WIW - shoe challenge, day one

After my grand shoe experiment over the weekend, I identified a few orphans and semi-orphans. A few I put in the sell/donate pile, but these Nine West sandals made the cut for now. I made myself a promise that i would try styling and wearing my lesser-worn summer shoes over the next two weeks, so this is my attempt today. I've always liked the cutout platform on these. It's unlikely I'll do a ton of walking today -- they're not uncomfortable but they're definitely not for a full day on my feet.

The top hasn't been seeing the wear I got out of it last year either, partly because it requires a racerback or strapless bra, and it took me a while to find a new racerback bra that i like. It's nice and cool in hot weather and makes a good layering piece when our weather finally cools off.

What do you think? Worth hanging on to?

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11 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

I can't say how well those shoes fit into your wardrobe, but I love them. Great outfit, too. Love the matador trousers!

catgirl

Funny Mochi chimed in because I would peg them for her (the red). They don't seem quite you, though I feel more aware of your winter style than summer.

Sara L.

I love those shoes! Great summer outfit.

Anonymous

I love the shoes too! And I like the way you styled them.

Thistle

So, I am loving the shoes and the way you styled them. Knowing that are not uncomfortable, but not comfy either, will you ever reach for them when not on a "shoe challenge"?

I do like the top a great dea. It is so pretty on you! I would keep if you will wear it now that you have the right rba.

Irene

Wow, I love those shoes (but could probably not walk in them). Cute and easy outfit!

Firecracker (Sharan)

You look great in this outfit! I like all these pieces together; the shoes seem a perfect complement to the outfit. Didn't you have an epiphany about red shoes recently, or was that someone else? I can't recall. But if it was you, I was wondering if keeping these would give you a pair of red shoes to wear when you get that occasional urge?

Lisa

Fun outfit. I adore the hem on the top and those pants are a great piece. I'm with Thistle, would you really wear the shoes if you were not challenging yourself? Often when I do this exercise, I end up realizing while I can style my unworn items, I'm just not a fan of them anymore.

rae

(website)

From what I know of your style, I am with Una and don't think they're currently you. I could be wrong, though! Personally, I think your super strappy black sandals or even the Rockstuds would look more Janet. I haven't been here 100% this summer, though.

ETA: really love the top in every way!

Janet

Thanks, everybody!

Yeah, these shoes are not totally *me* anymore. Thistle, you make an EXCELLENT point about not wearing them unless I am challenged to. If these hadn't been in my closet, I would have worn the Tuttles with this outfit and known that I could walk the mile to grab dinner in the Inner Harbor tonight.

What these shoes are doing, is making me realize that I like the idea of a sandal with a bit of a heel (but maybe not this high) that gives a neutral outfit like this a pop of color. I have flat sandals that are colorful (turquoise and blue), but nothing else heeled, except for one other pair of red wedges, which have no back to them, and I'm not so keen on wearing those anymore (they're in the possible sell pile too). I had numerous neutral, and metallic wedges in my closet (enough that I got rid of a couple of platform nude wedge sandals that were going unworn). Hmm. It's funny because I have colorful oxfords and boots, but my sandal collection was filled with neutrals.

I'm not sure these shoes will stay in my closet after today. But this is the whole point of the shoe challenge -- put the infrequently-worn shoes through the paces for a day and see if they truly deserve a spot in my wardrobe.

Thanks for all your input!

Good exercise! I did this about this time last year and found by the end of the month the ones I had real trouble styling and the others I just didn't want to wear again. I'll be curious to see how it pans out for you.
Not sure if these aren't 'you' as much as they aren't the 'you' we see most of the time. Maybe they are playful Janet or summer hot nights Janet lol.

Joy

You look stunning. I know what you mean about the height and comfort of the shoes though. I have a pair of 3" gold wedge sandals that look great on, are reasonably comfortable when not walking much, but have not been worn all summer. They are just a bit too high.

A thing that bugs me about these shoes is the patent leather in the front of the footbed -- it's kinda sticky on my feet.

unfrumped

Not sure I'm loving the style but the color is great.
This is a great exercise and really helps create a focuse "list"--such as, "red heeled sandals that are more comfortable but still stylish".

It's impossible to be happy in shoes that are remotely uncomfortable. Of course, you already know this.

ETA interesting thoughts on the heel. I have a pair of flat sandals that are perfect for most of the things I wear in the summer. But mostly I don't want flats anymore--I want some kind of heel, but a one-inch heel is a height I absolutely don't want anymore--frumpier than a flat and a higher heel. So probably 2-3 inchers would be my sweet spot nowadays. Anyway thinking out loud so carry on.

Caro in Oz

Late here. I'm doing the same with my maybes too - so far there is another pair on the donate/sell pile I think this is a really good way of working out why I don't wear something. I'm hoping the end result will be fewer shopping mistakes

Suz

So smart, Janet. You look so pretty in the outfit, but I must admit it doesn't feel completely "you" and now you know what you need in your sandal capsule. An updated, fully modern, and COMFORTABLE colourful sandal.

Hey, when you find it, will you please let me know? That is a hole in my capsule for next year, too. I got the Angie recommended Reiker wedges and I have worn them constantly, but they do not feel as refined as I would prefer, so I consider them a stopgap sandal until I can trade up.

Beth Ann

Love how the tulip hem of the top echoes the rounded edges of the capris. Sounds like your challenge netted a plan for next season!

Abigail

Active Member

That top is so adorable! The shorts are really cute too.

TraceyLiz65

Love the outfit and the idea of a pop of color in shoe wear. Think the height on these make them tricky and will naturally cause you to shy away from them. Since most of your sandals are neutrals I recommend you put colored ones on the wish list and find ones that will become a workhorse instead.

Lyn D.

I think I agree with the general consensus-
great shoe but maybe not practical enough to keep?

HelenInCanada

I say KEEP! They're a fun pop of shine and colour.

LoveSarahDub

Cute shoes! Love the color!

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