https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:35:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-570185 Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:47:55 +0000 Freckles 570185@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beautiful writing!</p> <p>I have been feeling the same re my slingbacks and pants. Hunting for closed heel shoe I can wear which is practically impossible.</p> <p>Interesting to read that so many of you can't wear them as slingbacks and clogs are the only shoe that will stay on my narrow feet with incredibly narrow heels.</p> <p>I find that I must have the ones with buckles though to be able to fit them to my foot.</p> <p>Where are my other shoe options except custom made? I so want a pair of ballet flats and ankle boots... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-569880 Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:04:56 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 569880@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hilarious. Thank you for sharing your ode to the shoe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-569877 Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:01:39 +0000 Anonymous 569877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol, brilliant!<br /> I haven't broken up with them yet but I have thought about it, the same with mules. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-569872 Sat, 17 Mar 2012 01:56:39 +0000 MsMary 569872@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great piece of writing!!</p> <p>And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with the slingbacks/trousers/heel love triangle!! LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-569716 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:45:08 +0000 velvetychocolate 569716@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This was such a fun read, and so very well-written - thank you for sharing!</p> <p>I don't have too many pairs of slingback shoes, and I strongly suspect that the ones I do have get worn with dresses and skirts, so I haven't yet run into the phenomenon where pants bottoms mess with the straps on the back of slingback shoes - I'll be sure to remember this, in case I ever consider wearing said slingbacks with pants. </p> <p>Also really enjoyed Kari's links to slingbacks that are more forgiving - in fact, I wish she hadn't done so because I really like the looks of a few of the Fidji's she linked to. </p> <p>In the meantime, I seem to have overly narrow feet or a high arch or something...because I find that flats tend to just slip off my feet entirely. The only flats that seem to work are those that have some sort of strap across the vamp...most annoying!</p> <p>Great post, and I think you're wise to cut back on (or cut out entirely) slingback shoes if they cause this much trouble. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-569694 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:32:42 +0000 Beth 569694@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL. I used to think my girl card should be revoked as I've never been able to wear slingbacks.</p> <p>Until I found a pair that stayed on my heels...and then they caught my pants hem, just like you describe.</p> <p>Darn shoes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-569621 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:26:49 +0000 K. Period. 569621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Emily: I notice something with your example that I hadn't thought about before. I think the difference is partially how low cut (low vamp) the sling-back is, how long the sling is, and how much side support it has, including how high up in the heel it hits (the higher the better). The glossy patent ones you showed (so pretty!) are exactly the worst type of troublemaker! Very seductive, but without enough foundation to make them stay up. That shoe is bad to the bone. I'm not going to be tempted back in by that vile seductress, but now I have a better idea why she's no good. Great post! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-569436 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:12:09 +0000 Anonymous 569436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such a great post, and so true! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-569352 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:03:16 +0000 Mander 569352@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha! This is great!</p> <p>I don't think I have ever owned a single pair of true slingbacks. Just looking at them makes me think of blisters. I do have a couple of pairs of heeled sandals but I only ever wear them with dresses. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-569242 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:06:19 +0000 Emily 569242@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for the very kind compliments!</p> <p>@k can shop - I'm glad the heel wedgie thing is not just me. I thought for a while that maybe I was walking wrong or something.</p> <p>@Kari - I think the extra straps makes some slingbacks work. I very happily wore the shoes in photo 1 last summer to death and they technically have a sling back, but they're much less prone to slippage/other slingback pitfalls than something like 2 which I must sadly resist. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568957 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 04:12:39 +0000 san 568957@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is the cutest and funniest post ever. I cannot keep slingbacks on my feet, they just jump off. Thanks for putting this into words and thanks for the chuckle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568926 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:52:09 +0000 ManidipaM 568926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Emily, that is BRILLIANTLY expressed! So witty! I do love a good extended metaphor. :-)</p> <p>Me, i'm thinking of giving slingbacks a second chance. My heels really don't like 'backs --- of any kind, be it pumps or boots. I like the carefree comfort of slip-ons better -- less blood and tears all round! BUT sometimes you need your shoe to support you when you're on the run, literally! What's a girl to do, who to depend on? Anyone got a better idea (I won't go out with gym shoes, thank you!)?</p> <p>(All that said, I've never had a 'trouser wedgie'! So at least I'm keeping some of my dignity straight!)</p> <p>@Kari --- I LOVE your shoes! I'm not seeing cutesy at all, just a little touch of femininity that is charming. Right up street, those would be, if the brand were available to me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568905 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:28:19 +0000 taylor 568905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That was fun!<br /> Seriously though, slingbacks and trousers were never meant to be.:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568904 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:26:22 +0000 Kari 568904@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great piece, Emily. </p> <p>I totally relate, except that my open letter to (most) slingback shoes would have been shorter and less eloquent or tactful. It would have been a bit more like:<br /> "Would you care to explain the following:<br /> 1. Why do you like to tear holes into the back of my heels?