Dressy Heels Wardrobe Edit - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressy Heels Wardrobe Edit

Sal

Veteran

Hi All

I love a dressy heel but sadly get little chance to wear them these days. My other half has a significant birthday soon and we are planning a shindig and I do seize the chances I can. But I also feel I have a few pairs that rarely see the light of day....

This year has been quieter on the social front (we have had a death in the family, a long term hospitalisation, lots of long hours at work, and are at the stage where children's activities and social life are quite dominant).

I pulled out my very wintry clothes this week and went through the spring/summer collection stored in a separate place. It is not summer clothing weather yet but I needed to get an idea of what I had, what fitted and maybe some essentials that I was missing. But that is a separate post.

I decided to pull out my dressy heels and see if any were:

1) Dated or worn past redemption
2) Uncomfortable

My photography is less than stellar and I jumbled a few things up. But here goes.

I have seven pairs:

1) Black Hispanita Peep toes. Purchased about 2012. Lightly worn. Comfortable. Purchased at the end of the peep toe trend I think - classic or dated?

2) Black pointy toe pumps. Purchased 2000 (I know). Have had good wear and I am very fond of them. Still lots of wear left. A little pinchy but good with stockings for sitting occasions. Retro or dated?

3) Black Ankle Strap sandals - purchased end of 2015. Comfortable. I think these are still modern?

4) Green tango sandals - purchased end of 2014 in Argentina. Very fond of these and very comfortable. I think these are a classic?

5) Cobalt heels - purchased 2010 for a significant birthday of mine. Comfortable but not as good as some others (on last pic) Classic or dated?

6) Beige heeled sandals - purchased in the UK in 2010, 5 pounds thrifted. Very comfortable and very useful. I think these are classic?

7) Cream lower heel wedges - purchased end of 2016, worn a lot last summer and still good wear in them (these are not shown in pic 1) A modern classic?

I have room to store them all and do not plan to add to this collection. My greater need is for flatter work shoes and casual footwear.

I do not mind if the shoes are retro, classic or modern, but let me know if you think any are no longer suitable.

Thanks in advance
Sally

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Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

The Cat

Veteran

I think they all look elegant and suitable. What a great collection!

donnat

Veteran

You know they all seem pretty classic, you aren't using them as statement pieces. I think they are all great for the amount you wear them. Nice collection.

Anonymous

I think 2's heel is a bit dated and I think the black peep toes are not flattering enough. So I might replace both of those with an updated black pump or sling back.

The remaining shoes look great to me. My favourites are the green ones and the cream ones.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I am going to go with Smittie on no 2. I think the heel looks a little dated. And the look from the front is not as flattering as the others. I would give them priority for updating.

I don't think that peep toes are out but I think the ones you see around at present generally have a higher vamp at the front than yours (no 1). Still, I think yours are classic and perfectly wearable.

The others look lovely to me. I am going with no 3 (black), 5 (blue) and 7 (cream) as my faves.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks The Cat. I can keep a dressy heel a long time - as they are not work shoes for me.

DonnaT- thanks. Probably only the green are a a bit of a statement. I can't really justify new ones given the amount of wear.

Smittie - thanks. The green sandals are my favourite - actually all the sandals. I agree the peeptoes are the least flattering - and that is why they languish a bit given they can be day wear. I bought them when platform heels were everywhere (pumps and peeptoes) and I was do delighted to find a conventional classy pair. But I have not worn them enough - will I ever do so I guess is the question? I wondered about the heel on the stiletto - I know it is not "current" but is it retro? I don't know so I appreciate your comments.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I should add, re no 2, that I have a slight poison eye for very pointy shoes. But I know that they are greatly loved on the forum. So that could be just me!

Sara L.

Veteran

I agree with Brooklyn and Smittie that #2, the black pointy toe heels, are a bit dated. I'm not sure the peeptoes are dated but I don't think they're particularly current either. I recently purged all the peeptoes from my closet, mostly because I didn't find them comfortable anymore. I like all the rest.

