cimorene | shoe consultation shopping for OTHER people

You can be my Personal Shoe Shopper, if you like. Seriously, women's sizes in Finland start from 36 and my size is...34,5 or something. My Chucks are the only shoes I actually like, the rest I bought because I just couldn't find anything better. :(

I've mostly given up on buying shoes in Finland. :/ The next time I have to buy important ones I'm ordering them from Germany or the UK. In fact, the last four pairs I bought came from Greece, England, and the US (twice) respectively. If you can buy within the EU you don't have to pay customs, but you have to watch shipping. However, I love to browse Shuh and Treds, which have reasonable shipping charges. ER

http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/home_normal.asp
http://www.treds.co.uk/

I would sign up for such a service in four seconds flat. Best Beloved has to wear business casual shoes that will be nice to her feet (she's a librarian, so she's on them all day), and she refuses even to LOOK at shoes, so I end up doing the shopping for both of us, even though I despise shoe shopping. Such is my loathing that I haven't managed yet to buy shoes in my new, post-pregnancy size, and the baby is eight months old. (I need slip-on shoes that are black that do not look horrible. I get as far as opening Zappos and get depressed.)

I don't blame you though. Zappos is awful if you don't KNOW what you're looking for already. Shoe-store sites in the UK are much more user-friendly and browsable! But I will look into your problem (though I'm not by any means an expert in comfort shoes. My mom is on her feet all day as a teacher and she was prescribed Dansko, which are moulded-footbed clogs made in Denmark. I like Birkenstocks, too, and they have some lines that don't look like bedroom slippers now. But such shoes (a) don't really follow fashion, which is probably a good thing, and (b) are super-expensive, which is not such a good thing).

Money is not such a big deal. With shoes, it tends to be worth it; I would pay $500 for shoes unless they were really exceptional, but, like, $300? Yes. But I see your point with the fashion-following. Still, if you have suggestions, they would be welcome.

Right now, I am seriously contemplating purchasing these:

I realize I would probably regret it, but it's so rare for me to look at a pair of shoes and actually WANT them, you know?

Dude. DUDE. I WANT THEM TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

All Danskos look like that, though, so if you have an aversion to Swedish clogs (or in this case Danish clogs, but I suppose the difference is whether they're actually made of wood or not...) - or if you get bored easily - you might eventually long for something else.

Also! Some people love Birkenstocks and some people HATE them - it depends on your foot. They take the paiiin away from an 8-hour day on my feet/running up and down stairs at daycare for me, but they've been known to give people awful blisters. All depends on the fit, sadly. You probably wouldn't want to buy without trying on. But I'm coveting these:

Birkenstock's Footprints line of non-sandal shoes from www.footshopping.com/

I belatedly realised you said 'slip-ons, black'. Is that slip-ons like 'Don't need laces' or like 'Must be able to put on and off while holding Earthling, without looking at feet'? Because in the latter case I guess you need slides, clogs, moccasins or ballet-shoe-alikes. But in the former these might work (also Footprints):

Clarks does great dressy shoes in the $80-100 range like these, "Apple", "Bahama Beach", and "Malta"

As well as casual and cute stuff including the wallabees they invented and got famous for (slightly higher-priced it seems - more like $110-120). (This is the wallabee followed by Desert Trek. I don't care what people say! I think they're cute!) (All these come from the Casual category HERE (http://clarks.zappos.com/n/es?&d=722668891&page=1)) (All of the casual shoes come in black and most come in several other colours as well)

"Adore Kiss", "Un.gear", "Funky Star", "Un.poem"

"Funky Fun", "Nicolette", "Un.loop"

A:

Army, $69 (http://www.aerosoles.com/product1.asp?P=ARMY)

Blossom, in black also, $69 ()

HP:

Sonnet, $69 (http://www.hushpuppies.com/US/en-US/Product/NZVSZZZZ/G-W-NewA/new-arrivals/WOMEN/34656/Womens/Black/H500523/Sonnet.aspx)

Melita, $69 (http://www.hushpuppies.com/US/en-US/Product/NZVSZZZ/G-W-CAS/casual/WOMEN/Womens/Black-Leather/H55383/Melita.aspx)

Verse, $69, also in black (http://www.hushpuppies.com/US/en-US/Product/NZVSZZZZ/G-W-CAS/casual/WOMEN/34663/Womens/Coffee-Bean/H500439/Verse.aspx)

Wow. We liked a lot of these shoes, and after careful reflection and a lot of clicking (Best Beloved, in particular, was massively torn; apparently you nailed her taste perfectly), she got a pair of Un.poems and I got a pair of Un.loops. (BB actually like the Birkenstocks the best - lo, we are stereotypical lesbians! - but we took your warning about fit and will not purchase those until she can actually get to a store and try them on.)

