The frustration of replacing a favorite item: a rant

Janet

I'm having a small crisis. I've been looking for a seemingly simple item for months: a pair of comfortable, flat black sandals that have a little bit of edge -- some hardware or detail -- that can be worn with skirts, shorts, etc.

I have the perfect little pair of black sandals -- they're Nine West, and I've been wearing them for the last 3 or so years so they're starting to get a little weary. Flat, slip-on thong-style, but with thin leather straps and silver hardware. They look great with everything from a LBD to shorts, and I can wear them day or casual evening, day in and day out comfortably.

I have no idea why a replacement is so hard to find! Every time I find something that comes close, it's either uncomfortable, too simple, or too blingy.

Anybody else have one of these quests?

14 years ago

Shopping

5 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

nancylee

Veteran

Absolutely! And, weirdly, a year or more ago I had the exact same frustrating replacement quest you're having for flat black sandals!

I think replacement items are even harder to find than originals because we have such a precise idea of what we are searching for. It makes the quest all the harder.

Good luck!

14 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Yes. They are a huge pain, and I'm often tempted to just re-buy the old item if I can somehow track it down. I went through this in search of tan sandals. My 2010 ones are on the left, and 2011 on the right. It took a big chunk of time, lots of trial and error, and a couple of heel pads, but I'm now even more in love with the new pair than I was with the old pair. It will pay off and you will find the perfect replacement!

ETA: My current shoes are available in black for $36 http://www.6pm.com/indigo-by-c.....ck-leather

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14 years ago

StacyJo

(website)

Active Member

Is there anyway to have them repaired at a cobbler's in the mean time? That may be the way to go. I've been stuck in this quandry before too and finally just had my favorite shoes repaired...looked like new when I got them back!

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yes! Pretty much ANY time I want something specific instead of looking around at what is on offer, I run into the same problem! I still have no perfect olive field jacket, no red jacket, no citron scarf... it is oh so frustrating. All I can say is hang in there - it is better than being dissatisfied with an imperfect purchase... :T

14 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

What Rae said. The more specific the item you seek, the slimmer the chances of finding it!

Here's a potential solution: while still limiting your search to flat sandals, try to get your mind out of the "black with shiny hardware" pigeonhole, and try on all kinds of different ones. It may not be possible to find a copy of what you already have, but a sandal in a different colour, or that has interesting details in a different way, may work just as well in all the ways your black ones do.

I also agree with StacyJo -- often shoes can be repaired and resoled, with very satisfactory results.

14 years ago

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