How to Style Outfits around Your Dr. Martens

Ever since the 1960s, Dr. Martens have been the shoes of choice for those that like to go against the grain. This is because when the Griggs family, who had been making boots since 1901, teamed up with Dr. Martens, they sought to create a shoe that broke the mold. As soon as the first pair of Dr. Martens boots hit the British high streets in 1960, they melded with youth culture. These military-style shoes retain a tough reputation. At the same time, however, it is no longer just a shoe for rebellious teenagers. When styled correctly, one can wear their Dr. Martens with a wide variety of outfits from dresses to jeans.

Achieve a Classic Look with Dr. Martens and Skinny Jeans
The easiest and most popular way to wear Dr. Martens is with a tight pair of skinny jeans. This type of outfit is casual and relaxed, and the look of the Dr. Martens boots adds a tough edge that tennis shoes and other types of boots simply cannot replicate. If one has black or brown combat boots, practically any wash of jeans can look great. For example, the Dr. Martens cherry color, which is a slightly reddish brown, is also a great option when one is shopping for boots to pair with jeans. For a casual yet polished look, one can even wear khakis with darkly colored Dr. Martens. Just remember to tuck the jeans into the tops of the boots to really showcase them. Top off such an outfit with a favorite trendy top or oversized sweater.

Create a Throwback Look with Your Dr. Martens
The first people to help make Dr. Martens popular in the 1960s were the skinheads in Great Britain. This group had a style that paid homage to the British working class by mimicking the fashions of the average working man. For the ultimate throwback look to those groups of rebellious teens, one should pair their Dr. Marten boots with classic pieces such as high-waisted jeans, oversized t-shirts, and flannel button-ups. To really show off the combat boots, one should also roll up the cuff of their jeans. Although many different colors and styles of Dr. Martens are available, stick to the classic vintage Dr. Martens boots for this look, like the Dr. Martens 1460.

Color Coordinate Your Dr. Martens
Although black Dr. Martens are by far the most popular, there are many other colors available as well. Women's Dr. Martens, for instance, come in a wide variety of bright colors. Pink Dr. Martens are a popular option for girls that love surprising people with pops of color. To wear such brightly colored combat boots, opt for neutral-colored bottoms, such as a pair of black leggings or jean shorts. Then pick out a fun top that coordinates with the boot color, or let the boots really pop by wearing a neutral top as well.

Mix Your Dr. Martens with Feminine Touches
Just because these military boots take inspiration from men's work boots, it does not mean that one cannot still feel feminine while wearing them. Skirts and dresses above the knee all look great with a chunky pair of boots like Dr. Martens. For a unique combination, pair a flowy floral dress with the classic black Dr. Marten 1490. However, many stylists consider it too much to pair heavy boots with long skirts. Therefore, consider against wearing a maxi skirt or dress below the knee with Dr. Martens. Instead, try to stick to dresses and skirts that fall about four to six inches above the knee to keep the outfit looking feminine and fresh. Wearing a jacket or blazer on top is a great way to complement the entire outfit and ensure one is not showing too much skin.

5 Tips for Shining Shoes

Tip 1: Pick the Right Shoe Polish
There are three types of shoe polish to choose from: cream or paste, wax and liquid polish. Choose the appropriate polish for the task at hand.

Cream or Paste Polish
Cream or paste polishes, both of which contain mineral oil, keep fine leather soft and flexible. It soaks into the leather and allows it to breathe. Although this type of polish is not ideal for covering scuffs, it does help to restore the color of the shoe.

Wax Polish
Wax polish is the most effective for covering scuffs, and it shines leather better than creams. However, the wax seals the leather and can cause it to dry out over time. Most wax polishes contain Stoddard Solvent or turpentine plus carnauba or beeswax.

Liquid Polish
Liquid polish may shine shoes quickly; however, it can dry out and crack leather and generally should be avoided.

