A shopping dilemma

Mona

So at the start of this year, I set aside a budget for clothing. After 6 months into the year, I have spent almost all of my budget. I am really happy with all my purchases so far. But at the same time, I have identified a few wants/needs for my summer wardrobe and having a hard time practicing constraint. First and foremost, is a pair of pointy toed pumps. i have the following:
Flats:
a pair of black flats
burgundy flats
pair of black and white oxfords.
Sandals:
White platforms
Nude strappy sandals
pewter mid-heel sandals
Pumps:
black round-toe wedges
Sneaks:
white hi-cons
My brain tells me to not purchase a pair of pointy toed pumps as summer season is very short here and I probably wear summer footwear only 3 months a year. But my heart loves the look of pointy toed pumps and how it transforms a simple outfit into a modern and chic one.
What do you suggest? Can i justify this purchase?

12 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from rae

bj1111

Veteran

Why can't you wear point toed pumps in the seasons?

12 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I know you're in Canada (Toronto? Hamilton?) but I too wondered about that. Wouldn't pumps be spring-fall shoes for you? (Is there a separate list of winter shoes?)

As for whether you can justify the purchase - that depends on what you know you will need for fall/winter, and whether you can afford to revise your budget. (Was your budget how much you could afford, or how much you thought you 'should' be spending on clothes?) But this does not sound like a lot of shoes to me.

12 years ago

kkards

Veteran

I second what bj said. I think of pumps, any pump, as a year round shoe. Even if its snowing, I wear boots and change when I get in doors.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I can't speak for Mona, but I do live in the same city as she does. And I find I really only wear pumps in spring/ summer/ early fall or for special occasions in winter. If I worked in an office I might wear them more often in winter, but not a lot. I don't know what it is about this town, but somehow booties and boots just seem SO much more practical for about 8 months of the year. And then it is sandal season.

Why? Well, first off, for those 8 months, you are wearing pants or tights. The tights/ pumps would have to harmonize, which sort of limits the footwear options unless you are talking about nude hose, which really aren't warm enough. You would need socks if you were wearing pants and shoes -- no bare feet in shoes for most of the year due to temperatures. And pumps don't look great with socks. Then, in my case, at least, there is the added problem that pumps do not stay on the foot as well when you are wearing hose (they rarely stay on my foot anyway). And so on.

Anyway, you see the list of factors...it gets too complicated!

But Mona-- that said, I do want to enable you to buy these pointy toed pumps. If it will make you feel any better, for spring/ summer shoes I currently have:

1 pointy toed slingback gold (bought for the occasion)

1 taupe bootie (the Reports)

1 sneaker (Cons)

1 nude(ish) metallic platform sandal

1 grey/ brown casual wedge sandal

1 dressier wedge sandal in nude/ silver

1 pair leopard round toe pumps

1 pair black pointy toe baby wedge (almost flats)

1 pair dark dark burgundy pointy toe pumps (special occasion wear as a rule)

That puts me at more shoes than you and I am lusting after white sandals and another pointy toe pump. And might try to justify those somehow if I can....

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ooops - I also have a pair of black sandals, tiny baby wedge almost flats....forgot those.

12 years ago

kkards

Veteran

hmmm, well i can see where boots and booties would be so much more useful and practical....but as an unrepentant shoeaholic, i say, a pointy toe pump will help to round out a wardrobe, so go for it.

12 years ago

Mona

Veteran

bj1111 and cinnamon fern, pumps are only summer shoes for me as I run very cold generally and especially cold in my feet. Spring/fall are mostly closed toe shoe season for me. Even in summer my feet are cold in arctic air conditioning in office. Would you believe that in summer when I wear sandals, I usually have a small heater on under my desk to keep my feet warm? I have tried several times to tell the maintenance crew to turn the a/c down but they refuse as other people then start complaining about how hot it is. Last year, I swore off any addition to my summer shoe wardrobe unless a pair needs replacement.
CF, I set aside this budget based on what I thought I should be spending. I can go over a little bit but I want to buy only what is really needed in my wardrobe.
kkards, i usually do the same but I not in spring and fall as I need socks to keep my feet warm. I prefer booties and shooties so that I can wear socks.
Suz, you have so clearly summarized all the problems with pumps living in Kingston. Now add extra cold feet to the mix and the functionality is even more limited. I am really digging the look of pointy toed pumps with Bf's this season. Also, it brings me closer to my goal of adding more refined pieces to my wardrobe.

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Difficult choice but I find footwear really does update my clothing so I would buy them. I also think that they are something that will last more than one season especially in a more refined wardrobe

12 years ago

Mona

Veteran

I agree, caro. Lately I find that it bothers me a lot if my outfits don't look current and like you said, footwear really updates the outfit.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Caro said. MUST get pointy toe pumps! They are a Summer shoe for me too, Mona. High five! Boots and booties are 9 month shoes for me over here - at least!

12 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes, you must get! Easy!

12 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hm, if you don't have any other footwear that would update your wardrobe like that, and if the budget isn't going to suffer terribly, they are probably a good investment. Can you stretch the pump season with nude hose?

12 years ago

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