This winter has definitely tested my dedication to heeled boots and shoes! My Aquitalias have gotten more than a fair share of wear, and I'm so glad I made that impulse Nordstrom Rack purchase back at the beginning of the winter.
I'm glad my remark resonated with you, and I struggle with this a little bit too. It's just so easy to pull on the most comfortable shoes for a long day, you know? And very often, comfort comes in the form of lower heels, wider footbeds, etc.
What this "refinement" quest has meant for me, in terms of footwear, is moving away from the stompier, more RATE styles I experimented with over the past few years. It was fun, but I'm finding a new balance in my aesthetic that combines something distinctive (color, texture, pattern, detail, heel shape, etc) with a slightly more streamlined look. I've always loved pointier toes more than very rounded shapes, and the trending of pointy toes seems to be my impetus to follow that preference.
I wonder if a higher vamp, slightly pointier toe flat such as a loafer would stay on your feet better. I have troubles with pumps and low-vamped shoes slipping off my narrow feet as well, so any search for shoes like this is a hit-or-miss effort. I do like ankle straps for this reason, but they can be tricky as well. The Okalas are a wonderful example of a well-designed ankle strap shoe. But again, they are "dressier" than my life generally calls for.
What I find is that I kind of have to make myself wear those shoes. Pick them out in the morning and build the outfit up from there. They will probably never be everyday kinds of shoes for me or you, the way they would be for someone who works in a different environment. I accept that these kinds of shoes will never reach the kind of ridiculously low CPW that my more practical, casual boots will.
Some of my shoes that, I think, bridge the casual/refined line pretty well are my oxfords. I'm thinking of the Clergerie oxfords that Mochi has too, and my blue Cole Haans. They have relatively low-profile soles, so they don't look chunky or stompy, but they have presence, IYKWIM. They also have a relatively narrow profile and appearance on the foot, which I think helps preserve a long leg line. In my mind, I connect a slimmer profile of footwear with a more refined look. So as popular as Birks and the like may get, I can't really connect them with "refined."
I'm rambling, so forgive me. I've been considering the qualifiers of "refined" and "sophisticated" as they act as a counterpoint to my rock'n'roll leanings, especially as I near 50 and want to keep my style interesting but still reflect a certain kind of maturity. Does any of this make sense? Or should I have not had that third cup of coffee?