Anonymous

I am not an expert, but I would say that the shoe would have to have a rounder toe to be retro.

Yes I remember the platform peep toe phase and I have a pair of platform peep toes from that era because that's all I could find!

Anonymous

Ha - I just put a pair of platform peeptoes in the donation bag tonight. Mostly because I simply could not manage that high a heel anymore.
I'm gonna be the spanner here, because I quite like no. 2. I like the heel shape and that little strap is a lovely touch. But I am not one to trust at all regarding what is dated!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Brooklyn. I could replace the peeptoes and the pointy heel pair with a new pair of black pumps.....in other years I have occasions where a closed toe heel is useful - just not this year!!

Thanks Smittie, I don't want to accept 2 is dated because I have a great fondness for them, but given that they are not comfortable maybe it is time to hand them on....

Peeptoe purging time!! They were quite a thing weren't they for a few years. Thanks Sara and Ryce.

rachylou

Veteran

Yes, I agree the peep toes are the odd man out...

skylurker

Veteran

I love the peep toes. Actually, I like them all, style wise.
#2 look worn out to me : the toe box is really creased.
The last cobalt shoes don't fit your feet very well - toe box longer than your toes, unsupportive arch, heel larger than your heels.

Mary More

(website)

Nice collection.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Isabelle said. Like all the peep-ties. Fab Retro flavour. Pass on the 18 year old pumps.

minimalist

Veteran

Along the lines of Angie's style-refresher essentials (hair, specs, undergarments, and so on), I've found that updating my pedicure type, style, and polish (if any) color at lifestyle junctures has given me a clearer eye for footwear editing, even when the pair in question is not open toe.

I've lived in an area where obvious toenail polish would have read as frivolous, so I'm certainly not pushing color.

minimalist

Veteran

For avoiding toe-box creases in future pumps: I like to buy form-retainers (they have various names) for shoes before I've ever worn them. The trees, or whatever they're called for pumps, go in immediately when feet come out, while leather is still warm. Regular conditioning also helps.

Anonymous

I guess I'm the oddball with shoes here. I can't bring myself to wear shoes that have been around for a long time. Even if certain styles come back into fashion , they still look different the second time around . I like a pointy toe too, and thought that I'd wear mine again this year, but I ended up giving them all away. There's something about older shoes that just doesn't say "current" - and I know that's a bit of a play on words.

Muffin

Veteran

They really are a lovely collection but yes some might need to be passed on. Do you have a picture of a time when you were wearing the ones that you are particularly fond of? What you are wearing in the photos may also give a clue as to whether they are dated or not.

I know styles shift, but is there a formula for figuring out when something is passé? I read somewhere that men's suits change about every 10 years but women's clothes move at a rocket speed! As I am approaching middle age (whatever that is!) I am thinking about how to keep current and maybe shoes are the best way to do this.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi Sally, I guess it's predictable that I like them all! Being a shoe lady. My faves are probably the bright coloured ones green and cobalt. I do think the oldest ones look a bit out of date. But I have recently decided to keep my 1996 lace up booties so the fact they're slightly dated won't matter will it, since you love them and they make you happy? I would keep them this round. If you get rid of any it could be the peep toes which you seem not to like as much, even though Angie approves of those! If you still don't wear the ones you like after another 2-3 years, by which time they will be 20 years old, you could reconsider. But then I have bought 3 pair vintage shoes in the past 3 years, one of which is likely 80s which is only 30 years ago. If we can wear vintage shoes happily then what matter if they've been in your own wardrobe all that time?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

You could keep them for the odd time you might be deliberately referencing the past in your outfit?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I would probably get rid of the black peep toe and the oldest black ones myself. Partly due to age/ style; partly due to my own intermittent poison eye for peep toes, mainly because they hurt my own feet so much I find it difficult to believe they don't hurt others! (However, since you find them comfy, feel free to ignore!) But another reason I might get rid of them is that with your light hair, I suspect it is easier to work lighter and brighter footwear into summer outfits, although I also see a need for at least one dark pair (for when you are wearing a dark outfit).

