After desperately perusing the racks at Off Broadway shoes and DSW Shoe Warehouse this summer (an operation so large you have to pack GORP and a water bottle lest you perish whilst tromping the endless rows of footwear), I had despaired of finding a decent black shoe for this fall and winter.
Dear readers, my needs were so simple, it seemed.
I wanted something comfortable enough to wear all day.
I wanted something with a heel to avoid the discomfort and frumposity of flats (frumpy for me, my doves, not for you).
I wanted something more substantial than a pump yet NOT A MARY JANE.
I wanted not to look like Olive Oyl or Priscilla Alden.
I wanted not to pay a small fortune for some of those ever-so-fashionable lace-up granny booties that come off as “Granny Works the Vegas Strip.”
I wanted something I could wear in an inch of snow (snee) without killing myself, yet nothing that had fur or would make me look like the Bride of Chewbacca.
Today, after a one-martini lunch with Rev. Perpetua (it’s my day off, pigeons!), I found a pair of booties that looked quite ugly on the shelf but which actually, when on, were lovely and met all of my needs. Plus, they were far less expensive than they’re on-line listing. Score! Not only do they look good, they have an umlaut in their name so that I can refer to them as my “suuuffft buuuties” in an exaggerated Swedish Chef fashion. And I call that a good time.
PB, you may recall those lovely coral wedges I was wearing the bright spring day you modeled the tank top made for a pixie elf as headwear on the ANTS quad–those are Sofft, too, and I LOVE THEM. Kicky, comfy, and also from DSW.
Congratulations!
WR
I have a similar pair (lower heel) which I think look a little bit too much like Pilgrim shoes (only lacking the large square silver buckle) BUT they are super-duper comfortable. Mine have elastic sides like yours. Maybe that’s the secret.
Glad you found what you were looking for!
Ooh, very nice! Congratulations. VERY nice. I like that they have a bit of padding under the ball of the foot. I have some lovely Nine West black suede booties that had me limping in pain and I can’t wear any more because the ball of the foot is so thin. I like the shape of those you found, too — not too pointy, but also not roundy roundy. (Though you know me, I’ll wear roundy-roundy shoes.)
Now let’s hear about the elusive Quest for the Perfect White Blouse That Is Not Synthetic But Also Doesn’t Wrinkle Or Make Us Look All Boxy.
See, I knew that to leave you in the hands of that one martini would be my yom kippur mitzvah, dahling.
Also, I never told you that Sofft is my new favorite brand of shoes EVER. Seriously, I’ve bought three pair this year (out of three bought all year, which is a record for me), and want to wear one of them EVERY DAY. Good work, PB.
Womynrev, I just remembered what you were talking about and snarfed my coffee!
yes, yes – I too need to find the perfect white shirt. I’ve enjoyed ones with 3/4 sleeves because that can work when ones arms are just a bit long for many shirts, but if they have buttons on the cuffs, I pop the buttons when bending my elbow. And I would love a source of white shirts that are not too pricey and where I find more again and again – I am very good at attracting stains.
I love Penney’s but have a heck of a time finding blouses, tops, etc. that are not polyester and feel like a layer of colored plastic.
Caroline D.,
If you’re looking for a blouse that doesn’t make you look boxy may I suggest finding one that is princess-seamed. Princess seaming is by far the best way to make a woman look womanly.
I’ll work on it, girls.
@ Judy: I was surprised by how un-pilgrimish these booties looked on. Something about the way the heel is designed actually gives them a cool, motorcycle girl look. Who knew? My Mom always says, “You have to try things on.” And she’s right.
I’ve had great success with Land’s End white shirts. They have 100% cotton that is wrinkle-free (I got one for my hubby) and it works well enough. In women’s, I found a long sleeved one with princess seams that I LOVE – it layers well because it fits closely and the sleeves are long enough (I’m tall), but it’s so well tailored it can be worn alone. Also, Land’s End typically has good prices – $30 – $40 for my shirt. Good luck!