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Casual shoe conundrum.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

My back has been acting up lately. And with the recent purchase of my cut-out buckle boots, I think I've had another revelation. Those boots are a game changer for me. I think I'm over wearing heels for casual wear. I still want to wear them for opera, etc.
Casual wear for me is going out after work, when I'm often on the bus. Going out to dinner can actually be casual in Seattle. I have some dressier flats too.
So I think I'm going to sell most of my casual heels. Some are going to painful to sell like my mixed woven leather LD Tuttles. But if I don't wear them and who needs casual sitting shoes then isn't better to just free up the space in my shoecase?
I think I'll keep my patchwork denim boots because they are so awesome.
But I have real questions about pairs like my Isabel Marant wedge sneakers, I have them in black and gold.
What do you think?

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am all in favor of low heels for casual or anything else. Maybe sell one of the Isabel Marant sneakers at a time? See if you feel like pulling it out for a while? I think they will be hot for some time. I don't know what you consider casual but I absolutely love your loafer collection so you are off to a great start!

FlorenceFearne

I'm sure you'll get a lot of yay-sayers to that here, as it seems like loads of YLF-ers have fussy feet that simply don't tolerate heels well.

I've always wanted to do more casual heels, but I just don't see how people tolerate it full time. I can grit through it, but I spend the entire next day regretting it. Personally, I think sneaker wedges could be worth keeping if they're relatively comfy, but good riddance to the rest. Heels have a pretty negative impact on your body, expecially with frequent wear.

LACeleste

Veteran

Hi Anna,

Not an expert at editing by any means so I can't give you specific help.

Please do not sell anything that will be painful to sell like your LD Tuttles. I know you said you are an emotional shopper. The emotional cull tends to be a bit more permanent, or at least a big pain to re-source if you have seller's regret.

I am extremely pragmatic and all for pain free footwear but IMO the switch over doesn't have to happen overnight. Your need for casual heels may change. Who knows?!?

You know best!

Hope your back feels better.

Carla

Veteran

Had to open an Annagybe post advertising a shoe conundrum! Really? Then I read your post.

I think the holy grail of fashion is a stylish shoe that is also comfortable, and I am on my own quest for a really pointy toe FLAT, now that I have a comfortable pointy toed heel.

Best of luck with consigning of the heeled 'casual' shoes, but I agree with FF and Shevia that you might want to hold back on one set of the wedge sneakers.

E

Veteran

Maybe take them out of your closet for awhile in a holding zone before selling, just to see whether you miss them or not? But if it keeps you pain free, going with lower and flat shoes for casual wear makes perfect sense to me! And I definitely wouldn't keep shoes that I couldn't regularly wear due to pain issues, unless it's a special events pair. Are the wedge sneakers comfortable? If so, it seems like they could stay.

DonnaF

Veteran

I would start with the heels that give your back the most problems. How high ARE your *casual* heels? I'm assuming that the Isabel Marants are in there because they would net you the most $$$? And the LD Tuttles, too? My SIL's back gave out so much today that she couldn't walk at all, but her back surgery isn't scheduled until next Thursday. I think she's about your age. I'm 100% for you protecting your back, but as you can read, I'm a bit conflicted over your wonderful collection which enables me to dress vicariously.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I hear you. Take your time deciding on whether to sell. I have been doing more daily walking lately and my higher casual heels are not getting as much wear, so I understand. But I'm still quite enamoured with some of my high heeled booties and shoes and will keep them for days that do not require as much walking.

Tanya

Veteran

Hmm, this is a tough one, but I totally get where you are coming from. I would keep one pair of the IM wedge sneakers and LD Tuttles too, and sell everything else. You can always sell these later if you find that you ar enot wearing them at all.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Sometimes when things are the most painful to part with, I feel the most relief when they are gone. Because it's over, you know?

MsLuna

Veteran

I personally think comfort is a huge factor in determining one's style. If you're not as comfortable in casual heels, then by all means - go for the lower heeled options! Your lifestyle seems to lend more to casual dressing so it should work out!

Echo

Veteran

While I feel your pain at the prospect of getting rid of some pairs of shoes that are no longer practical for you (I have a knee injury and am faced with a similar predicament), it is sometimes freeing to realize you are at a different place in your life and that your wardrobe needs to reflect it. I just recently purged a lot of very high heels. The number of pairs I had were impractical, since I cannot wear them in everyday life. One cannot pick the kids up from school wearing 5" heels.

But, on the bright side, I have always been on Team Stompy Shoes, and your new cut-out boots demonstrate just how fashionable mostly flat footwear can be. I'd wear those over any pair of heels any day (and probably with any outfit, too!). Regarding those that are hard to get rid of, sometimes they are easier to part with after you wear them. With the pain fresh in your mind, it is a lot easier to let them go.

Neel

Veteran

You nailed it when you said "Casual Sitting Shoes". If you don't wear them it is better to let them go and free some shoe space and mind space! But, I also agree that give the feeling of *wanting flat shoes* some time to sink. You do not want to miss your heeled shoes after you let them go So cull ....... but one pair at a time!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'd hang onto the sneakers and anything that is a comfortable wedge. And maybe the Tuttles just because...at least until the start of spring (if you storage room) when you can re-evaluate.

But, having said that, I am all for low heeled comfort for daily wear and I also think your real life is an active one. You walk to the bus, you walk when you go out, and you love to hike. Obviously you are not wearing fashion shoes to hike in, but you're a person who likes to move. So sitting shoes don't really have much role, except, as you say, for dressy occasions.

rebekahphoto

Veteran

sigh, I wish you could sell them all to me! ha, but realistically I cant tolerate heels right now anyway. anything higher than 2"...so sad. I would say to pick one pair, sell them. little at a time.
The money would be nice for your future (australia?) and you can see if your feet and back are really happier with the lower heels on a more permanent basis. If so, more could go. keeping the best of course for the opera. (By the way, did you see 60 minutes did a fantastic recent episode on the Met Opera! very cool)

Adelfa

Veteran

I gave up heels a while ago. Except not really. It depends on the heel. My Sigerson Morrison booties are almost 3" and I can wear them for hours. Also wedges, including two pairs of sneaker wedges, are fine. Do your IM sneakers hurt your feet or are you just thinking of giving them up on the principle of not having casual heels?

For the shoes you really love I agree with the idea of a holding bin. Put them somewhere else, and then see if you grab them out of storage and wear them after all.

Good luck. I am trying to downsize from 1900 square feet to 700 and it's really really hard.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like this decision.

More yay for the new cut out booties.