Adieu beautiful but painful shoes...hello replacements?

Dear ivory and black high heels,

You no longer deserve a place in my soon-to-be well-edited closet. You stretched in all the wrong spots and were somehow too tight and too loose at the same time. I tried to save you with many and sundry insoles, inserts, not to mention the Kleenex I stuffed into your toes to try to keep you on my feet. Alas, to no avail. It's time for us to part ways. And yes, call me fickle, but I already have my eye on your replacement. Adieu and I will miss your beauty but not the wobbling unattractive mess your ill fitting stilettos heels turned me into!

And now to the collective wisdom of YLF! The beauties in pictures 2 & 3 are a pair of Kate Spade wedges. They are certainly an investment piece for me, so they must earn their way into my closet. So the "Item-Outfit-Capsule" test begins (thanks Angie!):

1. Item: Flattering? I think so - what do you think? Comfortable? They felt pretty good after a full day in heels when my feet were already tired and ready to be out of heels. In line with my style goals? They fit well into my modern classic style, but certainly aren't going to "edge" up that style. Felt fab wearing them? YES!!!
2. Outfit: Honestly, these would work with just about every work outfit I could come up with.
3. Capsule: I'm a neutrals gal just starting to add color to my wardrobe. I've been searching for a "nude" shoe and think these would fit that bill. I can see them working with skirts as well as pants.

These will put me a little over budget and will mean that I am on a STRICT SYC (shop your closet) for the rest of the year. I loved them, but decided to put them on hold and think about it. What do you say? How do they look? Do you think they'll be as versatile as I think they will be?

Just realized they look a little yellow and black in these photos - they are actually a camel and black.

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13 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I love them and good shoes are worth the investment. All things equal I would rather invest into shoes that into clothes because our hard-working feet deserve the best!

Anonymous

I love them. The only thing I would say is that I happen to have the same shoe, from a past season and before she did the tipped toe - so cute by the way - and they did stretch a lot. I bought them a half a size up based on reviews the fit was great at first. Once they stretched, I cannot longer wear them with tights or pantyhose. They come off. I figured I'll let you know.

Jaime

I love the replacement shoes and think they will work with your style beautifully. My only hesitation would be whether you really want to be on strict SYC for them. At least see if you can find them online for cheaper!

christy

Sveta - you are very wise. I'm hoping to learn from my mistakes!
Zap - thanks for the heads up! I'll keep that in mind when/if I end up getting them.
Shevia - to be honest, my budget was mostly done as of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, so I should be SYC even if I don't get these. I don't have much wiggle room left!

Deborah

Christy, you know I am going to say 'get them'. I think this is a classic and elegant shoe. And it they tick all the boxes I would find it hard to say no to them.

K. Period.

They really are gorgeous and incredibly nice neutral shoes. The toe shape, the heel shape, the colors, all are just perfect to make these a real work horse in a neutral closet.. I would buy them, especially if you would pretty much have to be on SYC anyhow.

Kirti

I think they look great

modgrl

OMG what size are you? I have been wanting to try cap toe shoes like these. These are gorgeous. I am 5.5/6. Can I buy them from you if they are on their way out.

I love the Kate Spades. Are they comfy? Kate Spade shoes don't work for my feet.

Rita, I would send them to you in a heartbeat, but they are a 6.5. PM me if you'd like to give them a shot anyway!

RunnerChick

Active Member

Cool shoes - I say get them. I'm learning that good shoes are a great investment. Here's one more thing to consider: what would be their cost/ wear ratio? Since it sounds like you are going to wear them with several work outfits, it sounds like it should favorable, no?

Suz

These look wonderful, Christy, and I think they are perfect for your style. I'd give them a go.

Love your letter, by the way....

Transcona Shannon

Yep - no room in our closets for anything painful. Bye bye pretty foot-killing shoes...

Your replacements are gorgeous and if they are comfy, I say buy. I'm learning that good shoes are worth the money.

I love those shoes, but agree that if they hurt, you need to part with them. My personal feeling is that there's no room in life for anything that causes pain or discomfort, especially shoes. I spend more on my shoes than I do on other items because my fussy feet need to be happy.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Love the new Spades! Say goodbye to the others for good.

Spades are worth the investment. My tomato red stacked heels are almost 6 years old. They still look stunning.

All my party shoes are Kate Spades

Aziraphale

The Kate Spades are to die for. I love them.

catgirl

These are beautiful. KS is my shadow style and I would wear her shoes in a heartbeat if I could.

You mention they would not edge up your current style? Is that a goal of yours? I think you have amazing style, so I'm just curious....

Thanks all for your feedback. I'm glad I put them on hold and I did go back today to buy them. They are sitting in my closet, but still need to be put through their paces. Most people find their feet swell in the afternoon, but mine are bigger in the morning - not sure how that happens! So I have to test drive a few mornings and afternoon wearings, but pretty sure they'll be keepers!

Una, I'm feeling pretty happy with my style on the whole, but am looking for pieces here and there to "edge" up the modern classic vibe. I feel like I'm willing to take a few more risks. I kept the Fidjis I showed a couple of days ago (not exactly UWP, but funky enough for me!) and I'm also buying these - they actually came today, but I need to size up half a size.

Which leads to me an entirely different rant. I already own two Miz Mooz shoes and now one Fidjis - 6.5 in both. I ordered a Miz Mooz (that's going back, not comfortable and I've had enough of those!!!) and these black Fidjis and in both I need to size up to a 7?! What is up with that? I understand different sizes from brand to brand, but it's so frustrating that I need different sizes within the same brand!!!

Anyway, forgive the tangent! All this to say the Kate Spades came home with me and I'm hoping against hope they meet my various fit tests and can be worn out of the house very soon!

Amy

Pretty!

Don't know about the shoe sizing other than to say it's more common than you'd think! I have those same Fidjis bookmarked in the nude color from my nude shoe/boot search. Love them! It can be hard to find the right edge if you don't want to go all-out studs and leather (like I would if I could!).

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