Which great quotes did we miss? Share them in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

And who is well-versed in operating outside the norm? None other than Betsey Johnson, of course. Using her sky-high stunners as guides (all plucked from our Betsey Johnson Boutique), here are three different ways to walk on the edge of the unexpected – while staying completely dress code–friendly.

Dominating the workplace. As long as that clean, classic shape is in place, you’re good. (So go wild with the color.)

Fulfilling that wedding invite. From barn venues to black ties, a super-femme, architectural heel like this one will always fit in.

Tickets to The Nutcracker. Metalheads, rejoice: Spikey studs totally count as festive attire.

Our Betsey Johnson Boutique opens Tuesday, November 27, at 11AM ET.

By Sarah Stanley, Staff Writer

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

Today, in my usual morning flurry, I reached for my (very) predictable heels and noticed a sizeable tear in the leather (curse you, wide feet). It then occured to me: my beloved black pumps are beaten to a pulp from overwear, while my collection of purple heels sits sadly in my closet. Needless to say, it was an ah-ha moment. From neons to crayon hues, color is everywhere this summer, and it’s officially time to mix it up. Using these tips, I’ll show my purple shoe stash some love, without looking like I got a little too crazy with the finger paints.

1. Pop of color:
In the summer it’s so easy to throw on a little white or black sundress with sandals and go. Choosing a color-pop sandal breaks up the monochrome with a shot of fun. Same rule applies to any neutral outfit, wearing jeans and a tee? Throw on a red heel. Done.

2. Matchy-Matchy:
This takes the above tip a little further. Don’t stop with the bold shoes, add some accessories, jewelry, a lightweight cardigan, or even a boyfriend blazer in the same eye-popping hue. Or, if you’re wearing a colorful print, pick one of the accent shades and repeat it on your shoes. Shoes in a print? Pull out one of the colors and wear it on top.

3. Colorblock:
I’ll admit, this is my favorite. Too timid to try kelly green jeans with a sky blue top? Shoes are the perfect way to embrace this look. Try a hue that complements your outfit, but doesn’t necessarily match it. For inspiration, check out these unexpected color combinations.

Kimberly Garrett is the owner of Plush, a styling and personal shopping company in New York and the Hamptons. In honor of Rue Local’s official debut in the city of non-stop style, we sat down with the fashion lover for her tips on living (chicly) in the Big Apple.

Rue La La: How do you get seats at the most-coveted fashion shows?
Kimberly: If you’re not with the press, getting a seat at any fashion show can be tough. The good news is that designers like Ralph Lauren are now doing live streaming, so you get to see the collection at the same moment as the editors. Otherwise, various fashion houses offer seats to their shows through charity auctions, so if you’re dying to attend the show and haven’t received an invitation you can support a great cause AND go to the show.

Rue La La: What are your secrets for wearing heels all day long?
Kimberly: I have three. First off, always buy shoes you can walk in. In fact, you want to feel like you can almost jog in them without falling. If you live in the city you could easily end up walking 20 blocks in a day. And if walking in heels is a problem, always have flats in your bag to switch back and forth (nobody even looks twice when you switch them on the street – and it beats limping around). Second, find your personal best fit. Pop into the shoe department of Barneys and try on as many different designer shoes as you can. Once you find a pair that are super comfortable, try on a few more styles from that designer. That way, you’ll find your go-to brand. And lastly, hit the drugstore. If you find your feet hurting from wearing shoes for hours on end, BAND-AID makes a product that protects the skin on your foot and instantly makes shoes feel more comfortable. Otherwise, Dr. Scholl’s has foldable flats for when you want to change your shoes at the end of the night.

Rue La La: Everyone thinks of New York pizza – what’s a food favorite that flies under the radar?
Kimberly: Vegetables! Seriously. There are so many incredible restaurants in the city that have farm-to-table vegetables that taste like REAL food and become totally addicting. One of my favorites is Blue Hill where they also have the yummiest beets, brussesl sprouts, and cauliflower (and if you’re a meat lover, my boyfriend can’t get enough of the venison). Plus, you leave feeling light and full. Another restaurant with similar healthy/delicious dishes is ABC Kitchen. Just plan on making reservations a month in advance!

