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Category: How-to

Mastering the Art of Pairing Shoes and Dresses for a Stylish and Elegant Look | Bella’s Ladies Collection

Mastering the Art of Pairing Shoes and Dresses for a Stylish and Elegant Look

The Importance of Choosing the Right Shoes for Your Dresses

When it comes to fashion, the right pair of shoes can make all the difference. Selecting the perfect shoes to complement your dress is essential for creating a stylish and well-balanced outfit. The shoes you choose not only complete your look but also have the power to enhance your overall appearance, accentuating your best features and making you feel confident and beautiful.

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The Impact of Shoes on the Overall Outfit

The shoes you wear can significantly impact your outfit, either elevating it to the next level or detracting from its elegance. A well-chosen pair of shoes can add a touch of sophistication and polish to a simple dress or provide the finishing touch to a more elaborate ensemble. On the other hand, a mismatched pair of shoes can make even the most stunning dress look lackluster or out of place.

Understanding the importance of shoe and dress pairings will help you make more informed decisions when styling your outfits, ensuring that you always look your best and feel confident in your choices. In this guide, we will explore the different types of dresses and shoes, and provide expert tips on how to pair them for a chic and elegant look.

Key Tips for Pairing Shoes and Dresses

  • Identify the type of dress (casual, work, or evening) and choose shoes accordingly (flats, heels, boots, or sandals).
  • Consider the color, pattern, and length of the dress when selecting shoes to create a cohesive and balanced look.
  • Match your shoes to the occasion, prioritizing comfort and style that suits your personality.
  • Experiment with bold and neutral colors, as well as different shoe styles, to discover your unique style.

Now that you’re equipped with these practical tips for pairing shoes and dresses, it’s time to put them into action! Remember, fashion is a form of self-expression, and there’s no better way to showcase your individuality than by experimenting with different styles and combinations. Don’t be afraid to try new things and step out of your comfort zone.

As you continue your journey to mastering the art of pairing shoes and dresses, keep in mind that it’s all about having fun, expressing yourself, and feeling confident in your choices. So, go ahead, and start experimenting with your wardrobe to create stunning and elegant ensembles that make you feel like the best version of yourself.

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Practical Uses of African Fabric | Bella’s Ladies Collection

Bella's New Stock Update 72

Practical Uses Of African Fabric

African Fabric Month is being celebrated by Cultured Expressions to raise awareness of the many creative and practical use of African Fabrics For the month of September, the brand is urging its DIY audience to engage in educational & culturally relevant events to honor African civilizations that produce real Fabric.

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To highlight some of the continent’s most popular textile arts, Cultured Expressions has supported the endeavor. An increasing number of fashion designers and retailers are incorporating hints of African culture into their creations, as well as home furnishings. All of these fabrics, as well as many others from Africa, are being utilized to produce one-of-a-kind clothing and accessory designs, as well as home decor items like quilts, purses, and pillows.

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African textile craftsmanship is one of the greatest pleasures, in contrast to negative portrayals of the continent that are so prevalent in the media. African Fabric Month is another fun vehicle to reach people,” said Lisa Shepard Stewart, writer, designer, and owner of Cultured Expressions, about her passion for creating activities and events that expose peoples of all backgrounds to beauty of the fabrics and allow them to embrace the culture.

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This month’s celebration of African Fabrics Month is a global phenomenon despite Stewart’s home base in New Jersey, United States.

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This project has a month-long deadline in order to offer DIYers of all skill levels an opportunity to show off their skills in areas like sewing, quilting, and more.

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African fabric has and continues to play an important role in the exchange of information, knowledge, and social relationships within specific groups. It is not only the selection of color and kind of thread that has a spiritual and historical meaning but the ornamental elements, symbols, and figural compositions that are closely linked to historical proverbs or events. As a kind of storytelling, they impart important information to a person or a family, or a broader social group.

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Social and political commentary and commemoration of special events are common uses for African Fabric, such as weddings, funeral service commemorations, and the naming of children. Historically, chiefs and regional officials were in charge of distributing and controlling the use of these items.

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They are worn as skirts around the waist and hips, or as tunics and robes for personal ornamentation. It is fairly uncommon for African fabrics to be utilized as backgrounds for public celebrations.

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However, centuries of tradition as well as a culture of crafting wonderful items give some African communities’ clothing an elegance and vibrancy that it does not experience within the Western world, which prefers conformity over individual expression. African fabrics are often used to provide warmth or cover.

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Fashion designers throughout the world employ traditional African textiles such as Ankara and wax designs to create skirts, shirts, and head wraps, among other things. There is, however, a plethora of other things you do with African fabric. All it requires is a little imagination to create a colorful aesthetic that combines exquisite African flair with contemporary elements.

