Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Seeking: Special, Quirky Shoes

Hi ESB-

Love your cohort of feisty women. Hoping for some help on the following dire shopping matter:

I'm 5'7'' and my fiancee is 6'. I like our height differential, so I'm not trying to wear skyscraping high heels on our wedding day. Also, I just don't feel confident in high heels. To get a sense of my style, I rock Danskos all winter like they are coming back into style (one day, one day). As a result, I love wedges because I don't feel like I'm about to tumble over (something I really would rather avoid as I walk down the aisle).  

I'm looking for something that is special and funky. I love glitter and quirky shoes (kinda like these kate spades, but I'm just not confident I can walk and dance and trample around the grass in that skinny stiletto, or whatever its called).  


Ideas?  

Looking for something under 300 (the cheaper the better, but I often get running injuries so I'm willing to pay more for a better made shoe that won't bring back my plantar fasciitis).  

xo

*****

I wouldn't call that a stiletto. That is just a heel, plain and simple.

Also: EEEW

Kate Spade is too fucky prissy. May I suggest Jeffrey Campbell's Aubrey Spike Pump instead?


Just kidding.

Can we see a photo of the dress??

*****

Update from the bride:

i know. I KNOWWWW! i'm just having a shit time finding things that would work. The dress is my grandmother's 1940's wedding dress. Ivory silk,* sheer netting over the shoulders. Sort of like this, but older and shinier and more A-line. Maybe a D'Orsay heel to match the retro look? 

*and by silk, I obviously mean satin. It weighs a lot.

*****

You guys have any shoe suggestions?

I wore myself out on this one yesterday.

31 comments:

  1. what's the dress like? i'm into wedges, too... but chunky shoes don't always go with wispy dresses. also, heels + grass = disaster. big part of why i went barefoot on my wedding day. comfort always wins in my book.

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  2. these might be worth a try: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/badgley-mischka-gisele-sandal/3251559?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=ROSE&resultback=1939

    also, i have the basic pump wedges from jcrew, which are super comfy. you could try those with a cute shoe clip, maybe something vintage and crystal?

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  3. Check out Milk & Honey Shoes -- you can design your own style, with wedge heels and some gold glitter up on there, and choose how high you want the heels to be, for under $300.

    P.S. Learn how to spell "aisle" people!

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    Replies
    1. that website is way too fun. Does anybody have any experience with actually purchasing Milk & Honey Shoes though?

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    2. I just bought some, but haven't received them yet. Will report back!

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    3. I plan on getting my wedding shoes from Milk & Honey -- I have three other pairs of their shoes (i love shoes!!) and their are really comfortable and the customer service is great. Highly recommend them.

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  4. Replies
    1. Purple suede! Glitter heel! These are lovely. And not expensive.

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    2. I'm in love with that shoe. If it came in hot pink I'd buy it in a second. As is, I may DIY a pair of cheap wedges to have glitter backs like that.

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  5. Just to stick my head in the lion's mouth, I wore Kate Spade for my wedding and they were actually incredibly comfortable (and had not too high of a heel). I did of course switch to flats later on, but if you love those shoes, I'd suggest going to one of her stores, trying the shoes on, experiencing how much more comfortable they are than you'd expect, and then ordering that shiznit on eBay. For like, half the price.

    On the totally other end of the spectrum, why not consider sparkly flats in addition to wedges? Comfortable and no possibility of toppling due to heel height.

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    Replies
    1. Yes. Flats. You have a history of plantar fasciitis and heels will sink into the grass and you're going to be on your feet ALL DAY. And you're 5'7", so flats won't make you look short (at 5'3", I'm very jealous of this). What's not to love?

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  6. Take a look at the heeled sandals from Chie Mihara
    They might suit your style, and the ones I tried on were comfortable. They are in the $250-300 range and seemed worth it. Lots of wedges and mid-height heels.

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  7. are black wedding shoes over? these are crazy tall but you might like them. you know, 'cause there's glitter.

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  8. If by chance you're an 8.5, these 1" wedges are on sale for $134.

    Probably not helpful, but if for some reason you decide to double your budget, I love the gold wedges on these! (There's also a full-on glitter version)

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    Replies
    1. P.P.S. The Kate Spades are on sale for $219 (and free shipping) at Neiman's if you just want to get those.

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    2. I like the Kate Spades and think they would be awesome with your dress.

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  9. I'm not sure if you're into red, but I think these are red suede wedges are pretty fab. And if you wore bright red lipstick - very 1940s.
    http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shoes-new/26010538.jsp

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  10. Chie Mihara would definitely be a great place to start. To match the retro vibe of your dress, remix vintage shoes are authentic reproductions many of the shoes come in metallic.


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  11. I'm still a big fan of Mohops

    I wore the low maple slide for my wedding and was completely comfortable (once I got them tied on in a way I like).
    Piece of advice, if you get these, tie them and get them situated BEFORE you put on your dress. Otherwise you will end up like me and make one of your bridesmaids retie them 2-3 times.

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  12. Polka dots. Too quirky?

    These are over budget, but sexy.

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  13. If I could do it over again I would snatch up these flat sandals from Zara.

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  14. I think Dune has some cool stuff. Both of these are "mid" heels (whatever they mean by that).

    Blue suede peep toes with a bow

    Blue suede peep toe wedge with a bow

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  15. I like these Chie Mahara: http://www.chiestore.com/product-insomnia_grape_552.3php

    and also these:http://www.chiestore.com/product-geray_red_494.3php

    both available in multiple colors and heel heights.

    Also, I think John Fluevog is about as funky as funky gets, so these are interesting (no glitter though): http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w%5B0%5D=gender%3Awomen&w%5B1%5D=attribute%3AHeel&pp=1&view=detail&p=49&colourID=3413

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  16. NO FLUEVOG

    I loved em in the 90s, but NO

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  17. Granted, you'd probably only wear them once, but these are so lovely and just the right amount of crazy+40s style
    Chie Mihara (Warning, it has part of a bunny on it, I'm sorry bun bun!)
    Love these Green heels that look totally walkable.
    It's hard to go wrong with a cute T-Strap when you're trying to style vintage.
    The best way to even get a clue of what to look for is research. I, uhhh, Google Imaged "wedding shoes 1940s" for a basic look, then started shopping around. I could not believe how many cute 30s/40s influenced shoes are hitting the shops!
    I get you probably aren't going for a completely 1940s look, but considering that style of dress isn't very common anymore and it's just hard to style for a fabric and shape that we don't see much, a modern take on an era shoe is probably the best way to go.

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