed in any direction depending on the top and shoes chosen. I really like the way plain knit midi skirts look when pushed in a sporty direction, and so chose sneakers. The top could be a tee half tucked in, or a sweatshirt with a print or design on it. You could just as easily do a list blouse and a ballet flat. The skirt could be paired with any of the other eight shoes in this set, depending on the look you're going for. 

8. A floral bodycon midi needs a shoe with a bit of flirtyness- no black ballet flats here, please. The tropical feel to the print makes a colored sandal a great choice. Sneakers, brogues, loafers, and boots would look out of place on the whole. 

9. Closed toe flats- ballet or pointed, slingbacks, and dressy sandals are all nice choices. A glossy tall black boot would be an unexpected sexy twist. A sneaker or saddle shoe would be playful. 

What types do you see for 7, 8, and 9 as they are?

The post series on How To Get Away With Never Wearing Heels Again has concluded and you can find it all here:

Part One: Mini Dresses

Part Two: Mini Skirts

Part Three: Midi Dresses

Part Four: Maxi Dresses

Part Five: Pants

Part Six: Jeans

Summary and Type Specifics

How to Get Away with Never Wearing Heels Again pt. 2

We continue our series with three more outfits, finishing up our exploration of mini-lengths; and again, the trick is to match the flat to the mood of the outfit. Which shoes you choose can shift the mood of the outfit, taking it from funky to sexy to more casual; but rarely can it completely change the mood of an outfit, and so we try to stay in-range with what the outfit is saying.

The left is cute-cozy/casual-flirty. Choosing oxfords continues casual-flirty, the sandals casual, the slides casual with a funkier element given the print, and the rainboot would be really cute and a bit flirty. This is a potential outfit for spring-autumn Maenads, Angels, and Seers.

The middle outfit is edgy, and any variation on a moto-boot will pair. I especially like the first boot with cutouts because it helps continue the line of the leg/exposed skin while still having the feeling of a boot. If you do a solid boot with a mini length, it segments the leg in a way that can be harsh- anything with scalloping or cutouts will help blend the line, as would dark tights or leggings. This is a potential outfit for winter Nymphs, Maenads, Fae. 

The third outfit is sensual-cozy, and I really like the simple peep toes or sandals as an echo. The closed toe slingback is cozy. If you wanted more sensual-dressy, you could choose peep toes with sparkles or bow detailing. This outfit has potential for Angels and Mermaids. 

The post series on How To Get Away With Never Wearing Heels Again has concluded and you can find it all here:

Part One: Mini Dresses

Part Two: Mini Skirts

Part Three: Midi Dresses

Part Four: Maxi Dresses

Part Five: Pants

Part Six: Jeans

Summary and Type Specifics

How to Get Away with Never Wearing Heels Again

Today I came across an article entitled “How to Get Away with Never Wearing Heels Again”. I was excited. I was thinking it would be an informative and illustrated article about types of flats with proportions of clothing lines, possibly even involving different body lines. Instead, it was photos of celebrities wearing flats, and then links to buy various flats. Disappointing! 

The article I was hoping to read, is one I could very well write- I just enjoy seeing the style aesthetics analysis of others as food for thought for me own. So my beauties, here is the first installment of How to Get Away with Never Wearing Heels Again, which focuses on flats with mini dresses. 

The key to successfully wearing flats with any outfit is to pick flats that echo the mood of your outfit. It would be bizarre to wear sneakers with the dress on the left or right as they are both somewhat dressy, but the shift in the middle has a funky print and could better pair with sneakers. 

The dress on the left has a classic and soft vibe, which is what we look for in shoes- nearly any variation on a ballet flat should work, and the color of the shoe should continue the colors of the dress. I like the bows/buckles on both pair as a touch of round detailing to echo the round large floral print. I see this look as a possibility for spring-summer Classic Round, Gamine Round, and Angels. 

The middle dress is funky and high energy, so we find funky shoes with small, crisp details to echo this. A pop of color would be in line with the high energy look in a way that woudn't flow with the other two dresses. I see this look as a possibility for winter Fae.

The dress on the right is sexy in a cozy way, and fine suede-like texture is just the thing, with slightly pointed toes to continue the shape of the v-neck. A pair of leggings would emphasize cozy over sexy. I see this look as a possibility for autumn Romantic Valkyrie, and some Seers.

You can always play with juxtaposition and creating tension, but in this series we will continue exploring harmony. 

The post series on How To Get Away With Never Wearing Heels Again has concluded and you can find it all here:

Part One: Mini Dresses

Part Two: Mini Skirts

Part Three: Midi Dresses

Part Four: Maxi Dresses

Part Five: Pants

Part Six: Jeans

Summary and Type Specifics