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šŸ˜Help with Matching clothesšŸ˜

Introduction:

Welcome to Bella’s Collection’s blog! Today we are going to go over different tips to help you match your clothes in the morning everyday! Check out the table of contents below to see all of the different styles we cover! We will also have photos through-out the blog as well sharing what we have in the store for you! Stop into the store today so we can help you pick out the perfect outfit for your upcoming event or interview! Hopefully this blog helps you!

Table of contents:

  • Colors that shouldn’t be mixed
  • Kitenge Fabric
  • Ladies Suits
  • Dresses
  • Conclusion
  • Bonus
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Colors that shouldn’t be combined:

  • Brown and black
  • Gray and Brown
  • Blue and black
  • Red and Green (Unless it’s Christmas)
  • Green and pink
  • Green and orange
  • Purple and Yellow
  • Red and Orange

Colors that do go together:

  • Green and Yellow
  • Pale Blue and Pink. (Nothing says spring more than pastels)
  • Red and Blue
  • Cobalt Blue and Turquoise
  • Orange and Blue
  • Tan and Maroon
  • Orange and Black
  • Pink and Grey

Kitenge Fabric:

We sell different outfits as well as by the yard! If you make an outfit out of the same fabric, it will already match! If you want to mix fabrics, your safest bet is to use a solid color and a design.

Our fabrics are hang picked from West Africa. They are available in both plain and metallic. It is 25k per yard for plain and 45k per yard for metallic fabric.

Click here to read all about kitenge fabric!

Click here to read of when to wear our shoes!

Tops and Bottoms we have:

Tips to keeping your clothes soft after washing and wearing them.

Key Steps:
  1. Read washing labels and follow the guide.
  2. Try making a natural water softener made from vinegar or baking soda.
  3. Go for detergents with long-lasting fragrances to get smells out of clothes.
  4. Let clothes hang naturally and air while drying.
  5. Use a gentle spin cycle on delicate clothing.

Click here for help with bras!

Ladies Suits:

We offer women and girls suits, they are imported from USA and Turkey. The prices range from 350k – 900k

Our women’s and girls trousers are imported from Italy and Turkey. The prices range from 150k – 200k

1. MAKE SURE THE COLORS ARENā€™T TOO CLOSE:

One of the biggest fashion mistakes that women make is pairing suit separates in colors that are too close, such as a dark navy jacket and black pants, a white blazer and ivory pants, or a brown jacket and a skirt in a different shade of brown. Pairing those combinations will likely make it seem like you were trying to match but just didnā€™t quite get it right.

Instead, opt for colors that are completely different. A red jacket and a pair of navy pants will look great together, and so will a royal purple jacket and an ivory-colored skirt. Pro tip: Think back to the color wheel you learned in elementary school and try to pair contrasting colors.

2. MIX AND MATCH PATTERNS WITH SOLIDS:

The easiest way to mix and match your suits is to pair patterns and neutrals. Have a floral pencil skirt? Pair it with one of your neutral suit jackets. Red pants? Wear them with aĀ pinstripe blazer. Itā€™s hard to go wrong with this strategy because the combinations that you put together will immediately feel new and fresh, and you wonā€™t run the risk of putting together two items that donā€™t quite match, but look like they were supposed to.

Start by pulling a color from the print youā€™re starting withā€”such as the pink from a floral printed jacketā€”and find a solid-colored piece in that color to match with it. Another tip: Black and white prints, particularlyĀ black and white stripes, go with everything. Leopard is another great neutral print that will match practically any other solid color you pair it with.

3. THE FABRICS YOU MIX SHOULD LITERALLY FEEL DIFFERENT:

Make sure the textures of your suiting separates have different enough textures, or youā€™ll look like youā€™re trying to match two separates that donā€™t go together instead of wearing two distinct separates. Pair aĀ velvet blazerĀ with wool pants or aĀ tweed jacketĀ with a thick ponte skirt so you donā€™t make this mistake. Another trick: Stock up on suiting separates that are the same material so you can easily mix and match different-colored separates.

Take another look at the suits in your closet: Youā€™ll have a lot more outfits available to you when you start mixing and matching them. Create combinations that highlight contrasting textures, colors, or prints, and let your personality shine through the combinations you try.

Click here to see our different departments!

Dresses:

You don’t have to worry about your outfit matching when you are wearing a dress!Ā 

We offer women and girls dresses that are imported from Italy, Turkey, and the USA. The prices range from 180k – 750k

Bonus – What we also carry!

