Stepping into Spring - YouLookFab Forum

......with new sandals, that is!

I need to wear warm footwear (booties and boots, shoes with socks) until it reaches the '50's F. Once it's in the mid 60's, I favor sandals over sockless shoes. I've been searching for something like the famous Okalas, but I've found that refined shoes with slim heels and tapered fronts rarely sit comfortably on my wider, high volume foot. Recently, at DSW, I found several practical summer choices. Let me know what you think:

1. My version of a Birkie. This is by White Mountain. It's extremely comfy, and it's shiny silver suits my dramatic side. Real leather and a molded footbed that fit me better than Birkenstock.

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/white+.....Ref=SEARCH

2. Black Gladiators by Madden Girl. These are the only ones I'm not liking in the photos. Not sure I can put my finger on it. I love the heel height, though, and they're comfy. Should I keep these, or keep looking for a better 1.5-3 inch black sandal?

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/madden.....006,cat200

3. Gold B.O.C. sandals. These have a nice padded footbed, and the metallic melds nicely with my skin tone. I think they'd be nice flats for skirts, too.

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/b.o.c+.....Ref=SEARCH

4. These are a direct knock-off of Vince Camuto's Eliana sandal, this one by Audrey Brooke. They are extremely comfortable and are real nubuck. I suspect they run wider than the VC version, as they work on my high volume foot. Be aware that the silver buckle on the side of the shoe is plastic --- otherwise the quality seems decent. Sorry about the quality of the photo -- I was side lit. I've included a snapshot from the website.

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/audrey.....Ref=SEARCH

Now, if only the weather would cooperate so I could pull these out to wear. I'd appreciate your feedback on #2 particularly.

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10 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Great sandal capsule Can you loosen the gladiators around the ankle? They look a little firm against your skin.

Adelfa

1. Extremely flattering version of a Birk-style shoe. Wearable with pants and skirts.
3. Very pretty, and again wearable with everything.
4. I like them on your foot. I would hate those once the weather warmed up, YMMV.

2. They look cute on you. I personally would find them very hard to wear. That's a lot of horizontal cutting against your fair skin. I have a pair of goldy-nude gladiators with fewer straps than these, and the forum said thumbs down on them for not being flattering enough (I showed them with rolled BFs).

You have a lot of options here and you are doing well!

kellygirl

I love 1 and 4. Something about the ankle fastening on 2 looks kind of abrupt. 3 is pretty too. Curious what others think. Off to read the comments.

Lantana

The silver mountains and the Brookes look fantastic. The plaited sandal is pretty but I wonder if it will have the range of applications you want from it?
The ankle strap sandals have thick straps, somewhat akin to shackles, and I think they would be uncomfortable in the heat.

Windchime

I bet you enjoyed finally being able to use the word "spring" in the title of a post!

#1 I bought pewter (close to silver) sandals last summer and LOVED the elegance they always brought to my outfits. They were major workhorses for me. If these White Mountains fit you better than a Birkenstock, go for it.
#2 These might not be as comfortable as some of the others.
#3 Really pretty and could be worn with many types of bottoms.
#4 I like these on you more than #2. How's the comfort factor?

rachylou

My fave are your birkies

Deborah

Wow, these are great Beth Ann. #2 does look too tight around your ankle and that is the only sandal here that I am not sure of for you. Aside from the ankle strap I think they look too chunky but not in a good way (cos I like chunky sandals). They lack refinement.

Suz

(website)

Wow, this is an amazing capsule -- you've done brilliantly. I like the variety here and they're all nice updates to the closet.

1. Look amazing on you -- and I have a poison eye for Birkies!! So you know you've got a winner there.

2. I actually really like these, but the ankle strap looks snug. Can it be loosened?

3. Perfect.

4. Gorgeous on you! And we are sort of sandal twins because I have the light grey Elianas!

Aquamarine

I like them all and am envious you have so many choices. (Sandal shopping is so difficult for me.) I really do like #2...what is it you are unsure about, because they look fine to me.

Susie

Wow you did great, Beth Ann!

I like the silver one enough to see if I can find it at my DSW! I had what I thought was my version of a Birki but decided it wasn't quite right. That one looks very nice on your foot.

With the black one, can you loosen the ankle strap at all? It looks a bit snug there but I like the rest of it on you a lot.

The gold seem like a versatile color and sound like they would be comfy.

#4 looks great on you. In the nude, it seems like the gold would work similarly. Does this one come in black to make this style your black option?

TraceyLiz65

Love them all! What great solutions you've found!

Transcona Shannon

Love 1, 3 and 4. These all offer something a little different and will work for all sorts of occasions.

That ankle strap in 2 is bothering me. I don't mind the width of it just the fact that it looks like it's choking your ankle. Any ability to loosen it?

Joy

You hit the jackpot! I like 2 as a trendy black sandal with ankle strap, but would like to see tour jeans rolled to hit just above the ankle strap like Angie did with her Oklalas. The strap then almost looks like a continuation of the pants. I'll try to find a photo or link.
You need them all!
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Jjsloane

You made some great choices. I think the only thing I'm not liking about #2 is the chunky heel. Black sandals are in plentiful supply so I might suggest you keep looking, but gladiators is a nice choice.

Beth Ann

Good morning, all! Thanks for the expert feedback!

The ankle strap in #2 is actually pretty comfy. Because there's a back zip, there's only a little release in the side buckle. I do think they look tight however, regardless of how they feel. I suspect I noticed this more in the photo. Some of you felt they lacked a bit of refinement. I actually like the chunky heel, but perhaps they're not "strong" enough to look distinctly chunky --- and end up neither RATE nor refined, if you know what I mean.

As for the Birk-like pair, Suz, I have a poison eye for this style, too. I am loving these however! Susie, I loved the comfort and the price of these, so I hope they work for you. I did indeed try the last pair on in black. I already have a pair of dressy black cage sandals that are too high for all day wear. I felt the black version of #4 came off a bit "dominatrix," although, truth be told, I liked them. hee.

I'll try on #2 again. While it would be nice to have a mid-heel new pair, I can be leisurely in my search, since I have a couple of pairs (just flatter or getting a bit beat up) that can "step in" to fill the hole.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Wow. That's a brilliant visual knock-off of the Eliana. A fab set of new sandals, Beth Ann. You wear every pair to perfection. I'll speak to the weather angels for you. xo

Thanks, Angie! I think the Eliana-like (Audrey Brooke Kelissa) is a bit wider than the VC, but they're real leather with a comfy footbed and a great, nonslip sole. The only drawback is a plastic silver buckle. I'd recommend it for folks on a strict budget or with wider, high-volume feet who can't wear the Eliana or the similar Munro.

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