Since Winter will be here ANY MOMENT (I'm told, although it was 80 degrees in Chicago on Monday), I need, as usual, more shoes. Perhaps "need" is too strong of a word; perhaps I'm looking for something like "hankering for" or "appetency". Anyway, I found these on eBay: only $50! Which is good in these times of economic uncertainty, right?
I am also havering over these, which are a LOT more expensive, but still cheaper on Amazon than anywhere else:
And what seems like months ago, but was only weeks, I'm sure, I bought these, also cheap ($80! For leather boots!) on eBay:
The calves were a bit too snug, but that's no problem — I took them to my shoe guy and he put little gussets in on either side of the zipper. It took him about a week (plus I had to go in for a "fitting" once he had the new bits inserted, to make sure they were exactly right). Now they fit perfectly, and it was only $50 to get them that way. Considering I've never, ever seen black leather boots I liked for under $250 (and thus have never, ever bought any) I feel pretty good about these!
All of these have heels under about 2", which is good, walking-wise … since, after the collapse of civilization (ANY DAY NOW) I will be walking southward to avoid the zombies and/or cannibals.
So with one new pair of black shoes (okay, two pairs — I bought a pair of Faryl Robins on sale at DSW — marked down to $40! — that I haven't taken a picture of yet), possibly one pair of wine, and a pair of black boots (plus I have brown J. Crew boots from last year that I bought at a thrift store for $7) I should be all set for autumn (if it ever gets here) and winter. So don't look for any more shoe posts from me until AT LEAST April. Right? Right.
Posts about *tights*, though …
More sale notices: Holly at Lucite Box Vintage is having a sale: 10% off anything until October 20th with the coupon code ATCOLORS. Holly (or rather, her adorable apartment) is ALSO featured on the magnificent blog Apartment Therapy, for their Fall Colors Contest — click here to check it out (and leave a comment)!
Oh! I had no idea you could ask for gussets! The thought never occurred to me, and now I kick myself for all of the boots I have passed up in my life because they didn’t fit over my non-anorexic-model calves. But it’s good information to keep in mind for the future. Thanks for the tip! Also: Love love love the shoes. Both pairs.
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Those black shoes scream “Interwar England Vicarage Mystery” to me.The wine ones are begging to be categorized as “London Ad Agency Copywriter ca. 1930” to me. They probably go out for tea after work.They both also seem to want to make friends with hats- maybe cloche-ey looking hats, to withstand the London fog.Love love love.
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That’s funny, I always thought the zombies would force us northward.
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When it gets too cold they stiffen up and can’t move. So you’re right — maybe I should go north. Except then *I* stiffen up and can’t move!
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I am so in love with these shoes, especially that first pair. And, unlike just about every shoe they’re offering in my neck of the woods, those heels are wide enough to walk in. Imagine!
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I want to show off my new fall shoes too! Wish we could put pictures in comments!http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7440366/c/99379.html
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I just did a big round up of sources for plus size tights over here http://community.livejournal.com/fatshionista/3503396.html
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I absolutely adore the burgundy ones. There is something about heeled Mary Janes. But the clincher has to be that ingenious little scuff-protection feature at the heel, where the leather does not go all the way down…
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Your blog is my new favorite place to visit! You make my day, thanks!!
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I’m with Bex.. I think there will be extra zombies in the south. But a practical heel is always a good idea, especially during these uncertain times.
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I am absolutely loving the fall shoes, I have always been a sucker for this look. Oddly, since my glasses force me to be creative with my evilness, I am going out this Halloween as a Zombie Librarian.Also, I think Holly should be doing decorating and color schemes for therapists as well as (soon to be developed) special areas for delivering bad news, such as breakups. A breakup would go so much better for both parties in rooms such as these. Both could sniff a bit, have a canape and a highball and go about their business feeling okay with the whole experience.
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Erin–Nordstrom carries Biviel. I have a friend that seems to always score a pair (or two!) at their sale. I dont know when their sales happen, but shes had lots of luck finding Faryl Robin Biviel brands there discounted.I had NO idea they could gusset-up boots at the shoe place. This is great news for those like me who cannot often find things that fit in the calf region. I just recently scored some leather boots (J.Crew) that are just right for me. They were $8! I just about died because theyre good, cute and fit my calves comfortably.Wundermary–the only way that you get to be able to become the decorator for the depressed and dumped is to be experience those things. If those are the LCSW certifications needed, Ive certainly got some expertise in the field! Thank you for you comments! I should really offer canaps more often at my house. Cocktails are fun here. Everyone always has their own glass thats different from everyone elses glass because I have tons of vintage barware. As you can see, I have a bit of a problem with collecting things. Thanks for this mention of my entry into the contest, Erin! Youre swell!
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OHH! Ang has some cute T-straps like that in her kissmyvintage.com Etsy store. I heart them desperately, but my big ole duck feet won’t fit in ’em. ::stifles sob::
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I bought the same pair of Faryl Robin black shoes but alas with my pregnancy, my feet couldn’t even get near the shoes.Speaking of pregnancy, I would love to hear how you, being the clever seamstress you are fared the pregnant months in dress sassiness.Thanks!- leslie from goodcrafternoon.com
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I have two pairs of Biviel shoes and swear they are worth every penny of the price. They have lasted three times as long as shoes that cost half as much, and they are still going strong. The leather only gets softer and more comfortable with wear. I swear I am not employed by Biviel or anything, I am just a satisfied customer. 😉 If you think about it, paying $125 for a pair of shoes you can wear everyday for 3 winters (or more) in a row is a steal, it breaks down to just cents per wear. And when cute shoes at places like Target cost you $29.99 or more but only last through part of a season, buying for quality doesn’t seem so bad.Enjoy your new shoes!
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Oh, man–speaking as somebody who has a serious latter-day flapper complex, the proliferation of mary janes and T-straps with medium-height (i.e. “I can actually walk in these!) heels is just about killing me. Even Target has adorable knock-offs.
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That pair of e-bay shoes is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Please, more details!
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Those are all SUPER CUTE. I love those last ones!
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No! The wine colored shoes are screeming, Furniture! The heels look like 50’s era coffee table legs.
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I love shoes! I too bought a higher leather heeled shoe for winter. I thought they would be nice for when it snows here. Then I won’t get my feet all wet. But they are super cute too so many that had something to do with it.
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Why southward? Definitely, do head north! You’ll need warmer boots, no doubt about it, but we (in Canada, that is) would be very happy to have you!
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Please tell me all about this “shoe guy” phenomenon — how does one find a person to alter shoes to fit? I really need one! Is this something you’d only find in a massive city like Chicago or New York? I can’t think of any shoe repair shops around here, or even places to help you fit the orthotics and whatnot in them.
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are you sure that there’s no shoe repair shop where you are? Check the yellow pages — almost every place has one; it’s considered one of the steadiest businesses you can have …
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Oh, the pain! I have size 11WW feet, but my calves are not overly large! For YEARS, literally, I have been searching for a pair of pull-up low-heeled boots WITHOUT gussets or a side zipper! Shoemakers I’ve taken my boots to say they cannot remove the ones from the boots I have. For one minute this year David Tate listed a pair of such boots, and they sold out INSTANTLY from every site they were listed on!!!So while I applaud your being able to have your boots fitted, I need to find someone to do the opposite!
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