Cheryl Shops

When I left for Greece 10 days ago, it still felt like summer, but now I'm back and all of a sudden fall is in full swing. This unpredictable-weather period is my favorite time of year, but it always poses a dressing challenge: tights or bare legs? Sandals with pants? Skirts with boots? As much as it pains me to put my sandals away for the season, I find wearing peep-toe or closed-toe pumps a nice transition before going into full-on boots-and-tights mode. And while there's something so practical about black pumps, these Theyskens' Theory Stil platform pumps are anything but boring. I love how angular they are, from the pointy toe to the blocky platform--the jagged line between it and the arch gives them a slightly dangerous look. There's also the matter of their height--nearly 5 inches, with a 1-3/4-inch platform, which means they're like wearing a (practically) comfortable 3-inch heel, but with an extra 2-inch boost. And the fact that these are black pumps means you can truly wear them with anything—skirts, dresses, trousers (great with the new wide legs), even jeans—although I would capitalize on their leg-lengthening properties and wear them with black opaque tights. If your closet has already reached its black-pumps quota, there's also a boot version, although with their higher shaft, I find them a little less versatile (in other words, I wouldn't wear the boot with a skirt). Two minor drawbacks: They're suede, which is a bit harder to care for than regular leather, and they're $325, which is not horrible in the grand scheme of things, but definitely veering into the investment zone. Then again, how can you go wrong with a pair of black pumps, especially a pair like this that elevates a basic—literally and figuratively?