Tip 2: Prepare the Tools and Work Area
A shoe shine kit is a must-have item for a woman to keep on hand. This does not have to be an expensive kit, but it should contain some important elements. Each element may be purchased separately and simply stored together for ease of use when needed.

Items that should be in a purchased or put in a homemade kit include polish, a horsehair applicator, a horsehair brush, and a buffing cloth.

It is a good idea to wear dark colored clothing when shining shoes, as the polish may stain clothing and is very difficult to remove, if at all. Ideally shining shoes will be done before getting dressed, especially when wearing more formal attire. Women should wash their hands after shining shoes.

Once the tools are prepared and the woman is dressed for the job, she should clear an area and put down newspapers to ensure materials do not mark floors or furniture. Polish is difficult, if not nearly impossible, to remove from furniture once stained.

Tip 3: Prepare the Shoes
To prepare the shoes for a shine, remove any dirt or debris from them using an up and down and side to side motion. This can be done with a moist towel or a dry one, depending on how much dirt is on the shoes. Note that if a shoe does get too wet, polish will not be effective. Use minimal water and dry the shoes completely. When women are in a hurry and don't have time to wait for the shoes to dry, the shoes may be wiped down without water.

If there are deep scuffs or watermarks on the shoes, it is best to strip off the old polish first. This can be attempted with vodka or rubbing alcohol; however, it is recommended that this be done by an expert in a shoe repair shop.

Tip 4: Polish the Shoes
When it's time to begin polishing shoes, wrap the corner of a cloth around the first and second fingers of the dominant hand. Twist the remainder of the cloth to tighten the portion around the fingers, and hold that part of the cloth in the palm of the hand. Place a small amount of polish on the cloth by scooping the covered fingers into the polish.

Apply polish directly to the shoes. Use a matching color for each pair of dress shoes owned; neutral is the color used for light-colored shoes. Spread the polish all over the shoes, concentrating most on the toe and heel of the shoe. Start from the heel and move to the toe on one side, then back to the heel on the other side. Apply polish evenly in a circular motion until the shoe appears cloudy. Applying excess polish is not advised.

Once the shoes are dry, take a horsehair brush and buff the shoe with the brush. Try to remove the areas that appear wet until the shoes begin to shine. When the desired shine is achieved, it is time to stop brushing.

Some women may take the shoe shine one step further and take a buffing cloth and rub it on the shoe. Apply 3 to 4 clean drops of water on each shoe, then polish them with a clean buffing cloth. Avoid adding too much water, as it could strip off the wax polish. A buffing cloth may be an old T-shirt, sock, or towel. Women should place the shoe on first, then rub the cloth along the shoe. This step may be repeated until the ideal results are achieved.

Tip 5: Maintain the Shine
Once shoes are shined, there are ways to keep them well maintained.

Applying a leather waterproofer not only will prevent water from staining the material, but it will also keep spots off. Leather waterproofing is a simple process. Simply spray the product onto the shoe and let it dry. This is an inexpensive tool that will protect a woman's investment in her shoes. Waterproofing is especially important for those who live in tropical areas or areas that experience a lot of rain or snow.

Although it is no substitute for a real hand shine, using quick shine wipes are good for a quick touch-up before a meeting or event. Quick shine wipes contain a bit of shoe cleaning materials in a handy little packet.

Use a leather conditioner, like Kiwi ' s Leather Cleaner and Conditioner, to keep shoes and other leather items soft. Leather conditioners contain jojoba oil and coconut oil.

Store shoes in a room temperature closet, as warmer temperatures may shrink leather. Shoes should always be dry before being placed back in their boxes, otherwise odor, bacteria, mold, and mildew could form.

If shoes are not stored in a box, store them in felt or cotton shoe bags, which allow leather to breathe. Plastic bags will dry leather out. Shoes may also be placed on a rack, but care should be taken to ensure shoes to not touch each other.

Finally, rotate use of shoes and resist the urge to wear the same pair of shoes every day. Most footwear benefits from the opportunity to air out and breathe, as well as recover their shape.

