HER Style Podcast Episode 305 Summary

“January Q&A: The Two Style Skills Most Women Are Never Taught (Color & Shoes)”
Host: Heather Riggs
Release Date: January 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This special Q&A episode kicks off the year by answering two listener questions on topics that Heather Riggs, Certified Image Consultant and Color Specialist, considers fundamental but often overlooked for women building a confident, versatile wardrobe: using color strategically (especially for those with “best colors” in the bright or dark families) and mastering shoe choices for various pants and skirt lengths. Heather breaks down each question with practical examples and reshapes the commonly held beliefs that make getting dressed feel harder than it needs to.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Color Versatility: Is a Cohesive Wardrobe Harder with Bright or Dark Colors?

Listener Question from Anna [01:38]
Anna asks, “Is it harder to have a cohesive mix and match wardrobe if your best colors are bright or dark?”
She wonders if bright colors are only for statement pieces, making coordination more difficult compared to softer, lighter palettes.

Heather’s Reframe and Analysis [02:51 - 13:24]

• Reframe:
  • “Brightness or depth doesn’t reduce wardrobe versatility, randomness does. It’s not having bold color, but having bold color without a system behind it that makes things difficult.” – Heather [03:30]
• Visual Inspiration:
  • Heather recommends following style influencers who expertly wear and mix bright/dark colors:
    • Blair Eady (@atlanticpacific)
    • Julia Baralzeimer (formerly Gal Meets Glam)
    • Zena Shaw (@heartzena)
    • Color Me Courtney (@colormecourtney)
• Palette Building Philosophy:
  • Every client gets a fully custom palette composed to function as an “ecosystem” where all colors harmonize, regardless of vibrancy or darkness.
  • Custom Palette Structure [08:48]:
    • Dark formal neutrals (“great power colors”: navy, eggplant, forest green, charcoal)
    • Two best whites (ranging from pure white to warm cream, based on individual coloring)
    • Light, casual neutrals (often echoing hair color for grounding accessories)
    • Eye color matches (usually 2 per client to mirror eye complexity)
    • Skin tone beiges (useful for makeup and feeling refreshed)
    • Best blush colors (for makeup and romantic outfit touches)
    • Best reds (all shades from cinnamon to rose, “when you want to show up and own the room”)
    • Best dramatic colors (muted or saturated, always tailored to the client)
    • Optional: Subdued/pastel shades (per preference or aversion)
    • Best metallics (key for jewelry, accessories, even home décor)
• Personalization Emphasized:
  • The palette factors in natural coloring and personality/preferences.
    • “If I give you a palette that’s full of your best colors, but they don’t fit with your preferences, you’re never going to want to wear them—what a waste of everyone’s time.” – Heather [10:51]
• Takeaway:
  • With a thoughtfully constructed palette, any color family (including brights and darks) can be mixed and matched harmoniously, supporting dynamic and versatile outfit choices.

Notable Quote:

“A colorful wardrobe is the key to having better choices when you get dressed. You have options you can choose based on color psychology, how you want to feel as you move about your day.” – Heather [12:20]

2. Shoe Pairing: How to Match Shoes with Different Pant and Skirt Lengths

Listener Question from Mikayla [13:24]
Mikayla shares that despite enjoying putting together outfits, she struggles with shoes—especially matching shoe profiles to various pant/skirt lengths and feeling lost with what works.

Heather’s Practical System [14:39 - 19:44]

• Heather empathizes, highlighting how shifting hemline trends (e.g., ankle pants) have changed shoe “rules” and most women were never taught how to adapt.
• Heather’s Four-Step Visual Shoe Check [15:14]:
  1. Length of Garment:
     • Cropped/ankle lengths need intentional shoe choices (either show more foot or boot that cuts cleanly).
     • Full-length styles are more forgiving.
     • “If your legs are proportionately long, you can pull off different shoes than someone whose legs are visually short for their frame.”
  2. Vamp Height on Shoe:
     • Lower vamp elongates the leg line; higher vamp (like some boots) adds structure but can shorten visually.
     • For cropped jeans: opt for narrow, high-vamp ankle boot OR very low-vamp option (ballet flat, low-cut heel).
     • Avoid “in-betweeners” (e.g., high-top sneakers or low boots that awkwardly stumpy the leg).
  3. Color of Shoe:
     • If shoes blend with pants or skin tone, the leg looks longer (uninterrupted line).
     • High contrast “chops things up”—not automatically bad, but must be intentional and work with your proportions.
  4. Scale of Shoe:
     • Chunkier shoes balance volume/edginess; slimmer shoes create lighter, more delicate effect.
     • “The goal is always for the weight of the shoe to make sense with your body, your personal style, and your outfit as a whole.” [17:35]
• Pro Tip:
  • For more specific shoe guidance, Heather suggests Episode 277 (“Best Shoes for Fall 2025”), which also covers shoe and outfit pairings for the current season.

Notable Quote:

“If your shoes feel off, try adjusting four things: proportions (leg line), vamp (amount of foot shown), color, and scale. These are your checkpoints before you walk out the door.” – Heather [18:44]

Memorable Moments & Listener Feedback

• Heather includes joyful, off-the-cuff moments (apologizing for pug Lilo’s snorts, [08:31]) and reads a client testimonial, emphasizing the real-world confidence and freedom gained from her approach.
• “You don’t need more rules and restrictions, you just need better systems... personalized information that applies to YOU.” – Heather [19:53]
• Closing: Heather warmly invites listeners to the Her Style Collective community for deeper support and teases an upcoming free resource.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Teaser & Episode Opening: [00:00 – 01:30]
• Listener Q1 (Color & Cohesive Wardrobe): [01:38 – 13:24]
• Listener Q2 (Shoe Pairing Essentials): [13:24 – 19:44]
• Key Takeaway & Closing Encouragement: [19:44 – 20:41]

Summary Table: Heather’s Four Shoe Checkpoints

| Checkpoint | What to Look For | Why It Matters | |------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------| | Length | Cropped/ankle vs full; adjust shoe to match | Sets the proportion | | Vamp | High (more covered) vs low (more foot visible) | Elongates/shortens leg | | Color | Shoe/pant/skin blending vs contrasting | Unbroken or “chopped” line| | Scale | Chunky vs slim shoe; matches outfit volume | Outfits feel balanced |

Additional Resources & Actions

• More Shoe Guidance: Episode 277 (Best Shoes for Fall 2025)
• Personalized Palette and Advice: Join Her Style Collective (herstylellc.com/collective)
• Ask Your Own Q: Submit voice questions at herstylellc.com/podcast

Final Encouragement

Heather’s main message is to bypass fashion overwhelm by developing systems for style—not memorizing endless rules. Whether it’s color or shoes, building on your unique coloring, personality, and proportions unlocks confidence and creativity.

Quote to Remember:
“When your wardrobe is built intentionally and in a customized way that works for you, everything clicks.” – Heather [19:53]

For more, take the free style quiz or join the Her Style Collective community via the links in the episode show notes.