classic black pumps

Carolyn

At 50+, one needs a lovely black funeral suit. After realizing the Albert Nipon I had is 10 years old, I recently bought a new Dana Buchman on sale and now need some classic black pumps. To find a pair of closed toe, 3.5", maybe patent, and not too expensive--is a tall order. Any suggestions?

18 years ago

Shopping

7 replies

Latest reply was from Inge

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Have you tried looking on http://www.zappos.com?

18 years ago

Carolyn

(website)

Active Member

yes, I was bypassing Zappos since I live in Dallas and would like to try on something. I wondered if anyone swears by a certain maker/designer for comfort, couture look,price in an elegant black pump. So many are trendy, uncomfortable, open toe, strange heel, etc. But zappos is wonderful- I always read the reviews.

18 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

I have luck with Steve Madden. But footwear is such a personal issue. You just need to bite the bullet, go to a department store with a great shoe department, or to a shoe store that sells lots of brands and try them on til you find ones you love. In the Northeast, we have a few shoe stores that sell thousands of different shoes by hundreds of different companies. DSW and Famous Footwear are the ones we have here--not sure if they are nationwide though.

18 years ago

Kari Coach H.G.

Active Member

As far as funerals are concern, great comfort always goes before great style. I'm afraid it's difficult to recommend a particular brand as they often do fit different. I would suggest trying different brand at shoes shops and get the one that really fit rather than shopping on web. Having attended good number of funerals in recently years (including my own husband's this past August - 5 weeks after I turned 51!), I would suggest a few things to watch out for regarding funeral footware.This is especially valid for the griefing widows:

- Get all leather pumps to ficilate breathing
- Avoid pointy front to give toes a break
- Perfer not to wear hose and get low cut pumps at summer funerals
- Always break shoes in brfore the service
- Avoid anything higher than 3 inches
- Regular leather is better than patent (they are usually softer and break in faster)
- Do bring along foam insoles and band-aid to relief scratching and pressure on soles
- Get professional massage before and after the wake/funeral
- Treating the feet is more important than treating the shoes
- Take every opportunity to sit down during services
- Always bring along a second pair for reserve

Unfornately, my most comfortable pumps splitted open at the vamp on the evening of my husband's wake. I was driving around downtown Phoenix at 10.30p.m. looking for shoes store thar were still opened. I ended up wearing a pair of new and un-brookin pumps at my husband's funeral - at 107 degree!

Hope that my experience would help relief the pain of others during difficult times!

16 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I find the Ecco brand to be very comfortable - but naturally, it's all going to depend on what your feet are like and if you have wide or narrow feet, high arches or not etc.

In the meantime, here's a few examples of some that might work:

The Ecco Hanna - not a classic pump, but they're conservative enough looking and I am pretty sure they'd be very comfortable:

http://www.zappos.com/ecco-han.....cau-patent

(note: that one is available in black leather, the link keeps pointing to a purple-y patent, but there is plain black too).

Ecco Gisborne - again, available in black, but the link insists on linking to plum..

http://www.zappos.com/ecco-gis.....?zlfid=111

Meanwhile, I have heard good things about the Cole Haan shoes, here's a pair that might fit the bill, rave reviews on Zappos:

http://www.zappos.com/cole-haa.....?zlfid=111

There's quite a few options for Ecco - Another one that might work is the Gamboola style, but on Zappos, it shows only cognac - there is black available too.

Hmm...those Cole Haan ones look *really* good though.

Don't forget - Zappos has free shipping both ways - so the return is free too if something doesn't fit. I haven't done it yet myself, because I have a hard time finding shoes that fit me well, but I'm likely to order from Zappos myself soon. You get to try stuff on at home, don't have to go anywhere - ask anyone to get your size or what have you. Could be kind of nice

16 years ago

fathenry

Veteran

If you can afford it, I would go straight to Nordstrom and try on several pairs. This is a classic item that is worth investing in a comfortable, stylish pair that you will really be able to go for all kinds of events.

16 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Hi Carolyn

I agree with the other lasses, taste in shoes is very subjective and what's comfy for one person isn't necessarily so for someone else. So trying lots of shoes on is the only way to find the perfect pair for you-(

You have received excellent suggestions already. If you have a Nordstrom near you, perhaps you could have a look there, I see quite a few classic looking pumps on their website.
Good luck and keep us posted?

Edit: I just saw that Carolyn posted this last year.

Karion: I am so sorry to hear about your husband, this must have been devastatingly difficult (it probably still is) - and then the shoe trouble at the evening of the wake-(((( Thank you for sharing these useful tips with us!!

16 years ago

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