Needing Footwear - YouLookFab Forum

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Needing Footwear

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

As you know from my other posts (going on and on and on....) I don't have much footwear other than boots/booties or sandals - from one extreme to the other. So I'm in need of building my shoe wardrobe but need to be smart with my choices (both price wise andselection wise). I would like both colourful (like the Poetic Licence green pumps I just ordered!) but also a pair of neutral/nude pumps for versatility. I know many of you like Miz Mooz (thanks for the shout out Zapotee!) and wondered what you think of this pair for all-around-goes-with-everything kind of shoe?

http://www.amazon.com/Miz-Mooz.....38;sr=8-41

I also have in my wish list these colourful beauties (darn you Jem!).

http://www.amazon.com/Poetic-L.....38;sr=8-14

Any other ideas?

Shopping

28 replies

Latest reply was from Transcona Shannon

rae

(website)

Veteran

Well, my strategy was to get rid of my shoes... o_0

But in seriousness, I think you are on the right track. My shoe wardrobe is currently black, brown, golden/honey tan, white/dalmatian print, red loafers, gray, and sparkly gold pumps. So basically I have bookending shoes and I have statement shoes.

The Miz Mooz you posted would be a good warm color to bookend your tooled leather belt. The colored ones are fun statement pieces. I might also think of a gray or soft purple shoe to bookend your hair and your leather jacket.

Velma

Veteran

Those are fantastic! Which color will you get in the striped ones?

Do you need something like flats or low wedges . . . ballet flats, loafers, mary janes? I couldn't live without shoes in that category, especially this time of year.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I basically go from boots to sandals... other shoes are not very successful in my closet. Now that we can't wear nude hose anymore pumps are basically reserved for the few weeks of transition time between the really cold and really hot seasons. How about a pair of animal shoes? They are fun!

Anonymous

Rita - I still wear nude hose, just patterned. I have a bunch of cute, fun designs : Polka dots, argyle and stripes etc. Jessica Simpson makes a whole array of fun patterned hose. Kate Spade and Hue too!!!

Shannon - I like the Miz Mooz but I'm envisioning a fun, mary jane or oxford type of pump for you.

Tina

Veteran

You could check JC Penney. I have ordered many of my dress shoes there over the years. I like the Worthington brand but they carry many different brands. Their prices are very reasonable, the only drawback is we Canadians pay for shipping to get them and if they don't work out we pay to return them as well.

Jem

Veteran

Make sure you check out Seychelle, too.
http://www.amazon.com/Seychell.....38;sr=1-28
http://www.amazon.com/Seychell.....38;sr=1-30
Too tall, but so cute! http://www.amazon.com/Seychell.....38;sr=1-47
And, the blue version of these, may or may not be sitting in my cart right now... http://www.amazon.com/Seychell.....38;sr=1-22

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Rae - I really like the idea of grey or light purple - thanks for the tip!
Velma - I'm not really a flats or flat oxfords girl - I like a bit of height from the shoe. That having been said, I did just buy a pair of orange Born flats that I'm excited to wear.
Rita - I just bought some nude microfishnets and plan on wearing those instead of nude hose. Too cold yet to go bare legged but too warm for heavier tights. Hmmm...animal print...definitely could go for some of those!
Zapotee - I have oxford Doc Sara shoes as well as the new Aerosole oxford sandals. Can a person over do oxfords???
Thanks for the tip Tina!
Jem - those shoes are all gorgeous but way too high in the heel for me (except for the blue/white polka dot ones). I can't really wear anything over 2.5/3 inches due to my bum knee.

Keep those great suggestions coming ladies!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Here's another question to confuse you:

Some of your boots add a rugged element to your wardrobe (e.g. Docs etc.) - Do you want to continue to bring this element into your Spring wardrobe? Or is it all feminine-retro for warm weather?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Oh my...that is an EXCELLENT question Rae! Let me think on that - I'll get back to you.

Jem

Veteran

Sorry Shannon, I'm having too much fun looking for shoes! They are my favorite thing to buy and I have lots of colors, although nothing bright which is what I'm wanting right now. Too bad I only really wear heels to church on Sunday. I think I need to get a job so I have somewhere to wear the clothes I want! lol

Here's another Miz Mooz pair I like: http://www.amazon.com/Miz-Mooz.....38;sr=1-18 I actually bought a green pair on Ebay last summer, but the seller wound up not having it in stock! Grrrr...

Anyway, I'm enjoying your buying shoes! (and I may still get those blue ones--I don't like highter than 3" either but those have a platform to help, so maybe...)

Meredith1953

Veteran

Shannon,
Those Miz Mooz and the Poetic License shoes are really cute and I'm sure would work wonderfully in your wardrobe!

I don't like going barelegged in the warmer weather with dresses. My legs are really light and I just don't like them without hosiery. I do still wear nude hosiery with sundresses but am willing to try a pair of nude fishnets to see if I like them.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Keep shopping for me Jem - I'm glad you're having fun with it!

Meredith - I got over the whole "my legs are too white to go without hose" thing a couple of years ago. Don't worry about - beautiful white skin is in and let your legs breathe honey!

