ETA: the end. These shoes?

Stagiaire Fash

Can I wear these without setting off peoples’ “old lady” stereotypes? They are Mary Jane Oxfords with a slight heel. I’m putting them to a vote so no one has to enunciate uncomfortable truths.

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5 years ago

Dressing

38 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Kathie

Veteran

The heel style seems “neither here nor there” in terms of looking up to date, but the toe is an interesting, slightly square shape. If you own them already, then I’d style them with a few outfits, and enjoy. But, I wouldn’t buy them, if you’re considering a purchase. Of course, I wear anything from exaggerated snip-toe, heeled booties to Danskos, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, because I’m sure plenty of my shoe choices look odd to others.

5 years ago

kkards

Veteran

wear them with colored tights.....(but aside from that, they do look quite worn, if you already own them,maybe clean them up a little, if you are considering buying i'd pass)

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks for being brave enough to comment, Kathie and kkards! I have owned these for over ten years, but can’t remember wearing them during the 8.5 years we lived in Florida. If I did, it was with black stockings.

5 years ago

Helena

Veteran

I agree with Kathie and kkards ... I don't know that they are quite 'old lady' bit they do read practical to me rather than stylish - which of course has its place!

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Being a little old lady and having ample chance to observe others, these shoes are similar to many I see on older women who are out and about. What puts these there is the black color and, especially, the Mary Jane strap. Just don’t wear them with black polyester pants and a traditional I cardigan. I like the brogue detailing. Maybe peeking out from under bell bottom jeans or a plaid pant worn with a graphic tee and long blazer.

5 years ago

L'Abeille

Veteran

I like them, they're cute. The heel is not trending, but that never stops me. If they are comfy and supportive, go for it!

Some ways I would wear them:
With wide-leg pants in a menswear weight trouser, just the brogue toes peeking out so you can't tell they are maryjanes. Black or menswear print socks for when you are sitting down and more of the foot shows.

With a culotte or tailored cropped pants, with skin coloured knee highs so your ankles and the whole shoe is on display. (Letting the shoe bring the femininity to an outfit with masculine elements.)

With opaque black tights and a knee length dress in a small floral with a dark background (you have something like that, don't you?) Kind of an Alexa Chung vibe.

Lean into your librarian persona. (You do have one, don't you?)

5 years ago

karen13

Veteran

I think the elastic and the black color are what move them into the less fashionable end of the. Spectrum. If they were a fun color it would make a big difference. I’d suggest shoe paint, but not sure if you can color elastic successfully.

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I voted yay!

I need to see them styled in outfits though.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

TG, that’s an important distinction. Thanks for pointing it out.

Angie, do you have any styling suggestions?

Joy, wearing them with pants like that makes sense. I’ll have to see what I have with wide legs and ppl.

L’abielle, you’ve put more thought into outfits for them than I have. Thank you! I definitely have a dorky professor look, which is pretty darn close to librarian.

Karen, painting is an interesting idea, but I’m not sure I’m in love with the shape enough to do it.

5 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Juxtapose the primness of the style with a cropped wide leg jean with a raw hem, or a skinny black ankle baring trouser. Avoid going the Lolita route with ankle socks or knee highs.

5 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Interesting discussion - it is so hard to judge things like this in the abstract. I have to see the whole outfit to judge.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Shevia, I agree! It’s getting much more I retesting now, with someone else voting “yes” after Angie came out and said she did. All the different styling suggestions are great too!

Carla, I’d love to do a “Lolita”/school girl” look, but don’t think these shoes work for it. I like your ideas of pairing them with something RATE.

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FashIntern, how about with skinnies and a black top? I think your arty cobalt vest could go over the lot since it has black in it.

5 years ago

hereforthecake

Active Member

I think they could teeter either way, between frumpy or funky.

To my mind, they need to be styled with black tights and a funky outfit, or they will read as frumpy.

5 years ago

Anonymous

I'd agree with seeing what stylings you come up with, but paused when you said you weren't in love with the shape. Do you own them or are just considering?

