Beauty Tips for Ministers

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1. I used to wear heels 5 days out of 7 when I was working. Now that I’m not, I have worn heels (excluding my Bass mule clogs) maybe … 5 times out of the last seven months - maybe. I’ve mostly been wearing a pair of Aldo boots that go with most everything, but those are starting to get really tired.

   I was thinking about the coming spring and summer months and KNOW it’s going to be time to wear real shoes again. And I can’t wear my comfy 2.5 inch Nine Wests what with my increasing condition. So … Mary Janes it may have to be. Maybe. I used to be such a fan, but now I’m … not.

   What do you think of something like the Softspot Odelia pictured here? Or the Softspot Oreon?

   For a more sandal/summer look, what do you think of something like this, the Sudini Sedona?

   I know these shoes are expensive ($75-120), but I don’t buy shoes often - and have bought only one pair (at an outlet, for $25) in the last year. I tend to wear my shoes until they are falling apart. Part of my concern is that my feet are growing in pregnancy. Will they shrink back? I don’t want to spend $100 on a pair of shoes that I can only wear for 6-9 months. *sigh*

   I also like these shoes somewhat.

   *sigh*

   [Oh my beautiful little mama, your foonts will indeed spread with pregnancy and I presume you may need a half to full size bigger than normal. BUT — that’s what gel inserts are for! After you have little bunny foo-foo, a thick gel insert may save your cute shoes for non-preggers days and years. I think the Oreons are totally cute for you, and even the funky Indian looking ones. You have great taste. And you know what? YOU’RE PREGNANT. You need well-made and supportive shoes, and why not get a pair that helps you feel pretty and not like a great big walking tummy? xoxo - PB]

   Comment by hafidha sofia — March 17, 2008 #

2. I’m wearing these:
   http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/28918128/c/89.html
   right now, and I love them! [Cuteness!! Comfortable? - PB]

   Comment by Mrs. M — March 17, 2008 #

3. I agree with your assessment except for the Danskos. I have big feet (size 11), so I have limited options. Danskos are classy and comfy and last for a long time so I don’t mind the expense. I’m wearing my black Dansko clogs right now: http://www.clogscentral.com/dansko_womens/clogs/WOMENS_Merrie%20Cabrio_BlackCabrio.html

   I wear these for multi-purpose days when I might have to do some walking between appointments, but don’t want to kill my feet in dress shoes OR wear an overt walking shoe. [Margo, I sympathize. I have a size 6.5 foot and I realize it IS hard for bigger-foonted gals. I’m a chunky girl and I have the same challenge finding clothes that fit. Danskos are classic, and I’m glad you went with a more interesting, slightly dressier style than just the basic clog, although those have worked fine for clergy gals rocking the tailored look. - PB]

   Comment by Margo — March 17, 2008 #

4. Mrs. M, your shoes are CUTE! I found these: http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7344258.html
   on sale (VERY on sale) this winter. They’re a little interesting for a professional image, but fun and comfortable.

   Comment by Pam — March 17, 2008 #

5. I have these:
   http://www.dansko.com/flash.aspx#detail,Marcelle,Stapled%20Clog,2
   (these look better on than in the picture).

   and these:

   http://www.dansko.com/flash.aspx#detail,Margrete,Stapled%20Clog,2
   (for spring/summer)

   And another pair like those last ones only with a heel (but no sides). I love them all and they work remarkably well. (this last pair, the one they discontinued, is a lovely sage green/brown trim that worked fabulously for fall and will work again for spring, I think. hallelujah!

   In confess that I keep these in my office for the times I need black (instead of red or brown or green) shoes:
   http://www.dansko.com/flash.aspx#detail,Trixie,Left%20Bank,2

   I really like them. [LOVE the Trixies!!!! They’re pricey, but I’m going to try some on because, much to my super disappointment, the 2″ heel Mary Janes I bought this fall are just. not. comfortable enough. - PB]

   Comment by Teri — March 17, 2008 #

6. What about Doc Martens? Not just for punks…

   http://www.dmusastore.com/pc-2312-11-drew.aspx
   http://www.dmusastore.com/pc-2122-11-jenna-mary-jane.aspx

   Comment by Bea, DRE — March 17, 2008 #

7. Thanks, PB. You’re so sweet. I’ve never done the gel thingies, but you swear by them and … I think it’s time I grewed up. I’ll look for those moccasin/sandal ones in real life to try them on.