Rae - I've though about your question some. You're quite right that much of my footwear has a rugged appeal to it and I use that to take the sweetness out of my love of retro. I think with the whole retro vibe I need to be careful that I don't over do it and it becomes like a "costume", if you know what I mean. So if the top half of my outfit has ruffles or velvet or sparkly brooches, I use the tougher footwear to balance that out. I think that's what Angie was referring to with wearing my Docs Marcie's with the floral dress. So for spring/summer I would like to have a mix of both more rugged footwear and some more demure/1960's footwear so that I can choose the appropriate shoes depending on my outfit. Does that make any sense? I do think it will be more difficult to find summer footwear with a rugged element - most sandals are on the feminine side.

I forgot that I do have one pair of pumps - my All Black Fish Bow, and those are definitely feminine.

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

I'm a dud in the shoe department, so I don't have any great ideas to offer! Just excited to see your shoe wardrobe grow

As for me, I'm trying to invest in quality shoes too! Before I moved to France, I used to wear rubber sandals and flip flops in summer and the same sandals with socks in winter. *shudder* I I have just pairs of shoes, one of which is a pair of black flats that needs replacing! Right now, I really want a darker pair of flat oxfords, replacement black flats and a pair of nude sandals for summer. Sigh!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Socks with sandals Kirti? Oh dear....(lol)!

I worked on my winter/fall footwear wardrobe to the point where I'm very satisfied with it. Now I just need to do the same for spring.

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Oh yes, I used to wear ankle socks, rubber sandals with mid calf capris! I was a right mess but to be fair, I hadn't discovered the wonderful worlds of style blogs and YLF yet

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Too funny Kirti - don't worry - your past shall remain a secret here!

Hey Rae - what about these Docs? Colourful - check; feminine - check; comfy - check; rugged - check http://www.dmusastore.com/p-4206-sita.aspx

I also love these - still rugged like my Marcie's, but a neutral colour with open toe and open heel - sort of Docs Boot Sandals? http://www.dmusastore.com/p-4204-sabrina.aspx

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yes! Shannon, I was eyeballing those same Docs in the periwinkle color. They seem to have a familiarly comfy wedge.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, I love the Sabrinas, too! Those are UWP-gladiator-esque! I like them in the tan color - seems the most rugged. The black seems like it might be too severe.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Yay - exactly Rae! I really like the taupe colour of the Sabrinas - it would work as a neutral, yes? Definitely no to the black or grey though.

Have I mentioned I thoroughly enjoy our discussions and idea trading?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't know if I have much to add since my wardrobe suffers from the same problem, but I am very much enjoying this conversation and the links. I have a similar dilemma, I think. I want to keep the outfit from looking too lady-like, but at the same time, my legs are on the short side so for the sake of figure-flattery, high vamps are not the best.

Hmmm.

One point that Rae made that bears repeating: Bookending shoes and statement shoes.

It seems as if each of us can use some of each.

In your case, it's easy to bookend with black in the winter, but in summer that might be a bit harsh or unsummery. So bookending with grey could work...or bookending with a dominant colour from your spring/summer wardrobe. So maybe red? Which would then serve for you as a neutral rather than a statement. Know what I am saying? Take a look at your KEEPER spring/summer clothes and what you have on your wish list. What colours will work with that?

<runs off to scribble down this advice so she can take it herself!>

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

ooohhhh excellent advice Suz! I'm going to sit tight on purchasing any other shoes right now (except for the green pumps - already ordered) and see what my spring/summer wardrobe consists primarily of.

Thank you everyone for all of the amazing advice - this place and all of you ROCK!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't wear sandals!

Other than boots and booties - I wear ballet flats, low heeled pumps, low heeled mary jane pumps, flat oxfords sans socks, peep toe booties and sling back wedges when it warms up. I REALLY want a pair of dressy loafers - but have not found a comfy pair yet.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

No sandals Angie? Wow...I love love LOVE sandals! Out of curiosity, if you were me and could only buy one pair of shoes right now to go from this time of year until sandal weather (usually end of May here), what would I buy?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I know...I am amazed...but NOT amazed that Angie does not wear sandals.

You see, I lived in Vancouver for three years and suddenly all my sandals seemed superfluous except for maybe three or four weeks...just the way all my regular SHOES seem superfluous when I'm living in southern Ontario!

I do love sandals, though, anyway...the freedom of them. When our feet have been so encased for so long...

jayne

Veteran

I know bookending was mentioned as limiting, but don't forget we can bookend with a light color near the face so us brunettes don't have to wear dark shoes all the time!

Doro

Amazing thread, great shoes. LOVE the Miz Mooz Ibis pump!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Shannon, may I suggest a pair of mary jane pumps.

Suz and Shannon, my feet really don't like sandals (can't stand to wear strappy shoes). I am MUCH more comfy in ballet flats. Even when I am in 30 degree humid hot weather I prefer ballet flats because I also freeze in a/c.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Thanks Angie - I'll start looking at Mary Jane pumps (coloured ones at that)! Zapotee also suggested Mary Janes.

I love sandals but that's also because up until now, I never found flats that were comfortable. Now that I have my orange Born flats, maybe I'll change my tune...