Tru Bleu

The magic and mystery of Truman Capote's ubiquitous Black & White Ball is best captured by the glitz and glamor of fabulous evening footwear, crafted of satin and laden with opulent embellishments. The Ball was a masked affair, so one's ensemble had to do the talking, and nothing speaks louder than beautiful shoes, my dear Grand M's. In truth, good evening collections are difficult to find, with most tending toward backyard bridal or sequined sweet sixteens. To sidestep this conundrum, the Grand Mademoiselle suggests sticking to clean lines and tried-and-true satin when selecting solid colors, or simple adornments in elegant materials like pearls or crystals.

When opting for a white shoe, it's easy to slide too far toward the bridal side of the spectrum, so your best bet is to go simple. In the Grand M's experience, Solestruck has a wonderful selection of Nina pumps that are classy enough to fit the bill without breaking the bank (and available in larger sizes). What's more, they have a remarkable customer service program, and in today's online world of shoe shopping, this is quite a feat. Nina's 'Sorbet' satin pump is lovely and will work well for any evening affair that requires black and white attire. The heel is a staggering height at just under four inches, and the sumptuous white satin with delightful ruching across the vamp adds just enough interest to keep the 'Sorbet' current without being precocious. If you're searching for something with a little more pizazz, the Grand M suggests turning to none other than Christian Louboutin, who is destined to please with that signature red sole alone. The crystal S-shaped sandal is designed to be a show-stopper, and can find no home more apt than Capote's world of romantic decadence and solemn affection for fashion. There is a singular, dazzling solemnity to the Black & White Ball that is wonderfully captured in the old-fashioned S-curve of Louboutin's heel, paved with clear crystals beset in gold, which the Grand M finds absolutely captivating. This evening shoe is the pinnacle of Capote style and the highest point in chic footwear, leaving the Grand M drooling in its gorgeous wake.

Finding a fabulous black shoe is considerably easier, with more designers turning out black pumps and sandals each season. With such a high concentration already saturating the footwear market, it's a cinch to find beautiful, elegant black evening shoes. Still, selecting a properly dressy black It shoe comes with its own challenges, as one traverses the world of pompous straps and overly embellished peep-toes. The idea is to make 'ole Tru proud without being redundant or showy. To that end, follow the same rules when searching for a black shoe as when searching for a white pair. When opting for a solid colored heel, stick with a traditional satin upper and use vamp ruching as your detail. Designer Something Bleu has a gorgeous collection of evening footwear in Grand M friendly sizes, and the 'Claudia' (available in both black and white) is a perfect fit, with its delicate origami fan of pleats and cheeky peep-toe. If you're looking for something with a bit more flair, go bold with a retro-feel Valentino, whose stylish lines always please. The Grand M is mad about these satin pearl sandals, with their smooth black satin straps, glossy ivory pearls, and chic bow detail. Truly, these beauties are one of a kind and you'll storm any evening event with panache and gusto, leaving other dames in your Hepburn-esque wake as you chat up a roomful of tuxedoed gents!