The Perfect Black Pump

Finding the perfect black pump is like finding the perfect black dress.   Great in theory, but difficult in practice.  My perfect black pump would have a 1/2 inch platform, smooth leather, a 3 inch heel, an almond toe and, at most, a $200-300 price tag.   I don’t want any annoying spikes or studs.  I have had my fill of them.  Enough is enough.  Christian Louboutin has a great basic pump, as does Gucci and Valentino but those are simply out of my price range.

These Platswoons by Stuart Weitzman are gorgeous, I own them in Red Quasar.  They are a little high in the heel at 4 inches but a 1/2 inch platform makes it 3.5 and at $300 they are a little high in my price range.  In truth, I have these in my shopping cart.  I may end up purchasing them later on this month. We’ll see.

The  Charles David Piza on sale at $175  are a good choice,  but they don’t have the platform needed for stability AND much time in a 4 inch heel is paralyzing.

Some of our readers have posted their shoes and it is wonderful to see what shapes you are attracted to.

So tell, what do your perfect black pumps look like?

Weitzman Takes a Tweed Turn

Hmm.

I’m a little confused by this.

Is this really Stuart Weitzman? There are so many cheaper-looking shoes in his current collection, made of fabric, that I can’t help feeling that even thought it’s a summer collection, a lot of the class of his style has been lost in translation.

The jagged edges of the tweed also hardly do anything for it.

The Weitzman website says: “A distressed linen bootie with cut-outs and raffia detail is not only a fashion statement but the trend statement of spring.”

Reaallly? Hmmm. Though it sounds fancy, with gold grommet detail, a 4-inch heel (and 1-inch platform), a leather sole with a leather cushioned foot bed, and manufacturing in Spain, this just looks boring and cheap and messy to me, not edgy or fashionable or relaxed or stylish.

OpenShut, on sale for $269 at StuartWeitzman.com

Weitzman’s Summer Charm

I like this shoe. At first, I didn’t think I would, but there’s a relaxed charm to it that grows on you.

Can’t you picture wearing them at a summer cottage while you go out to buy some flowers at the town florist?

With elastic straps (i.e., the laces are not the real support holding this shoe together) and a rubber sole with a leather insole, this is a much more practical shoe than it looks like.

The shoe comes in canvas or linen and features a 3.75-inch heel and a .75-inch platform. 

Weitzman Tyrol, $375, StuartWeitzman.com

Weitzman Tailors for Fall

Stuart Weitzman Combat, $675 at Zappos.com

Stuart Weitzman’s fall boots are appropriately brown and autumnal, and gorgeously tailored to hug those feet curves.

Check out this OTK lace-up offering from Stuart Weitzman. The modern master does it once again. Sexy, classic and current all at the same time! A beautiful color, a fun shape, a 4 1/2″ heel and a 1″ platform, a sole with great traction, and a 20″ shaft with a sexy curve at the top behind your knee? Even country gal Carrie Underwood approves!

And look after the jump to see just how slim this boot is. Unlike a lot of this season’s bulkier offerings, this boot will not make your leg look wider than an elephant’s! However, your jeans may not fit in this puppy like Carrie’s do, unless you’ve got slim calves. I’d wear these out at night even.

(more…)

Alternatives to Sky High Shoes

I was goofing around online the other day and saw a photo of a young celebrity nearly trip while wearing platform pumps.  She didn’t end up on her kiester, but it was close.  I was reminded of an event that happened several years ago, but have never forgotten it.  I didn’t tell anyone, not even Mr. R5, because it was so embarrassing.

I was in a pair of 4.5 inch platforms. The weather had turned windy and rainy and I struggled to open a door that was being blown shut by the wind.  I rushed into the building, and the door slammed behind me, throwing me off balance.  My wet stilettos hit the marble floor, I skittered across that lobby, going through all sorts of contortions, goofed my knee and broke one of the d#mn heels off.  BUT I didn’t fall.  It was quite an acomplishment, but there is no way it can be done with aplomb. 

(more…)