I just took these back yesterday (Macy's online had the best price, better than Zappo's, and *returning* things to the Macy's-that-was-Marshall-Field's doesn't violate my still-in-place boycott). I wanted them to work, badly, but they were too narrow across the ball of the foot, and the last thing you want in a low-cut shoe is overflow. Also, I don't like peep-toes where you only see one toe; it feels too "my talon, let me show you it," to me.
Other than that they were lovely. (And they come in this gorgeous blue, too.)
I'm still completely obsessed with these loafers, to the point of buying the gold-colored ones online in the hopes of dying or painting them black. Also, I'm toying with the idea of having a pair custom-made, although I'm holding back because it's 1) insanely expensive and 2) probably a guarantee that I'll lose my fascination for them immediately upon receiving said very expensive, custom-made pair. (That's what happened to my desire for pepperoncini once I bought the Giant Bottle of them from Costco.)
But summer is coming and perhaps I can distract myself from The Quest for Loafers by trying something like this:
I think they'd be really cute with (wait for it …) shirtdresses. What do you think?
There's also these flats, and also these, too …
Of course, it's still entirely possible we could get more snow here in Chicago. I have plenty of time to think about sandals and summer shoes … what shoes are you thinking about for summer?
A Dress A Day 
Oh, I really like those flats with the buckle on the toe box…and those red Enzo sandals make me think of summer.
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I’m looking for a pair of brown shoes to go with all the pink and brown I plan to sew this summer. I’m tempted to just buy another pair of Mary Jane Danskos, only brown (like these: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/8196570.html) since I love my black pair so much. Anymore, I need shoes with a little more support than strappy flats. Alas. I’ve gotten rid of half my collection of heels in the past year. *sob*–Lydia
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Still in the snow here in Ohio as well, but I just ordered a pair of monogrammed Stephen Bonanno sandals.
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Ooh, ohhh, can’t resist the challenge and the distraction of ogling summer shoes with two inches of slushy wet heavy snow on the ground. I just found these, which I love: http://www.revolveclothing.com/DisplayProduct.jsp?product=JOIE-WZ29&c=Sandals&s=C&d=Shoes (Although I love them less for $245!)These are pretty… styley, but black and whitey also.http://www.resoul.com/Shoes/Womens/Argila.htmlAnd the always-needed, simple, black, sandal…http://www.resoul.com/Shoes/Womens/Esska.htmlSigh. This is all purely theoretical. I can’t afford any of these. My friend has a perfect pair of black Vialis sandals from Barcelona that I’d pay anything for, but of course, they’re not available in the U.S. anymore, if they ever were.
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Ooh, pretty shoes. Disappointing about the first ones with that lovely almost-feathers toe detail, and a perfect heel. But I also really like the buckle flats — that low ankle strap looks like it will be much more flattering than some. I just wish they came in more colors.
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Erin! Really! It’s always time to post more about shoes. I like the buckle-vamped ankle strap flats, but then again round-toed ballet flats were not made with my calves in mind, no matter how simple and cute.I wrote a bit on my present state of searching for some warm weather shoes, but I still haven’t quite found what I’m lookin’ for. I can say, however, that: Nicole’s are actually pretty comfy, even for four-inch heels; Camper’s are running about a size small; and Mariana by Golc is a decent way to get some vintage wedgies up in your wardrobe at a lower price point (and better quality) that Re-Mix Vintage. Shoebuy-dot-com has some on sale, in case there’s interest (nayy).
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After 12 feet of snow this winter (in Ottawa), anything that doesn’t lace up with yards of laces, or go up to my knees, or have salt stains on it. Anything that I can just put on my bare feet and leave the house. Ahh, Summer – a ways away, I fear.
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The first pair is totally adorable. It is a pity they didn’t fit properly, but with size 11 feet, I kind of know what that’s like lol.Check out my fashion-on-a-budget blog at http://fatalfashionattraction.blogspot.com/
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I want the buckle ones in red to go with the silk fabric I just bought on Pattern Review weekend. It is off white with….cherries!! all over it. Love it.
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Beautiful shoes. Sadly, I can’t wear many of the “pretty” shoes out there because my feet are too wide. So, I go for practical shoes that provide good arch support instead.Even though the weather is not quite warm enough yet (in Vancouver, BC) to start wearing sandals, today I’m wearing my Chaco Z/2 (black) sandals:http://chacousa.com/Portal.aspx?CN=0C47C7D98048&MN=0E776DA03D8FAs the weather gets better, I’ll probably start wearing my Chaco Switch flips again (color: Parfait):http://chacousa.com/Portal.aspx?CN=22067864C246&MN=77A43BFDE9D6Yes, I know people have strong opinions about flip-flops, but these ones are comfortable and look good with dresses.I would like to find dressier sandals, but for now, comfort is more important than looks for me.
