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K/R these shoes?

CarolS

Veteran

Some of you may have heard me moan about the challenges of finding shoes — dressier shoes in particular - for my fussy feet.

I tried these on a whim today and to my surprise they actually don’t feel too bad. Not shoes I could walk far in, but I think I could wear them out to dinner or possibly even for a day in the office if that ever actually happens!

I like this colour, the strap detail, and the detailing on the back but I can’t help wishing they were more neutral.

(Given that these were a Marshall’s find I don’t expect to find any colour alternatives so it’s these or nothing. )

I honestly don’t know for sure yet what I would wear these with. (Hence wishing they were a nice pewter or bronze or even black) but even if they don’t go with everything, I think I could find ways to work with the colour.

I know these aren’t the edgiest or most modern shoes out there, but tell me honestly — are they dowdy? Dated? could they ‘pass’ with a skirt or dressy pant?

I still have to decide about fit, but, from a style perspective are they keepers or should I toss ‘‘em back?

Thanks for looking!

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38 replies

Latest reply was from CarolS

Kathie

Veteran

They are super cute! To my eye, they don’t look formal dressy, but would still be fun for dinner out, etc. That said, given all your hesitations, I’d style them before making a final decision to ensure that the color works with at least a few outfits.

Star

Veteran

More funky than dowdy to me. I like them.

slim cat

Veteran

They look interesting and the color is fun - just need a bit of playing with other accessories ( bracelet, ring, scarf maybe to echo the colors..).
They remind me Rieker' brand shoes - my mom favorites some time ago.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Wow, that close-up with the colors/pattern!!
Still, I’m not so sure they’re keepers. If you’re going to have to make them work, make it now instead of after a few months languishing in the closet.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like them. The asymmetrical strap and perforation makes them interesting.

You could use shoe polish to nudge them in another colour direction. These could probably be made into a rose gold with some metallic polish. Not advocating that as a first resort but it’s something to keep in mind if you decide to keep them but can’t make the colour work for you.

Anonymous

I like the print on the back! Wouldn't call them "out to dinner" dressy, but good for everyday shoes. Do you have a bag of the same brown?

kkards

Veteran

The shape is interesting and unique in way that makes them something that i can see working casually but also really well with smart casual outfits. I think the overall color is a great neutral. But if I’m honest, the red/white/blue at the back is throwing me. If the back was the same brown as the rest of the shoe, i think they are an easy yes. But that back, for me at least, limits the palette I’d wear these with. Of course YMMV

Mirjana

Veteran

Beautiful shoes, very interesting, love them.

missvee

Veteran

I think they’re really flattering on your feet, and not dowdy at all, but unless they work with your wardrobe take them back and keep an eye out for the brand elsewhere.

Irina

Veteran

I like everything about these shoes but the back part. Maybe the back part will make it easier to wear them with denim, it will also limit other color choices. So, I’m with kkards on them.

Chris987

Veteran

I think the style is very attractive. However I've kept things from Marshall's/TJMaxx all too often that "didn't quite go with anything but were cute/nice and inexpensive" and I'm trying very hard to stop doing that. Be very circumspect about what they go with NOW, and how willing you are to buy other items to go with them. I also think that print back section will limit what they go with, and could be something you tire of fairly quickly unless you wear that sort of funky style already. OTOH could be a fun addition ...

"I honestly don’t know for sure yet what I would wear these with. (Hence wishing they were a nice pewter or bronze or even black) but even if they don’t go with everything, I think I could find ways to work with the colour."

Maybe you could consider them a good lesson in what color and shape you REALLY want, return them, and keep looking . Decisions, decisions ...

BTW, what brand are they?

LJP

Veteran

Interesting, but the back part doesn't make sense to my eye. Also - not having them work right into your wardrobe is a red flag. Because of you, I made my first foray into a Marshalls yesterday - the Kenaston South one. I found my husband some things, but couldn't deal with the women's department . It was a bigger store than I expected!

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks for the excellent food for thought, everyone!

Kathie -- I agree, not formal dressy, but with my casual lifestyle and in my small, casual city, I don't need much that's formal. (Would like ONE that passes, but that hunt continues.) I have a few summer tops with berry shades in them, so I could put together outfits with these shoes, a floral top and navy or espresso brown linen pants (the ones I am wearing with them in the photos). I'd like to be able to extend the shoe's potential use into fall, but I literally don't have a fall wardrobe right now. I have my sights on adding burgundy, which would work.

Star - thanks for the funky! I can work with that!

slim cat -- They reminded me a bit of Reikers too. I aspire to the Franco Sartos or Sam Edelmans of the world, but so far they don't seem to work for my feet and there aren't many options in my market. Comfort brands are my only friends, it seems. I figure maybe worst case the colour kind of bookends my burgundy-ish red glasses...

Stag -- the pattern isn't so bright or obvious IRL, but I thought it added a touch of whimsy, in keeping with my goal of playfulness. I can afford to let them sit for a few weeks as I have a pretty long return window. If I find something better in the meantime I can return them, but if not, a bird in the hand is sometimes better than no bird at all...

Brooklyn -- of course you would see the possibility for change --thanks!! I wondered if a slight tweak might be possible.

