Another vent about shoes - YouLookFab Forum

I'm having the hardest time finding shoes this season.

Initially I thought it was just my fussy aging demanding feet and fit issues, but more and more I am not sure it is just that. There are people in this forum with far more demanding foot issues than mine.

While that does still play a big role, more and more I also think it's the styles that are in fashion right now. They are just not doing it for me.

I find a shoe that fits and is comfortable but no matter how trend setting I just do not like the shoe at all. Then the shoes I love in theory just do not work in practice.

The styles I love do not seem scaled for a shorter leg -- supposed to hit at my ankle but they hit too high.

The styles that fit -- and are considered the height of 2014 fashion-- are clunky and unappealing and remind me of the 90s, which was not my favorite decade for a variety of reasons, not all related to fashion.

Shoes used to be an easy way to add interest, variety, and fun -- no longer.

I am sad and very frustrated.

And if any online vendors happen to be reading this -- such as Zappo's -- this is why I've given up ordering online. I am averaging way too many returns to every one that I keep. It's just not worth my time. I still waste hours and hours in the store trying on, that is also not worth my time and just as frustrating, but more efficient than online ordering.

11 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Ugh, I share your frustrations - I haven't found anything that has been appealing this year.

Luckily, I hit upon a shoe sale at an outlet and stocked up on my favourite styles from last year at a song (my comfy pumps are usually about $150 or 175 a pop, and they were being sold for $60 and an additional buy two get one free sale) and I bought about 11 pairs.

Are there any ways that you can stretch out your existing shoe collection until next year (when hopefully the styles are better) or look for stock from last year?

abc

I'm with you on the 90s styles - just commiseration here.

shiny

Lyn, it's not so easy when you're a size 6, that size goes surprisingly fast, I guess.

Abc, I used to think I only owned three pairs of shoes in the 90s because that's all I could afford, going through divorce and being poor single mom. Now I realize that not only was it a $ issue, but I was also all "meh" and uninspired about the shoe choices!

carter

I have relatively long legs, but some shoes still dig into my ankles. I finally solved this problem with Dr Scholl's heel inserts. It raises my heel about 1/4", which is all I need. Don't know if this will help you, but it could be worth a try.

Gigi

Shiny, I share your frustration. I am short also, and most shoes are just too much shoe!

I think for me, it is a blessing in disguise that I can't find anything that I like right now. It keeps my money in the bank. :^) But it is really frustrating when you're looking for a particular type of shoe to finish an outfit and you can't find anything, not even with thousands of shoes to search through online.

Anonymous

Shiny, I never thought about leg length and shoes hitting too high. Having an Ah-Ha moment. I hope you can find what you are looking for

rute

I understand your frustration! Because of my number is so difficult to find a pair that fits, but i'm loving This season options, lots of pointy flats, medium heels, here I see a lot of options

chadya

some years for shoes are better than others maybe next year will have new ideas

April

Commiseration here.

I don't have a tiny foot for my height (size 7) but even in that common size, it's really hard to find soft leather and a comfortable footbed without tipping over into orthopedic territory.

D'orsay flats?

Ledonna N.

I can totally understand. Being 5'2 on a good day and having short stubby legs and wearing a size 11 shoe I can understand. Trends come and go My shoes I hang on to the good one forever. I don't care if they are on trend or not. It just so happens this is my season for the clunky cut outs so I'm stocking up because delicate is just not me. So when your season comes stock up girl.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Jennifer, I would like to see the styles of shoes that you love in theory but do not work in practice.

It's one of the best footwear seasons I've seen - so this thread surprises me. I'm a dressy, non-chunky, and refined footwear gal myself - with very fussy feet - and I'm hitting the mother load. So are my clients. Lets get you sorted.

Sure Angie, glad to oblige.

Apologies for blanking completely on what these styles are called -- I am just so busy these days on work & home front, and stressed to the ultra max, my brain does a complete freeze when I come here to post, and I just blank.

For purposes of illustration only, I am just going to Piperlime and grabbing images there -- I don't mean these particular brands at all. I mean these styles, whatever they are called.

Example -
http://piperlime.gap.com/brows.....=238142012

Whether flat or with a heel, anything that has that piece of leather going up the back of the ankle, doesn't work, because that piece of leather will hit higher than my ankle. It will hit on the back of my calf. It's not just an "it rubs annoyingly" issue -- it's also a "the shoe doesn't fit and looks silly" issue.

Extra worse if it has an ankle strap like in that example. The ankle strap will not be around my ankle, but a 1/2 an inch above. Even if it hits in the right place, even if it can be adjusted to fit my ankle, the width of the strap has to be scaled right -- too wide and it looks funny.

Thing is, I *adore* ankle straps, and do have quite a few already in my closet, shoes I've held on for years and years. When they fit right, I think they are flattering on me. And practical because the shoe stays on my foot. In fact I have this one pair of cream Via Spiga's I bought about 4 years ago that I think are now totally on trend. I guess I was just hoping to add more, but I keep striking out over and over.

There are other styles that aren't working but I'm too tired right now to hunt up examples, and I am I leaving on a jet plane early tomorrow so I have to get to bed.

Carter - an insert does not work, though I can see how that might. But I rarely use inserts, because when I add them, then the shoe is too tight width-wise. I am bordering on a wide width. Foot is high volume.

Thanks, Jennifer. The straps of ankle strap pumps - or flats - are supposed to be positioned *above* your ankle bone. Especially the pumps. Some styles fit on the ankle bone, but generally not. I think they might be fitting how they should fit.

Rest up. We will talk shoes again tomorrow. xo

Yes, of course, above ankle bone - but just above it, around the ankle, the slimmest part. Should not cut into the calf, right?

I think there is just a very short distance for me between ankle bone and where my lower calf starts. It's not because I'm abnormally proportioned -- I'm properly proportioned. For a 5'0 tall person.

I have no doubt that the same exact size 6 shoe on a person 5'2" or 5"3 or 5"4 would hit just right. But I'm 5'0, and those couple of inches really make an enormous difference. This is ever so much obvious to me since my DD's are now 5'3-1/2 inches.

shedev

I'm 4'11, and would wear a 5.5 in this sort of shoe. Sorry I don't have a good solution for you. It might help to know there are others in the same boat.

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