Thanks Lisa! Yup EVERYTHING goes with chinos/khakis
Angie good point on the longer length and moving when I walk...and thanks for noting that the Clarks are a top pic. I now totally get how top pics work!
Windchime, yes red shoes are definitely energizing. I've loved red shoes most of my life and have usually had at least one pair but had been without so it was time.
Thanks Pil, BrieN, Jaileen, Aquamarine, Firecracker, DonnaF...especially thanks for the comments about heel height I'll think through that as I do the final hemming.
I just received the Clark shoes and they are totally wonderful! They are definitely the winner so far. No wonder they are one of Angie's top picks. Really pretty on, super comfortable, very soft leather, a little more modern looking than the RL ones especially due to the ankle strap. I think I can call them tomato red although Clark's calls it "grenadine".
There is one minor fit issue that I've had with most open-toed shoes but I'm tired of letting it boss me around...(to use an Angie expression). The front edge of the shoe rubs on the skin near my big toenail and I know it will cause a blister almost immediately if I don't take some action. The first thing I will do is order 1/2 size down to make sure I have the right size, could be that it's just a bit too loose. I wear 6 1/2 or 7 and I can never be sure which will be right even within brands I wear all the time. I usually order both sizes to begin with. If that isn't the solution, next I will try body glide, which will work but I find it rubs off sometimes. If that doesn't work I found the "find" item below which I will try.