Top 4 Nike Dunks for Men

With highly successful product lines, like the Air Jordans, Air Force Ones, and Air Zooms, Nike continues to provide its fans with shoes that adequately meet their footwear needs while remaining at the forefront of fashion. Never shying away from bold color choices, Nike often employs a variety of brilliant color schemes and homages to various university colors, holidays, states, and more. Consumers can find all of these and more in the various models of Nike Dunks for Men. Reviewing and using some guidance and research, consumers can quickly become acquainted with several top models of Nike Dunks and determine which styles are must-have items for their own collections.

1

Tiffany Low Pro SB

Released in August 2005, the Tiffany Low Pro SB Nike Dunks remain one of the most sought-after shoes available, with only 4,000 released to the public. Designed and named for Tiffany and Co. jewelry boxes, these low-top shoes came out of a collaboration between Diamond Supply Co. and Nike, indicated by the diamond image located on the tongue of the shoe. These Low Pro SBs use a soft leather in Tiffany blue, mixed with a black alligator skin pattern and chrome swoosh, making it ideal for consumers both in terms of its fashionable look and restricted availability. Consumers can also find this shoe in a high-top model, enjoying the extra support along the sides of the ankle during use.

---

2

Low Pro SB Supreme

Launching in September 2002, these sneakers became the first non-Jordan shoes to use the elephant skin print, making it one of the most talked about and sought after SBs from the beginning. Nike only released 500 pairs in the black on black with cement gray color scheme, and another 500 in the white and blue variant, through their New York and Tokyo stores. Consumers can enjoy bright blue or red linings, depending on what they prefer while both shoes display a white midsole and black outsole and the same print pattern on the side of the shoes, despite color differences in the leather. Nike released a Supreme X anniversary version of the Low Pro SB Supreme in 2012, using the same elephant skin print pattern amid red leather sides and black lining.

---

3

Reese Forbes Denim Low Pro SB

Limited to 444 pairs worldwide, the Reese Forbes Denim Low Pro SB Dunks came out of a collaboration between Nike and skaters Reese Forbes and Natas Kaupas. Pairing light denim and dark denim together gives these kicks a unique look, paired with a white midsole and red outsole commonly seen on various pairs of

---

4

Dunk High Pro SB Supreme

Debuting in 2003 as part of the Be True To Your School Nike Dunk campaign, Nike only launched one thousand of these stylish shoes to the public. These shoes contain a standard red and white color scheme, common with various models and styles of Nike sneakers, but standout among counterparts with gold stars decorating the sides of the shoes and a gator skin texture under the red areas. These High Pro SB Supremes also come with black, red, or white laces, with gold dubrays containing the word "SUPREME." The high-top style offers consumers added protection to the ankles during use while the bright red soles add to their appeal on the streets and the courts. Nike's SB fan base began to anticipate the debut days for SB models after the emergence of this model.

Men's Fossil Watch Buying Guide

A stylish watch can be a simple, yet sophisticated addition to any wardrobe. Choosing a watch that is elegant, durable, and functional can be a timeless investment. Fossil offers a wide variety of watches to suit every style, includingsteel dress watches,leather dress watches, mechanical watches, casual watches, and sport watches. In addition, they offer a variety of signature collections, including:

Swiss Collection
The Swiss Collection includes both traditional leather and stainless steel watches.

Automatic
The Automatic Leather watch is a classic leather watch. The brown Automatic comes with a brown Vecchio leather strap, a curved blue enamel dial, and an exhibition case back. The tan leather version includes a curved black grain dial, while the black leather watch features a black dial.

The Automatic Stainless Steel watch comes with polished stainless steel, a curved black enamel dial, and an exhibition case back.

Chronograph
The Chronograph Leather has a dark brown Vecchio leather strap, a matte blue and white curved dial, a Swiss-made battery, and three center eyes depicting the seconds, minutes, and hours. The watch also comes with a black leather strap and black and white curved dial.

