Shoes: Chunky or Dainty - YouLookFab Forum

I bought a new pair of shoes today. (link at the end). They are miz mooz platforms. My favorite black mary Jane sandals finally gave out after three years (from Kohls, even), and in a pinch I ran into the shoe store. They are really comfortable and easy to walk in, which is good for me because I walk a lot. I will like them a lot when my blisters heal (nothing about these shoes in particular; I get blisters with all of my shoes). Plus, they are the perfect height for me to maintain perfect pants length.

But searching for shoes in my laid-back, hippyish town was hard. And buying these shoes made me ponder what I look for in shoes. I haven't bought any shoes for a long, long time, and part of the problem is that I am very picky. I can't really describe what I like, but I know what I don't like. Normally, I don't like the chunky, clunky style. But I don't really like dainty either. I like something in between, and that's hard.

I am wondering about everyone else. Do you have a shoe "style" or do you just look for what you like? I have a really developed clothing persona, but I can't get the shoes down, and it is source of frustration for me.

Here are my shoes. What do you think? Can I wear these with anything but pants?
http://www.endless.com/Miz-Moo.....evancerank

17 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I just go for what i like, fits and is comfortable (i'm learning to be picky after many mistakes).
I think they'd be ok with skirts though i'm no expert so we'll see what the others say x

BlondeAmbition

Active Member

I have the same dilemma. I think these shoes are not too clunky and have enough daintiness to still be very feminine.

I have a huge issue with platform shoes, especilaly flat platforms that don't have any heel height... it just looks like you're standing on top of 2 big black bricks and it's hurts my eyes. I like dainty shoes but they're not practical most of the time so wedges are great. I love stilettos but who can wear those on a daily basis?

christie

That's my problem Blonde! I walk to commute at least part of the week, and in total, I walk a couple of miles. I can't do that in stilettos, and I don't always want to wear flats because I've yet to find flats that look great with my dresses and are still comfortable (most ballet flats are too stiff in the heel and tear up my achilles area (blisters).

shiny

I guess my shoe style is all over the map. The only thing in common is that I look for shoes that make me smile. I was actually just thinking that yesterday, as I was admiring my SW metallic booties and smiling to myself, because they are just so darn cute.

I tend to gravitate towards pointy toe pumps/boots with delicate heels; rounded toe pumps - love the 1940's appeal; peep toes (but they are often uncomfortable so I have to be picky); and sometimes even box toes too (what do you call this? snipped toes?) Okay I guess that's nearly every type of toe there is. hee hee.

I like wedges, stilleto-ish shapes (though not too high), flats, kitten heels, and chunkier heels too. Wedges can't be too heavy though - a lot of the ones that have rope or cork are horribly heavy and they tire me out trying to walk in them. The wedges I own seem to be hollow inside or made of some light material.

I look for shoes that have some visual interest whether it is the color, the texture (patent, animal print) or details like tiny buckles or contrast stitching or bows.

I guess the only types of shoes I don't usually wear are:

1. Slingbacks. I do own a pair or two, it's just that it's really hard for me to find slingbacks that don't fall right off my foot for some reason.

2. Any shoe that has laces going up the ankle. Makes me look terribly stumpy.

3. Mules. I used to love, love, love these. Maybe I OD'd on them. Or maybe I finally realized that they aren't very practical.

4. Thongs. Just CAN'T wear them. Ouch. They hurt because of my bunions. Although on occasion I will find a pair that is constructed in a clever way that makes it impossible for your foot to side too far forward (i.e., it's the look of a thong but not really).

5. And, I must confess, mary janes. I know lots of people adore them. I don't like that strap - it isn't comfortable for me. Probably because the top of my foot is high or something. I also have issues with my feet swelling. I will end up with nasty red marks where the strap is - or worse - the circulation will stop.

Violet

I liked the shoes you posted and my gut feeling is that they would look best with pants since they have a wedge heel. Maybe a more open-toed or "sandal-like" wedge would work with skirts.

I tend to be kind of picky with my shoes too. They have to be "just right" for me to get them, but I have been experimenting more since joining YLF.

Like Shiny, I tend to gravitate towards pointy toes and delicate heels, especially kitten heels. I also love peep toe pumps. In the winter, mainly b/c it's so cold I wear black and brown boots most often.

I prefer warmer weather b/c I can add more variety to my shoe wardrobe. I have a great pair of red pumps that I love and I would like to add some animal prints into my collection as well.

Just recently, I've started buying more flats b/c they work with some of my shorter jeans. Last year, I bought a pair of wedge sandals that I loved to wear with jeans. That was the first time I tried wedge heels an I really liked them.

I just remembered that I have pictures of some of my shoes:

http://s383.photobucket.com/al.....Pix/Shoes/

The one pair I don't like are the Nine West boots. I'm just into square toes any more. I'll have to post them as a swap item here and see if anyone wants them!

Asha

My shoe preferences are all over the map - nothing too clunky or dainty, I think. I think the only thing all my shoes have in common is some fun detail. I love color, peep-toes, round-toes, texture, all kinds of heels, flats, wedges, etc.
The only things I avoid - mules, thongs (esp. w/heels - ouch!), most slingbacks.
I am especially obsessed with wedges, and details like buckles right now.

Tanya

I am also all over the map with shoes, I like many different things, both clunky and dainty. The only things I avoid are thongs, which give me horrible blisters, and high heels. If I do something high it will be a wedge. wedges are by far my favorite type of shoes ( hello Asha :).

Hi Tanya! Isn't it funny - I am now a total wedge convert because I love height in my shoes but heels aren't practical for me. Is it possible to have too many wedges? I am trying to control the urge to buy some in every color and style I like while I am still here in the Philippines (also known as the land of fabulously cheap shoes)!

He he Asha, I do not think it's possible to have too many of them. I think I might have over 20 pairs (might be close to 30): tall boots, ankle boots, mary-janes, normal closed toes, peep-toes, sandals, slingbacks, mini-wedges, tall ones, even Keds If you can get some fab ones for cheap, I would stock up on them. I love them for same reason as you, I like the added height since I have short legs, but normal heels are not comfortable enough for me.

Cristie, I love your shoes, and I think that they could be worn with skirts/dresses too, especially if you pair them with tights.

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