Rue La La: Any tricks for nailing down taxis?
Kimberly: Find an off-duty taxi and give a big smile – it has definitely saved me a few times when I was stuck. Nobody thinks to approach them because they’re off-duty and won’t typically stop, but if you spot one at a red light or letting someone out, you might luck out. Just remember to leave a very generous tip!

Rue La La: How do you furnish an extra small apartment?
Kimberly: Small furniture and mirrors! Mirrors can make apartments look twice as big. You simply can’t have clutter – get drawer organizers, bins, shoe shelves, plastic containers to store extras under your bed, and anything else to make use of every inch you have. Drop-leaf tables are great because they take up less space unless you’re using them. Look for unexpected storage options like coffee tables with drawers. You can also buy ottomans that have removable tops and double as containers. And give away clothes you don’t wear – they take up way too much room in these small spaces. One of my services at Plush is a “closet cleanse” which essentially clears out the items from your closet that you stare at and still love, but haven’t worn in years. Nobody has room for that – especially in New York City.

Rue La La: Where’s the best place to find the next up-and-coming designer?
Kimberly: Take an afternoon to stroll around SoHo and Nolita, abundant with up-and-coming designers that can only be found in New York City. Venture out to Williamsburg, Brooklyn where you can find tons of cool jewelry and different styles of clothing and accessories. Additionally, the coterie comes to the expo center once a week where you can learn about up-and-coming designers and be one of the first to preview their collections.

Rue La La: How do you get street style snapped?
Kimberly: Getting your street style snapped is easy. You know when you look in your closet and imagine (or go forward with) putting on a crazy outfit that’s actually really flattering, the kind that might make people say “uh, what was she thinking putting that on!”? And aim for the week before and during fashion week because that’s when the Tommy Tons are all over. If you decide to go for it, remember not to second guess yourself and totally own your look. The people getting street snapped are the ones who put it on and walk out the door with total confidence. That’s style – when you wear what you want to wear with assurance.

Stilettos got their name from the Italian word for “dagger” (and if you’ve ever been stepped on by one, you know why). The stiletto made its debut on the Christian Dior runway in 1955, designed by none other than shoe genius Roger Vivier. Marilyn Monroe and other Hollywood starlets helped make the stiletto infamous. Whenever I have to get dressed up, my motto is “the higher the better.” If you’re going to wear them, wear them well. And never let the shoes wear you. Here’s how.

Stand up straight
Posture is so important, especially when wearing stilettos. Follow these simple rules: 1. Hold your chin up. 2. Make sure your shoulders are down and wide (not up by your ears). 3. Suck in your stomach. 4. Tuck your butt in (no arch in your back, it’s all in the muscles). 5. Straighten and elongate your spine. 6. Straighten your legs (but don’t over-straighten so that your legs are concave). Ballet, Pilates, and Yoga classes are amazing for help in this area because they deal with lengthening muscles, finding your center, and developing your core strength – all of which lead to better posture.

Perfect the stroll
When you wear stilettos, you have to do the “stiletto walk,” which should be different from your walk when you’re in flats or sneakers. Imagine a line in front of you that is centered with your body. With each step, extend your leg fully and walk one foot in front of the other with a purpose. It prevents you from looking sloppy and slouchy, and most importantly, it gives you the natural swivel of the hip that is necessary to have when you’re turning heads.

Pick your poison
Nothing looks worse than a beautiful woman in a gorgeous dress at a formal event – barefoot. So when you’re picking out that pair of perfect stilettos, comfort is key. Look for elements like a wider toe box or a hidden platform. These features make those sky-high heels far more manageable. Going bigger is always better, because you can slip in a pad for extra comfort. Never buy something that will pinch your feet, because no matter how fabulous the function is, you won’t be able to enjoy it.

Now that you know all the tricks of the trade, walk tall, strut proud, and, if you’re in the giving mood, share your stiletto superhero powers with all your flat-heeled friends.