The polished silver Chronograph Stainless Steel has a curved blue enamel dial. The watch also comes with a black enamel dial.

Grant Collection
The Grant Collection includes both leather and stainless steel watches.

Chronograph Watch
The Chronograph Leather watch comes with a classic appeal. Complete with Roman numerals, the Chronograph comes in a variety of colors and styles, including brown leather with a cream dial, brown leather with a silver dial, brown leather with a black dial and casing, brown leather with a black dial, and blue leather with a blue dial and gold casing.

The polished Chronograph Stainless Steel comes in both gold and silver, both with a black dial.

Three Hand Watch
The Three Hand Leather watch comes in black leather with silver dial or brown leather with a black face and cut out dial. Complete with Roman numerals, this watch is both classic and timeless.

The Three Hand Stainless Steel comes in both silver and gold.

Decker Collection
The stylish, yet practical Decker Collection is perfect for everyday use.

Three-Hand Date Silicone
The Three-Hand Date Silicone watch is both trendy and durable. The watch comes in blue and yellow and will add a splash of color to any outfit.

Chronograph
The Chronograph Silicone watch is a sophisticated piece that combines form, style, and function. It comes in black with blue dial trim, and black with yellow dial trim.

The Chronograph Stainless Steel will elevate any wardrobe. The watch comes in black with white trim and silver with black trim.

Finally, the Chronograph Leather comes with a stylish brown band and cream dial.

Retro Traveler Collection
The Retro Traveler Collection offers a versatile watch that is perfect for any time zone. Travelers who want to maintain their stylish persona while still delving into practicality with appreciate this watch.

Chronograph
The Chronograph Stainless Steel is the perfect combination of form and function. The watch is available in smoke with a black dial and blue trim, smoke with a black dial and white trim, silver with a black dial, silver with a silver dial, and silver with a blue dial.

Conclusion
Choosing the right watch can make or break an outfit. Watches can be an extension of one's personality or certain luxury brands can be a symbol of status. Fossil watches offer a wide variety of timepieces to fit every personality, style, and situation. Fossil also offers a wide variety of accessories, including interchangeable watchbands and watch boxes.

Top 9 Shoes for Professional Women this Spring

When you go to the office you want to dress as a professional. The good news is you don't  have to sacrifice comfort for style. There are many options for women when it comes to shoes for the office. Uncomfortable shoes can cause serious damage to the body, so consider style AND comfort when buy. Your body will thank you in the long run.

Three tips for more comfortable shoes

• If your ankles wobble with each step, you need either more hip strength or a better-shaped heel.
• Drop an inch off your most frequented heel height to improve the health of the feet, knees, and back. It depends on your height, but a heel that’s less than two inches high is good. 

•  Invest in a pair of Italian, handmade flats. Find a pair of embellished ballet flats.

Now that we've covered comfort let's discuss style appropriate for the office environment. Here are a few women's shoe styles to consider:

Modest heels: Not all heels are appropriate for the office. Consider something 2 inches or less.

Loafers and oxfords: They are timeless and will match almost any outfit.

Dress boots: The right pair of boots will work in even the most traditional offices. 

Ballerina flats: Ballerina flats are elegant, simple and pair well with almost every style of clothing. An added bonus is that they are definitely in this season!

When you are dressing for the office you want something professional and comfortable yet has a bit of style. Here are my top picks for professional women.