<br /> 2. Why do you try to wiggle off my feet when I'm walking in a hurry?<br /> 3. What do I have to do to MAKE IT STOP?"</p> <p>Despite breaking up with slingbacks for years, I do want to say that I found two pairs that are GREAT. They were not cheap (though on sale) but were well worth it given how often I wear them. The key for me is having a thick slingback strap with very soft leather and NO raw edges/scratchy stitching. Just in case you ever decide to let slingbacks into your life, these are very similar to the pairs that worked for me:</p> <p><a href="http://www.endless.com/Fidji-Womens-E607-Two-Tone-Pump/dp/B004KTAIK4/ref=sr_1_80?ie=UTF8&#038;cAsin=B004KT83W4&#038;fromPage=search&#038;sr=1-80&#038;qid=1331864822330&#038;asinTitle=Fidji%20E607%20Two-Tone%20Pump&#038;contextTitle=search%20results&#038;clientPageSize=100&#038;brands=Fidji&#038;sort=-product_site_launch_date&#038;showDesigner=2" rel="nofollow">http://www.endless.com/Fidji-W.....Designer=2</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.endless.com/Fidji-G280-Womens-Pump/dp/B0060I91ZG/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&#038;cAsin=B0060IB2NK&#038;fromPage=search&#038;sr=1-20&#038;qid=1331864822330&#038;asinTitle=Fidji%20G280%20Pump&#038;contextTitle=search%20results&#038;clientPageSize=100&#038;brands=Fidji&#038;sort=-product_site_launch_date&#038;showDesigner=2" rel="nofollow">http://www.endless.com/Fidji-G.....Designer=2</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.endless.com/Fidji-shoes-handbags-accessories/s/ref=dp-bb?ie=UTF8&#038;brands=Fidji#__ie%3DUTF8%26cAsin%3DB004KT7YYM%26fromPage%3Dsearch%26sr%3D1-79%26qid%3D1331864961373%26asinTitle%3DFidji~~20E162~~20Tie~~20Up~~20Pump%26contextTitle%3Dsearch~~20results%26clientPageSize%3D100%26brands%3DFidji%26sort%3D-product_site_launch_date%26showDesigner%3D2%26asin%3DB004KT69S4%26ref%3Dsr_1_79%26pageCode%3Dd" rel="nofollow">http://www.endless.com/Fidji-s.....geCode%3Dd</a></p> <p>I actually have this shoe, and it's not only amazingly comfortable, but also more attractive (less "cutesy") in person:<br /> <a href="http://www.endless.com/Fidji-Womens-E611-Criss-Cross/dp/B004SIMFXA/ref=sr_1_68?ie=UTF8&#038;cAsin=B004KT42DS&#038;fromPage=search&#038;sr=1-68&#038;qid=1331864822330&#038;asinTitle=Fidji%20E611%20Criss%20Cross%20Pump&#038;contextTitle=search%20results&#038;clientPageSize=100&#038;brands=Fidji&#038;sort=-product_site_launch_date&#038;showDesigner=2" rel="nofollow">http://www.endless.com/Fidji-W.....Designer=2</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568890 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:05:51 +0000 Suz 568890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dear Emily, </p> <p>You are a wonderful and witty writer!! Thank you for this missive to slingbacks! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568858 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:24:20 +0000 Sarah A 568858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tried you once 20 years ago and knew it wasn't meant to be...</p> <p>love the letter! Fantastic! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568722 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:27:20 +0000 Ana 568722@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Haha, this post is awesome! I can't wear slingbacks either because they give me blisters. But they're so cute! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568668 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:25:35 +0000 rachylou 568668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Seriously! I KNOW! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568667 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:25:11 +0000 Meredith1953 568667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brilliant post and you made me giggle! Slingbacks always slide of my narrow heel! They almost never work for me.<br /> K can shop,<br /> You are also making me cackle. I loved your comment about the "truffle in a sea of white buttons" in an earlier post. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568639 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:57:16 +0000 K. Period. 568639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lovely! Brilliant! Perfect! I still hook up with my slingbacks for an occasional spring or summer skirt fling, but the heel wedgie kills any chance for a real relationship. Me and my slingbacks? We're friends with benefits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568630 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:49:00 +0000 Transcona Shannon 568630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First off Emily - that is so witty and wonderfully written? Are you a write by any chance?<br /> Secondly, I could not agree more. I can't keep a slingback strap on my heel to save my soul and with pants - forget it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568611 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:32:55 +0000 jayne 568611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think, ahem, I might have to take on a new rebounded shoe. I see them, they see me, it is a possible meeting to be arranged...soon, yes soon </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/an-open-letter-to-slingback-shoes#post-568592 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:20:02 +0000 Emily 568592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dear Slingbacks,</p> <p>Please don't get the wrong idea, I think you're wonderful and I know we definitely have some history. You were everywhere - in shop windows, my favourite magazines, hanging out with my friends and family - always so popular. You were sometimes plaid espadrilles, sometimes slim stilettos, sometimes stacked and chunky; and you seduced me, singing a siren song with the promise of style and an uninterrupted leg line. </p> <p>I'll never forget when I first picked you up at Payless. You were not just cheap and available, you were demure at office parties in any season and sassy with Jeans at the bar. I will cherish the memory of you at my wedding, done up in glittery silver, peeking out shyly in the afternoon and dancing late in to the evening. </p> <p>I am sorry to say it, Slingbacks, but lately the spark between us has faded. When I wear you high-heeled with perfect length Trousers the pants drift between you and my heel as I walk. Yes, I said it! Trousers have come between us. I know you get along great with Skirts. Pumps don't try to make me to choose. Besides, your namesake never stays in a comfortable place on my foot, regardless of adjustable buckles, elastic, or how much I've paid for you. </p> <p>I do hope I'm not being too harsh, you have great personality and I know you have lots of other lovers. It's just that I don't think it was ever meant to work out between you and me in the long term. Yes, Slingbacks, I am breaking up with you. </p> <p>Adieu.</p> <p>Sincerely yours,<br /> Emily </p> <p>PS: We can still go out sometimes, right? It's just that Cocktail Dresses love you in silver... </p>