Being sensible vs phantasy life

A couple of days ago I ordered the 2.5" Rockstud pumps. (I can return them)
Matte black with nude.
I have been eyeing them for over a year, but didn't buy them because they don't fit into my very casual life. I rarely wear heels anyway and it's not as if those go with everything. Or do they?
The reason I broke down and ordered them, is that I'll travel to Germany and Italy in a couple of weeks. I may be able to wear them once for dinner in Germany and I have this mental image of wearing them in Florence. I could wear them there twice at best, or not at all if it's raining which is very possible end of April, or if my friend intends to make me walk a lot.
Here in Colorado I will have very few occasions to wear them.
If I only get to wear them 5 times this year, the cost-per-wear is ridiculous.
Will they stay in style for a few more years, do you think?
How do you handle emotional buying, when there is a real disconnect between what you want to have and what you know is the sensible thing to do?
Thanks

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10 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I allow myself a few emotional buys -- but for me, I want the CPW to make them feel like a fun treat rather than a burden. So I would probably buy a sexy shoe I loved but wouldn't wear often in a knock-off version. Though, if it's for a special event I'll sometimes wrap the cost into the cost of that event and whether there will be photos, etc.

If they really are comfortable enough to wear, sometimes I'll just make more opportunities to wear them, going out for drinks, or eating somewhere more swanky from time to time, or just wearing them to the movies, why not?

rachylou

Your Rockstuds and my 5" Manolos can party together... lol.

abc

I would say as long as it is not a financial or space concern, buy them and enjoy them for their intended purchase (to walk the streets of Florence and feel FAB).

Anonymous

I'm conflicted about the Rockstuds. I love the look, that's for sure, but can't help but feel they've been knocked off to death. Valentino still introduces new versions into their shoe line each season, but at what point is it still a smart buy unless that kind of expense is not an issue ? Now you could make them part of your every day look,which lots of the current bloggers and instagrammers are doing by pairing them with jeans, skirts, anything, and not treating them as a special-occassion shoe. That way, you'd get a lot of wear out of them and if they only look fresh for a year or two, you haven't spent a ton on something you've hardly worn.

I'm just thinking aloud here....

DonnaF

If it were me, I think I would pay about the same amount and get the Rockstud ballerina flats since I would get more use out of flats. Or I would buy the Halogen T-strap studded pointy toe flats in all five colors and still spend about 1/3 the price. I try to minimize the financial hit from emotional buys for a fantasy life. Do you think you could work in heels in your everyday life?

That being said, I am returning a pair of black SE Petty booties that I got on sale and fit my 6.5W fussy feet. Sensible yes, but they don't make my heart sing. At all. I've decided that I don't want to get any basic wardrobe backbones if they don't make my heart sing at least a little. And I'm learning that *sensible* does not necessarily mean black!

merwoman

hmm...be careful. I think Florence has a lot of cobblestones which may limit your ability to wear these gorgeous shoes.

Janet

(website)

I would be concerned about cobblestone streets too.

However, I have the nude Rockstuds. By far my least practical high-$ purchase. And I haven't worn them more than a half dozen times a year. But when I do want to wear them, I love them, and they are now my go-to dressy shoe choice. I don't have many dressy shoes, and my casual lifestyle really doesn't warrant pumps very often. But when I want to wear dressy shoes, many look too conservative for my taste. I got the Rockstuds with the intention of keeping them for many years. I love that they are comfortable enough to wear all day, dance in, etc. And honestly, I bought them at a time when budget was generous and I could justify such a purchase. We're stepping back our spending these days, so my splurges will be much more modest. So I'm kinda glad I got them when I did, and I'm doubly glad I splurged on such a comfortable shoe with a modest heel, because my feet are getting fussier, but they still work wonderfully for me.

I think if they make your heart sing and you want to find reasons to wear them, you will. But you're smart to really consider whether you'll want to wear them long term.

PS I confess I'm a little annoyed with how prevalent they became with the fashion blog set, but ultimately I don't really care that much about that. Very few people I know follow those blogs.

If you really love them, then I'd wear them with glee!

crutcher

You should buy them and if you only wear them 1 time this year and if they make your heart sing and you feel like one sexy lady, then CPW be hanged, having these shoes is worth it...I just bought a pair of really wonderful sexy and high heels...These just make me feel wonderful...I will wear them to the do I bought them for and after that..who knows?...But my point is I will wear them once and feel just wonderful...Like Cinderella, I will remember that time with pleasure...Hey, aren't you glad I am not close to shop with you?...I have amazing justification genes...

I wanted to comment earlier, but since I have been known to buy for my fantasy lifestyle, I felt I had nothing offer you. I very much like Janet's comment.

Mellllls

those are gorgeous and if you can afford them and have been coveting them for a year then i think they are worth it even if the cow ends of being high.

Minnie

Active Member

Thank you all for your replies
Many good points to consider.
I guess I'll have to wait until I actually receive them and see if they make my heart sing or not. If they do, I will keep them.
It's only money after all and life's too short to always be sensible.

gryffin

Minnie - I bought the rockstuds too in matte all black. I must confess I'm a boot/bootie girl. I don't really like shoes especially dress shoes. I love these. Truly, madly deeply. I plan on keeping them forever and I don't care who wears them or if they are in or out of style. You'll know in your heart if this is that kind of purchase for you as soon as you put them on. Not sure what to wish for you except to say no regrets, none.

Deborah

I don't think that everything in our wardrobes has to be worn all the time. I have a beautiful pair of patent red pumps that might get worn once or twice a year and they are worth it. Quality is exquisite, design classic. I love the Rockstuds and if they fit and are comfortable and you love them, they are worth having.

frannieb

My theory if bills are paid, food on the table and doesn't put you in debt then splurging on yourself is great plus you are going in eyes wide open knowing it is a splurge with limited wear. Enjoy.

I like the advice posted here. I buy wildly inappropriate things on occasion and I don't recall ever having regretted it. I am so "sensible" and "responsible" most of the time that those instances make me all the happier.

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