Talk me out of these shoes.

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Ariadne

Veteran

I'm badly in love with the Ash Bowie wedge sneakers in burgundy suede:

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....MENS_SHOES

I need you guys to TALK ME OUT OF THEM. They're gorgeous and I adore them and they would elevate so many of my outfits. BUT.

1) They're over $200
2) They're super trendy so they may well be a one-season piece
3) They're suede--impractical in my rainy climate
4) Most importantly, they have a 3" heel which means I probably couldn't walk in them for more than a few blocks at a time, so they'd be relegated to date and sitting shoes; almost useless for MOTG me

Did I miss anything?

13 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Scarlet

Veteran

I have really been wanting that style of shoe for myself.
1.) Can't help you there, but I have boots from Ash that are nice quality, so I would expect these to be good.
2.) I actually think this trend is going to continue to grow. I think there is a movement now to more walkable footwear, but these still have the advantages of a heel, so I don't think they are going away quickly.
3.) So are my Ash boots and plenty of other shoes too. Just spray them often with waterproof spray and it's a non-issue. (unless you do serious puddle stomping)
4.) This would be the knock-out criteria, but you have got to try them to know. Everyone says this kind of shoe is really comfortable. They are only a good idea for you if you are going to wear them often and enjoy them.

Okay, so I didn't try to talk you out of it, but I am being honest.

13 years ago

Ariadne

Veteran

LOL, Scarlet. Thanks for trying!

I wonder if they really are comfortable. How could that be possible? A 3" heel, comfortable? Hmmm. Cathy, if you see this, please chime in.

I did manage to thoroughly dissuade myself from this purchase via my foolproof method: I showed them to DH (he didn't like) AND told him how much they cost. Now there's no way I can try to sneak them in because he KNOWS. If I magically find $270 in a coat pocket or something, though, all bets are off.

13 years ago

deb

Veteran

They only have a three star rating. Not good enough.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Cathy (cciele) has them in green, right? Check her posts. She loves them. Doesn't Anna have a pair, too? Or similar.

I love them.

As for comfort, it totally depends on your foot. I am 300 times more comfortable in a 3 inch wedge than I am in flats, unless the shoe's last is completely wrong for me, that is.

Okay, that's a slight exaggeration. I can wear flat (or 1 inch heeled) BOOTs very comfortably. But when it comes to a shoe or sandal, a flat falls off my foot and offers zero arch support, whereas a wedge supports me perfectly (assuming it fits right) and offers stability and cushioning (assuming it's well made.)

13 years ago

Ariadne

Veteran

Cathy has them but she hasn't written about their comfort specifically; I think Anna has some different ones. I have one pair of wedge sandals that I do love but they're not *as* comfy for me as flats or 0.5-1.5" heels I'd really have to try these on to see. eluxe.ca has them with free shipping and returns, so if I find that $270 under the couch cushions, that's the route I'd go.

13 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

Don't look at me. I've already gone well over the $200 demarcation line for shoes. (whistles innocently). Though I'm going to return the $350 Fryes--that was a bit much!

I was just about to seriously enable, but I reread and saw that you can't walk in them too far. Unless that turned out to not be the case, I'd advise you to pass. They're not elegant sitting shoes; they're meant to be fun but practical.

13 years ago

cciele

Veteran

Oh my dear, I'm not sure I can talk you out of these The only drawback for me would be the price; I was lucky and got mine at half price. However, I think wedge sneakers are definitely becoming mainstream and we're seeing more knock-offs at lower price points, so keep your eyes out for those. Also, that means I'm sure we'll be seeing them around for one or two more seasons, at least. Heeled sneakers in some incarnation have always been around.

These are not 3"; more like 2.5". They feel a bit lower than my Doc Marcies. I have bad knees (from two knee surgeries) and have been purging all my heels over 2.5" because they hurt too much for extended wear (goodbye Report Marks booties!). Not these! I wore these all night to dinner and karaoke (including dancing), and then the other night to dinner (involved public transportation and walking around the Mission). And then this morning to drop the kids off to school

Of course, my flat boots are always going to be more comfortable to me than any type of heel, but these shoes have pleasantly surprised me with their comfort level

Hope that helps!

ETA: Nordstrom has them at 2.5", which jibes more with my practical wearing experience
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/as.....sultback=0

13 years ago

Ariadne

Veteran

Cathy, thanks for chiming in, even though you're not helping! ;P Time to start checking under those couch cushions (or consigning some baby stuff we don't need anymore)...

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay - now you are in trouble. You may have held firm on your resolve not to buy those shoes, but you've introduced me to eluxe. Can you believe it, I did not know there was such a convenient way for us to spend money we don't have for things we really want but probably don't need?

Wow. I think one of those Smythe jackets would be a perfect splurge...

13 years ago

Ariadne

Veteran

*sits on hands to prevent looking up Smythe jackets*

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

What is eluxe? Probably something I need to stay far far away from, I'm sure. In the meantime, I am coveting a pair of Ash sneakers myself, so I can't help out here. Good thinking to blab to your husband, instead of hiding boxes under the bed.

13 years ago

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