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Why I don't wear shoes

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So, Angie's footwear blog post last week http://youlookfab.com/2013/03/.....-footwear/ got me to thinking. I strongly identified with quite a few of the reasons her clients gave for not wearing shoes: Not much transitional weather; hot, humid summer without air conditioning; shoes don't stay on my feet, etc.

Still...I really LIKE shoes. And I would really, really like to have a couple of pairs I could wear for our short spring and fall seasons.

I went downtown to most of the brick and mortar options the other day. And guess what?

I discovered another reason I don't wear shoes all that often.

THERE WERE NONE FOR SALE!!!

(Sorry for shouting.)

Okay, I am exaggerating just a teeny bit. There were a few obvious "comfort shoes" designed for those who are not at all interested in fashion. There were sneakers (but none of the snazzy type). There were a few pairs of ballet flats (which don't stay on my feet as a rule.) And I did find a few winter coloured shoes on sale, though not in my size.

But, I kid you not -- nary an oxford or a slipper flat or any other type of shoe to be seen.

Now, if I go out to the mall I know I will find a few pairs. But I already ruled out my options there -- none were what I had in mind.

I can only assume that merchants are not stocking shoes because nobody around here sees much need for them! This was a very interesting realization for me. It really made me think about how our environmental norms may shape us in subtle ways that we're not even conscious of at the time.

I guess this means I will be shoe shopping in London. Poor me!!

Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

AJ

Veteran

I was just talking to DS about how even though there are Targets in every state, not all of them will offer the same merchandise. They stock on what the locals need and want. (I can't remember why we even started on that conversation....oh yes, how Hawaii wouldn't offer the same winter clothing options as the colder states.)

I'm sure the London offerings will be much more to your liking than anything your local area would get anyways. : )

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Poor you.

Raisin

Veteran

I think a lot of the Spring shoes have yet to come out or are just coming out Suz. I did see oxfords and slipper flats at Aldo, did you check there? There's lots online too!

unfrumped

Veteran

I empathize and sympathize. We do have shoes for sale here, as we have mild weather most of the year. But not nearly as many options as on-line, of course. I HATE ordering shoes on-line because it only take 20 seconds with some shoes to know they're wrong, plus I like to try some shoes in a half-size range or in a N vs M before giving up if there appears to be hope of a comfortable and fashionable fit.
Clothing options are seriously affected by the local market, too of course. But you're talking about what may be a true climatic effect on marketing decisions.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I didn't think our weather was that much different from yours, Suz, and we have had spring/summer shoes out for a few weeks now. But then I think they put them out a little early because here in NY state, most schools have a week off in Feb. for winter recess, then another week in April, and a lot of people go off to a warm weather vacation. Our true summer season here upstate is July and a few weeks in August.

And shoe shopping in London? Oh yes, poor you...can I stow away in your suitcase?

deb

Veteran

I am so sorry you will have to do your shoe shopping in London. I know it will be tough but, somebody has to do it!

Mochi

Veteran

Suz is going to come back all punked up. I just know it.

(Or am I stuck in the wrong decade?)

Beth Ann

Veteran

I feel you, Suz. My enormous DSW had a handful, just a handful of oxfords and another handful, no more, of slipper flats. Now, they stocked a bazillion ballet flats, but I'm a little over these at the moment. There were 2 rows of comfort clogs and shoes that would be, well, solidly comfortable but hardly enticing. Oddly - there are 5 grocery aisle rows (double sided) of sandals. An entire row of thongs alone! Oh -- and there were still 5 rows of boots, too!

I found a cute pair of canvas slipper flats at Target, and some classic white cons at Kohls. Of course, this all qualifies as a minor snafu --- I'm hardly a shoeless orphan!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thank you all, especially for the sympathy about having to shop in London. It is a tough job, but somebody's got to brave it, right?

Beth Ann, it is interesting that even your DSW didn't have too much.

Mochi, I will most certainly be trying my best to punk myself up...not the wrong decade for me!

Deb, I appreciate the support.

Karie, I think, if anything, you get more snow than we do!! But the stores in town here are not great.

Unfrumped, you put your finger on it. Shoe shopping online -- unless one knows the maker and the last- can be truly a pain and a waste of time (and in my case, money.)

Raisin, that is true - I might be a bit early for our spring season. I did check Aldo at the mall...saw nothing that would work for me. Unfortunately, their shoes are not comfortable for me as a rule (though I do not rule them out and will try if I like the style!!)

Caro, thank you.

AJ - that is just it. What our Bay sells is a whole lot different from what the Bay in Toronto sells, that's for sure!! In Toronto, I feel sure that a woman can buy SHOES!!!

Sarah A

Veteran

Well if any one is up to the challenge of finding fab shoes in London... I am sure you will find something amazing. Have a GREAT time at it

Agnes

The biggest seasonal shock for me is realising how cold most of the places everyone on YLF lives in are> A few months ago you were all buying the cable knit sweater and heaps of very warm boots. I live in Sydney and I don't actually own a jumper at all. I do have a couple of cardigans. But the main winter item you need in Sydney is coats and jackets because it can be windy and wet, more than truly cold. On the footwear side I own many many sandals, and lots of transitional shoes too> I have only a few pairs of boooties I would wear for a night out in winter.