5 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I just discarded my similar but different pair. They had been reheeled x 2 and had lost their shape.

Mary Janes are comfortable and I like them. Do you like them which is the most important thing?

I liked mine best with cropped pants and either a sheer sock or similar. I liked them less with dresses as they felt a bit like a school look which I didn't want.

5 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

It’s all in the styling! I am wearing some t-bar heels, similar to the picture in finds, with a leopard print dress today.

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5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Bijou, no one is going to call anyone wearing those a little old lady, for sure-getting kicked with those toes would hurt!

Sal, wow, super similar! Except the heel on yours makes me think they could’ve been modern dance shoes. Thanks for the tip about the shoes tipping overly prim & proper. If I wear them that way, I’ll have to be very intentional about it (and am scheming up an outfit already—with a skirt that’s in Florida).

Suntiger, I’ve owned them for a decade. Price tag still in them is from place we lived when my son was 6; he’s 16 now. They have more wear on them than I expected, probably because I walked a few miles a day there. I have always wanted to like them, think the styling was probably the problem, so am soaking up all these tips.

Angie, I will try that outfit in the morning.

Hereforthecake, yep, it’s a fine line to tread—and I think it’s moved since I got them ten years ago! I am putting on my thinking cap about funky pieces other than the vest Angie mentioned.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

And that ends this chapter. I’ve tried a couple outfits, wasn’t sure either had enough quirky twist to pull the shoes off, wore one for a little bit anyway today (in the drizzle, with the puffy), and then this happened.

I’m sticking them in the cellar, to be repaired if I ever decide I really need them.

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5 years ago

Anonymous

They worked in the outfits though!

5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think they served their purpose. When shoes do this, they're really giving up the ghost. I wouldn't hang onto them -- time to find a new replacement!

5 years ago

SarahD8

Veteran

I agree with Janet! I like the outfits you created but it sounds like you weren’t super wowed by them. Time to let go and make space for the exactly right shoes.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

And just what would the right shoes be? That’s a rhetorical question, out of frustration. My lovely loafers have been quietly dying since last fall, when I first noticed socks were good with them. Now it’s the only way I can wear them. I still like the idea of bright green Vans Old Skools and pink lace-ups. As much as I loved the loafers and as serviceable as these once were, getting a nice safe pair of black shoes sounds like a bo-o-o-o-ring way to spend money.

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5 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

You made some good cohesive outfits with the "boring" black shoes, and it seems that some shoes with that function would be useful to you in a way that bright green or pink shoes would not. Shoes don't have to be boring because they're black!

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Or I just need more shoes, lol. I got compliments on those loafers like nothing else I've ever worn, so I know you're right about black shoes not always being boring, but right now, when I look at black shoes, or at rain coats, which I also need, I am *not* feeling it at all.

I think I have plantar's fasciitis right now. Idk if that means health insurance will cover orthotics for me, but I'm kinda thinking of holding off on new shoe purchases until I find out.

ETA, maybe it's the "nice safe" part of "nice, safe black shoes" I need to back off on. They don't look that fancy, but the loafers were the first patterned shoes I've had in quite a while, and the little strip of reflective metal along the inside of the heels was flashy for me. So the remit is black slip-ons with a little sumpin-sumptin.

5 years ago

Anonymous

Yes, they don't have to be boooring! It could be a texture, or different heel shape, etc to give them that "lurking quirk". And there's a place for the not black, more statementy shoes too. Last year, for example, the boots I wore the most were burgundy, not black. They made all my outfits that much more interesting.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

You remembered my fave phrase here--awesome! And you and I were posting nearly the same thing, as I went back for my ETA. I remember how much fun you had with the burgundy, and I enjoyed my floral and red boots, which is probably why I want more "fun". But there are a couple of not-boring black shoes in my woulda/coulda/shoulda finds; I need to look for more.

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5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

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Thanks, Janet and Suntiger, for getting me out of my pout!

5 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Ah well, that’s that then. I voted Yay, tho. I think I should say that I think they actually read a little young because of the mary jane strap. I’d have worn them with longer hemlines.

5 years ago

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