Shoes with Stalf - Trousers in Autumn
Footwear to pair with your Tulips, Cocoons and Wide Legs...
Here we are in October and the colder weather hasn't really crept in just yet, has it?When it does, we’ll be ready with our chunky knits, wooly tights and lace up boots! I am a big time lover of the Autumnal dress code. Layers upon layers, the more the merrier and all textures are welcome to the party. Where I find I often hit a slump, is with the shoes I pair my Stalf-y bottoms with. Many a day post-September, I find myself reaching for the same trainer on repeat (nothing wrong with that, if it works for you, crack on) but if you’re in the mood for a little footwear inspo, this is your post.
We have three main Stalf trouser shapes (I’ve ignored Sweats for this post and Midi Skirts/Dresses will get an article all to themselves, if you’re keen??)
I give you…
and the original …
Starting with the Tulips
Here I’m wearing our Tulip Trousers and our Sweatshirt. Vest is ME+EM (I know you've seen it before!)
The Tulips come in our lightweight linens and our double gauze fabrics. Both are pretty lightweight, but easy to wear all year round- the double gauze in particular is super cosy. I love the volume in this style and the elasticated hem means they’re never going to drag in rain or mud.
First up I’ve gone for a daytime, pared down outfit. Trainers are never left on the shelf for long in my wardrobe. For the Tulips, I go for something that is low round the ankle and on the front of the foot (think Vans slip-on) or alternatively, something that’s high top and with a lace so that I can make sure the fit is close around the ankle- I feel this contrast with the volume (ie. with a little ankle on show, or with a close fit around the ankle) balances out the style and stops me looking shapeless.
If you’re looking for socks to pair with your trainers, I’d recommend Corgi.
Socks by Corgi, shoes by Goodnews London.
The same trousers look great dressed up with a pretty ballet flat.
Here I’m wearing the Cami Top (can be made on request) and Tulip Trousers. Shoes are high street.
…with a loafer works too (with invisible socks and a flash of ankle is my preference whilst it’s still mild.)
Loafers are by Grenson.
When the weather cools down, I tend to pair the Tulips with a boot. Same principle here as with the trainers- you want something that fits snug around the ankle. Again, I prefer a laced style, and my I prefer suede- I just find it gives a softer look that pairs with more textures.
Here I’m wearing the Tulip Trousers and boots by Dr Martens. Waistcoat is vintage.
The Wide Trousers
The Wide Trousers do what you’d imagine. They sit loose and wide through the leg with the same great elasticated waist and deep pockets as all Stalf Trousers. They come in lightweight linen and double gauze varieties. These are my personal favourites for day-to-night dressing. The black lightweight linen pair are probably my most worn, I also have Wisteria and a handful of limited edition checks (take a look online to see what we currently have available.)
Here’s what I mean about a “low trainer”… I like a slip on because it sits low on the ankle and seems to finish at just the right place on the top of the foot. When you're going for bare ankles this works proportionally to contrast with the (obvious) width of the Wide Trousers. If it’s chilly and I need a sock, I tend to go for something thinner here. A glitzy, glittery sock in a really fine knit works well, or something slinky like this. Never underestimate the power of a sock to complete an outfit.
Wide Trousers in current colours available here.
If we’re touching on bare ankles still (I like to eek this out for as long as possible into October) then a slip on loafer also works really well with the Wide Trousers (see below.) I’ve gone for something pretty flat here, but a Birk or a style with a chunkier sole works equally well, I’d also consider a clog.
Here I’m wearing the Vest in Waffle, the Wide Trousers, secondhand Gucci loafers and an old high street shirt.
I brought the tan suede loafers back at this point of the try-on session, and if we’re prepping for ankles needing some coverage, may I suggest a sheer sock (as previously mentioned, I refuse to type the words “p*p s*ck”.)
Loafers are Grenson, bottoms are the Wide Trousers.
The black Wide Trousers are my favourites to wear out in the evening. They dress up effortlessly and I still get the comfort of a loose fit and elasticated waist. In that case, I’d be pairing them with a heeled boot, something like the below (or a sock boot)…
These are old By Far boots, you might find them available on secondhand sites?
The Cocoon Trousers
The old reliables. The first Stalf trouser. Still as good now as ever before. Here’s what I’ll pair with my Cocoons. FYI our Jumbo Cords are the same cut as the cocoons.
Without wanting to be repetitive, I feel the need to be real here. I have my core pairs of shoes and I wear them over and again. I’m not buying tens of pairs of shoes for the sake of creating content, I feel it’s more helpful for you to see what actually works for me here. I’m talking about the Autumn styles that come out year after year, mainly because they work, I feel great in them, they’re comfy, and they pair so well with Stalf.
So here again we have my faithful black suede lace ups.
This top is a cheeky number that’s in the pipeline at Stalf, launching in a week or so. Trousers are our Cocoons in Ice Cream. Boots are Dr Martens.
Ballet flats seem to be everywhere! I love them paired with the Cocoons for a dressed up look without the need for a heel. I went secondhand Margaret Howell and velvet for my version.
Love the way they pair with the rolled cuff of the Cocoon Trousers.
Cocoons for evening are great-~I lneeded to explore more.
They’re like wearing your favourite jeans but somehow even more flexible. Here I paired my black Cocoons with an old velvet blazer, posh Prada platforms and sheer socks for a monochrome evening look that pulls together all the luxe textures.
There’s something about this chunky, refined platform with the loose-ness of the leg and easiness of the rolled hem on the Cocoons. So good.
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That closes out my Autumnal footwear round up. Let me know if you’d like a similar post for dresses and skirts?
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Paris