I also got the pirate clogs. Because: pirate clogs.

Thank you! You've made shoe shopping painless and easy. (And I will probably come whining to you again the next time either of us needs shoes.)

Oh, and. Um. If a person were to get a pair of shoes that weren't black - like, say, merlot ones, or olive ones - what would that person be able to wear with them? Like, do you have to have clothes that match the shoes, or what? Particularly I am wondering about the merlot. Just, you know. Out of curiosity.

Wow, I feel so useful ♥! I sympathise with BB. I really like those two-strap wing-tipped Birkenstock maryjanes, myself. They have just enough sassiness and funkiness with an unobtrusive, timeless shape. (I believe they all use the same footbed, so it probably doesn't matter which ones you try on.)

I am a firm believer in Red is the New Black (For Accessories)! (Green is my second favourite colour for accessories.) Which is to say, if the shoes are any shade of red, I believe they can be worn with just about anything (certain exceptions, like forest green pants would probably look silly with them; and if you have carefully constructed an 8-piece outfit where everything from the tights to suspenders is in red and cream then olive shoes would probably seem out of place).

But still, merlot and olive shoes don't really have to *match* clothes, even if those clothes are matchy outfits such as coordinated skirts and sweaters. Either one of them would look good with essentially any colours in the traditional "autumn" family, as well as any neutrals including navy, darks with pale accents (eg pastel oxford shirts or sweaters), bright spring/Easter-looking colours. The only thing I can bring to mind that would really fail would be pastels EVERYWHERE except the shoes, like a powder-pink Jackie O suit or baby blue jogging suit. Fortunately such outfits rarely come up in real life.

Do you or Best Beloved have opinions on Clarks or Aerosoles? I've got a pair of Aerosoles sneakers with a driving-moccasin sole that feel like wrapping your foot in... cotton candy or something. (Not literally.) I don't wear them regularly anymore, because I don't want to wear them out. And Clarks are better at looking unobtrusively adult and good, according to my limited experience. Like, they kind of look like normal shoes and neither Designed for Comfort!! nor all deliberately cutesy.

I have shoe angst all the time! I did not realize how much I need this service.

Now you know who to call! SHOE-BUSTERS! :D

Cim, I need a high-heeled shoe but one with a heel that I can walk in and that doesn't hurt (so not too thin and stiletto-y and not too high, more triangular and a bit fat but not too nerdy) and that is a glamorous going-out-at-night shoe and will dress up a pair of jeans and preferably is orange or bronze.

I will look! :D But you know, the only way to tell if a shoe will ACTUALLY hurt your feet is to wear it all day for at least three days or so, unfortunately. You can always get bad luck even if the shoes look decent. Heeled shoes are tricky because not only do they have to be well-made to be comfortable, they have to be compatible with your foot. :/ (I hate the bitches, for myself, but I like to look at them on other people!)

First, the Clarks and Hush Puppies. They're pricier, and I couldn't find an exact match, but they're more likely to be comfortable and well-made.

http://www.hushpuppies.com/US/en-US/Product/NZVSZZZZ/G-W-DRS/dress/WOMEN/34912/Womens/Tan/H2408802A/Adlington.aspx Hush Puppies Adlington in Tan, $69

Clarks Iota in grey metallic, $95 here (http://clarks.zappos.com/n/p/dp/49645157/c/163849.html)

Clarks Apple Star in burgundy patent (comes in gold too), $100, here (http://clarks.zappos.com/n/p/dp/48323458/c/1141.html)

Clarks Apple Snow in dark red leather, here (http://clarks.zappos.com/images/742/7423952/10757-655455-d.jpg), $100

Hereafter the shoes were found at Amazon.com and sort-of arranged in order of how well I thought they met your criteria.

The best ones I found IMO, Marvin K "Aquatalia" wedge, $46. here (http://www.amazon.com/Aquatalia-Marvin-K-Womens-Ravish-MT/dp/B001046XPG/ref=sr_1_209?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1233941085&sr=1-209)

White Mt "Keely". These are also a good choice, but the cutouts are playful which makes them less sophisticated. $59 here (http://www.amazon.com/White-Mt-Womens-Keely-Bronze/dp/B001BMF45C/ref=sr_1_267?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1233941146&sr=1-267).