Shoes:

We have girls and women’s shoes imported from the USA. The prices start at 200k.

Bags/Clutches:

Our bags and clutches are imported from Italy, Turkey, and the USA.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading our blog! Today we went over what we carry in our store! We also shared how to match your outfits! Our WhatsApp number is listed below! Text us on Whatsapp if you have any questions or com einto the store!

Click here for Quality Leather Shoes

šŸ‘”Our ultimate shoe guide!šŸ‘”| Bella’s Ladies Collection

Introduction:

Welcome to Bella’s Blog! Today we are sharing our ultimate shoe guide with you! We are going to show you the shoes we offer here in our store! We are also going to go over how to clean shoes and help with odor! Check out our table of contents below to see everything we talk about! Stop in the store today so we can help you pick out the perfect new pair of shoes!Ā 

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Table of contents:

  • What shoes we have!
  • Helpful shoe tips!
  • How to get the smell out of your shoes.
  • Matching shoes with your outfit, per color!
  • Matching shoes with your outfit, per season!
  • Different shoes with different styles!
  • When to wear what color shoes.
  • Fixing the bottom of your high heels.
  • Repairing sandals
  • Fixing a broken flip-flop.
  • Conclusion

All of our clothes are imported from the USA! We make regular trips to keep up on the latest fashion!Ā 

Shoes:

We have girls and women’s shoes imported from the USA, and the prices start at 200 k! We have shoes to fit your outfit at any and all occasions! We make regular trips so our inventory changes, if you see something you really like stop on in or get hold of us on Facebook or Whats App.Ā 

Click here to see everything we have to offer!Ā 

Helpful Shoe tips!

  • Avoid heels with ankle straps or T-straps if you have short legs.Ā Straps also have a tendency to cut off the leg, making it look short.
  • Avoid heels that are more than four inches tall if you have short legs.Ā Ultra high heels make the calf muscle flex more, which leaves your leg looking less slender.
  • Wear oval-shaped or square-toed heels if you have large feet.Ā Avoid tapered or pointy heels that may end up making your feet look even larger.
  • Avoid wearing extremely high heels or sexy, strappy designs in professional settings, depending on your profession.…. A low to moderately high heel is fine, but keep things conservative. A closed-toe, low-heeled pump works best.
  • Wear walking sandals with casual outfits.Ā Shorts, capri pants, and some dress-down sundresses work with walking sandals, but avoid wearing them with dressier clothes.
  • Scuff Marks
    On black leather, scuff marks are easy to camouflage. Iā€™ve been using a black permanent marker to fix up scuff marks for the past 10 years. But this fix can work for any colored shoe as long as you can find a permanent marker that matches. Simply color in the scuff mark, dab with a tissue, and reapply. Do this a few times to make the fix water-resistant.

If your scuffed shoe is white, youā€™ll need to do a little more work. Cosmetic scuff marks can be taken off using a regular white art eraser. But if the shoes are torn, youā€™ll need to apply white-out to remedy the problem.

  • Floppy Soles
    I have this amazing pair of white moccasins that I love to wear. Probably for this reason, the sole became detached from the bottom of the shoe. I definitely didnā€™t want to trash the shoes, so I headed to the craft store for some strong waterproof glue.

If you have a similar issue, peel back the floppy sole, clean it of any debris, and fill in between the sole and the bottom with a strong glue. Use a Popsicle stick or other flat implement to spread the glue evenly across the bottom ā€“ you definitely donā€™t want the glue to harden and create uncomfortable bumps. Then, press the two pieces together and allow to dry for 24 hours before you wear them. The bottom should be bonded and water-tight once you take to the streets.

Click here to see how to match your outfits!Ā 

How to get the smell out of your shoes:

Lets face it, we may not want to admit this, but our feet sweat. Of course, we all know…sweat stinks. No one wants to admit this but it’s something we all deal with. Below are our best tips to help take the smell out and keep your shoes smelling good!