I am with LisaP in my tendency to use footwear to update outfits more than the other way around. Plus, I walk so much that even my dressiest shoes show considerable wear and tear after a few years, assuming I wear them at all. As a result, I rarely keep shoes around -- especially summer shoes -- for more than four years. I don't think that's a rule anybody else needs to follow; again, I'm partly going on the fact that my shoes get genuinely worn and tired looking by that point. In fact, my daytime sandals are typically worn out after a single year. I typically burn through at least one pair of booties each fall/winter, too.

jill58

Veteran

I too agree with Lisa p. Most shoes really don't age well.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

#1 and 2 are my least favorite, but I don't think any of them are desperately unstylish. You have to take my opinion with a grain of salt, though, as my one pair of black pumps are at least 9 years old at this point.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all. There have been some interesting comments - which I have enjoyed seeing different perspectives on.

Jenn- thanks, my least favourite are the peeptoe and the cobalt. The peeptoe are the most work appropriate and a very well constructed shoe that I just have not worn enough.

Jill- thanks, I think you mean shoes date quickly - actually in my opinion none of these shoes are worn out, but possibly the first two are dated.

Suz - thanks. These are my sum total of dressy heels for summer and winter. I do a lot of walking but always in flat shoes or lower heels than these so these (for me) are evening or occasion shoes, or maybe the odd work day where I have a lot of meetings. Which is why they have lasted so long I guess. I do like to update shoes for daily use but occasion shoes are harder because they just do not get enough wear I guess.

Jenni - I am very fond of the black pointy heels and they do make me happy.

Muffin - thanks again. I don't have a lot of pictures of 1 or 2 - but I probably do need to think about whether I am clinging to the past.

Lisa - I know what you mean - but I also don't quite agree. But I have more of a retro classic than an edgy style.

Minimalist - thanks for the idea re the toe box. I do paint nails in summer but we are the first week of spring here so I am constantly in covered shoes and rest my nails usually over winter.

Thanks Angie - I appreciate the feedback.

Thanks Mary and Rachy.

Skylurker - the toe box is not creased in reality - it is the shape of the shoe, they have a bend in them (which could be why they are dated). The blue ones are a pretty good fit in reality.

I do have a plan now. Both black pairs will be put in a holding zone. I will keep an eye open for a closed toe pair of black heels, maybe a little lower heeled than these that would work for evening and the odd work days. They need to be black to work in winter - because in summer the sandals all work well. I can pull these out if I need some in the short-medium term.

And it keeps coming to mind that if we want to really wear our clothes to over 30 wears and get some longevity from them should we keep wearing things that are slightly dated.... How can we do this in a "cool"way or is that too hard? That was not what I was asking here but maybe what I keep thinking with respect to fashion at the moment - it is a balancing act.....

So food for thought for me.

Liz A.

Veteran

I personally would let 1, 2 and 6 go. They look very dated to me.

As for the 30 wears issue, I feel like there may be a time limit on that, or there should be? Like perhaps if the 30 wears don't happen in 3 years, it's ok to move on? Oh, and I don't think 30 wears is applicable to dressy items either.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

The 30 wears has helped me not to buy stuff that is wrong for me, I think. I did make a mistake on the high shaft boots as I haven't worn them, but with my sister's birthday voucher they didn't cost me much personally and I believe I will still wear them to dinner once our best mates get back from their big trip overseas. I think some things may need to get slightly less trendy if we wear them that much. But obviously it also depends on how much we have... Jenn's thread suggests boredom could become an issue and I have faced that a little already with buying less, still 11 items since 1 January and would usually be maybe double that. I'm still sticking to it at present.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Liz. I did put it out there so I have to take it when people say my favourites are very dated!! We all have our sugar and poison eyes.

I agree - most of my dressy items are not at 30 wears but I feel like I should be aiming to get closer to this.

Thanks Jenni - we all make these choices - it is hard to know sometimes.

Possibly irrationally I am okay with quickly passing on mistakes but when I genuinely like an item I struggle a lot more, even if it is dated.