Kate Spade 'Beau' flats, plus a word about purging your shoe collection

[shoesense]

When I first saw these last year, I thought they embodied everything I was looking for in a shoe: cute, comfy, great color, great quality, great workmanship. I liked them so much that I used a photo of them for a banner on my former blog:

I failed to get them because even on sale they were about $150, and then the color I really liked, green, was sold out and they only had an ivory pair left on Zappos, and soon that was gone too. I didn't see them anywhere else after that.

Now they've resurfaced at Sierra Trading Post, for $180 (down from $275), in five colors no less (though green is still my favorite, the other colors are not that special, in my opinion). That, plus I'm freshly in need of green flats, since I've just purged my collection this weekend, and got rid of about 10 pairs of shoes, two of which were lime-green: a Donald Pliner (these) and a Delman ballet flat, the 'Wren' model (these, but in lime green and patent toecap). The Pliners were extremely tight across my instep area, to the point of being supremely uncomfortable, and the Delmans were scrunching my toes something fierce, plus they were flat as a pancake with a flimsy sole and incapable of accepting orthotics because they were so low-cut--in a word, very uncomfortable.

As an aside, I find that purging one's shoe collection is a bitter-sweet experience. On the one hand those were shoes I really liked and bought during my efforts to spruce up my shoe wardrobe. I was proud of the bargains I had gotten them for and they really filled a gap in my collection (such as, green shoes!). On the other hand, they really didn't fit that well, despite my best intentions. After a wear or two, they really let me down. Even if I kept them in my closet, I probably wouldn't have worn them, or just very rarely. Instead now, I have more room for new fabulous pairs--and hopefully, with the wisdom of hindsight, I'll be smart enough to recognize which shoes really fit comfortably BEFORE I wear them outside, thus rendering them unreturnable. Plus, it gives me a reason to go shoe-hunting again, and this time be really really selective.

Unlike my Delmans and Pliners, these Kate Spades look very comfy and my experience with other Kate Spade shoes I own has been very pleasant. They're true to size and quite comfortable. I really love this pair, though I think they should be far more discounted--the model is at least 2 years old, as far as I can tell. Should I wait? Is there any other place on the Internets that has them? What do you think?

[Nemtynakht]

Well, whatever you decide, you should decide it quickly. I've had one too many bad experiences with STP listing items as "almost gone!" and then having them turn out to be completely gone by the time I checked out. I've returned many things to them without hassle, though, so it might be worth it to just get the shoes.

When I purge, I sell my shoes on ebay. Becuase I have so many pairs of shoes, my shoes are never more than "gently used." Obviously I never get anywhere near what I paid for them, but if a shoe hurts my foot or otherwise I won't wear it again, I'd rather get some money than none for it.

[shoesense]

Interesting. I never really bought anything on STP, so this will be new for me. My hubby uses the site to get good quality but discounted socks. I might just take the plunge and if I'm not happy, return them.

I hear you about eBay. But for some reason... I haven't gone there yet. I prefer to find people I like and give my shoes away. It gives me pleasure to know that a friend is enjoying my beautiful shoes and gives them a good home. One hopes, at least!

[moyersshoesQuakertownPenn]

Shoesense, what a nice thought. I don't know anyone but my aunt who wears a ten like me, so she gets all my shoes, LOL...

PS, I still think a good cobbler is worth his weight in GOLD! They are not easy to find, but my guy can do anything (right now he's adding a T-to some ankle strap, peep toe red 3-inchers that I just love). Can stretch the dickens out of shoes.

Everyone knows about shoe stretchers, yes? Did you know they make them for length, too? So cool...