Look at enough sandals and you'll see... - YouLookFab Forum

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Look at enough sandals and you'll see...

AM

Veteran

Look at enough sandals and you'll see similar styles at vastly different price points. You guys are the pros but what is your reaction when you see this?

Vince $395 vs. Lord and Taylor Brand $129 (currently on sale for $82.49)
Derek Lam $225 vs. Blowfish $49

And, I think I need an intervention. I'm obsessed with finding the perfect sandal collection for my incredibly casual lifestyle (flats, more height, wedge, block, etc.).

Vince 'Addie' Sandal

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424 FIFTH Christal Leather Open-Toe Ankle Boots

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Pell Knotted Flat Sandal, Black

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Blowfish Gianna

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15 replies

Latest reply was from Adelfa

Anonymous

Very interesting. Sandals rarely last more than one season for me no matter what the price. There may be a difference in comfort though, soft vs stiff, etc.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm not at all phased by different price points. It's part and parcel of the retail industry. And a higher price point does NOT guarentee you foot comfort unfortunately. I wish it was that simple.

I judge each shoe by its comfort level most of all - and the quality because I am quite hard on my shoes because I walk a lot. And of course I have to like the look of the shoe too. The price point becomes incidental. If I can afford the shoe that ticks off all the boxes - I go for it. But I'm not a shoe gal. I MUCH prefer bags.

AM

Veteran

Joy: I usually kill my shoes because in more recent years I only buy a few and therefore don't have much of a rotation. But interesting to know that yours only last a season regardless of price.

Angie: It makes sense that this is part and parcel of the retail industry. And something that I am only more recently struck by since I am making much more intentional purchases (and doing lots of research).

I like hearing about the boxes that your shoes need to tick. Regarding your comment..."And of course I have to like the look of the shoe too." Does this mean that you don't have to LOVE them?

And I'm definitely a shoe gal. I need a big bag ALWAYS. Okay, I lied. I need to invest in a small evening (casual dinners out) bag. Started to look but not high on my priority list right now. Again, thanks for chiming in on this observation. Very helpful to hear your perspective.

carter

Veteran

Well, my shoes are so ridiculously boring compared to these, I'll leave the shoe wisdom to others. I am a handbag girl all the way. You said you need a small evening bag for casual dinners out. Me too! Why is this so hard to find? It seems I've been looking forever. I much prefer something with a strap over a clutch so I have something to hang on the hook under the bar. (Not that we go to "bars", but we often eat dinner at the bar.) My big bags leave no room for my knees, and clutches would either end up on the floor, the bar top or in my lap. If you find something, let me know:-)

AM

Veteran

Carter: You have described my needs for a small casual evening bag precisely. Mine will also be hanging from a hook beneath a bar. Too funny. And I will definitely keep you posted. Perhaps I should shift gears from my sandal collection to this bag search.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

It's true, there are a lot of similar looking styles at different prices. Like Angie, I put comfort at the top of my priority list. And it has to be a style I like, and then I do have my limits on price, not a fixed number but more of a gut feeling about how much I think the shoes are worth to me.

AM

Veteran

Firecracker: I totally agree about having a gut feeling on price. I don't have a set amount either but there is something inside me that has to feel good about it. And then there is the sale item score. And that really makes my heart sing.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

No. Like meant love. I was merely being understated.

jackiec

Veteran

Agree with Firecracker. But yes, it can make your head swirl!

AM

Veteran

Angie: Glad you meant LOVE. Makes much more sense.

jackiec: I'm definitely having a case of the head swirls with shopping for sandals. I am a shoe gal and this means lots of research. I'm loving your new pair!

always trying

Veteran

As Angie said price point is o gurantee of comfort, And I am finding it no gurantee of quality either. Two of my most comfy heels are what some of you on here would never consider as they were less than $50.00. My evening heels are from Payless and the most comfy dress sandals I have ever tried. My other heels from amazon are super comfy and saw the exact same shoes on 6 pm for about $20.00 more. My White Mountain sandals that look a really lot like Birks fit my feet much better, and the toe post is so soft I do not know it is there-AND they were less than half the cost of the Birks.

There does seem to be a big difference in quality, comfort , etc. in things like athletic shoes, hiking boots etc. and I pay much more for them. they last a while and get hard use,, so paying more for them is wise.

I find shoes at Target mostly not anything I would buy at all but I have only tried some o there a few times.

Nannabella

I'm swooning over those Derek Lam sandals. They're really gorgeous. I sense a big case of the justifications coming on over here.

Keturah

Veteran

Look at enough sandals and you'll see...

Plum lipstick.

No? Okay, just kidding

I have to be honest... my most comfortable sandals, my most loved sandals, my most worn and walked in sandals have been bought at low price points. In fact, as I write my reply, I'm wearing this pair of wedge gladiator sandals I picked up at K-Mart for $10 clearance 5 years ago. Yes, really. Every time I go to toss them, I find myself clinging to them. (They're worn, but I take a black sharpie to the worn spots.) They're not even superior shoe construction. They're just comfie and cute, and I don't think anyone is asking me if I bought them at K-Mart.

My other pair of sandals I purchased three years ago were $40 from Macy's. I wore them until they literally wore out and I had to toss them in the garbage. And last year's pair I acquired from Target. I actually get tons of compliments on them. So I've pulled out Super Glue to repair the strap that finally wore out and came loose.

SO... my feeling is go cheap. They're sandals. I would rather buy a new fun pair every year or two, and use some Super Glue and Sharpies to keep them alive another season. I have never found an expensive pair of shoes I wanted to keep and wear more than a couple years.

Of course, I also grew up wearing jelly sandals as a kid. So, take my thoughts with a grain of beach sand.

AM

Veteran

always trying: Very interesting. That makes me very hopeful with some of my lower priced shoes this season. Thank you for chiming in.

Nannabella: Derek Lams are pretty hot...

Keturah: It is always about plum lipstick. And back to shoes...another vote of confidence on comfort being achieved at lower price points. So interesting. And great news. Budget planning is always an interest to me especially when I have a year of major refreshing. And that would be this year. Thanks for the comments.

Adelfa

Veteran

Hi AM, this Spring I've bought, for my mostly smart casual lifestyle, the shoes you mention: block heeled sandals, wedge/espadrille sandals, t-strap flats, high heeled sandals.... I think I'm a shoe girl.