K/P summer sandals - YouLookFab Forum

I am planning ahead for spring and summer. I have a small budget this season due to house renovation and a holiday to Chile. Good shoes are expensive in NZ too. So I will add one pair to my collection.

First pair, only for functions, and not very comfortable due to rigid wooden soles. Love the soft leather and the colour though. Look ok with flares and boyfriends. Tempted to purge. Will not replace as have two casual heeled sandals and a couple of evening pairs too.

Second pair, super comfortable and versatile and wonderful for walking but old and worn. Tempted to keep to wear in Chile and for casual sports days. If I purge will need replacement to fill same gap. If I keep I think I will add White Madrid Birkenstocks as my summer addition.

Any thoughts?

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10 years ago

Sharon

Veteran

1. Not comfortable, limited use, have other shoes that fill the same role: sounds like "three strikes and you're out" to me!
2.I think keep and wear in Chile, but keep an eye out for a replacement in the meantime, because if they are wearing out the decision will be made for you eventually.

JamC

I agree with Sharon's points!

krishnidoux

What Sharon said.
For the second pair: try to find an ultra comfy classic style now, before your trip, to replace these useful but old and worn sandals. Be sure you get to wear the new pair a couple of times to test drive them before you ditch the old ones, just in case.

Liz

More, "What Sharon said." I've been trying all summer to find a replacement for my comfy sandals that are wearing out, and haven't found it yet. Definitely keep them to wear to Chile.

Sal

Thanks, the coral ones are going!

I agree sometimes finding basics replacements is tricky. I was hoping these ones would work for the holiday, and with the addition of some Birkenstocks I would be covered for walking. I also have my eye on some sandal boots as below but these are not holiday walking shoes!

But finances are tight so I have to plan carefully.

Thanks for the input.

Zappos

Steve Madden Nonstp

$99.95

View Info

Top Pick

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Glad you're sorted. xo

Joy

I love the sandal boots but the heel height doesn't look like they would be more than 4 hour shoes.

Windchime

It sounds like you have several valid reasons to purge the coral sandals. They ARE a great color, though!

Will you have walking shoes in addition to sandals for your upcoming trip? If your feet are at all fussy, you'll probably want to have more than one pair of footwear which is comfy for walking.

I was thinking
- tan sandals
- blue nike sneakers (gear but nice)
- Poss birkenstocks (new, yet to be purchased)
- either jewelled thongs OR cork wedges OR new sandal boots - for any meals out or low walking days-
- havainas for beach/showers etc..

I may have to eliminate one pair but will decide closer to the time. I like shoe variety and will compromise on other items for this both due to vanity and foot health. We are staying with family and travelling with children so it will be an active casual holiday, not a business trip or luxury lodge trip. I doubt I will be doing a lot of shopping there but I would be prepared to throw the sandals out for the return leg home.

My sandals are Dansko and something similar will cost upwards of $200 here. The Steve Madden Ankle sandals are $120. New Birks are $145.00....While we can buy online from Amazon etc if you spend over $400 we get hit with duty, and returns are problematic. Some people try on in the store and then order online from the US once they know what fits...but I can't bring myself to do that. It just seems wrong to be using the store in that way.

Gigi

Kiwigal, I am the same way about trying stuff on in-store. It costs money to have the space to display everything, and it's only just to pay more to the retailer to recompense them for the square footage, utility cost, sales associate time, etc.

I like the idea of taking along a couple of pairs of sandals and then tossing the old ones before the return trip. That way, you still have them available to you if you should by chance need them, but once you are confident that your new ones are doing the trick, you can toss them.

Suz

I sympathize about the duties. We face similar problems in Canada. And I also understand your reservations about trying on in store and ordering online -- doesn't seem fair, exactly. Although I also understand why someone might ignore that niggling feeling!

I wonder what the price of footwear in Chile might be? Or the selection?

Here, here, symptahize too with duties and in-store shopping! But retail IS changing. Right now big brands are actually trying to ENCOURAGE customers to come for the "experience" rather than some utilitarian need to actually get something (Think Lululemon, Apple stores, etc). So as lots of brick and mortar stores are still caught in this massive transition, I don't think a customer should feel bad about trying something in the store and ordering it from the internet, if it makes more sense money-wise for them. It is bad business from the brick and mortar store not to take this eventuality in consideration, and not to adapt and even use it to their advantage.

There is of course also the old mom and pop's store, and those, I think, will survive this change, although maybe in niche markets: as they pre-select items with considerations in mind, for example, health, comfort or catering to a precise segment of the population. They not only sell the product, but also convenience, which almost eliminates the need to go online and shop for yourself, since the whole point of buying at their store is to save time.

Yes retail is changing...we do have lots of fun stores that make shopping a pleasure. I do buy online, and don't have a problem doing so but try to do so sparingly from international retailers. I would even try on in a store and order online from the same retailer in NZ. It is more trying on some Birkenstocks in a retailer here and then ordering from a US site that I am uncomfortable with. In my case I consider I either pay the premium for the NZ store or do without, it is not as though these are truly essential items.

I hope this is not too preachy, I just know it is hard times for some retailers here due to online shopping and I worry about what happens in the future! I am not even sure my logic is correct!!

Same here in Canada! But people are doing it anyway... because money is tighter, and because the opportunity is there. But don't you, like us, get slammed with huge custom taxes and impossibility to return when ordering from the US?

Have not returned to the US. We get duties and tax on imports though if over $400. It is interesting to see how shopping is evolving:)

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