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The Enzo flats with the ankle straps for me, please, in black, gold snake, and silver snake. In my dreams, paid for with my imaginary money. And while we’re imagining, I’ll take them in red, pink, and green, too. And polka dots. And leopard.Or, you know, I’ll wear my boots. Which I already own. *sigh*I’m having a Manolo Moment; I’m cutting up a pair of gloves to patch a pair of shoes. So my summer shoe buying is limited to the Imaginary Wardrobe, for now.
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With my tender feet, I am rejoicing in Croc wedges and sandals for summer wear.By the by, the Croc sandals come in brown with a pink foot bed. Perfect for the pink/brown wardrobe girls!
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These caught my eye yesterday: http://www.joulesclothing.com/product/Womens%5FFootwear/E_PAVLOVA.htmBut this is for my fantasy life, not my real, carrying-the-shopping home one.
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It’s always time to post about shoes. 🙂 The flats with the buckles are absolutely darling.
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Wow Erin, way to break my heart by showing those gorgeous shoes (in blue, too!) and then say they don’t work. Thanks a lot.These are lovely, I think:http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/29162545/c/72.html and I kind of love the oxblood color, too.
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Do I incur the eternal wrath of Dress-a-Day if I admit I plan on wearing Old Navy flipflops from about April through October? At two-fifty a pair, I can afford one in each color to match all the dresses I’m optimistically sewing for summer. I never pay more than about ten dollars for a pair of shoes, anyway…
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A month ago I moved from California (not quite summer but warmer than Chicago!) to New Zealand, which even in the middle of summer is not exactly warm (for me; in perspective, my hometown in Australia has just come through a heat wave of 14 days over 35C). So in effect I have missed most of summer and *all* of the lead up to summer, with its happy shoe-buying, dress-making ways. That said, I don’t do sandals anyway, so most of my shoes cross seasons.I have my eye on a pair of ballet flats with a slight heel (for want of a better way to describe them), probably in red because my red shoes didn’t make the cut for moving. The one advantage of my situation is the end of season sale. 🙂
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I like the pair with the buckle over the tow. I have flintstone feet and nothing “open” works with me.There is always foot spillage…and on peeptoes…my toes don’t peep, not so much as a peek!
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I absolutely love the Enzo flats. I have a pair of similar shoes from 2 years ago that are on life support since I wore them so much last year. What I would really want is a pair in red- but not too shiny- and more bluey red than orangey red. I have been transitioning my color wardrobe into more denimy blues with red accents.
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The only part of my body that I always feel good about is my legs. My DNA just does not permit me to store any fat there, so they are always slender & shapely. And for some reason, the big, boxy, man-like quality that characterizes every other part of my frame (head, shoulders, ribcage) disappears in my legs: I have very shapely, slender knees and what they used to call a “well-turned” ankle.But I cannot wear ankle-straps, because, even as nice as my legs are, ankle-straps have a tendency to visually stumpify my leg and thicken my ankle. I know that this site is all about wearing what feels good, not what LOOKS good, and I like that a lot. I like the concept of freeing oneself from the law that “Thou Must Always Strive To Look As Slender As Possible.” I like the idea of wearing a skirt with lots of wonderful silky layers to it just because it feels good, even if it makes me look thicker than another style would.Still, most women eschew styles that thicken them. So I’ve always wondered, why is the ankle-strap style so popular among all these women? Nobody would buy a style of dress that visually thickened their hips — yet everyone loves the ankle-straps. Are they really THAT comfortable? –Negative Nancy
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I recently bought these at Macy’s because they were on a rediculous sale and they are equally as comfortable as my tennis shoes, aside from the high heel posture thing. I *think* they can pretty much go with anything, but I’m still not sure about some dresses.http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/30084346/c/2529.htmlThese would be calling out to me if they were prettier colors:http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/23617762/c/87254.htmland these would be wonderful in a manageable heel…http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/36785515/c/9634.htmlit's spring in CA, but I wore the above shoes yesterday and my feet were cold all morning in my office. so I’m still looking ahead too!
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I’ve always loved these shoes; I’ve just ordered my second pair:http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7256818/c/325.htmlThey look a lot sportier on the website than they do in person. In person, once on the foot, they just look like sweet leather Mary-Janes — not to mention that they’re ridiculously comfortable and make your foot look TINY. They go great with just-above-knee-length full skirts, too. Another for the brown-and-pink girls! 🙂
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All these cute shoes that don’t go to size 11! It’s not fair. Hmph. For the spring, I’m hoping to wear a pair of adorable copper-colored slingback ballet flats from Delman, bought at a serious discount from Bluefly. I say, “hope” though, because I’m pregnant and my legs and feet are already swelling if I’m not wearing sneakers and socks. I’m going to try to wear the Delmans with nude support hose. (Yeah, that’s going to look awful.) It’s going to be a long, swollen summer. And I have a fab trip to Jamaica coming up in May! I think I’ll get some fabulous, very open sandals, and just not look down.