Nicole D

Veteran

I had a similar experience at one of my small shoe shops in town. I told the owner that I was dreaming about a light coloured perforated or cut out leather peep toe bootie with a mid-heel. She told me that it is just not worth stocking those types of "special" styles because they do not sell in our conservative university town! Guess I have to make a trip up the road to the Big Smoke (Toronto).

You will have a lovely time in London - bring an extra suitcase!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Agnes, that is so interesting. I know when I lived in Vancouver for a few years I had a huge sense of fashion dislocation!! My summer things never got worn (they were too lightweight for Vancouver's relatively temperate summers) and neither did my true winter things (which were too hot for Vancouver). If I moved to Sydney I would be in big trouble!!
I would have to come take lessons from you, I think!

Gaylene

Veteran

Just to whet your appetite. Check out the offerings on Clarks UK site:
http://www.clarks.co.uk/c/wome.....-page-is-1

And then my personal favorite-- Russell and Bromley
http://www.russellandbromley.c.....ens,wshoes

That's why I always come back from the UK with at least a couple of pairs of new shoes.

jenanded

Veteran

Looking forward to seeing the 'sacrifices' you will make in London to show us some shoes Suz! How long until you go now?!?!??!

Mia

Veteran

Whoa Gaylene! Why don't the Clarks look like that in Canada??

Suz, I have had some luck at Office in London and I like to drool at Harrods shoe floor.
Usually don't ever see the same styles here.

Oh yeah and Kurt Geiger.....

Agnes

Thanks Suz! when moved from Adelaide In South Australia [desert dry], to Sydney I thought I would die of the humidity! and I had to change my whole wardrobe.
Have a great time shopping In London! I'm sure there will be shoes galore.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Nicole, are you sure we don't live in the same city??? Seriously.....that is my dilemma exactly. Mona will vouch for me. I know it.

Admittedly, there IS a bit more at the mall, but I say "a bit" advisedly. We are not talking about a vast breadth of choice.

Ooh! Gaylene, thank you! Great links!!

Jen, we leave a week from now. How about you?

Mia, my sentiments exactly...and thank you for the recommendations.

Anonymous

Hey, K-town is a Shopping Mecca compared to The Patch!

Thistle

Veteran

So sad you have to shoe shop in London!

On a side note, I find the same thing around here. Not a lot f shoes in brick and morter stores. Already full of sandals no one here can wear for another 3 months.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thistle, that is just it!! I forgot to mention that part. LOTS of sandals coming in already. And for when? Nobody will wear them until June, or in a very rare year mid-May.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

So interesting Suz - I think there is definitely a lack of spring shoes. It's either boots/booties or sandals. Very little in between. I noticed that when I was at The Bay yesterday. Sure, there were some fabulous Cole Haan kitten heel pointy toed pumps and a couple of great pairs of flats, but overall, it's sandals already in the stores. We still have two feet of snow here for goodness sake - there's no way I'm venturing out with bare toes!

You poor thing, having to shop in London. Oh well...what's a gal gonna do?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You would think with our mild winters and long summers we would have the same problem, but it is shoes everywhere here. Just not always the ones I want!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, Shevia, maybe I should task my husbsnd with bringing me some. After the London trip he is headed to Israel (on his own this time because I could not leave work and daughter so long...). I will tell him my size.

Isabel

Veteran

Yes, Gaylene, one of my favorite brands is Clarks. And they seem to get better every year. Decent, comfortable shoes are also a bit difficult to find where I live. Sneakers and Uggs are king and queen. Though city ( Boston ) has some great alternatives and I get there enough as to have some choice.

With that said, I love Born, Pinkolinos, Reiker, Fidji and Earth too. But since YLF, 99% of my shoes are bought from the internet. The availability just doesn't exist anywhere to match it around these here parts.

In order, below : Reiker, Clarks, Earth

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anne

Veteran

Agnes, when I visited Sydney in 2012 (from the south west of WA) I wore my puffer jacket and a jumper. I found it very cold!! But I guess I run cold. Some days in winter I wear my coat all day indoors. I do hate the summer humidity in NSW compared with our mostly dry summers.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Bumping this! Very interesting remark about how environment shapes our choices. I have seen my own style change depending on where I lived. Yet, shoes are fun and useful to have and I wouldn't give up on them Suz. You have got to dedicate a full day to shop only for them in Montreal. Saint-Denis street alone has a few really good stores. We'll go together if you want!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

More shopping latkes for London

Jjsloane

Veteran

I have the opposite problem and see too many shoes I want. Of course I can't afford some, know some will not fit and some I don't really need... But gosh I feel there are soooo many shoes out there (B&M for me and online for sure). I have enough shoes for a small community and am trying to be more discretionary in purchasing (why just today I did NOT buy some awesome, on sale leather wedge sandals because I already have a pair) Huzzah for you for choosing your shoes wisely (I am less discriminating) and I hope you find your dream shoe in London or at the least have fun trying.

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