by Hannah Weil
When you make a smart investment, it pays off. Case in point: Rachel Bilson probably purchased her Alexander Wang Noemi heels a couple seasons ago (seeing as they're no longer available), but these statement heels have a pretty major impact on the blazer and denim she chose for an appearance in NYC today. Against her more understated pieces, her edgy, cutout booties popped, lending just the right touch of the trends to an otherwise-classic mix. That's the whole point — with serious heels like these, it doesn't take much else to pull together a chic look. And because these heels are a no-fuss solution to styling up something cool on the fly, we suspect you'll return to them season after season, making them well worth the money. Lesson learned; follow our tips and shop our picks to snag your own high-impact footwear.
- Look for heels with the kind of statement details you can wear on multiple occasions and in multiple seasons. If you want to make the most of your investment and really wear these on a daily basis, then avoid metallics, embellishments, or sparkles that might make it harder to wear regularly and with a variety of outfits.
- Cutout booties in a neutral hue like Rachel's are a great option because they'll go with almost anything in your closet, from jeans to dresses, and are well-suited to transitional weather. You can slip into shoes like this between Summer and Fall, and again in early Spring; they're practically season-less, making them a practical option almost all year long.
- To channel Rachel's effortless style, keep the look just as simple. It works because Rachel doesn't rely on a mix of bold trends all at once; instead, she works a clean-cut blazer and classic denim, making her shoes the real focal point. When mixing in your statement heels, opt for more minimalist silhouettes, whether it be a pair of clean trousers or a streamlined pencil skirt and a button-down.
