The saga of the slip-on sneakers and how I used YLF "finds"

his is a bit long...hence the title of "saga"....:-)

I am obsessed with shoes, I look at what everyone else is wearing and I spend lots of time browsing the endless online options. I imagine I am in very good company here at YLF!

I have recently become more focused, deciding ahead of time what I'm looking for, and I've found the "finds" tool to be a huge help. So huge thanks to Angie/Greg for creating it.

I have wanted some slip-on sneakers since early spring. I think of them as holding a similar wardrobe slot to the ballet flats a lot of women wear, which I don't find comfortable for my low volume feet. Casual, comfortable, stylish, very versatile, and a great alternative to the sandals I also wear a lot. I like and wear loafers, but the sneaker seemed a better option for warmer weather. I decided to start with black which is my go-to color for shoes.

In early April I placed order #1, for about 10 different options/sizes. I used finds to collect and view them and created my own collection so I could see them all together easily. I expected some would not fit, which happened, but I was surprised that they all looked pretty awful to my eye - the shape and texture were not attractive. I returned them all and put the topic aside for a few weeks. It kept nagging at me, so I decided to analyze what "awful" meant. It had to do with the vamp size/shape, the shape of the toe, and the texture of the fabric. I didn't like a very high vamp almost to the ankle and a sort of straight across top edge. I DID like it when the vamp had notches on either side, showing a little skin and a slightly lower vamp, again showing some skin. I didn't like a very round toe, preferred more of an almond or slightly pointed. The texture of the material was a little harder to quantify so I'd still have to see the shoes in person to assess that. This are just my preferences.....your mileage may vary of course.

In mid May I placed order #2 based on what I had figured out. These were better looking, but too flimsy to be supportive. By the end of May I needed to regroup, so I grabbed a LOT of finds and started to study YLF postings using a search on "sneakers". I was planning an order #3.

Then, on June 1, the final pair from order #2 arrived, and as Goldilocks said to the three bears...they were just right! All the detailed analysis had paid off in that I knew what I wanted. I have worn them several times and the only issue is that the sole is not quite thick enough for walking on a hard floor (like home depot or a mall) so I added some insoles. The other slight negative is that they are a synthetic fabric so might wear out a bit faster than leather. Loving them!

Now I know what shape to look for when I look for other colors/patterns in this style (which I think I will). AND...I already have a whole bunch of finds to get me started.

Would love you hear your suggestions for this type of sneaker!

finds below - some are shown in a lighter color to make it easier to see the texture and shape
#1 winner

2, 3 examples of ones that I did not like

4, 5 ,6 ones I liked but too flimsy felt like house slippers

Macy's

Naturalizer Kail Flats

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Top Pick

Nordstrom

OluKai 'Pehuea' Slip-On Sneaker (Women)

$79.95

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Top Pick

Nordstrom

JSLIDES 'Cibil' Woven Slip-On Sneaker (Women)

$78.95

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Top Pick

Macy's

Aerosoles You Betcha Flats

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Top Pick

Macy's

Aerosoles Solitaire Espadrille Flats

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Top Pick

Macy's

Aerosoles Betunia Smoking Flats

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Top Pick

8 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

Love hearing about how you worked through the process. The end shoes are perfect.

Windchime

I'm impressed with your careful analysis of why the first batch didn't work, and how you narrowed down the possibilities to find exactly the right pair (which look great, btw)!

Isn't Finds an awesome YLF feature?

Suz

(website)

This is great shopping! (Your new sneakers look fab, by the way!)

I envy the ease of ordering/ returns. In Canada, my options (if I want free delivery and returns) are much smaller, although we do have a few good ones. Shoeme.ca is terrific and I also had luck, thanks to Gaylene, with Ingledew's -- but in that case I knew the shoe I wanted and my exact size so I did not have to worry about returns.

I use a similar process when I shop online for anything. I scour the Finds and Angie's recommendations. I see if any are available to me in Canada at a reasonable cost. I make selections based from the recommendations and the body type guidelines. I read reviews on the retailer's site very carefully and look at the US reviews if I can't find Canadian reviews of the item. I especially look for reviewers whose body type modifiers are similar to my own -- that is hugely helpful information.

