Every woman deserves to both look beautiful and feel her best on her big day. Yet so many women make the mistake of buying a pair of shoes based solely on how they look and then end up in pain from the start of the ceremony to the end of the reception. The last thing a bride should be thinking about at her wedding is her feet, so picking a shoe based on both fit and style is essential. This is no easy task. In fact, Anyi was inspired to start her business after trying in vain to find a beautiful shoe for her sister to wear at her wedding that could also be worn all day.

 The following are elements of construction that will help you be a comfortable bride: 

1. Thicker heel–Stilettos may be dramatic for a photo, but in reality they’re hard to walk in, even harder to dance in, and the heels sink right into the grass. A heel with a bit of thickness that is less than 3 inches will still give you height and let you move with an easy grace all day.
2. Arch support + cushioned insole–There’s a lot of standing at weddings. Standing during the ceremony, standing in a receiving line, standing for pictures. Proper arch support and cushioning will make all the difference between wishing that time away and enjoying every moment.
3. Adjustable strap and secured ankle–Most great weddings have some dancing, and you don’t want to be worried about going over on an ankle when taking a spin, or having to put on flip flops with your couture gown. Straps that can adjust and hold the foot securely will keep you dancing late into the night.   
4. High quality materials–This is not the time to pick a shoe with cheap materials. Not only are these materials unattractive, they don’t flex with your foot and can cause blisters. Look for high quality leathers, patents, and suedes. 

We chose the Tulipe to represent “the perfect bridal shoe” because it fulfills all the above criteria for fit plus looks absolutely stunning.

The first look pairs the Tulipe in metallic pitone with a sophisticated, full-length gown. The modern, sleek silhouette balanced with the vintage feel of the lace material and pearls make for a romantic combination. A metallic shoe is the perfect compliment to a white dress since it’s still neutral but adds some contrast.

The second look is all about pops of color and fun, ideal for a destination wedding. When wearing a bright shoe like this Papaya patent Tulip, a short dress can really show them off. Instead of matching your accessories to the shoes, try another bright, complimentary color like this turquoise necklace.

For more inspiration, see how a bride customized her Tulips in this Refinery29 article.  

Look 1: 

Dress/Alice+Olivia – Sachi open back gown

Necklace/J.Crew – Opera length pearl necklace 

Mary Jane heels/ANYI LU – Tulipe in Metallic Pitone

(also available here)

Look 2: 

Dress/Badgley Mischka – Asymmetrical Peplum Strapless Dress

Necklace/Vintage – Chunky turquoise necklace (similar)

Mary Jane heels/ANYI LU – Tulip in Papaya Patent

(also available here)

The women of the 1960’s exuded a kind of confident femininity that never goes out of style. That’s why we chose this era to be the inspiration for the Spring/Summer 2014 collection. The following are three looks to go with three of the styles from the Spring collection to help inspire you to experiment with 60’s inspired fashion.

1. Cropped pants with flats–Think Audrey Hepburn when trying out this first look. Women in the 60’s were not afraid to combine prints and textures, so we paired a printed cropped pant with a printed flat–the Delphine. The top is a knit pattern, which was also common back then, though this one takes its shape from today’s fashion. Throw on a pair of big sunglasses, grab a bold colored clutch, and you’re ready to go.
2. Bold print & color–The ladies of the 1960’s knew how to be bold and conservative at the same time. This look takes a conservative structured jacket, but then gets daring with a big print made up of bright colors and earth tones. The cropped pant and low heels (the Gigi) also walk the line of fun and reserved while the necklace adds a modern twist. 
3. Mini shift dress–We couldn’t do a post on 60’s inspired style without a short shift dress. This style of dress was introduced with the British invasion of 1964 and became wildly popular because it can fit so many body types. Leopard print came into vogue when Jackie O started wearing it at the suggestion of her designer, Oleg Cassini. Pairing it with the Tulipe, a modern mary jane, in metallic pitone completes the look.  