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Gals, gals, be careful! I know many of these shoes are lovely, but take it from me: you’re going to wreck your feet. I know, I know, you don’t want to hear it. You’re only in your 20s (some of you), but by the time you’re in your 30s — or 40s if you’re really, really lucky — your feet will be kaput from all these no-arch-support, no-forefoot-padding shoes.Everyone thinks flats are automatically better, but many of the shoes referenced in the comments section are TOO flat. They have no arch support, thus encouraging plantar fasciitis; and just looking at the thin soles makes me wince. Your feet may as well be slapping the pavement naked. And flip-flops?? Excruciating pain waiting to happen.Ah, but when did young whippersnappers ever listen to their elders . . . ? : > )P.S. Even in my healthy-foot days, I never could get away with those lovely high ankle-strapped shoes; they chopped off my leg visually and made me look stumpy, particularly in the summer when one’s feet swell. Hats off to anyone who can wear them!
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I have tailor’s bunions (and actually need surgery) so the only shoes I can fit in, and dare to wear for a single night of light walking a week, and not be wincing in pain (and can afford to buy) are from: tukshoes.com. Also, muffys.com has a lot of cool saddle shoes (in various widths, which is good for me)Other than that it’s PF Flyers for me http://www.zappos.com/n/br/b/832/PF%20Flyers.html (which can be cute with some skirts. I like to wear my red center-lo’s with a mini skirt, argyle knee-highs, a white button up shirt, and my Harry Potter Gryffindor pin (pretty nerdy, I know).
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Lisa, I’m on the same page as you. As someone who could never understand other people’s ability to wear those kinds of strappy-strap shoes (and the no-padding flats!), I commisserate. Barefoot is better than such shoes! Maybe my extremely low threshold for discomfort will save my feet in the end. 🙂
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Actually, Lisa, at least some of us are combining True Love with a dash of practicality; I know that if I’m going to buy some flat little shoe, it’s going to take my arch supports, too, or it’s not coming home with me.I love ankle straps; I love the way they look, in and of themselves, and life is too short to spend wondering if my ankles look heavier. Not to mention the fact that I have feet shaped exactly like chisels. Chisels with toes. Long and narrow, and even narrower at the heel. Without that ankle strap, I don’t have a prayer of staying inside those shoes as I walk.
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I like that Mary-Jane style, Karooble. Scandinavian practical-yet-cute. Could definitely walk home with the groceries in those. Made me think of these: http://www.shoon.com/acatalog/TH_Schlapfa_Clog_Print.htmlManaged to snaffle a pair in the sale last year. You’d think they’d make you look like a troll, but they’re really flattering to leg shape (and comfortable, of course).
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Gold Prada penny loafers? Could you please, please post a link? I’ve been coveting Prada penny loafers since your original post about them. I looked online but couldn’t find the gold ones anywhere.
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Anita, they’re not Prada, they’re Via Spiga:http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/354,77864_Via-Spiga-Karat-Penny-Loafers-For-Women.htmlHave fun!
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Danielle, take a look at these shoes, which are very cute and go up to size 13:http://www.kathrynkerrigan.com/productDetail.asp_Q_catID_E_2_A_subCatID_E_67_A_productID_E_297#
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For summer I am thinking about sandals that don’t require me to wear orthotics. Wolkys worked last year.
