My new shoe closet.

[galligator]

Thanks. Of course, I'm behind now & have a dozen labels I need to print out since last time, but I have slowed down the purchasing quite a bit, so maybe my space won't run out too soon.

Hubby already makes comments about how we will need to make storage in the garage for the kids gifts & toys that I normally hold in my closet during the year... so that I can free up space for the inevitable growth of my shoe collection.

I am definitely lucky that he is fairly understanding of this side of me. It's not that I would stop loving shoes, but it's nice not to get attitude about it like some other gals seem to get.

[galligator]

I don't think there's a square inch of my house that is that swank. Of course I'm not much for that whole 'minimalist rococo'* style anyway. My dream interior is more of an Frank Lloyd Wright/Mission style/art and crafts vibe. All that warm wood - that would be just lovely. Maybe after the kids are all grown up & on their own...

(*my fave joke from Beauty and the Beast: As you can see, the pseudo-façade was stripped away to reveal a minimalist rococo design. Note the unusual inversed vaulted ceilings. This is yet another example of the late neoclassic Baroque period. And, as I always say, "if it's not Baroque, don't fix it!" )

Originally Posted by Nylo

Her shoes live better than most people I know!

[r5bales2]

Gal, Your Baroque joke reminds me of an episode of an old Dick Van Dyke show when an old friend comes to visit and Little Richie shows the old friend Mary Tyler Moore's pearls. Friend says "These are Baroque." Little Richie says, "I didn't ba-roke them."

I just went back and saw the photo album of your shoe collection. Usually there is a trend that most people have in their shoes. (Mine is platform, peep toe pumps with an ornament on the toe.) I must say, you have the most eclectic collection I have ever seen. It is wonderful.

[galligator]

I'm a sucker for details on shoes. So, embroidery and perforated oxford details tend to grab me. But, I could also live in boots if the weather would stay below 70. I know it doesn't look like it, but at this point I really am trying to consider if new shoes that I like are just a 'variation' on a style I already have, or if they actually fill some sort of 'gap'.

I also need to trim down some of the less-comfy styles. I donated a dozen pairs around Thanksgiving last year to Soles4Souls, and may do that again this year with "2-hour" shoes (what some girls refer to as sitting shoes; good only for getting to and from dinner)

But really. I'm probably hopeless.

I have found out some things with my collection, though. D'orsays & 2-piece styles that are open at the middle of the foot rarely fit me since my foot is widest just after the toe-box ...so I tend to avoid those now unless they are a brand that I know has more room in that area. I also still wait for styles to go on sale. It's a habit to wait 2-6 months for the price to go down. By that time, there may be similar styles around that are more affordable, I may be tired or overloaded on the style ... so if I am still really interested after time passing, then I feel better that I will still be interested in wearing it for many years instead of only a season.

Have I rambled enough?



BTW - I haven't seen the Dick Van Dyke show in forever. That brings back memories...3 stations plus PBS & 2 UHF channels. Good times.

[r5bales2]

We must live in the same naighborhood, only different states. I have the same channels. I am in AZ - so no cold weather here, but a rural community.

So when you wear your LAMBS to the grocery store, do the people all look at you funny? <laughing>

[galligator]

* I hope not*

But, rural town & all I saw a lady today drop off her kid today at preschool wearing...Drumroll....

Pink thigh-high stockings, knee-high, metal stiletto, buckle over the instep boots with short-shorts + tank top today. Anything I wear will look downright conservative compared to that. Honestly, she might have gotten a 2nd look or two in a city, but in rural mountain desert? Folks here, even younger, generally don't dress that aggressively. On a positive note, she was thin, young & fit, so her outfit actually fit, for what that's worth.

Me & my LAMB, Maddens, whatever... - usually works okay since I'm a big fan of skirts and dresses. But, most folks here wouldn't recognize brands like LAMB since Macy's is the fanciest store in town. Most people here or elsewhere are just not that brand-conscious about shoes. But I have gotten compliments on my Carlos Santana's and a pair of Pour La Victoire's. That's always nice.