   Comment by hafidha sofia — March 18, 2008 #

8. Check out these cuties by teh clarks line “privo”
   http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/28213188/c/72.html
   (I found my pair 1/2 price when someone returned them to my local shoe store sans box!)

   I haven’t had the heart to spend $89, but I covet these as well. . .
   http://www.merrell.com/Product/NZSZZZ/Womens-Casual-Footwear/Slip-Ons/Womens/Dark-Taupe/J46404/Plaza-Bandeau.aspx

   Comment by beckydv — March 18, 2008 #

9. Beckydv - I can attest to the quality of Merrills. I have a pair of Merrill MJs that are similar to the ones in the pic you posted, and if it weren’t for the fact that I somehow managed to LOSE one of them (yes, I am an adult, and as baffled as anyone), I would be wearing those now. They are SUPER comfy. And well worth the price. (Though I got mine at an outlet). I’m notorious for wearing the hell out of my heels, but the heel on my (remaining) Merrill is as good as new even after several years.

   Comment by hafidha sofia — March 18, 2008 #

10. 75% of the women I know own at least one pair of the Clarks mary jane clogs that they made for several years about 4 or 5 years ago. They were vaguely stylish, super-comfortable, and looked cute with both trousers and skirts. They even came in snappy red! as well as the basics.

    And then the Clarks people stopped making them, with no good substitutes.

    I finally had to give up on the shoe polish for my black ones and lay them to rest, but I still have brown ones that I wear sparingly, to try to nurse some extra life out of them.

    Please, PeaceBang, use your powers to get shoe companies not to give up on good things! It seems like they’ve got a ready market.

    Comment by Pastor M — March 19, 2008 #

11. The mary janes I linked to are comfortable-ish. The heel height (or lack thereof) makes them better than either heels or flats, but they’re not super-cushy.

    Comment by Mrs. M — March 19, 2008 #

12. These are the first and only Mary Janes I have worn as an adult and I love them. If you wear black ones with black pantyhose (and pants, not skirts) they don’t look as clunky as they seem and the cross-strap makes them prettier and more flattering than other Mary Janes, which are not kind to those of us who do not have slim ankles.

    The thick sole is also vital –for me anyway, because in an urban environment a thin sole will kill my feet within minutes. (I also have flat feet and need some kind of arch support — though these shoes are so good that they do not need orthotics in them.) Ballet-ish Mary Janes only work if you are in a suburban environment and in and out of your car and don’t walk much — or if you have really, really strong feet. (Oy! Who knew 15 years ago that I’d be talking about weak feet in middle age in an online forum?)

    This shoe is fabulous. I had worn others from the Dansko Golden Gate Collection before (you can recognize the Golden Gate Collection by the heel and sole shape), which is why I dared to order online via Zappos and loved them, but felt they weren’t too pretty, except for the sandals from that collection which are great for summer. This particular close-toed shoe is wonderful. I have worn it in the pulpit and at the altar, on a 12 day vacation to Istanbul where I was up and town the hills and stairways of the city and walked several hours a day, at home in and around and in various cities with the usual concrete sidewalks.

    I wouldn’t wear them with a dress — too clunky and a dress requires heels most of the time to give a sense of balance, but with pants they are absolutely the best and the outfit can be dressy or casual (at least if you get the black version) and I have gotten compliments on the shoes several times — and also have had no problem with pinching or any of those things dreadful pointy narrow shoes do; and no tripping or wobbling in the pulpit.

    They are pricy but worth every penny. And if they get a bit scuffed they shine up really nicely with a high-quality polish.

    Dansko has an outlet site where there isn’t as wide a choice as on the regular Dansko site or on Zappos or the better stores, but it has some great price cuts and the shoes are perfectly fine. There are currently two “Myla” (this shoe) colors available there in the women’s shoes section as well as some nice bargains on sandals for spring and summer — some are from the Golden Gate collection and fabulous for walking, and look nice with pants as well as skirts.

    Comment by Caroline Divine — March 19, 2008 #

13. Two questions: 1) are any of the above shoes suitable for a woman about to be eligible for Medicare? (I liked some of them, but just not sure if they’re “me.”)

