I totally considered putting a spare of shoes in my bag, but unfortunately any bag big enough for my high-heeled sandal booties would be too big for walking relatively long distances, and the shoes would make it too heavy, and, and...

If it's not one thing, it's another! LOL

You know something interesting Mary... I don't walk that much, as I'm a programmer and sit most of the day but I do make an effort to walk as often as I can throughout the day. You know me, shoe sister, I had lots of 4" pumps. Last year I made the decision to drop them down to 2-3". I had other "casual walking shoes", but what if I wanted to wear my pumps more casually (even though I'd already been doing that)? Well it turns out after doing that I am walking more than before. Lifestyle hasn't changed, but apparently having more walkable footwear makes me even more inclined to walk than I already had been before.

I resisted practicality in my wardrobe for YEARS. I had a closet stuffed full of clothing that I couldn't wear. It has taken a long time, but with the help of YLF, I am realizing that a person can dress for her lifestyle and still be fashionable.

I love shoes, but I used to buy a lot of really, really impractical shoes. I am a sahm and I substitute teach at the elementary school and the high school. It goes without saying that body-con dresses and crazy-high shoes just weren't practical. Sure, DH and I go out sometimes, but not enough to justify multiple purchases of impractical dresses and shoes.

But I recently bought some inexpensive studded smoking slippers/loafers just to try the trend and to see if I would wear them often enough to justify a "real" pair. And guess what? I wear them ALL. THE. TIME. Why? Because they are one of the few fashionable flat shoes I own. And that settles it. I need to buy more items that are practical for my lifestyle!

MaryK, my high heels certainly don't fit in my handbag! I carry a small backpack when need be. My desire to wear awesome shoes outweighs my disinclination to schlep a backpack around town.

Yep, I bike to work, run for buses, and take a brisk walk at lunch. Shoes that I can move in have become beautiful to my eye. I enjoy a nice arty and walkable 2" heel with my bf jeans, though, if I'm just busing and briefly walking. I hope you had a lovely time out!

Yep, that's why I only have two pairs of heels (kitten and a wedge sandal) that aren't the kind of shoe I could theoretically grocery shop for an hour in, haul the bags out to my car, and then up the stairs into the house. I have a couple of heeled boots and wedge sandals, but they have all passed the mega grocery shop test.

MaryK I loved reading about your "date night". I'm sure you looked fab because you always do and I completely understand. Whenever I travel to cities where walking is more common (everywhere except here) I have major foot & temperature issues. It is a big reason I live here. I don't have to wear heels to have foot pain. I just have to wear shoes to have it. I am embracing the Birkenstock trend. Have barely worn anything else since I got them.

Sounds very familiar. I think my carless urban-ish lifestyle is one of the biggest influences on why I wear what I do.

My shoes aren't always the most sensible ever, but they're usually a compromise between cuteness and walkability rather than pure cuteness. My bags are generally large enough to toss random stuff in, and have long straps. I like the look of daytime clutches and the kind of ladylike satchel that rests in the crook of your elbow, but they're so not happening for me. Another thing is that, a lot of times, I'll try to pick an outfit that will be comfortable and look appropriate the way it is all day long or for day-into-night, since it's more of a pain for me to go back and change or to bring something to switch out. And my clothes also seem more weather-sensitive than they might otherwise be. For instance, bare feet or legs in the winter, even if it's just wearing jeans and flats without socks, aren't usually an option, nor are summer outfits with a topper that's too bulky or delicate to just stash in my bag when I get hot.

Even things like returns and alterations are harder to get around to, since I don't have a car I can just leave something in until I have time to take care of it, so I can go out of my way to avoid needing to do them. Although that might be my laziness too.

I am so happy for this post. It is so great to have found a style community that understands that not everyone is willing to put up with pain in order to look fab. I'm a city-dweller with foot problems galore and I don't own a car. It is a necessity that my shoes are comfortable for walking or biking miles.

As an urban city dweller myself, I've relied on cute comfy wedges for both work and play. I couldn't don the 3-4" killer heels anyway since the DC streets will chew them up and spit them out and have to be practical considering I ride my bike to work. Most of my heels fit in my bag or in basket and have some stashed away at work.

Wow! I am loving this discussion! It seems that really, here in L.A. with my car and my air conditioned home/car/office, I have been living in a style bubble and I am very late to the practicality party! LOL

Elle, I ordered a pair of silver Birks last night! And I have decided that henceforth I am not going to buy any new shoes that aren't walkable (at least for a while). I have enough high heels and am going to try to branch out so that ultimately I have a complete wardrobe of walkable shoes for every occasion!

MaryK, you're living my dream. I would love to be within walking distance of fun and food, and I think having to focus on the practicalities would be more than worth it. Lucky you! I know you'll make practical style look gorgeous- looking forward to seeing how it's done!

And really, I am all about matching my clothes to my shoes.
I seriously will usually have to say, what kind of (dress, skirt) can you wear with these flats? Rather than vice-versa.