And guess what? It works!!

JAileen

Your process is impressive. I went through a similar spree earlier this spring, buying about ten pairs of sandals. Several that I thought were really cool just didn't fit, and others that fit didn't send me. Most of them went back. Anyway, congrats on finding a pair you love!

BrieN

I enjoyed this post. I too am a shoe girl and YLF in general, and the Finds in particular has definitely raised my game. In fact, I think every shoe I have purchased in the last few months (and there have been a few ) I first saw in the Finds. And the shoes I covet are also in the Finds....tempting me with their alluring ways.

greycat6

Congrats on not only finding a pair you love but figuring out a process to use when things are not working. YLF has helped me become less of an emotional shopper and more analytical about why things are or are not working. My closet is much cohesive and I am much happier for it.

Chris987

Thanks for the positive vibes everyone!

And Suz I like your more detailed description of how you look for things in general.....I'm going to follow your tips next time I'm shopping online.

Too bad returns are such a pain in Canada, we definitely have it better in that department here in the US. I too usually only order/return if it's free, although I might try a new retailer once even if I have to pay just to see how I feel about it.

Actually I do most of my returns in person because I'm relatively close to a couple of good sized malls and it's a good excuse to see what's in the stores, but I do return via UPS etc too, especially Zappos.

Anonymous

Congrats on figuring a few things out wrt footwear. I think there will be many more such discoveries, not just with footwear but other style elements, like pant length and such. I bet you'll get better and better at online shopping.

I do buy a few things online but only shoes and bags, and really only those with a high likelihood of success like Angie picks, rubber boots, and shoes of brands I already trust. Also, shoes whose silhouette I'm familiar with and know will look good on. I don't think I'd have the guts to buy high vamp sneakers online---like Suz, I'm in Canada and returns will cost money.

At this point, I'm starting to rely on Angie picks for outlier pieces and using a few tried-and-true brick -and-mortar stores for basics. I think it's more fun to buy Angie picks than doing my own investigations. I get a kick out of the fact that I have the same sneakers as Suz, Dashielle, Elizabeth P, and Texsryle, and that I have the same bag as Angie. I like to copy

I've learned that there are enough great and fun pieces moving through this board to satisfy me; I don't have a difficult style to shop for, so it works.

rachylou

That's so brilliant, Chris! The forward planning and consideration. Maybe an approach like this would help me 'see' better. I have a way of wandering around shops, lost. Lol.

Smittie, great advice on following Angie's pics......I don't mind copying and it sounds like a great way to find good items.

RachyLou...I feel ya... I have been there. I have had shopping trips where I had to stop and ask myself WTF was I doing because I was just walking around in a total daze not even looking at the clothes any more...:-)

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Yay, Chris. Fab sneaks and good job allowing YLF finds to help you with your purchases. My toes are tickled. Naturalizer makes comfy shoes and I love the white sole - which to my eye makes all the difference.

(Why is black your go - to colour for shoes? Change that!)

Angie - I think there are multiple reasons why black is my go-to color. I list some of them below. Tan/cognac/nude is my secondary, and usually have at last one red pair but not right now. I am in fact looking to expand my color choices :-). I did recently buy some bronze sandals, white sneakers, and am thinking about animal prints and other options

The reasons I think black is my go-to are 1) I wear a lot of black/blue/grey clothes and it goes well with that 2) I somehow prefer darker shoes, something about grounding the outfit (maybe a little too literally) 3) goes with everything and doesn't show wear as much as other colors - becomes a no-brainer choice 4) there is some sort of boring-traditional-New-England style thing that leads to lots of black shoes (my friends and I recognize this although we don't really understand it)

Chris

Member

That's an awesome strategy thanks for sharing it Angie! I tend to avoid buying shoes online because my feet are in between 2 sizes so I have to try it on to be sure, but I might try your method next!

Style Fan

Great strategy Chris. I am just starting to really get into Finds and have placed an order using Angie's recs. Fingers crossed. I am in Canada so returns are not free but I really want these items.
Pictures don't tell the whole story so as Suz describes you have to be a detective. Thankful we also have Angie.

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