Could I pull off the Dansko Derbys--and how so ?

I am trying these on, the Dansko Louise, and am so amazed at how comfortable they are. That's the big round toe box at work , among other things.
I targeted the beige, of all colors, as a nude and due to perforations, so looking S/S to me, and also- don't faint-- to wear with pencil skirts.
I am always on the lookout for a low- contrast flat or low- heeled shoe for summer with nude hose. This is against all " usual" advice that one must wear heels with pencil skirts. I wear loafers and ballet flats and some oxfords. It is much easier with opaque tights in winter. I would call this part of my " signature style" along with various pants outfits.
I usually go for a more tapered or refined style. But pointy and tapered are getting hard on the feet. (See the other find--just showing as different; I've not tried them, but the almond toe would be sleeker but over time is getting more pinchy.)
I kind of liking a change to this chunky rounded style, but I'm wondering if I can really pull it off, or if it's ironic on youngsters but will turn out Nurse Ratchet, or nursing home, on me? Or only meant for ankle pants or certain dress styles?
I get some very interesting vibes when I try on some pencil skirt outfits-- a bit like wearing sneakers with your work outfit on the subway, or cheerleader, but NOT, and still kind of cheeky-individualistic ( as in a double head- fake-- yes, I'm wearing clunky shoes that are SO comfortable, and didn't you know they're actually in style?) , if that makes sense, BUT I'm wondering if that's a blind side and I'll wear them to work and then go, what was I thinking?

Thoughts? Styling cautions? Abandon caution?

Nordstrom

Dansko 'Louise' Round Toe Derby

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Nordstrom

Blackstone 'HL55' Slip-On Oxford

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7 years ago

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

I will delurk long enough to say that I too purchased some Dansko Louise (mine are gray) and am also a huge fan. SO COMFORTABLE. I have been wearing mine with rolled-cuff boyfriend-fit jeans. (My husband instantly referenced Dexy's Midnight Runners.)

I had not thought to wear them with skirts, but I could see it working in a 1920s-sports-costume kind of way. Or even a 1950s-retro-librarian kind of way. Both looks I am in favor of, though obviously there is an element of costume there which may not appeal to everyone. I would agree that they are more visually weighty than the sort of oxfords usually styled with pencil skirts, and that might add to the styling challenge.

When I went in search of 1920s sport costume inspiration, I found this which I think is quite cute: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pini.....ee92d1.jpg

6PM.com

Dansko Louise

Firecracker (Sharan)

You could be onto something, unfrumped. One way to find out is to give them a try with your skirts and see how they look. Returning can be a pain, but maybe you'll want to keep them!
I have been drawn to the bootie version of this style. I think they could look cool-klunky.
On the other hand, I am reminded of the time in 5th grade that I so admired a classmate's clunky orthopedic-looking oxfords and how she wore them with dresses. And I got a pair and am pretty sure I looked ridiculous in them. I felt so, anyway. Doesn't keep me from trying. . . . he hee.

Dansko 'Lola' Bootie

Another thought: have you considered Doc Martens? I try on some every once in a while, and they always feel pretty awful to me. But on a recent try-on, the salesperson stuck in an insert, and it made a world of difference. The shoes felt good! Still looked too extreme-stompy to me (and why? I do NOT know. I love how they look on others!), but at least they felt comfy. Docs have their own cool factor that differs from that of the Danskos. I have a sewing friend who wears them with pencil skirts and cardigans or pullovers, and she totally rocks the look. Hip librarian.

unfrumped

Thanks for thoughts.
I have them in hand so have just started trying on to see.
For shoes this comfortable, they need to be versatile-- and I haven't figured out ic that's true for me with this particular style. For skirts the skirt can't be as short- though that's also true for me with nude leg compared to dark tights. I haven't tried with pants yet. Usually I am not on the nude shoe wagon for pants because I've been bookending or " closing the gap" .
So... more points to ponder.

April

UF -- not sure of her current style, but our own Marianna used to be the queen of the pencil-skirt-with-flats combination, and always looked divine.

Personally, I like the idea of this sort of shoe with a pencil skirt, since it's less expected and pulls some of the sexy out of the pencil skirt, whereas heels with a pencil are too bombshell for me.

If you're into edgy, the kids, BTW, seem to be wearing pencils with full-on trainers (gearish-looking running shoes that don't pretend to be anything else) and dark hose. Definitely a young, downtown look, but one that my son assures me is quite the thing (Manhattanite art school kid, so consider the source.)

JAileen

I thought if I wore those shoes and a skirt, I would probably look like Eleanor Roosevelt or Miss Trunchbull (from Matilda), or as you say Nurse Ratched. So I wear my oxfords with pants. I hope you are successful and can make them work. Please show us.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES.

GO FOR IT.

NOW.

The Danskos.

Woo hoo! Glad to hear Angie's "yay" vote. I was thinking as I read your response, unfrumped, that you might get a different color to wear with your darker pants if you're not into the contrast of the nude with them, and keep the nude ones, too, for wearing with skirts and lighter pants.

DonnaF

To my eye, that particular style, even with the perforations, looks a little heavy for S/S. But try them and see what you think. I would try the whole spectrum of outfits from relatively masculine/androgynous to as feminine as you go, and then if separates, a combo of the two.

Jenni NZ

I reckon you could look a bit like Miss Fisher in the outfit you're planning- Australian drama series, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Google image some of her amazing outfits! Two I thought you could work it as with those shoes are below.

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