So many shoes! - YouLookFab Forum

I've notoriously fussy feet, which are a not-always-stocked size, wide, and at 36 years, apparently undergoing a growth spurt! My shoe wardrobe needs replenishing. I don't plan to buy for a couple of months yet, but I thought I'd best start researching right away --- to buy at the height of the summer heat, when my feet are at their fussiest.

What I *think* I need:
(1) Black dressy shoes with covered toes (preferably with 'ventilation', but NOT peep-toes) for formal outfits, including the patterned blazer and pencil skirt in this thread: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-be-sorted with no more than 2-inch heels.
(2) Wedge-heeled summer sandals to go with bootleg *and* skinny/straight jeans, midi skirts, the odd summer dress... This is PURELY for FUN; not a functional priority
(3) Leg-elongating nude shoes.
(4) Dressy day-to-evening low to medium heels or flats (but not entirely shin-breakingly flat!)
(5) Medium-low heels for casual wear (block or kitten, not wedges) and lots of walking
BONUS: Would be great if all if one shoes fits more than one category here. Eg, nude dressy medium-low wedge sandal (yeah, the moon is just next on my shopping list)!

Here's a whole bunch of (SIXTEEN!) shoes I'm thinking of attacking. Opinions, please? Do alert me to possible frump as well! Thanks for reading and helping!

Bonus: #17 is NOT under consideration! It is just something I saw while out shopping and reminded me of Claire's fascination with our silver anklets. @Claire: Clearly, some of us ladies are having trouble leaving our girlhood behind, so we're bringing it to work and play with us still!

ETA: Unfortunately, some styles are only available online with poor return policies; so I stuck to a few brands whose sizing and fit I understand fairly well. I've also already tried on #2, #5, #6, #7, #11, and own a pair of mary janes similar to the shape of #13.

These are all at different price points, which I've not included here; but I could add links in an extra post/comment.

The shoes I asked about here are also under consideration: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....rthkeepers

This post has 17 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

14 years ago

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Wow that is such a lovely selection of shoes! As someone who doesn't always have the best judgement when it comes to shoes, I'll leave the evaluations to the experts. I really like #8 and #15, they would be great for summer! #10 is also really pretty

ManidipaM

Thanks for weighing in, Kirti. I got quite overwhelmed myself, and I really don't fancy having to track ALL 16 pairs across town --- which is the only way I can be sure of fit. That's why I'm hoping for help with narrowing down the options.

And I'm hoping all would be more or less summer-suitable --- though I wonder about 4, 10 and 16 especially...

Anonymous

I think you'd be well served by a black sling-back and the nude wedge sandals (#8) comfort permitting. I love the flats, of course, but they might not be comfortable for your shins, and the height of a slight heel would be really pretty on you. If they will see a lot of rain, synthetic materials might be a practical choice.

Claire, thanks for the help --- very much appreciated. If I'm down to just three shoes to see, that's fabulously freeing!

Rain is going to ruin even non-leather, unless actually constructed for dunking in water, alas --- I've had new Nikes disintegrate into the component parts ON MY FEET, within 20 minutes, last year during one 'shower'! So I'm sticking to my pepto-bismol pink rainboots, and the dirt-coloured Crocs Primas for THOSE days, ha!

So which three are you going to look at? Good thing you have some serious rain shoes/boots!

cheryle (Dianthus)

My favorites are 5, 8, and 13. I have no logical reason for the choices - I just like the look.

Good luck. It is hard to find shoes that work when you have fussy feet.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

All these shoes look great, Manidipa. It's really a question of comfort, so you'll have to be patient and see how you go.

Thanks for weighing in, Dianthus! Even looks alone are a good reason to weigh in in favour of one over the others, as I'll have to check for fit and comfort anyway.

Angie, I'm strong on patience when it comes to shoes --- I've survived the so-called shoe-shaped holes for over a year now. On one hand, it is a VERY big boost to my confidence to know that they all look good to you and I've not managed to choose the usual frump-magnets. On the other hand, seeing as I have to run around to a score or more different stores to track each of these down is...shall we say a little daunting? Though maybe now that ALL have your stamp of approval, I might stop searching after each hole is filled (rather than hunt down ALL the black shoes, say)!

Claire, I guess the nude #8 has multiple votes so that's the one to start with; then there's the two black slingbacks #1 and #2. I'm leaning towards #1 because of the toe coverage, but wondering if the toebox will be too constricting... in which case #2 needs to be checked too. That's three already... though I won't turn down a chance to walk in #16 just to see how bad it proves (attracted to that metallic colour); #5 wasn't too bad, surprisingly, but then I hadn't worn it for hours either.

Amy

They all look pretty to me, Mandipa. Hopefully some of them will be comfortable enough for you. I sympathize with the fussy feet situation!

Beth Ann

Mandipa -- 8 is my definite favorite! All are pretty. I have difficulty with singbacks -- the strap falls off continually! Perhaps that's just my foot, but I wanted to mention it since you're walking on uneven surfaces a lot. BTW -- I've heard that increased walking on uneven pavement can result in slighter wider feet. I suspect this is probably good for the feet -- and the waistline!

Meredith1953

Hi ManidipaM,
I also like #8 a lot! I have narrow 9 1/2 fussy feet that don't like high heels at all but reasonable wedges work for me. I don't like peeptoes on me at all. #2 looks pretty versatile also! Good luck!

DonnaF

Best wishes in your search! I have discovered that shoes that are super comfortable when I wear them at home sometimes turn into beasts when I wear them out on sidewalks with a slight incline or decline. FWIW, #10 strikes me as a shoe way different than your other choices. It has the potential to really elevate certain outfits to being a 10 -- yet could look really terrible with other outfits. I'm not sure what you meant by *formal*; #1 strikes me as formal professional, but to my eye the beading around the throat keep it from being *dressy* as in cocktail party dressy. For that purpose, I might be more likely to choose #2.

Amy, Meredith -- thanks for your commiserations! It shores me up to know I'm not alone! Because it means, since you're not all going barefoot, there ARE foot-friendly shoes out there!

Beth Ann, my waistline and I aren't talking this month, but I think you make a great point about the pavement pounding and the growing feet!

And yes, I have a shallow heel, which makes it a bit of a palaver with the slingbacks; but it seems ankle straps are always too binding on my cankles. I also often find pumps 'falling off' the heel when I stride, then the rubbing gives me blisters. I'd have liked oxfords for that reason, but mysteriously (or maybe not so strangely) can't find any in this city. So I've shortlisted only those slingbacks that have a little elastic in the strap joints, hoping that might help with fit.

Donna, what a perceptive point you make! Yes, I meant 'formal' for work primarily, and certainly #2 is more versatile as it can translate to dressy eveningwear as well. I'll have to balance that versatility against my dislike of peeptoes for work (assuming both fit!)

Category