Shoes and the lack thereof = total frustration

Glory

Hello lovely YLFers, Since joining I have learned so much. I have developed some great ideas for capsules for fall/winter and made some purchases which I am pleased with. I am shopping my closet and that is going well. But.... I still haven't nailed the footwear. I have purchased and returned an insane amount of items. I am so frustrated and upset with myself, and am in a terrible rut. I am only looking for casual wear for MOTG but will need something that I can wear socks with due to cold weather. I have black short ankle boots and Veronica tall black boots. Then, I have runners. I really don't know where to go from this point. Perhaps these two items are enough?

13 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

Queen Mum

Veteran

what did you decide with the last batch of shoes you posted. Those tan short boots looked like a great option, as well as the skechers.

13 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I don't know what you've tried so far but there are many mary jane styles, boat shoe styles and loafers to try in comfy brands like Keen, Clark, Sperry, Naturalizer, etc.

13 years ago

Glory

Veteran

QM - I have not yet returned the boots or the skechers but am very uncertain about them. The boots just sort of jump out at me when I tried styling them. The shoes look good I think, but I will not be able to put socks under them which will be needed in a couple of weeks. So they don't feel very practical.
Textstyle - I have been looking at some sperrys, and went to try a couple of pairs. I searched the YLF site and it seems that they are iffy with the forum with many feeling they are too preppy. I wonder if they can work as a non preppy look?

13 years ago

Preppy Pear

Veteran

Hi Glory,

I don't know how much help I'll be - just wanted to say you are not alone! Shoes are my bane, too. I'm going to try some Aerosoles loafer styles that April posted a couple of days ago, like the Cream Sota - do those appeal, or is that kind of thing too dressy? I am also currently debating Frye Carson Oxfords.

I'll be interested to see what you look into next - I'm sorry, though, I know it's really frustrating. I have shoe paralysis.

13 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Thanks for your support PP. I have tried a few loafers like the Aero Cream Soda and they feel too dressy for my life style. I have a pair in my car to return because I feel out of place wearing them. I have also tried several oxfords and I feel the same way. I have not tried Frye ones as you cannot get those here. I might try the Joseph Seibel caspian in grey, that Angie recommded during NAS. Let me know what works for you - if you break through perhaps I can copy what you get

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Glory, shoes are tough for me, as well. Partly because I wear them so infrequently - I'm in sandals in summer and booties or boots through the late fall/winter! And yet, there IS a time of year when a shoe feels right.

To wear with socks it is especially difficult. To my eye, ballet flats, Mary Janes, and other feminine styles look best with bare legs (or maybe tights) but not socks.

How about a slipper flat or a loafer? Either that or an oxford.

You mention that a loafer feels too dressy for your lifestyle - but unless you are using the shoes to muck out a barn, there are many loafer styles that don't look dressy. And even if they do...sometimes it is worth pushing our own style boundaries a little bit. As long as the shoes themselves are not uncomfortable, I mean.

Have you looked at Doc Martens? They are generally not at all dressy, and come in lots of styles that could work with socks.

13 years ago

Saretta

(website)

Active Member

Have you considered an oxford? They are quite in style this year.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-oxford-shoes

13 years ago

cciele

Veteran

I also feel your frustration! Like Suz, I basically wear only boots or booties in the fall/winter/spring. If your wardrobe works with those types of items, I don't think you need to get any other footwear.

That being said, I'm trying to expand my collection of flats, since heels have been bothering me. For MOTG wear, I have a pair of Converse and a pair of slipper loafers. Looking to add an oxford to my flat collection.

13 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

You said you've figured out some fall/winter capsules. Are any of these missing shoes? Are there any outfits you have in mind that you can't wear because you don't have the right shoes? If there are, show us and we can try to figure out what shoes would work! And if not, then maybe you don't actually need more shoes right now.

13 years ago

Aida

Veteran

I agree with Cinnamon, it would be great if you could give us a few outfit ideas that you're wanting shoes for so we can help you identify what would work best. Without knowing anything else, I would suggest a loafer or oxford; as Suz said, there are quite a lot of casual loafer options (I would go with patent!), and they can look surprisingly not preppy. I personally do not wear any of my ballet flat type shoes with socks, so they are spring/summer only for me. In the winter, I like my oxfords and loafers, and will also wear pumps with socks occasionally, but mostly I wear boots (tall, short, ankle, bootie...).

13 years ago

Category