So in planning my Fall wardrobe, I had some major goals, some of which I've already accomplished (finding 3 pairs of skinny jeans and getting my black blazer tailored) but I felt like if I could just find one pair of really wonderful, comfortable heels and a large clutch my wardrobe could be taken to the next level. I liked the Okalas when Angie first posted them, but I really wanted a two tone shoe with a black vamp and a tan strap with a lower heel. I couldn't find anything I liked that fit that description, so last week, I ordered something over $800 in shoes from Zappo's to try on. Poor DH almost fell on the floor when I explained what I was doing.

Well yesterday the first two pairs of shoes arrived, and the Cheetah Okalas were in the box. The other pair of shoes, were an obvious no go, for toe crowding reasons, but the Okalas fit perfectly in my regular size. I never posted about it, but a week or two ago, I bought and returned a pair of knock-off Okalas from the Rack. They were dead ringers for the real thing, but they were very unstable and the heel tap was a slippery hard plastic. I found myself mincing around very carefully so as not to turn my ankle. Even though they were much cheaper ($60), I knew I'd never feel comfortable or safe wearing them. WELL. Let me tell you Angie is right when she says that the Okalas are a stable, well designed shoe. They're still a high (3" at my size) heel, don't get me wrong, but I feel I could certainly manage them for special occasions or events where I could sit part of the time. I won't be wearing them shopping, in other words!

So here they are in some outfits. Surprisingly, I like them best with jeans. Looking at these pictures, I'm not thinking they quite elevate my one and only dress to "cocktail attire" which is what I was hoping they would do. I have a movie premiere to go to next month and I don't see any way around buying a new dress at this point (unless I can wear the black jeans). I feel like the shoes are pretty frumptastic with the red pencil skirt, which surprised me. Maybe I'm just off dresses and skirts at the moment. Or the color of the skirt. Or maybe it's the too-large blouse I have on. Sometimes it's so hard to tell. If you can see what's off here, please let me know. My glasses throw me sometimes, too.

I also have these shoes coming in black/black, which is on trend for Fall, but maybe not so great with my hair. I wanted to be able to wear these shoes with everything, all-season and day-to-evening but I'm not sure if I should choose a dress first and then decide on solid or patterned shoes. Help me YLF, I'm a mess! Also, my black blazer has been tailored, but even with the heels, it still seems longer than is flattering on me. Should I shorten it? Oh, and what do you think about the black ankle strap on this colorway? I didn't care for the black/white version as much as the Cheetah, and it wasn't available in my size anyway. Whew. Thanks for your input!