Christian Dior ballerina flats

---

Fly London Women's Off White/Black Mary Janes 

---

Ruth Kitten Heel Court Shoes

---

Joan and David Circa Pointy Toe Kitten Heels

---

Prada ballerina flats

---

Marni flats 

---

Kate Spade flats

---

Tod's kitten heel shoes in classy black leather

---

Anyi Lu Camilia heels in striking black and white

8 Unexpected Ways to Wear Western Style Boots

Western style boots are just right for the rodeo, a square dance, or horse riding, but they can be so much more than "special occasion" situational, costume, or sport wear. Cowboy boots also do not have to be worn with the typical American folk dress of jeans, a plaid shirt, a bolo tie, and a 10-gallon hat. These Country and Western images are so closely associated with cowboy boots that many people find it difficult to break out of the mold and see cowboy boots as versatile, even stylish, footwear. The following fashion guidelines will get those Western boots out of the closet and onto the street more often. By mixing boots with the right pieces of clothing and smart accessories, a variety of looks can be attained. There are eight ways in which Western style boots can take a wardrobe from great to spectacular.

Origin of Western Style Boots

True Western riding boots, or cowboy boots, were designed to be worn while riding horses, naturally. The heel is higher than that on most men's footwear because it helps to keep a rider's foot securely hooked into the stirrup without sliding forward through the opening. On traditional cowboy boots, the heel is angled when viewed from the side, although the more modern "roper" style features a squared-off heel. A slightly tapered toe made inserting the foot into the stirrup easier, but it is not necessary for such boots to be severely pointed at the toe; such a design is impractical and even unhealthy for the feet. The pull-on style made it fast and easy to get dressed and undressed.

Leather riding boots are tall to protect the rider's legs from rubbing uncomfortably against the saddle hardware. High shafts also protect the rider, when dismounted, against snakes, thorny bushes, mud, rocks, and snow, among other things. Cowboy boots are traditionally made of smooth leather, although suede boots are available as well as unusual animal skins. Many leather Western boots have intricate stitching, multicolored designs, stamping, or tooling (carving). Today's fashion "cowboy" boots may come in nontraditional colors and different profiles than are standard for riding boots. These attractive boots can be combined with an average wardrobe in a number of creative ways, eight of which are described below.

1. Down the Aisle

Many a country girl has worn her favorite pair of cowboy boots underneath a wedding gown at a Southern-style wedding. Even though it has been done before, the pairing is still unexpected. Keep the hair, makeup, and accessories mainstream to avoid a costume look.

• Choose a brand-new pair of white or ivory Western boots especially for the occasion. Be sure the style of the gown or dress is somewhat appropriate; cowboy boots do not work well underneath a sleek, straight skirt or a mermaid shape. Under a voluminous skirt, boots are fine.
• Wear a favorite pair of broken-in Western boots in traditional brown or black, but be sure the gown is long enough to cover them most of the time. Because the boots will be in view at times (perhaps while on the dance floor or when the groom is removing the garter), be sure to cover any scuffs and polish the boots to a shine.
• Make cowboy boots totally feminine with a wedding gown by wearing them in a girly color such as pink or purple. Match the bridesmaids' dresses to the boots and make this the wedding theme color.

2. Retro Style

Borrow some looks from yesteryear and take Western style boots for a rerun. Modern jewelry or other accessories can give these old-time outfits a touch of modernity.

• Revisit the ‘80s: Wear a prairie-style blouse and skirt in a buffalo check and accessorize with a conch belt and boots. Keep jewelry simple and style hair in soft waves.
• Revisit the ‘70s: Wear a denim mini skirt or denim cut-off shorts and a tight tank top with cowboy boots. Think Daisy Duke from "The Dukes of Hazzard." Make sure hair is long and loose or in a casual ponytail or braid.
• Revisit the ‘60s: Dress in a geometric print mini shift dress and wear white cowboy boots in place of go-go boots.

3. Boho Chic

Hippie style might not be the first thing one thinks of in relation to cowboy boots, but the two can work together beautifully. Stick with Bohemian jewelry that incorporates sterling silver, large pendants on leather cords, semiprecious stones, and natural elements, such as shells or amber. Style hair long and straight, super curly and big, or in braids.

• Pair a long broomstick skirt in a deep autumn shade, such as eggplant or russet, with brown cowboy boots. Top the look off with a long-sleeve top and a hand-knit or hand-crocheted vest.
• Top tights or leggings with an ethnic-inspired print tunic; add a jean jacket and Western style boots in a matching color.
• Wear bootcut or flare jeans with boots. Dress the upper half with a knit turtleneck and a poncho.