Suntiger -- lol -- in my world they count as "out to dinner" dressy and definitely not comfortable enough to be an everyday shoe -- but I get the gist of what you mean as not a particularly formal shoe. Any kind of refined shoe seems to be my ultimate HEWI in recent years, thus the temptation to try to make these work. I don't have a matching bag, but I think burgundy would work with them, and since I have a pair of burgundy oxfords, it might make sense to add a burgundy bag.

kkards and Irina -- The back is not as bright IRL as it appears in the photo. I almost didn't notice it at first. I guess the question of whether it enhances or detracts is one of the things I'll have to work out. I guess the reality is that these aren't likely to be a "goes with everything" shoe, but might go with enough things to make it worthwhile to keep them around.

Thanks, Mirjana! So kind.

Missvee -- because shoes are harder for me to find than clothing, it almost makes sense for me to work the other way sometimes. Find a shoe that works and build around it...

Chris - I hear ya loud and clear -- I've been guilty on that front myself! They are an Australian brand called Lorella. I have never seen or heard of them before -- it just seems to be one of those anomalies that crops up at Marshall's from time to time. From what I see online, the brand is maybe similar to Reiker. There was one other style in this brand on the shelf in a more versatile bronze/brown, but they didn't fit my toes properly and looked dowdy on my foot by comparison to these.

Because they do work with some of my summer items, I am tempted to hang on to them for a little while at least, to see what pieces I find for fall. I hope to add some burgundy, and I think that would be enough to extend the usefulness of these shoes.

In the meantime, finding one pair that doesn't feel torturous gives me a bit of hope that there might be more out there, so I'll keep trying to see if any other options present themselves.

Indigoprint

Veteran

They really do look good on your feet! If shoes are hard for you that is a big plus in the "figure out how to work with them" Might be all you need is something for your top half to bookend them.

CarolS

Veteran

LJP -- LOL. Yes, it is a pretty big store. It takes patience and practice to navigate, for sure!

Remember, I don't really HAVE a wardrobe yet. OK, I think I actually do have a summer wardrobe now. Maybe too much of a summer wardrobe. But no fall/winter wardrobe to speak of, and not much of a 'dressy' wardrobe, which is what I suppose I had in mind when I said I didn't know what I would wear them with. Given the rarity of a semi dressy shoe that feels half decent, I'd like to be able to wear in more than one season.

The back pattern is far more subtle IRL than in the close up photo, so I don't think I would find it a major deterrent, but since I've been known to turn a blind eye when I think I am in love I'll give real thought to the feedback about the back pattern.

The box describes the colour as 'berry". I think I'd wear them with burgundy if I had it.

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, Indigoprint. I do like the way they look on my foot, which is what compelled me to bring them home to consider. And you're right, because shoes are probably the biggest challenge, I do have to be somewhat willing to find ways to work with what I find.

rachylou

Veteran

I think they’re cute, including the back, and seem to fit nicely. They’d also do in my town for a meal out and a museum visit. Maybe a few outfit sessions so you have a couple of looks ready to go - so you know for sure there’s a place in your wardrobe?

kellygirl

Veteran

Agreeing that these are funky and cool and wouldn't even worry about the print on the back since I wouldn't see it. They look like a great summer shoe as long as it's a neutral that works for you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like them on you. I was thinking what Brooklyn was thinking, too -- that they could be adapted if the fit is the best you've found.

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, Suz. I’m going to hang in to them for a bit and see what happens. Maybe these are keepers or maybe they are just meant to encourage me not to give up hope!

cat2

Veteran

I think they are cute, and would vote keep, if burgundy is in or likely to end up in your wardrobe.

Sal

Veteran

I like this style - to me it’s interesting and elegant and not trendy nor dated.

I would try and make three outfits with them- if you can, I would be tempted to keep them.

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, Sal and Cat2 -- I think I can do three outfits and my hope is that I'll be able to add a bit more burgundy for fall and winter.

Vildy

Veteran

I think they're great but then I like sinuousness. If people wear a pop of color, why couldn't you wear these as a subtler pop of color?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I love them! They look great on your feet, great with the pants you have on, and if they were mine I would wear any tops which had some of those colours of the back print in including the lovely blue.
I would very happily wear them to my professional work as well as out to dinner. My only hesitation would be the heel, not that high I know, but possibly higher than I prefer.
They do not look dowdy *at all*.

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, Vildy. I could see using them for the pop of colour in an outfit!

Jenni --thank you. The heel is higher than I would prefer, too -- which is why these would be for rather limited "sitting based" occasions more than everyday wear when I have to be on my feet to any extent. I'd love to find something with this sleekness but maybe 1" heel, but that could take a long time to find!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

They look good on your feet and, given you have a long return window, you have some time to play around with some outfits and see if they make you happy. My main problem with shoes is I never know if they are truly comfortable until I put them through their paces - and then they are no longer in new condition and returnable (but resellable thankfully!).

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, Jaime! That is so true! I bought a "comfort pump" from Clarke's a few years ago and don't think I have ever worn them. Not only have I never been terribly excited about the look, my feel start to scream from the moment I put them on. I don't even know what compelled me to buy them!

I'm not expecting comfort from these, exactly. I will settle for a lack of excruciating pain and the ability to stand or walk for short periods. My vanity wants to have a somewhat more refined footwear option that doesnt kill. Even if only on rare occasions. Will play with them and see where I land.

RobinF

Veteran

I think they're cute and look really nice on you! They look neutral to me, are they a brown or more reddish? Sometimes I am surprised at how I can work a shoe into a wardrobe. Maybe you need to do a big try-on.

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