This is a great question, and so hard to describe. I do like pointy-toed pumps but not slingbacks (I own a few but often I find they are hard to fit, as they slip right off my foot). But I also love the look of rounded-toe pumps too; it says 1940s romance to me. And often the rounded-toe pumps are more comfortable. I don't like boxy toes quite so much, but I never say never, because I do have a pair of boots with a box toe.
Overall I'd have to say I don't like clunky shoes quite so much. If the shoes are clunky enough to be heavy, forget it! I don't like to feel I'm clodding around in cement.
Whatever the style, I look for shoes that have some sort of delicacy and/or streamlined appearance, because my foot is small and I am short. The scale has to work with my frame. I have to say I am finding many of the shoes out there right now are not to my taste. For example I do not really care for gladiators of the type that wrap around the ankle. My ankle is tiny but this sort of look shortens my leg too much. So I look instead for "gladiator-inspired" shoes.
And I don't think you will find me in Doc Martens or Fryes anytime soon. Don't get me wrong: I think both those styles look amazing on the right person (we have many here in YLF who rock these styles completely). It's just not for me. Also the Docs and Fryes are all way too high for my leg anyway! I would go for a Doc or Frye "inspired" boot though. For example, as much as I like the idea of adding rocker chic details, a traditional black moto jacket, with all the zippers, looks silly on me for some reason. But I can wear a cream moto jacket that doesn't have all the zippers and is more of a nod to the style.
Likewise I don't like super-high shoes of any kind. Even if they were comfortable (and they are not!), I look goofy and tottering. It's a scale thing. At 5'0", my super-high stilletto maxes out at 3 inches. Anything higher, I look like I'm playing dress up in momma's heels.
Maybe it would help if I described my current favorite shoes?
1. Blue-red patent round-toe wedge heels
2. Giraffe print pointy toed pumps (3")
3. Metallic dark gray spectator booties with modestly chunky heel
4. Brown boots with a wedge and square toe
5. Wine boots with a pointy toe and 1-1/2 inch delicate heel, and a similar shaped boot in black suede
6. Metallic ballet flats (I have three different pairs)
7. Black ballet flats with silver hardware, and faux snakeskin print on the cap toe
8. Turquoise and cream round-toe t-straps with 2-1/2 inch heel
9. Turquoise suede slingbacks with pointy toe and 1-1/2 inch heel
10. .... and my newest addition, the metallic pewter 3-inch wedge ceder city's that Angie blogged about
I have more shoes than that, but I'll stop there. You can see I have a lot of round-toe pumps. It's not just that they are comfortable, I do like the style and think they are really cute and, if done right, in no way are they dowdy.
I am on the hunt this fall for: Chestnut brown boots and classic pointy-toed pumps with animal textures. I would also not mind adding bright yellow pointy-toed pumps too.