4. City Sleek

One does not need to live in the West, or the South, to pull off (or even put on) a pair of Western style boots. Decorative leather boots can look right at home with even the sleekest of attire. Maintain a sophisticated look with well-groomed hair and full makeup.

• Wear a simple black dress with a pair of cowboy boots in a shiny metallic and a piece of bold metallic jewelry, such as a statement necklace or large hoop earrings.
• Wear the same black dress with black fishnet tights and cowboy boots in an unexpected color: hot pink, turquoise, or acid green.
• Try black leggings and cowboy boots with a loose top in a funky abstract print, sequined material, or a vivid hue: cobalt, magenta, or sunshine yellow.

5. Off to Work

Cowboy boots at the office? If the workplace is a creative or casual environment (or an oil company in Texas), then yes. Just keep the color neutral (brown, black, or gray) unless the job rewards risk-taking and innovation. Wear classic jewelry and a simple wristwatch to avoid overdoing it.

• Many styles of knit dresses will work nicely with a pair of cowboy boots.
• A long, flared brown or black skirt in a ponte knit can match Western style boots in the same shade; top these off with a structured knit jacket and a simple button-down shirt.
• A long column skirt can work with boots as well; on top, add a pretty blouse and a cardigan sweater.

6. Coffee Perk

Whether it is a weekend brunch with friends or a casual coffee date, a pair of cowboy boots adds a touch of style to an outfit without looking too dressy.

• A cozy, chunky sweater, cargo pants, and a long knit scarf will look great with cowboy boots.
• Put on a short leather jacket in a bomber or blazer style over a feminine T-shirt or peasant-style top, along with jeans and boots.
• A sweater dress and tights look great with Western style boots, giving the perfect mix of dress-up and dress-down.

7. East Meets West

Cowboy boots have been popular in Japan, and there is no reason why Asian style cannot be merged with Western classics.

• Wear a manga- or anime-inspired short dress or jumper with black or white tights and black cowboy boots.
• Try a red top with a black mini skirt and red boots.
• Pair leggings with an oversized, unstructured sweater and cowboy boots.

8. Sunday Best

Heading to religious services or dinner with family may require dressing up, but there is no reason that Western boots cannot be part of the look.

• Dress up in a long floral skirt, Western style boots, and a simple sweater.
• Pair corduroy jeans in a boot cut with a soft silk blouse.
• Mix bootcut jeans with a shirt or knit top and a long, belted leather jacket or coat.

Selecting Proper Hiking Footwear

Proper footwear is vital in providing the hiker with an enjoyable hike.  Nothing can ruin a good hike like bad footwear, so understanding the features of various hiking footwear can help you choose the most appropriate shoe for your hike.

The first thing to consider is how frequently you plan to hike.  If you are just an occasional hiker, you may not want to invest a large amount of money in hiking footwear.  However, if you plan to hike more frequently, spending a few more dollars up front ca prove to be a wise investment in the long run.

Durable, water-resistant hiking boots are in for the long hull.

What Kind of Hiking Will You Do?

The next thing to consider is the types of hikes you plan to take.  Will they be short hikes over a moderate terrain or longer hikes over a rough terrain? For shorter, more moderate terrain hikes, a trail shoe may meet your needs.  Trail shoes are generally well ventilated and light weight.  For longer hikes over rough terrain, a more substantial water-resistant leather based boot with a steel shank will provide more support and durability.  The trade-off is less ventilation and greater weight.  

Water-Resistant Hiking Boots

Another consideration is water-resistance.  If you think your hiking will take you through wet terrain, you may want gortex-lined or other water resistant membrane boots.  It is no fun hiking with wet feet!  The trade-off with water-resistance boots is that you may not have as much ventilation, but at least you will have dry feet!