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2 similar black shooties. Should they go?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

You were all so helpful over the weekend with my jumpers I am putting another post out there. I have decided to donate both jumpers after washing them.
This time it is 2 very similar black shoe booties ( shooties). I won't tell you how old they are. Still in good condition. Both very comfortable but an annoyance with the lace-up ones is how long it takes to get them on and off. The zip-up ones were worn out this year with my smart black/grey winter dress for a leaving dinner. The low heel is comfy, you see.
Do you have any thoughts on if they look dated or anything else about them? Pics 1-3 are the lace-ups and pics 4-6 the zip-ups. Thanks for looking.

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Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well based on pure instinct I prefer the look of the lace ups - but if they are annoying to lace up are they worth keeping? That depends on what else you already have and how often you actually wear them. The zip ups are ok, but I think the toe dates them.

Kathie

Veteran

To my eye, the pleats on the back of the lace-up, and the toe of the zip ones are both a bit dated. But, I tend to keep items as long as I enjoy them, and they're not worn out. So, if you're using them, and like how they work with the rest of your clothes, I'd keep both. Or donate the lace-up, if that annoys you, and then commit to really wearing the other one.

delurked

Veteran

I wouldn't say either look current, but that doesn't necessarily rule them out if the comfort is good. Based on your words, it sounds like this year you've only worn the zip up ones? Only once, or more than that? If that's the case, then you are reaching for something else instead of both of these and I would let them go.

When would you choose these over what else you are wearing? That should indicate to yourself if they are keepers.

Deborah

Veteran

Both look really nice. How often do you wear them? Will you have a wardrobe hole if you move them on? They are different enough to keep both. The lace ups look modern to me (despite reading recently that the wedge heel is over lol I still like mine). If either looks dated I would suggest it's the zip pair but really I think they look fine. I realize I am absolutely no help here... sorry!

Gigi

Veteran

I don't have strong feelings about either pair, although I do like the lace-up ones better. Like Kathie, I feel that the square toe on the one pair and the pleats on the other look a little dated--though it's not something that is a deal breaker. If you don't really love either pair, I would probably hold on only to the one that you will wear (the zips, it sounds like) and then look for a more updated alternative before donating the second pair.

Laura G

Veteran

The lace-up pair could still work, I think. The square toe on the others does look dated to me, which I guess means I should get rid of my square-toe Cole-Haan sandals. They've seen a lot of wear over the last (mumble) decades and they still look nearly new. Amazing quality.

Sal

Veteran

I have just got rid (well actually still waiting to take to the Op Shop) a pair similar to the second ones. They were useful but mine were 7 years old and I am just over them.

I like the lace ups.

If you have only worn one pair once this winter they do not sound essential in your daily closet.

Joy

Veteran

If the lace ups are annoying to do up, they are the ones rapt hat should go, all else being equal. I think the zip ones do look a bit more modern, but the lace ups look classic. Which will you want to reach for most?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have reached for the zip ones very occasionally, mainly because they are a lower heel than other shoes that may go well with my smart black/grey winter dress I mentioned above ( other grey or black shoes have higher heels). I found an old pic from 3 years ago of wearing the dress with the shoes below. It was my boy's school ball ( like a prom) - see how short I am next to my husband and son?
I could wear the other black ones, the lace-ups, in that situation as also a low heel- I think on that occasion we were going to a "pre-ball" out in the countryside and I didn't know what the state of the parking and driveway would be like, and also thought I may have to take the shoes off when I got inside the hosts' home, so I did what was easy. I guess that's what I usually do, do what's easy.
In this mystery post at some point I will tell you which pair is older- have a guess? Cheers Jenni

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Sisi

Veteran

All what Shevia said!

Anonymous

Delurked spoke for me.

Jane

Veteran

I like the family photo! I think I would find a replacement and then move on from both. As delurk says. But I am moving towards having less to wear rather than more, so I think this is influencing my decision.

Well done with the jumpers.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Love them both not dated at all very stylish. Already great advise given.

Staysfit

Veteran

If you are looking to pare things down and you are doubting these, put them aside for a while and see if you miss them, if not, out they go!

Anonymous

I think it's alright to wear something dated if it is only worn occasionally. I would keep the Lower heeled pair since they're easier.
I would guess that the lower heeled pair are older, because of the toe shape, but they look to be in great condition.
Hilarious photo of you and your husband and son!

Bijou

Veteran

The family photo is lovely, your husband and son are so tall! If you have not worn these much in the last year, it indicates that you have other alternatives that work better for your style. I really like how you usually wear statement shoes (a signature look for you??) and so these seem a bit bland when compared to your other shoes.

Liz A.

