Classy Feet - YouLookFab Forum

Since I'm no longer working in a university setting 3 times a week, I have less need than ever to "dress up." At first glance, my "dressy shoes and boots" capsule seems covered:
Red suede Munro bootie (2 seasons old, but I love them)
Black heeled booties, suede and leather (on their last season)
Cage Sandals: Black and Nude
Pumps:
Black kitten heels (near the end of their life, pictured)
Tortoiseshell block heeled pumps (pictured)

The cage sandals are great, but won't be worn until May again. The booties are in passable shape for now. Still, there are times when booties with dress clothing might not be the best choice -- particularly for singing performances (my concert heels had to be retired) or for job interviews and funerals/weddings.

I've collected the following in my Finds. Which can you see in my closet for wearing with skirts/dresses, particularly (or for dressing up pants)? I love the champagne pair, but I wonder if starting with classic black, so I can retire my kitten heels, might be best. I have pencil skirts and a couple of knife pleated skirts -- one in faux leather, one in a chiffon.

I've had all of these on my feet, and they all meet my stringent comfort requriements. Since I won't wear these often, I'm trying to stay on a budget -- less than $100 per pair, for sure. The wedges look and feel fabulous, the D'orsay pump is comfy and quite elegant. With DSW online promotion, I might be able to swing two pairs.

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LifeStride Stockard Fabric Pump

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LifeStride Stockard Metallic Pump

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LifeStride Karlyle Pump

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LifeStride Karlyle Pump

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Naturalizer Believe Pump

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CL by Laundry Nima Wedge Pump

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9 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

D'Orsay pump! Comfy? Oh my! I think any classical performer should have a killer pair of comfy black pumps. Adding champagne if you can would be a great idea. That's what I did with the Okalas--black plus "nude" and I use both.

Carole

Love the d'Orsay pumps! 1&2!

abc

Yes, d'orsays for the win.

Liz

Love the d'orsays for looks, but I'm going with the believe pump with the strap for worry-free wear -- unless you're positive that you won't walk out of those pumps going up and down steps onto a stage to perform.

Beth Ann

D'orsays in the lead! I don't think I'd walk out of them -- which is unusual, I know. However, I do have high volume feet. The Believe appeals to my retro side and looks good on my foot, as do the wedges. Most d'orsays are too delicate for me --- and my legs look burly by comparison, and these are just right.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

I like the D'orsays, but I'd go for something more classic, like the black Karlyle. You're not going to wear these a ton and you want them to work for a few years. D'orsay is trendy right now, and it's never going to be inappropriate, but it will look dated eventually.

Anonymous

I like the wedge-heeled pumps; but then again, I have fussy feet and am always thinking of comfort.

Now the discussion gets interesting: Betty C., the wedges are very comfy, and they have a bit of a 40's retro look that suits me.

Laura: True, indeed. The Karlyle is more appropriate, certainly, for "professional" wear, and the blocking of matte and patent tones make it a bit interesting.

All of these shoes are quite comfy -- good fits, good insoles (for dress shoes), and no more than 3 inches in height.

Suz

I like the D'Orsays and I don't think they will date too much. I see the appeal of the wedges, also, but the round toe is a bit less sleek.

Of course I might just be trying to live vicariously. Since I can't imagine a D'Orsay that would stay on my foot, I am wanting to enjoy them through you.

I like the champagne ones and the Mary Jane's. The Mary Jane's are fun, but are still your basic black.
Love those tortoise shell shoes!

Firecracker (Sharan)

I vote black d'Orsay: sleek and elegant. It will go quite dressy but you can wear it in the daytime. I like black because it is so classic and will go with everything you own (won't it? am I right?).

Bijou

I like the champagne shoe and find that a lighter shoe when worn with skirts tends to give a leg lengthening effect. However, the black d'Orsay's look beautiful and would be a good replacement for your black kitten heels, which don't look too worn from the photo - could Angie's marker pen trick help extend their life?

I see there is a lot of love for the D'orsay! I do like the champagne color, but with my coloring, and the black/grey in my fall and winter wardrobe, I think I need to go with black first. I have tortoiseshell to bookend my hair. If I like the black, I can always add the champagne in early spring, if it's still available!

Elle

I don't think you could go wrong with any of the black shoes. I'm drawn to the retro feel of the wedge - very fun shoes. But that's me.

plonkee

Active Member

The d'Orsays are the prettiest. But I would pick the pair with the strap - although they are probably most 'out of date'. If they really ought to be conservative then I'd suggest the black Karlyle would be most appropriate.

Karie

Yes, the D'Orsays are classically beautiful, but I LOVE Mary Jane's, so the Believe shoes get my top vote. They can look classic or retro, which is why I probably love that style so much. I also love the wedge shoe, again because they can look classic or retro.

catgirl

Of course, I'm going to chime in here with a vote for the metallic pewter. I love the color and style. I find the MJ style can be a bit girlish, but I think that for this type of occasion they are fine. And the d'Orsays are beautiful if you can truly walk in them!

Elle, Karie, Plonkee: The wedges and mary jane both play into my retro leanings -- and I do love a suede for winter, and have learned to keep them clean. I admit to not thinking of a strap as a practical element, even though it does help keep the foot stable in the shoe!

Una: The pewter is lovely in real life -- the details on the shoe make it more interesting than the black -- they show up better. I would have to wear this shoe as if it were black --- that's what I'd have to work through in my mind.

OK, a random thought: the d'orsays strike me as an evening shoe, particularly in suede. They'd be perfect for performances, but I'm not sure I'd wear them to a job interview or a funeral. Any chance of buying two pairs?

That's true, Laura. The D'orsays are microfiber in black, and a patent material in the champagne and grey. They do have a bit more of an evening vibe, although they're fairly "ladylike." I might be able to do two pairs at this price. Of course, I haven't even done my bootie post yet......

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