I'm not a big fan of covered heels and this shape will, eventually, date, because of the way the toe is sculpted. That said, they're really nice and versatile. Nina Dolls "You Must", $69 (http://www.amazon.com/Nina-Dolls-Womens-Must-Metallic/dp/B000WYHR0K/ref=sr_1_529?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1233941346&sr=1-529).

Nine West "Zoros", a bit on the yellow side I think, and the heel's a tad high, but kudos for the simple shape. $22 here (http://www.amazon.com/Nine-West-Womens-Zoros-Peep/dp/B0016P8D1Q/ref=sr_1_44?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1233940907&sr=1-44).

Xhilaration "Sharon" are maybe the best GLAMOUR!! shoes on the list and the cheapest, but the heel is really too high. They're like, $6 here (http://www.amazon.com/Xhilaration-Wine-Snake-Sharon-Pump/dp/B0017JUE86/ref=sr_1_31?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1233941826&sr=1-31).

Restricted "Pizazz", around $20 (http://www.amazon.com/Restricted-Womens-Pizazz-Pump-Bronze/dp/B001BAKZSA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1233940871&sr=1-9). Dark silver, not bronze, and the heel may be too narrow, but they have a very classy look that could go day or night.

Matisse "Slice" gold snake-texture kitten-heel slingbacks, around $20 (http://www.amazon.com/Matisse-Womens-Slice-Slingback-Pump/dp/B0013M3NXK/ref=sr_1_131?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1233941001&sr=1-131). The kitten heel is not as sturdy as a solid one, but is so low that I doubt you could lose your balance, and the shape/look is glamourous and ultra-low-heeled, which I find really stylish - breezy and glitzy. (http://www.amazon.com/Women%2527s-Xhilaration-Sharon-Peep%252dToe-Pumps/dp/images/B0017JOJE6/ref=dp_image_x_0?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&img=0&qid=1233941826&sr=1-31&color%5Fname=x)

Oh, wow, I am overwhelmed! I expected two or three suggestions but this is a wealth of choice, and with pictures, too! We have a Clarks' in town and I haven't been in it for months but these shoes you've found there are beautiful! I especially like the Adlington in tan, except I already have tan pump-type things. The Apple Snow are also really nice! And I love those gold Non-West zoros! But what to wear them with, and are they really me? But whoa. Nina Dolls and Mt Keely aren't really my style, and I've never worn peep-toes but am not thinking, well, I can at least try them on in the store.

Thank you! This is great! Can I ask you again in the future about any of my shoe needs?

Oh, gosh, and I just realised that I actually have a shoe icon!

I would sign up! The only shoe I've ever found that's comfortable is this New Balance walking shoe (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VUPU9K) so I wear them everywhere, but dang, there has to be something dressier that wouldn't hurt me.

What, not even other New Balance shoes? That's not very reliable of them! :|

Although honestly, I doubt other Aerosoles shoes are as delicious-feeling as my prized bowling mocs.

Not that those are dressy...

How cute are those shoes! I also like the floral ones you posted. My feet are jealous.

Well, I don't own the floral ones, but the Bowling Mocs are very comfortable (much more so than your average sneaker - they're incredibly lightweight and springy).

My personal sneaker collection includes gold metallic on white (http://cimness.livejournal.com/2572581.html), the red tweed ones above, Marimekko apple print (http://cimness.livejournal.com/2509331.html), velcro-strap Vans with butterfly-winged skulls (http://pupe.ameba.jp/item/xHpBgAl1aYYu/ixSmIcl1j5ec/), red plaid (http://cimness.livejournal.com/2536559.html), and camel cable-knit (http://img.pupe.ameba.jp/image/item/s/3Eoe2pd-uelI.jpg).

Cim Cim Cim, I would so appreciate advice! I really like this outfit (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coma_high/3201886175/) but my shoes are all huge DM boots, trainers or Birkenstock sandals. What shoes would work for this outfit that I could get here in the UK? (And are flat because I have stupid big toe joints and can't bend them without pain.)
*bats eyelashes appealingly*

Ooh wow, that's super cute! Hmmm, looks like ballet flats, mary janes - I mean... bar pumps? - or loafers would look good with it! I will look around presently!