Veteran

Shevia expressed my thoughts exactly. I would get rid of the square toes, because the look is not current.

always trying

Veteran

I like the lace ups. Have similar ones, and I will still be wearing mine, so I say keep.

The Cat

Veteran

I like both pairs. The zip-ups do remind me of a pair I bought in 2004 and wore for several years. However, I don't think they look dated.
Actually, I would love to have a pair of lace-ups exactly like yours, knowing that they would add a fun, retro-chic vibe to lots of outfits.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks all again. Jane and Staysfit have hit the nail on the head really, I am trying to reduce my number of items! Pare things down, as Staysfit says. And live with having less to wear, as Jane says. As for whether I reach for them...not much. They are a bit bland as Bijou says, compared with my other shoes like my gold stud Steve Madden boots which I wear every week. I am coming to a decision... have to go to work now.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Definitely prefer the look of the laces. I also like your hair longer - still short - but longer layers.

Anonymous

If it's not too extravagant I think they should both go. The laced ones are still cute but that fussy look is cutest on very very young people who have lots of time to spend on that sort of thing. They're not fresh and modern enough looking to flatter you.

The square toe asymmetrically pieced ones I just don't like, but even if I did I would have to admit they look a little out of fashion and just not bold enough for you.

JAileen

Veteran

You and "your boys" - what a wonderful picture! Are you little or are they big, or both?

As to the shoes - you don't seem to like them, but you do need them from time to time. I like the toes on the laced ones better.

unfrumped

Veteran

Do you need to have new ines in order to wear current outfits? If so, I wound tops the square ones and keep the laceups as a placeholder since the look sleek on the foot. . If the sky won't fall in, toss both and get new ones.
I only add this caution because if I'm really got a huge wardrobe hold for an essential, I might jump on something not fab to replace quick. But sometimes I can take some items " out of rotation " with no ill effect until I find the right footwear.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Forgive me if I'm being thick here, but I don't quite understand. You want to shrink your wardrobe by passing some things along earlier than you might otherwise? Your reason for wanting a smaller wardrobe with more wears for each item is to lower your consumption? That's an admirable goal that I should take on as well. I can see that if you basically bought the wrong sweater/jumper, you don't want to force yourself to wear it. But if these shoes are already there, being worn infrequently, but adding to the total number of items in your wardrobe, so what? How does giving them away get you closer to the goal of lowering consumption, especially if you get something more current to take the place of the two of them? I've seen a couple posts with this line of argument, and I feel like I'm missing something.

Fwiw, the lace-ups have sort of a retro/vintage feel for me, so I like them better.

rachylou

Veteran

Ditto Shevia...

anne

Veteran

Fashiontern, I'm only guessing on Jenni's part, but I think this question is more about reducing the size of a wardrobe that Jenni thinks is too big rather than increasing wears. She is, however also trying to increase wears as another goal.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Perfectly said Anne. The wardrobe is too big. It is overflowing my house. A lot of things in it are not being worn a great deal, these shoes for instance. I can't get enough wears out of all the things I already own, to feel like a responsible consumer, unless I go on like a one or two year long shopping fast. And despite wishing to be responsible, I don't really want to fast for that long! I would be distressed to not get to buy at least some nice new things ( which I hope will be somewhat ethical). To create space, I need to cull. But I am resistant to culling perfectly good things in good condition, "in case I need them", or because in the past I have loved them and I am still emotionally attached to them. So I am doing it slowly, and asking advice mostly on stuff that "could" go.
Now I will tell you how ancient some of these things are! The lace-up boots were bought when I was pregnant with my boy, who turns 21 on Saturday. Yep, they're 1996. And the ones that many of you think are dated are 2008.
To Fashiontern's question, I don't think, with 49 pairs of shoes, that I really need anything to take the place of the two of them. I have higher shoes I could wear with that smart winter dress, and I could wear my flatter knee-high boots if I need lower shoes.
What I think I'll do in the meanwhile, is ditch the 2008 ones to charity as I also feel the square toe looks dated. And on the odd occasion I would have worn those ( like for the one dinner I did wear them to this winter) I will wear the lace-up ones instead and just take a bit longer while dressing up for dinner to have to do up the laces. I think that will make me happy...and I will be down one more pair of shoes cluttering up the place. I thank you all for helping me to decide. And to J'Aileen re my boys- the answer is both. I am really short, 5 foot 2. And they are really tall, 6 foot 3 or 4. I don't quite know how none of my short genes got into David! My girls are a more average height, on the short side but not as short as me. The older girl actually borrowed those 1996 boots last year. She told me "I wore some old boots of yours from the 90s". Weren't the 90s just the other day?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I still don't get it, even if you aren't getting a replacement pair.

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