    2) What do you wear with them? Surely not socks! Pantyhose? Or…?

    PB, I obviously need some fashion advice from the ankle down.

    Comment by Judy — March 20, 2008 #

14. Okay, I think I’ve given up on the MJ for a while. This year I’m all about the wedge slingback peeptoe! Like these.

    Comment by hafidha sofia — March 27, 2008 #

15. You know what a fan I am!! And it’s sooo good to be back in the land of a computer again. Dora, La Computerdora, the macbaby received a serious injury as the result of Chiquita Power & Light power surge that sent my darling mac to Panama City(Republic of Panama) for repairs…(anyone who’s ever listened to me rant, in voice or on-line, knows how much I cannot abide the evil Chiquita/United Fruit & their scary Banana Republics, not to mention their labor practices. But I digress, as usual)… Dora is well, even though BOTH of us lost every digital picture we’ve collected for the past eight years…

    I have no image but I do have an example of one super incredible Mary Jane: Capezio’s heeled MaryJane. As a minister type, I often have to stand AND look good. Why not be reasonably comfortable doing both? Too few make this possible, but Capezio dance shoes are one way to this wee bit of shoe/feet heaven. Beloved Kenny and I are big tango-ers and since I had to have a pair of “Phantoms of the Opera” for tango-ing as spiritual discipline (yes, in San Francisco, there is an incredible dancer, also a breast cancer survivor, who teaches tango as a form of spirituality. I first heard of her when she came to UCSF to do a workshop for my darlin’s CPE group.)… Well, after dancing in these gorgeous shoes, I went back and bought a pair for wearing in real time. THEN the mother of our beloved godchild, SPIKE, told me she had just ordered these incredible Capezio Mary Janes. I got right back in the car (no time for public transportation. this was an emergency!) and made a trip over to the great dance shop in Oakland CA, near to my best friend in the world, the luscious goddess UU Michelle-y, and tried on a pair of these Capezios. I immediately ordered a pair of the 3inch heels. Oh, yes…

    Here in our bit of Panama with hundreds of Dengue-infested mudholes in the streets of our wretched little town, one of the few places in the world one SHOULD wear CROCS or Wellies every day, I have to declare that I am a croc fan. Yes, I have had (past tense) all sorts of flip-flaps and kitten-heeled darling shoes and wonderful espadrilles with great ribbon wrapped ankles, bought for a song here in the ROP, that have been destroyed in rain and puddles and other effluvia we won’t mention… Our medical missionary who HAS to travel back to the US every three months to get a current visa (it’s a long story of a corrupt and crazy Episcopanglican diocese with a bishop who brags about eating endangered turtle, but again, I digress), returned from her last flyin with a pair of the Scholls in gold AND turquoise. They are really wonderful, rubber, and a bit wacky. And yes, great ugly. As opposed to really but lovably ugly crocs. But then I still have a pair of Earth shoes and LOTS of Birkenstocks…

    If my idea of the perfect party is to invite my favorite people, who then invite THEIR favorite people, thereby allowing all my favorite people to get to know one another, I extend that invitation to bloggers on fashion. I just discovered this irish blog on fashion and I’m going to introduce the two of you : http://styletreaty.com/

    Thank you, dear PB.

    And FYI, we will be returning to the US, probably in June. We may be in MS for a while. Long story. And I’ve emailed the UU’s there; because Goddess knows, there are far too few thinking religious and even fewer activists thinking religious in that state of my birth. At least I will be able to see the Goddess Michelle more frequently until we manage to get back to CA…

    Keep on. We love you…

    And thank you for the Hooray drag queens and prayers for Mr. Swayze. I always say The Creator Holy One made a mistake: I should have been an African American woman….or a drag queen… especially fashion wise…

    Hope our return to the US allows me an opportunity to meet you. My beloved esposo Kenny is a HUGE fan of your blog, too, and sends his giant hellos and muchas gracias-es… oonie
    [Oonie, ya wonderful nut! So sorry to hear about la computerdora and the lost photos. Meanwhile, I’ll check out Capezio and see what I find. I do have some dance shoes but they don’t have full bottoms - they’re for jazz. Huggles y besos. - PB]

    Comment by oonagh+ — April 5, 2008 #

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