Making or breaking an outfit with footwear

As I have previously discussed on this blog, I have a passion for shoes. I consider leg wear and shoes an integral part of my outfits. Today, a perfect example of this arose and so I had to take pictures and discuss.

Spring is (finally) here in northeast Pennsylvania and tomorrow is graduation at my university. I have to pick an outfit that is warm enough to wear on its own outside (the operative word is spring, not summer), but also fuss free and light enough to be comfortable under my doctoral gown. And evidently, I want to look professional when the gown comes off (as soon as possible).

I picked out a structured, dressy top, and decided to try it with a summer skirt. I was a little worried about the skirt, as it is not as dressed up as the top, being of the light flowy kind. I wore it last summer in a beach town in France. But I love the skirt, and wanted to see if I could make it work. For a while, I did not think the outfit would work, until I decided to try it with proper shoes on. With house socks, complete fail. With pumps, success. Without changing anything else.

For fun and for illustration, I took a few pictures.

The outfit with casual shoes. Not shabby ones (color coordinated fitted Crocs) and with nylons on, but still, something is off about the whole thing.

The exact same, with my nude pumps. Bam. Somehow, I even look thinner (I don't think it's just the pose). The pumps and the dressy top frame the skirt and now this looks dressed up from head to toe.

Out of curiosity, I tried cute, white block heel pumps. Not the same thing. The shoes look either too childish or too mature (I can't tell which one). The contrasting color also makes it so that they don't elongate the legs like the nude pumps. But there is an outfit that will work with these pumps. I think maybe a shorter skirt. The pumps are new and I still have to find how to make them fit in my wardrobe.

P.S. How about warmth? I will be wearing a blazer on top when not wearing my doctoral gown.