Pick Six: Shoes, Nothing But Shoes

Three weeks ago, I resolved that it was time to makeover my shoe wardrobe.  I stood in my closet, looked around, and thought, “How did it come to this?”  Several pairs looked a bit worn, a little tired.  A few others were no longer suitable to my lifestyle.The good news is, I get to go shoe shopping.  The bad news

The good news is, I get to go shoe shopping.  The bad news is, this cuts into my clothes budget.  But alas, if you don’t have the right shoes, you don’t have the right outfit.  Here are six pair of shoes that I’ve either bought, am considering, or am lusting after.

I found these Coach loafers at Nordstrom Rack.  They are a dream.  A dream, I say.

They feel like you’re walking on a cloud.  The rubber sole, the buttery leather, from the first step, all I could think was, “Yes, these.”  And since they’re cognac leather, they go with everything.

The only thing I’m not crazy about is the Coach plaque on the vamp.  But, in an age where the Tory Burch Revas come with a brand-themed hubcap on the toe, it qualifies as subtle.

These shoes are the ‘Coach Frederica’.  They are no longer available in stores (unless you live near a Nordstrom Rack), but you can find them for a good price on eBay.  If you don’t like the cognac, I saw black, silver, grey and tan.  If you don’t find your size, I have it on good authority that these Old Navy drivers are comfortable.

I was searching for a casual shoe that was not a workout shoe.  I considered a pair of Keds (too 80s’ country club), a pair of Vans-like loafers in blush (my feet looked like boats), and an Adidas Gazelle (I don’t have the street cred to pull these off).  I was just about to give up when I spotted these geometric-print Converse.  (If these hadn’t worked out, I would have gone to the Comme des Garcons Play sneakers next.)

They’re a nice mix of old-school and unique.  The print is grey and black, so they’re versatile.  No word yet on whether I’ll wear them with baby doll dresses and chokers to relive my junior high years.

Colored sandals are a nice addition to any wardrobe.  These orange-red slides from Banana Republic are a nice addition to a summer wardrobe based on navy, white, and grey.  If you’d like something brighter, you should definitely take a gander at these…

These Adrienne Vittadini Lace-Ups will sell out quickly.  So if you love them, grab them.  They’re ideal for sprucing up a much-loved, oft-worn summer dress.  They’d be perfect for baby showers, graduation, and rehearsal dinners.  The fringe and the lace up are trendy, and the block heel will keep it on the right side of comfortable.

From the moment I spotted these Sophia Webster flats, I was captivated by them.  The butterfly accents are whimsical, but not so on the nose as to be childish.  The neutral palette is right up my alley (more on my wardrobe’s black-and-white foundations next week), and the sleek look is on point.  I adore them.  I’ve decided they will be my bar passage gift to myself…you know, if I pass.

I rolled my ankle playing tennis last fall (I was pouting about a bad lob; I deserved it.), and my stilettos have been a bit tougher to wear since.  Not painful, but tiresome over long periods.  I wore block heel boots all winter, and those were fine, so I’m hoping a pair of block heel pumps help.

These Marc Fisher Zala pumps look nicer on than the photo gives them credit for.  From the front, they look like a sleek work shoe.  From the side, a hint clunky, but also on-trend.  They also come in a wide variety of colors.  If you’re looking for something a bit sleeker, these Cole Haans are a bit more feminine.  If you prefer a wedge, several readers recommend these Nine Wests.

It is the season for new shoes.  Any you ladies are loving or lusting after?