  • First,Ā  Look for the cause.Ā Stop and examine your shoes before you try to treat the odor. If you have damp or damaged insoles, either take them out and dry them, or purchase insoles that are specially formulated to prohibit bacterial growth.
  • Purchase cedar wood insoles.Ā The cedar wood that they are made of is antifungal and can help you prevent odor. Plus, cedar smells fresh, light, and crisp, making it a great choice for removing odor and preventing bacterial growth
  • You can dry your shoes out naturally by putting them in the sun or by a fan or vent. If you do this, make sure you take your laces out so they dry thoroughly too.
  • Use fabric softener/conditioner sheets. Ball up one or two fabric freshener sheets (that you stick in the drier, or in between your sheets) and place them in your shoes after you use them. The sheets should impart their pleasant perfume into the shoes and wick away any moisture that is still left in shoes.
  • Place fresh orange, grapefruit, lemon, or lime peel into the shoes.Ā Fresh citrus peel has a great smell because of its essential oils. Leave fresh citrus peel in your shoes overnight and remove them before using. They should smell a lot better
  • Add a few drops of lavender oil to your shoes.Ā One or two drops will suffice inside each shoe, on the sole. This will both add anti-bacterial properties and eliminate the odor, replacing it with a fresh fragrance.
  • Try putting baking soda in your stinky shoes!
  • Try store bought shoe odor fighters!
  • Use fresh cat litter.Ā Cat litter might seem a bit off-putting, but it works for a reason: it has great deodorizing properties. Stuff a sock with fresh, unused kitty litter, seal it off with a knot on top, and stuff into shoes overnight.
  • Use water and vinegar.Ā Spray your shoes with a combination of 50 percent water and 50 percent white distilled vinegar. Spritz the mixture into your shoe lining and sole, and let it air dry for 30 minutes. You can use a hair dryer after that if you are in a hurry to dry the shoe. Follow that up with baking soda in the shoe overnight.

How to match shoes with your outfit by color:

  • Choose shoe colors that match your clothes instead of colors that compete with your clothes.
    • Wear simple black heels or flats when wearing a dress with a bright, bold pattern. If you were to wear a more complex shoe, it would be too overwhelming in the opinion of some. Obviously, you can wear whatever shoes you like provided there is no dress code to obey or health and safety issues to consider.
    • Consider neutral or ‘nude’ heels or flats if you have on a sparkly evening top.
  • Add zest to a plain outfit by wearing brighter shoes.
    • Add a pop of color by pairing a red heel with a black or brown dress.
    • Try a dressy shoe with a funky pattern, like alligator skin, if you have on a simple blouse and neutral trousers or jeans.
  • Select standard colors for professional settings.
    • Wear brown or black leather shoes at a conservative office. Grey and navy a red good choices for the office too.
    • Incorporate color only if you have a less strict office with a corporate casual dress code.

How to match your shoes, per season:

Spring: Be flexible in the spring.Ā You can choose both winter shoes and summer shoes as your wardrobe evolves through the spring.

Summer: Lighten up in summer.Ā Summer is the time to enjoy your sandals and espadrilles. Just be sure to enjoy them without socks.

Fall: Pull back in the fall.Ā You can still be somewhat flexible as your wardrobe transitions to winter, but avoid the sandals and espadrilles. They don’t match with the heavier fabrics and colors of autumn.

Winter: Choose practical shoes for winter.Ā Choose loafers, flats and boots. Make sure that your heels are wider to avoid slippage.

Click here to read about your bras!Ā 

When to wear what color shoes:

Women’s dresses/Skirts:

Women’s dresses have many different styles! There are sun dresses, long dresses, short dresses, and many more!Ā 

With dresses you would wear wedges, flats, heels, or even flip flops! Some occasions a short top flat tennis-shoe looks good!Ā 

You want to avoid tall or bulky shoes when wearing a dress, it will take away from the delicate look the dress gives you!

Shirt & Pants:

When you are wearing long pants and a shirt, almost any shoes can go with with your outfit! The same rule for the dresses applies, you want to try to stay away from big and bulky shoes!Ā 

If you are wearing dress pants and a dress shirt in a business or business casual outing you can wear heals! This will give you that nice professional look!Ā 

If you are wearing jeans, sandals or tennis shoes look the best! If you are doing anything active, tennis shoes are your best bet!Ā 

If it is snowy or raining, rain boots or snow boots can be worn with jeans, just make sure to tuck them in!

Click here to read about kitenge fabric.

Shirts & Skirts:

When wearing a skirt it gives a certain feminine look! Weather it is short, or long, with or with-out a design!Ā 

If you are wearing a long or short skirt, you can rock a beautiful pair or flats, heels, wedges, or flip-flops. No matter the occasions any of those are sure to complete your outfit.Ā Ā 

You do not want to wear tennis shoes or boots with your skirt.Ā 

Click here to read about your bras!Ā 

Matching shoe color to your outfit:

1.Ā Black shoes

The most common shoe color, black, is not so difficult to match with other colors because it can be matched with almost every other color, but still here are the best colors that go with black shoes: Black, blue, gold, silver, burgundy.

2.Ā White shoes

Almost like black, white can be matched with almost any outfit.Ā Women like to wear it with denim, but itā€™s great for colorful outfits, patterned outfits and pastels.

