The Red Slippers, Kansas not Included

As a continuation of my on-trend application of smoking/albert slipper/shoes... I have added red shoes to my collection (again, from Topshop). That means I have both tan and red shoes, which allows for extra variety. I am getting tons of compliments on both, which makes me wonder why they aren't easier to find!

However, this color was a bigger challenge for me to pair with outfits than the previous one. Tan goes with just about anything.  However, red shoes aren't as popular with men at large, so there aren't really any accessories to match. In fact, the shoes are such a light color red (nantucket red/sailboat red/etc.) that I couldn't find anything in stores that was even the same shade.

Cutting out fabric (colors here are incorrect due to lighting)

Getting ready to sew

The result is that I ended up having to go to my local fabric store (G Street Fabrics) to pick out fabric that would match. I purchased a beautiful red silk, red poly silk-imitation, and light green silk/linen blend fabrics to make projects. The first two projects are pictured here: red silk cravat/ascot and light green linen/silk pocket square for accent color. I was in a hurry making them, so unfortunately I don't really have construction pictures. However, my technique hasn't changed on the ascot/cravats and you can find the instructions here on my blog! There will be forthcoming additional accessories made out of the fabrics, as I bought a yard or two of each kind. 

See, it matches!

Check out my awesome complimentary color pocket square!

And another closeup so that you can see the color better.

~

I then came to the conclusion that the grey trousers had a tendency to make the shoes appear pink under certain lighting. As a result, I decided to try these accessories and shoes with my seersucker suit. I think this was generally more successful and I rather like the end result. This is also the first time I've ever worn the seersucker suit with an ascot/cravat.

Closeup of this color combination

I decided to use white socks, because my tan/white stripe suit basically looks white and I couldn't find a good contrasting sock color

Modeling the outfit

Let There be Color!

This year I am trying to experiment with color! I've gotten really good at the classic look and being somewhat preppy, but I think it's time to branch out and add some more life to my wardrobe!

As such, I'm trying things I would never have dared before, such as purple socks (J.Crew)! The idea was that the purplish socks with the tan smoking loafer slipper shoes would be similar to my burgundy-purple/golden stripe bow tie. Sadly, in normal daylight, no one thought they matched too well. That said, I still really like the contrast against the white/tan stripe seersucker suit I wore.

For those who are curious: yes, I did actually wear this to work. Everyone noticed: my boss even took pictures! (I think he wants to blackmail me or something, ha ha!)

Attempting to match the colors!

I absolutely love the contrast! I knew I had to have these socks when I saw them at J.Crew!

Matching silk knots!

Later in the day, I decided to test the socks with sock garters to keep them from sliding (all socks that are shorter, in my experience tend to slide to some degree or other). These miracle workers are generally for wearing with silk hose with a tuxedo, but I wear them periodically with any socks that I want to keep up. The downside, is that they can dig into the skin a bit, depending on how they are worn. Yes, I'm old-school... no, I'm not sorry.

Being silly, striking a pose on my new sofa!

Back to normal, again new sofa! (Pink wasn't exactly my first choice, but I really love the style of the sofa and the fabric design is gorgeous!)

I finally found a better way to tie the socks into the outfit today: pocket square to the rescue!