Apparently it’s winter soon, but no one has told us that up here in Queensland. Yeah sure it’s been raining the last few days, but the mercury is still up in the hight 20’s and the humidity is a killer! I’m still reaching for the lightest, loosest items in my wardrobe – silk maxis, cotton summer dresses (the  only options when the humidity is over 90%) BUT my mind is well and truly wandering towards winter fashion!

Any new season gets me going, I like to trawl through the fashion mags, store websites (oh and ASOS.com), blogs and Pinterest to suss out what I will be seeing in the stores this winter. My current obsession? Loafers! Apparently they are so hot right now….

According to fashion bible WhoWhatWhere loafers are all the rage! Ok, if you say so, I'm a sucker for footwear trends

I never would have thunk it but loafers are well and truly on the radar as an alternative to ballet flats this winter and I have officially decided that I would like to find a new pair (or seven) for this winter.

I have decided to do a bit of research into the shape, colour and style I want thought so here is how I have done it!

1. Consult your mood boards.

Remember that post a little while ago about finding your own style? (it’s ok,  I don’t really remember it either, I’ll wait here while you familiarise yourself with it…..).

OK got it? Pinterest is a great way to check out the trends that are coming from the States and Europe (they have already done this winter remember?) and often I find I subconsciously start gravitating towards specific looks on Pinterest through the images I have pinned… here are a few looks I have pinned over the last couple of months…. notice the shoes?

A selection from my Pinterest boards.... notice the shoes?

2. Do your browsing online.

Online stores from overseas like ASOS and TOPSHOP are always a good way to get your head around trends  but don’t be scared to check out local retailers online too! It give you a good idea about what to expect on price, colour options and fabrics.

Here are a few sites that I stalked  may have visited a few times to research my new shoe obsession…..

ASOS 

Have you got yourself a spare four hours? No? Then DON’T jump onto this site right now. I have been known to go into an ASOS comma from too many hours filling up my shopping basket only to hit delete at the end because I can’t justify $562 on clothes from the UK. Know what I mean? Or is that just me….

Saying that, ASOS is a great place to check out what is happening with all the latest trends, for affordable prices. ASOS ship free to Australia and if you don’t like anything, you can send it back via a local address in NSW (you just pay the local shipping cost).

So after half a day, a few minutes on ASOS.com yesterday, here are my loafer wish-list items…..

Shoes as numbered - all from ASOS.com 1. $32.44 2. $25.95 3.$113.54 4.$72.99

STYLE TREAD

Yet another great one-stop-shoe-shop (say that five times fast!) that can take up hours of your time if you aren’t careful! StyleTread pulls labels from around the country and once again, delivers them straight to your door free of charge! They also have a free 100-day return policy so check that out on the website too! Here are some options from StyleTread that have made it onto my list…

1. Winsdor Smith 'Diana' rrp $129.95, 2. Mollini 'Palmer' rrp $99, 3. Pumps by Robert Robert rrp $149.95 - all from StyleTread.com.au

3. Check out the chain stores.

Fashion moves so fast now days that the chains stores catch up pretty quickly with what is happening on the catwalks. Case in point? These little beauties from the Emerson range, available at BIG W. And guess how much the cost?? $14.83 – uh huh!?!

The Alice loafers from Emerson @ BIG W rrp is only $14.83, can you believe that!

The other great option I found was Rubi shoes. Another steal at $20 (on sale online now! Click here).

The Lindsay slipper from Rubi shoes RRP $29.99

Chain store shoes can sometimes be a trickier fit – I am a standard size 9, but I find I can sometimes be a size 8 at places like Target, BIG W and Rubi, so it’s always best to try!

4. Go try some on!

How else are you going to know if you like this trend if you don’t give it a go? Just make sure that you wear similar clothes to the ones you would actually wear the shoe with in ‘real life’ (because shopping is not real life, it’s play time!).

I did make the mistake of trying a pair of loafers on when I was wearing a little summer frock, and ended up feeling like my nana (sorry nana!) I’m planning on wearing them with my skinny jeans cuffed a little (like pic below) or with a pair of black cigarette pants in the cooler months.

I love this look! It's been on my Pinterest board for ever - now all I need is the green loafers.... a new mission!

So best I go try these shoes on with those pants on then hey!

*rushes off to the shops, tries on as many shoes as she can and returns to the computer to spread the news*

Oh hello, thanks for waiting! So here is the start of the buying spree thoroughly researched purchasing. Not one, but two magnificent pairs of loafers from BIG W (I just couldn’t help myself!)

On the left: the Alice loafer rrp $14.93 and on the right: Comfort Expressions ruby loafer rrp $19.98 - Both from BIG W

So that is one winter trend done and dusted for me….. ha! Who am I kidding! This is just the start! I’m sure that I will be on an eternal search for the perfect loafer….and pair of jeans….. and Little Black Dress…. and comfortable heel….. oh dear!

Do you research your fashion wish-list items? How do you do it? Or do you just buy the first thing you see? What is your next purchase for winter?