Shoes

Women's work shoes

Forcast shoes are chosen to go with the clothes: flats that suit wide leg trousers, loafers for tailored pants, pointed pumps and slingbacks for dresses and suits, boots for winter and sandals for summer. The range runs across leather and suede styles, including the Lizbeth Leather Ballet Flat and the Sophie Slingback Pump, plus a leather sneaker for days off. It is a working wardrobe of shoes rather than a trend rail.

Which shoe for which outfit

Loafers such as the Penny Suede Loafer are the everyday default: closed, flat and right with cropped or straight pants. Ballet flats soften a suit and suit long days on your feet, while a pointed block heel like the Vera Block Heel Point gives height you can stand in. Slingbacks sit between flat and heel and take a work dress through to dinner. Ankle boots carry the colder months, and mules and cage sandals cover summer.

Pairing shoes with the range

Match the shoe to the hem. Full-length wide leg pants want a little height or a slim flat so the hem does not pool, while slim pants show the whole shoe, so a loafer or pointed flat works best. With midi skirts and midi dresses, a pointed toe keeps the leg line long.

Finishing the outfit

Keep the leather tone of your shoe close to your belt and bag for the most put-together result. A neutral flat quietens a strong print; a dark pointed shoe sharpens a plain suit. If you are building one outfit for an event, choose the shoe after the dress, not before, so the hem length decides the heel height.

How to shop

Fit varies between a pointed pump and a round ballet flat, so check the size guide before ordering, and try new shoes on carpet at home first. If you are shopping a full look, start with the clothes and come back here last.