3.Ā Red shoes

Theyā€™re so daring and sexy. And the best colors that go perfectly with red shoes are: Black, white, neutrals, navy blue, orange, and pink.

4. Pink shoes

The color of the year and the cutest for girls and womenĀ can be matched with: Navy blue, neutrals, red, grey, silver, purple and green.

5.Ā Purple shoes

Purple is as cute as pink when it comes to shoes and outfits, but what colors would make it pop and look best with it? Neutrals, pink, navy blue, and green.

6.Ā Blue shoes

Blue shoesĀ are as important as black shoes, but theyā€™re a little bit difficult to match with your outfits, so here the colors that would look great on blue shoes: Brown, green, white, black, neutrals, and yellow.

Click here to read about matching your outfit!

7.Ā Gold shoes

Gold shoes are not that hard to match with outfits as you might think, gold shoes can be matched with black, emerald green, red, and blue.

8.Ā Silver shoes

I love silver shoes with denim; they go best with each other. But that doesnā€™t mean that silver shoes canā€™t go with gold, black, white, red, navy blue, pink and neutrals.

9.Ā Nude shoes

If you want to elongate your legs and you want them to look slimmer, then wear nude shoes. They also can go with every outfit you have in your closet.

Fix the Bottom of your High Heels:

Flip over the pair of heels and measure the height of the heel tip. You can find a chart of corresponding replacement heel tip sizes online. Based on the shape and size of the heel tip, buy replacement heel tips at online retailers, cobbler shops or in the shoe department at most supermarket stores. If you cannot figure out the exact size of your heel tip, most brands of replacements should be able to fit one size up or down.

Using a pair of pliers, remove the old heel tips by lightly twisting and wriggling until the old heel tips pop out.

Sand down the shoe with sandpaper if the heel is uneven or holds remnants of glue or other material. Once the old tip is out, align the nail of the new tip with the hole on your shoe.

Use a hammer to push the new tip into place by using a light tapping action. Once the tip is fully secure, repeat the process with the other shoe.

Fixing your sandals:

A heavy-duty sewing machine can punch right through the leather of a sandal strap. But if you donā€™t have one, hand stitch the broken strap back in place with a needle and thread, and make sure the thread color matches your shoe color.

Unfortunately, this fix is going to be apparent to anyone who takes a close look. In order to solve this problem, youā€™ll need to add accessories. I snapped a couple of cheap flower hair clips over the repaired strap, and my shoes now look like a new pair with a bit of flair. Plus, I donā€™t have to walk around nervous that anyone will notice my repair job. This could also work with ribbons or vintage brooches.

Fixing a broken flip-flop:

Ā STEP 1:

Cut or tear a piece of fabric that is 1 inch wide and 10 inches long. Ā Cut another that is 4 inches wide and 25 inches long. Ā (The 25ā€³ piece will be longer than you need; the excess will be cut off at the end. Ā So, if you donā€™t have quite 25ā€³, itā€™s ok.)

For simplicity, I will refer to the smaller strip and ā€œStrip Aā€ and the bigger one as ā€œStrip Bā€.

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STEP 1

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STEP 2:

Take Strip A and fold it in half long ways. (So the top and bottom of the strip meet.)

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STEP 2

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STEP 3:Ā 

Push Strip A through the toe post hole from the underside of the footbed so a loop forms on the top.

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STEP 3

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STEP 4:Ā 

Take Strip B and pull it through one of the bottom strap holes. Ā Leave a little fabric on the underside and tie a knot to anchor the strip in place.

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strap pics step 4

STEP 4

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STEP 5:Ā 

Pull Strip B through the loop of Strip A on the top of the flip flop.

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STEP 5

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STEP 6:

Pull Strip B through the last hole in the flip flop. Ā Put the flip flop on and pull Strip B until the flip flops feel secure on your foot. Ā Then, tie knots on the 2 remaining loose strands.

Step 6

Step 6

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STEP 7:

Trim off the excess fabric on the ends of the knots. Ā Then, secure the knots into the holes and use a hot glue gun to make sure they stay knotted and in place. Ā There should be enough room in the holes from the original backings of the straps that you wonā€™t feel huge lumps while you are walking. Ā Flatten the knots and secure into these holes as best you can. Ā 

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Step 7

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STEP 8:

Show off your one of a kind creation!

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Conclusion:

Thank you for reading our blog! Today we shared our ultimate shoe guide! We talked about the shoes we have, different shoe tips, matching your shoes, fixing your shoes, and getting the smell out of them! All of our shoes are imported recently from the USA! Check out our Facebook for updates of new inventory! Stop in the store today so we can help you pick out your new favorite outfit!

Click here for Quality Leather Shoes