[r5bales2]

Carlos Santana shoes.....Good shoe? Good Value? You get what you pay for?

I am intrigued by his shoes, but after I wrote a glowing report on Jessica Simpson shoes, I have just about had it with shoes in that celebrity $70-100 category. I am struggling with just how much I need to pay in order to get a shoe that fits well, and is a good value.

[galligator]

Value is always a difficult decision, rarely paying full price helps. I always go into it with the 'you get what you pay for' idea so that there is always a chance to be pleasantly surprised. They are wide over the toe area which is a must for me when I get away from pumps and slingbacks (a blue platform cutout wedge).




I keep my shoes in their boxes, wipe down the soles after I wear them & rotate them so that no one pair gets excessive use (except for my favorite boots and kicky skechers)

I have just the one Carlos Santana , but I found it to be a good value. It's actually much more comfy than the one style I have by Nanaette Lepore or Magli; although I will probably add an insolia support onto it to make it an all-day shoe instead of a 5-hour shoe (of course, that was a day when I was on my feet a lot). I think one of your best bets is to try some styles out around the house from endless (free returns) or off of the Macy's sales rack. I am more willing to try styles that have tempted me when they turn up on the Macy's sales racks. I have found both good and bad brand fits that way, but it has definitely helped me to narrow down which ones work best for my foot shape.


But, I am notorious for getting shoes after-season for 40-60% off. That changes the value equation a little bit. In the $70-$120 range my favorite brands are probably Seychelles, Steve Madden & Betsey Johnson (smartbargains is great for getting current season Betsey for $60-$90 depending on their extra discount promos). I know lots of folks who hate SM, but these brands work well for me with a higher arch, so I know I will definitely get wear out of them. I also have had good luck with Vince Camuto styles. One of my most comfy pumps is a Camuto platform wedge that I can wear for hours. Another budget brand that was super comfy for me was Kenzie, but they closed up, so it's down to isolated stock at places like endless & onlineshoes.

I still hate paying more than $150 final price on most shoes (though it has happened a very few times), but will consider it for boots. So many shoes are on super clearance on Amazon right after New Years, that I prefer waiting. One trick is that if stock is getting low at endless, it is often $10-40 cheaper at Amazon, but you lose the overnight shipping and free returns.

Oh, and some other great sites for occasional killer shoe sales are 6pm.com, djpremium.com, niemanmarcus.com (Last call, this is more relative, of course), saks.com (generally better than NM, but sale stock is unpredictable), shopbop.com (after spring sales around May-June last year had $400 shoes going for about 70% off), and occasional designer clearance at Josephs shoes. I also shop via rebate sites so that I get a little extra back 90 days after a purchase.

[r5bales2]

You are a better shoe keeper than I. I wear them everyday until they walk themselves to the Goodwill bin.

I tend to have three kinds of shoes. Formal for dress-up fund raisers (4 or 5 times a year), church shoes (Once a week), super casual for when I am at home (everyday). Since I am a stay at home nana/mom, it is easy to get into the flip flop rut. I am fairly curious what people spend on a pair of shoes. I know it is very regional, and depends on your industry, but I am still interested. I try to get $400 - $500 shoes on deep discount for my formal shoes. My church shoes tend to be the $250 shoes on deep discount. My everydays tend to be the $100 shoes that I wear OUT. Usually discounted. When I go for the less expensive heels, I always regret it. (As I look at my pair of Jessica Simpsons that look a bit like the CL Prive... only the heel slips so i can't wear them.)

I am currently lusting after a pair of LAMBS and the three strap CL maryjanes. I need them to wear to the grocery store...<laughing> I think I am done with buying shoes for a while.

[Cabii]

Whoa! Very impressive! I have to show my hubby this so that he'll stop calling me a junkie LOL!