Jenni made an excellent suggestion on my recent thread about a dress with problematic pattern placement. I've been looking at the usual retail suspects (Nordstrom, Zappos, etc.) for some heeled dressy sandals to wear with the dress I will probably wear to my niece's wedding this summer (August in London). I have some time, so it's not an urgent need, but I think it's good to look ahead of time, especially since my search so far has been less that fruitful.

I've tried the shoes below in Finds, and no luck. The fit and comfort were not there. It seems to me that everything out there right now is this really specific sandal style that I don't particularly care for, just like the ones in the stock photo of the dress -- a single thin horizontal strap across the forefoot near the toes, and then another thin horizontal strap at the ankle. To me, it's really hard to wear with any degree of comfort, and they don't look particularly interesting either. Everything else seems to be sparkly, glittery or jeweled metallic, which I don't want -- that blingy treatment looks too specifically "occasion."

I would like a simple metallic or even black in something with a little unique twist, something interesting. I find styles with a T-strap or a criss-cross style like the ones below in Finds to be flattering on me, but for some reason those kinds of styles are really hard to find right now. Especially with a reasonable heel, or at a reasonable price. Is it just the wrong season for this?

I would consider closed-toe as well. No nude, because I already have nude pumps (the Rockstuds, which I love, but don't really go well with this dress). I'd like something interesting that doesn't look like a work pump or a MOB wedding shoe. I know, I'm being really picky, but I don't want to buy shoes just to go with this dress that I never want to wear again. I'm kind of regretting letting go of my old black patent T-strap sandals even though they became uncomfortable.

Any suggestions?