I Walked 40,000 Steps In 2 Days Wearing 2 Different Pairs of Shoes & Got 0 Blisters. AMA!

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Hi everyone, and welcome back! Friends, right now I have the shoppies in such an intense way, which I assume is just the current manifestation of my general anxiety, but am I alone in this? Or do you have the shoppies too? Normally summer doesn’t get me going because it’s just a practical time and all outfits boil down to one single question: Will my sweat show in this? Not so inspiring, normally. But maybe it’s different right now because I’m having small moments of optimism due to sports, of all things?

I’m serious. Between the Knicks winning and seeing New Yorkers deservedly revel in their championship and all the stories about the World Cup—the Tartan Army putting cones on the statues in Boston, the Japanese fans trying Texas barbecue, and the German soccer fan Freddy visiting the Waffle House for the first time—I’m feeling very earnestly rah-rah #GoSports at the moment. Dare I say, I think I actually get why people care about this stuff now? Or at least I sure like how it brings folks together. That part is for certain. (Also, on a side note: Everything I know about the World Cup comes from Who What Wear’s resident sports expert, Eliza Huber. If you want a primer, this story helped me!)

On a side note: My beloved Valentino Vain Shoulder Bag (now $2790; normally $4650) is not inexpensive at this current sale price, but I’ve never seen this low before. All three colors—black, cream, and brow—are part of the Saks sale, and when I tell you it’s a really well-made, chic bag that stores a ton, I mean it. And while you’re there, Celine’s 50mm Square Cat-Eye Sunglasses (now $288; normally $480) in shiny dark brown gradient smoke are also on sale, and truly timeless. I love an inexpensive pair of sunglasses, but I will say that Celine sunglasses fundamentally level up a look and are rarely this price. And finally, if you haven’t splurged on a bitchy white pump for summer (they’re having a moment, for sure), I can personally recommend Jimmy Choo’s Amelia 35mm Leather Pumps (now $397.50; normally $795) which are truly cunty (compliment). Unrelated, but has anyone tried the brand’s jelly sandals? Are they squeaky? I keep hearing the Chloe ones are so comfortable, but squeaky.

But going back to the aforementioned summer shoppies: While I am not decamping to Sardinia or Nantucket or Mexico City, alas, I do have loads of little local summer plans and parties on the books and a family to dress. For my daughter, I just got this Boden V-Waist Woven Dress ($39.20 on sale) in Bluejay Cherry Stripe for the Fourth of July. I also have this darling H&M Tiered Seersucker Dress ($20) in blue/strawberries and the red/striped too. She wore the red/striped one to Disneyland last weekend and it was perfect for a long, hot day. My son is really into color and prints right now, and Boden does a great job with both, so he got a Cotton Linen Shirt ($36) in Green Palm Tree with matching Cotton Linen Shorts ($36).

My summer dress for every and any occasion? Doen’s Riviere Dress ($498) which I got for our spring holidays and haven’t stopped wearing. It’s perfect with slim square Havianas for beach parties, Jamie Haller low cork wedges for dinner parties, or a sassy heeled thong for date night. I love it because the combination of a deliciously full skirt and the high, squared neckline make my waist look practically dainty. Plus you can wear this dress around kids, grandparents, and work colleagues alike. I think I’ve worn it once a week since March, and have no plans to change that cadence any time soon. I also have a J.Crew Reverie Dress ($84.50 on sale) coming, and the brand’s Scallop-Trim Mini Dress ($178) which is very Doen-coded and totally not me, but I think it will make me feel like a goth Lux Lisbon from The Virgin Suicides and yes, that’s still a vibe I am after. Plus sometimes you just want to wear something that doesn’t touch your body, and that’s this.

For my husband, we have been all about Todd Snyder lately—and by “lately” I mean a couple of years—as they make some super chic sweater polos that I just love and he does too. They also make really excellent linen shorts in smart colors that feel polished without being too preppy. And according to my husband, the relaxed leisure pants are excellent for warm weather, if your fellow isn’t into shorts.

And finally, let’s talk about shoes that you can walk 20,000 steps in and still feel great! First let me start by saying I am lucky in the foot department, in many ways. While frequent readers know my deal—high arch, high instep, and a short, wide shape—I don’t have fussy feet. Meaning: I don’t use insoles in my shoes and my arches feel supported on their own at this point. I know this is not a given for everyone.

With that in mind, I recently had two very walking-forward days and accidentally tested two different shoes. I say “accidentally” because for the first day, I had no idea I would walk that much at the Huntington Botanical Gardens, but boy oh boy we did. I’m not sure what I thought would happen there—yes, I’ve been before, but it was for a Rodarte show and I had no idea the space was so immense—but we went everywhere, and by the end of the day I had clocked over 20,000 steps in my beloved leopard Jamie Haller loafers and guess what? My feet felt great. Not sore, no blisters, and completely comfortable. It was hot out, but despite the heat, my feet didn’t feel particularly sweaty or swollen, which is wild to me. (FWIW there’s are a few leopard pairs currently on her site and all-black pair at Net-A-Porter now too.)

Additionally, I did another 20,000 steps the following Saturday at Disneyland wearing an old pair of black Chucks and my beloved Banana Republic Barrel-Leg Linen Pull-On Pants ($100) and I was as comfortable as I could be, given that I’m afraid of rides, crowds, and strangers’ children. Despite the fact that it was in the mid-80s, my feet were 100% normal at the end of the day and I was totally comfortable in those trousers. (Also shout out to Clare V’s Grande Fanny Bag ($395) in the black/cream woven checker for being exactly the hands-free tote I needed and Baublebar’s Minnie Mouse Classic Ears Headband ($45) for the bringing the whole look together.)

Oh one last last thing: Are you following Atiya Walcott on social media? Stone-cold genius. Chic as can be. Funny. Her branded content is actually authentic and artistic. Give her all your attention and follows and brand deals.

Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.

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