Look 1: 

Top/Zara – cut work crop top

Tank Top/Theory – len 2 top in tubular stretch 

Pants/Opening Ceremony – Calyx jacquard pants

Bag/Baggu – leather pouch

Sunglasses/Elizabeth & James – Crescent Sunglasses

Flats/ANYI LU – Delphine in black mongrovian

Look 2: 

Jacket/Sass+Bide – world's apart cropped jacket

Tank Top/Theory – len 2 top in tubular stretch 

Pants/Isabel Marant – 'kay' jean (same fabric, diff 

Necklace/Joomi Lim – spiked chain necklace

Heels/ANYI LU – Gigi in bisque patent

The oxford for women is a fairly recent trend that has quickly become a wardrobe essential but many wonder what to wear with them. Turns out, this shoe is incredibly versatile and a single pair can result in endless looks. We’ve featured three with our Amy oxford to help inspire you when deciding what to wear with this style of footwear.

1. City casual–It’s fun to play with masculine and feminine when wearing oxfords. This look plays tough qualities, like leather and metal, off the softness of the blue shirt. Note that even if your oxfords are a pattern suede like these Amy’s in black and white pony, they pair nicely with another leather like that of the pants.
2. Weekend casual–Oxfords don’t have to be serious! They can easily be worn with shorts or skirts. This look pairs the Amy’s with a jumpsuit for an unexpected and fun combination.
3. At the office–This type of shoe is a natural at the office, but many make the mistake of going too masculine. This look combines feminine pieces like a soft, floral top and a bold necklace for balance. The cropped pants show off the ankle and the shoe. Socks can be tough to pull off with this style of shoe unless they’re knee-high or stockings so when in doubt, wear with bare feet or peds. 

Look 1: 

Blouse/Madewell – perfect chambray ex-boyfriend shirt

Pants/Rag & Bone – leather leggings (similar)

Bracelet/Eden & Eden – 70's vintage (similar in white)

Ring/Bing Bang – circle ring (similar)

Oxfords/ANYI LU – Amy in black/white pony

Look 2: 

Coat/Zara – parka with wraparound collar

Jumpsuit/Theory – Hadrine denim playsuit

Sunglasses/Ray Ban – Wayfarer 

Necklace/Sydney open air market – handmade

Oxfords/ANYI LU – Amy in black/white pony

Sourcing the highest quality Italian leathers for all ANYI LU designs, founder Anyi Lu firmly believes that shoes are investment pieces—and with April showers around the corner, she’s well aware your treasured leather shoes are at risk. See below for Anyi’s expert tips on how to maximize their lifespan in the face of spring’s dreaded elements: 

• Act fast – Leather is much more prone to damage if it gets wet, so waterproofing shoes immediately after purchase is crucial. Be sure to cover any embellishments or trims that waterproofing products might damage.  If your shoes do get wet either before or after weatherproofing, fill them with tissue or newspaper and let them dry out away from a heat source.
• Case by case – Leather can withstand rain, but only after undergoing proper treatment. The ideal waterproofing product depends on the type of leather you’re treating. For example, lotions and oils are best for calf and nappa leather and sprays are best for suede and exotic skins. Do not weatherproof patent leathers, shiny leathers, sequins, or pony hair. Research carefully, as the wrong product can damage rather than protect the material.
• Patent protection – Patent leather is your best bet to conquer dreary conditions in style. This glossy, shiny leather is virtually waterproof.
Do keep in mind, however, that because of the porous nature of this kind of leather, the color can transfer to the shoe and penetrate underneath the patent finish marking leather underneath permanently. Because of this, you should store patent shoes in such a way that they don't directly touch other shoes.
• Traction factor – With slippery floors rampant in spring, traction pads pack a one-two punch by preventing spills and adding to the longevity of your shoes. ANYI LU uses polished leather for its soles, but most styles also include an injection-molded rubber traction pad fused to the sole.  

If you’re unsure of what kind of material your ANYI LU shoes are, feel free to write us an email. Examples of different materials from our collection include:

Calf leather: Black on ATHENA, stamped snake on DELPHINE

Nappa leather: KELLY in Pewter/Latte or any LILY

Patent leather: EMILY or TULIP

Suede: Black Lux LINDA or Metallic Pitone ERICA

For more shoe care tips, check out the materials care section of our FAQ.