Designing Your Perfect Shoe

We've all been stuck in this situation. You’re standing in a department store, trying to find the perfect shoes to go with the perfect dress for your upcoming event. Every pair of shoes you try on has one tiny thing wrong with them. Either you wish they came in a different color, the heel was a little shorter, or the toe was rounded instead of pointed. This exact situation is what inspired sisters Ilissa and Dorian Howard to start making and selling custom shoes on their website Milk and Honey.

Founded in January 2011, Milk and Honey allows women to choose the style, colors, details and height of their shoes, perfect for special events. Ilissa and Dorian created the website with no experience in fashion, coming from the film and toy industries. Now, whether you’re looking for pumps, sandals, flats, oxfords, or boots, you can find them in leather, pony hair, satin, even vegan leather! And these are just a few of their many options. Many women have taken advantage of the site for planning their wedding, creating the perfect shoe for themselves and their bridesmaids. The site also features celebrity designers such as Ginnifer Goodwin, Rachel Ray, and Malin Ackerman who use the profits from their shoe sales to benefit the charity of their choice.

Custom shoes are truly on the rise, as other websites such as Shoes of Prey or even sneaker companies Nike,Vans, and Converse have all given us the option to design our personal shoes with the colors of our choice. The best part is that all of these websites also let you return the shoes if you're not 100% satisfied Still not sold? The websites feature their own inspiration galleries where you can look at some of the creations other women have made. Here are some of my favorites!

Milk and Honey

These shoes designed by Rachel Ray  pair well with jeans or an LBD.

Customize your perfect nude heel, guaranteed to make your legs look longer than ever.

These flats are so cute, with crocodile embossed leather and velvet bows to play up the different textures.

This pink sole is definitely a conversation starter!

These zebra print shoes are sure to draw attention at your wedding!

Pink Satin flats are perfect for those looking to stay comfortable while dancing all night.

Need something blue? Choose from any shade you'd like!

Shoes of Prey

Cute, colorful floral flats are great for every day.

Add red leather to the inside of the shoe and bow details to the back of your shoes for extra flair.

Looking for a chic way to wear metallics? Try customizing your own oxfords with gold and silver!

These black and white mod heels are super in this spring!

It's easy to try color-blocking this season with your own custom shoes. These blue, grey, and taupe colors are very trendy!

Another great example of color-blocking, here with a solid colored wedge.

Create your perfect sandal for the spring weather with strappy gladiators or minimalistic flats.

Your new favorite work shoes are awaiting when you add a kitten heel to your favorite colors and textures.

Nike

Stay comfy in these trendy animal-print sneakers.

Create your perfect gym shoe in bright neon colors.

Not Your Father's Custom Clothing (Happy Birthday, Dad!)

If you have a husband, boyfriend, father, or brother who could use some help in the sartorial department, you need to know about Alton Lane. Scroll to the bottom of this post for a special discount offer!

Just as a custom suit does not fit like any other suit, a visit to Alton Lane's bespoke atelier is not like most shopping experiences. One, you peruse the fabric and style choices at a fully stocked bar, and two, you get completely naked during the process. But more on that later...

My husband woke up one morning last week and had such a GIRL MOMENT, I almost had to laugh. Except that he was freaking out. Why do women freak out in the morning? Because THEY HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR. Between weight fluctuation, a delayed trip to the dry cleaner, and just plain old wear and tear on the suits he had been wearing, he really and truly had NOTHING TO WEAR. Of course, as a fashion stylist who lives to relieve others of these painful moments, I was devastated that this had happened on my watch. A plan was hatched to rebuild his wardrobe. Unlike my female clients, however, instant gratification would not be his. As long as we were going to rebuild his wardrobe, we decided to do it right and GO CUSTOM. Enter Alton Lane, both a fabulous value and a fabulous experience, even for the man who hates to shop.

A friend told us about Alton Lane (see it featured here in my Father's Day Gift Guide) after he had his wedding suit made there. He couldn't stop raving about the transparent pricing, process, and style of his new suit. After attending his wedding, I was hooked on the idea of bespoke tailoring for the modern man. With locations in New York and DC, as well as a virtual service, no man need be without a proper fitting suit!

Step 1: Choose fabric and cut for your suit. Prices start at $525 for a 2-piece suit.

Step 2: Pick super cool lining, piping and even contrast buttonhole stitching if you want. We chose pink piping with light blue lining for a navy suit.

Step 3: Body scan- naked! Good for figuring out overall body shape.

Step 4: Put on an Alton Lane shirt and pants in your approximate off-the-rack sizes while they take 12 measurements by hand.

Step 5: Suit arrives at your doorstep within 4-6 weeks. About 70% of clients need no alterations the first time around. For those that do, Alton Lane provides a list of tailors and reimburses you 120% of the tailoring cost, up to $100. Notes are then added to your account so your next suit is perfect.

Stay tuned for details of the final results!

Discount Alert!!! Does a man in your life need to experience proper fitting clothes? Real Life Style is lucky enough to have discount cards available for our readers. Book an appointment or order your suit online before July 30th, 2012 and you'll receive a $50 discount off your first suit! Want one? Post the details of your man's sartorial stress on my Facebook Page!