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Dear Erin and Ladies, I live in Texas. Hot and humid spring and summer. I love all these beautiful styles, but is there any way to wear a sort of “footie” with them? Any suggestions?Linda
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I’m going to be 50 next week and I’m having a big-deal party for a small gathering of my favorite people at my favorite restaurant. I’m hoping to get a dress made that I’ve had swimming around in my mind for a while. We’ll see…one thing is for certain, though, MY SHOES! I already have them and I think they make just the right statement on my 50th. I call them my “1940’s Outer Space Porn Star Shoes.” They’re still in the box but I take them out and look at them regularly. (They look much better on)http://www.shoes.com/product.asp?p=5056978&variant_id=EC1077241
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Oh, and Erin, these are for you:http://www.resoul.com/Shoes/Womens/Biviel.htmland these are for me:http://www.resoul.com/Shoes/Womens/Audley.html (number 1, the flat sling backs)
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You can make your own shoes, there are a couple of books out. I’d love to make my own, but for now, all I can do is just read about it. One of the books is by Mary Wales Loomis. Also,I have the THREADS article about making your own shoes, though I’ve never tried it. Erin, if you want a copy of the article, shoot me an email. I’ve enjoyed your site and I’d be glad to copy and send it for free. ~purlbuttons~
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My requirements for shoes are legion and leave me with few options.No hooker heels (oy, my feet), no flats (oy, my back/knees), no toe thongs (oy, my toes) no peep toes (just, no).Basically, I’m on my feet most of the day and I need orthopedic shoes that don’t look like orthopedic shoes and I’m getting tired of the Danskos after 10 years. Clarks aren’t supportive enough. Borns don’t fit. No tennis shoes, I wear professional clothes.Blah, shoe shopping is worse than clothes shopping. Melody
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Melody, I’m a big fan of Seychelles–they have nice support and generally stay on. I don’t know if they’d do what you need them too, but they’re definitely more comfortable than other dressy shoes I’ve owned.And on a less practical note, I can’t wait ’til the snow melts so I can wear these http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/31205484/c/325.htmlOr, wear them without arriving in my giant sheepskin boots and discreetly slipping them on in the bathroom. Mine are sort of silvery grey, and I normally can’t do heels at all but these are super comfortable. Sigh. When will it stop snowing, Minnesota? When?
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I think you have good taste. I remember what you wrote about ankle straps and walking fast so I am going to be picking up some myself.
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I have a pair of thong-style heels that go with everything and I love – but I am always wishing I had something with an ankle strap. When I walk fast, they just make too much noise! also, “my talon, let me show you it,”Dying of laughter.Hilarious.
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Erin, I just bought a pair of t-strap heels that I’m crazy about to wear all summer and into next fall (trying to buy fewer shoes). They’re Giraudon, so very well made, and the heel feels so sturdy I don’t feel like I’m wearing heels. I bought the brown with berry patent leather ones:http://www.giraudonnewyork.com/main.asp?page=catalog.asp&category=ladies&style=1958And sugardale, I love pf flyers too 🙂
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Why did you have to show me those little wedgies in blue? I literally had a dream about owning some boots in that exact blue last night. The color was bleeding all over my bed sheets but I was thrilled because I forgot I had them. Then I woke up and realized that I don’t actually own turquoise/teal boots and was sad. I have been on a shoe feeding frenzy lately and do.not.need.more.shoes.
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Wow, normal people with average incomes spend $80-$90 on a pair of shoes? Yikes. Am I old, or just cheap?
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Wow, normal people with average incomes spend $80-$90 on a pair of shoes? Yikes. Am I old, or just cheap?
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I had the same quest for the same pair of black Prada loafers. I’d given up around the time you mentioned them in your post. Arrrgghhh. Now I want them again.
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I have quite a few issues with my feet as well. For fashion shoes I’ll only spend 10-15$ (discount and clearance places are my friend) and they must fit my orthodics. I reinjured my very bad foot by wearing heels all the time (silly of me, but I am only 152cm tall and like to lengthen my stubby legs), so I have retired to little kitten heels with my orthodics. When I graduate university and have dramatically more disposable income I will invest in some really good shoes. I currently have a pair of Naot shoes and I absolutely adore them as they are a dream to walk and stand in (they’re basic black low wedge practical shoes for serving, and my feet are fine in them even after standing and walking for a 10 hour shift, and I don’t even have to put my orthodics in them). They make some really cute heels with the same sort of incredibly supportive inserts that I am just dying to get my hands on, they would look fabulous with dresses I think.
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Read it and weep, cpeep! Shoes (like everything else, it seems) are more expensive over here in the UK. I find buying children’s shoes particularly painful – $70 dollars a pair easily, then they’re outgrown in a few months. Talk about a credit crunch – Ouch!What killer Flash Gordon shoes those are, Libby! What will you wear with those? Congrats on your 50th!
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oof- i’m soory- i just have to disagree- i think that peep-toe flats would NOT work with you, Erin. i love those loafers, though. i live in yacht/boating shoes all summer- they are breathable and look amazing with just about everything!
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Thanks Eirlys,I’m making a very fitted black satin knee length dress with elbow length sleeves. The bodice is a low cut V make from skinny 1950 vintage neck ties. I’m sequestered in my sewing studio for the next 2 days trying to make it happen. Wish me luck!
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Dahling, unfortunately, I have size 11WW feet (an accident of nature), so most beautiful shoes are out of my reach! WHEN will manufacturers realize that women with, shall we say, “duck feet” love shoes too? My favorite pair of shoes are from Roamans online, retro leather black stilletos. Most of the time one is lucky if one finds orthopedic shoes that don’t look as if you’ve recently had foot surgery. And I do not need orthopedic shoes. Bah!
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