Pointed toes, stilettos, and a clean palette - this pair of booties from Malone Souliers really stands out among all the trendy blocked heels this year. The grey plaid pattern makes the boots feel preppy and modern at the same time. No matter what outfit you’re wearing, this pair has the ability to transform your entire look. While the heels are 3 inches high, they are very comfortable to walk-in, which is rare among booties.

My favorite part of this pair is the V-shape opening design. Together with the slim patent straps tracing the pointed toes, this design “extends” your calves and makes the leg to body ratio perfect.

Based in London and made in Italy, Malone Souliers shoes run deep from fashion blogs to Hollywood thanks to their unique design and attention to detail. In the five seasons since its launch, the brand has gained a global reputation for its delicately crafted collections with a truly unique and vivid palette of colourways.

Back in 2017, the brand became publicly recognizable with its Maureen flats. They are the perfect shoes to throw on with either casual jeans or formal clothes. Besides flats, Maureen pumps is also a classic design of this brand. The delicate arc and the velvet texture highlights the feminine beauty. More interestingly, the shoes mix and match the feminine elements with the metal stripe at the toes, creating a confident look.

“The last is the basis of all shoemaking,” says Mary Alice Malone, the creative designer of the brand, “It is a very old art. I give the makers directions, if I want high, pointy, more arched, more flat. We start to develop a shape that is wearable; you have to make sure the engineering is right. The last and the heel are the most technical parts of shoemaking. If a customer has wide feet, for example, I can alter the pattern accordingly.”

Beyond velvet, Malone Souliers also plays with different textures and subtle innovations - silk, crocodile skin, suede, etc. - on its simple designs. With its aesthetics and comfort, it is an understatement to say Malone Soulier shoes are wearable works of art.

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Found yourself going through your closet and realising that you don't have any piece of clothing that's fitted for the chilly days ahead? Started layering all your long sleeves so you don't freeze to death in that one classroom where the AC is questionably still on despite the 30 degree weather outside? Time for some shopping. Here's a quick guide to warmer options you might wanna consider buying for this winter while still looking polished and stylish, and more importantly, still finding quality items at a reasonable price. Also attached are a couple looks from celebrities for you to use as inspiration as you try out the following looks. Hopefully this post helps you stay not-so-broke during this holidays (and finals) season!

(Click on images to shop or view source)

The Hat

Let's start right from the top. Bakerboy hats. You probably caught the Hadids or bloggers picking up on the trend. Although these hats will remain as fashion-over-function items in your closet, we've been watching them take their place in the accessories sections in stores. From Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin to today's high-fashion runway shows, these hats are certainly going to be around for a while. If you're bored of your pom pom beanies and unintentional Tumblr girl looks, Topshop unsurprisingly has a couple bakerboy hats to offer.

The Sweatshirt

Another trend I am particularly excited for this year are sweatshirts. Sweatshirts? For winter? Groundbreaking. Baggy, comfy cotton sweaters are the way to embrace street style. I personally feel like wool and knit usually run the risk of looking cheaper than expected, whereas thick cotton sweatshirts are great for creating a much more casual, contemporary and clean look. In terms of functionality, whereas wind gets through knit and wool makes you itchy, these sweatshirts will keep you warm and comfortable! They look perfect when tucked inside skinny jeans and leather pants, or worn over black tights and heeled boots. One thing I've really been into is going for vintage-inspired bright sweatshirts with lively colours to add some colour to the winter season. Street style has been on the rise lately, and instead of the likes of Off-White, Acne Studios and Yeezy, brands like Champion, Reebok, FILA etc. might be worth trying out. Though thrift shops are sure to have a lot to offer, take a look at these pieces from Urban Outfitters.

The Pants

People usually overlook how versatile tailored pants (i.e cigarette pants, peg pants) can be. They do not have to be worn with smart casual looks, and can also be paired with casual pieces. I personally love pairing a dressier item - heels, blouses, tailored pants - with either baggy casual pieces or colourful vintage tops. This expands the functionality of your closet, and gives you the chance to go from day to night. I thought that I had to make up for roasting ASOS in the next paragraph, so below you'll find tapered and comfortable pants to wear this winter.

The Boots

You know you wanted over-the-knee boots the moment you saw Taylor Swift with those red velvet boots. If you feel like these boots are too bold of a choice for you, try going for completely black ones. I for one avoided buying shoes, especially boots, from ready-to-wear retailers for the longest time. This aversion was due to my experience with ASOS shoes, which fitted me perfectly, but were impossible to be worn during the day. Whether it was the pain I had to endure every time I took a step, or the low-quality material of the heels and suede (you know, the usual stuff), I ended up at a point where I'd complain about my bad experiences with shoes on a blog post. However, I've recently bought my second pair of shoes from Zara and I must now share this discovery with the rest of the world. This season, take a stab at over-the knee boots with the following selections from your most trustworthy retailer:

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