\0/ Thank you in advance!
Oh, um, just to be awkward, mjs and court shoes are often problematic for me because the edge cuts across my big toe joint. Weird but painful.

Oh yeah. Mine are kind of big too! Hmmmm. The flickr says she's wearing Dansko clogs, but evidently not the kind that cover the whole foot. I will keep this in mind.

oops replied to myself instead of you! http://cimness.livejournal.com/2650373.html?thread=8096773#t8096773

From Shuh:

(Clarks Originals Imperial Girl, steep at £49, and I know you said bar pumps could be bad, but in case they MIGHT not - they look really comfortable!) here (http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/item_frameset.asp?s_ref=130088&fav_colour=1300881020&s_group=0)

Ikon loafers, £43, here (http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/item_frameset.asp?s_ref=130253&fav_colour=1302537020&s_group=0)

Ikon loafers in brown (http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/item_frameset.asp?s_ref=130252&C3_Ref=169&C2_Ref=130&s_group=0), £44 (Black would work too, but I really like that the shoes in the Flickr picture are brown)

Hush Puppies Waltz in brown&black (http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/item_frameset.asp?s_ref=130405&C3_Ref=169&C2_Ref=130&s_group=0), £49 (These straddle the line between sneakers and loafers weirdly with the styling - but I like the shape and the fiddly little straps)

Clarks Carnaby Fun in brown&black (http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/item_frameset.asp?s_ref=130086&C3_Ref=169&C2_Ref=130&s_group=0), £49 (cut quite high in front so they might not cut into your toe!)

And there's always plimsols like these in leather or suede (http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/item_frameset.asp?s_ref=130887&C3_Ref=169&C2_Ref=130&s_group=0), 5 colours, £20

Red or Dead Coll in tan, red, or black (http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/item_frameset.asp?s_ref=130449&C3_Ref=171&C2_Ref=130&s_group=0), £54 (Hippy, stompy, casual and cute at the same time)

Ikon Geek (http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/item_frameset.asp?s_ref=130256&C3_Ref=174&C2_Ref=130&s_group=0), £44

At Treds:

IDK if you've got any El Naturalista shoes. They're supposed to be comfy but they're really expensive so I don't have any - EN Tibet-Cuero (http://www.treds.co.uk/product/n275/24196), £64

Skechers Dimple (http://www.treds.co.uk/product/dimple/6639) Skechers aren't true running shoes, but you wouldn't need to run, right? These are a cute slip on... school shoe type of thing with a sneaker sole, £45, but idk if the cut's too low in front.

At Office

Candid Camera brogues (http://www.office.co.uk/womens/office/candid_camera/30/5600/15149/1/). I covet these mightily but I wouldn't pay £60 for them.

Chief penny loafers (http://www.office.co.uk/womens/office/chief_loafer/30/5311/14497/1/). Even at £50, I might cave and buy these soon. I &heart; menswear classics on ladies.

Tammy bow moc (http://www.office.co.uk/womens/office/tammy_bow_moc/30/6062/16372/1/). £60.

Cave In Slip-on (http://www.office.co.uk/womens/office/cave_in_slip_on/30/5333/14562/1/). £55. Black and brown in one shoe!

Dude. DUDE. Definite inspiration going on now, thank you so much! I especially like the Clarks Carnaby shoes, the Schuh trainers and the loafers.

You have excellent taste! Those are the ones I would buy. I love the look of flat-soled suede trainers, when they keep the same family of colours in the soles. And loafers... ♥

Oh, I have those penny loafers! Except mine are from The Office (another shop with gorgeous shoes) and a very dark aubergine colour. I've not worn them much as it's been winter. But aren't they classy?!

Oh, yours are from The Office, too...

*needs new glasses*

Okay, well, I've been watching your shoe posts and thinking, "Maybe someday magically she will post the shoe I want and I will buy it and the world will be wonderful!" But if I can just ask you to search for the shoe I want...

Which, to wit, is a green shoe, either a low heel (up to 1.5 or 2"?) or completely flat, appropriate for business or just wearing out and about. The color on the Poetic Licence pair in this post is in the ballpark of what I'd like. But I do live in the States so it would have to be available there.

Anyway, well, any ideas you have would be amazing! And thanks in advance. ^_^

Edited (html fail) 2010-03-17 23:03 (UTC)