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Where to find those Chinese Mary Janes?

sa3z — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 07:39:57 -0800

Where in NoVA/Metro DC can I buy those cheap Asian-style Mary Jane shoes that used to be so easy to find? They used to come in a bunch of different colors (though simple black was the most common) and were seriously, like $5 a pop. They were comfortable and simple, though not necessarily rugged -- a year of wearing them to work every day would probably destroy them. I used to find them at Georgetown Cotton (which doesn't seem to exist anymore) and at random dollar stores (never consistently, and never the same one).

Pretty much these, just black and cotton. I'd like to buy them around here, if possible. I'll buy online if this is a wild goose chase, though. Has anyone seen any at their local dollar store lately? Or anywhere?

I don't like it when it hurts to walk.

crinklebat — Thu, 03 May 2007 01:28:56 -0800

What can I do to make these shoes less hurty? I just picked up a new pair of Naot mary-jane-type shoes, and although the Naot insole is everything it's cracked up to be and more, the strap rubs my foot in a really irritating way, and the back is driving my left Achilles tendon nuts. I have little red scabs all over my ankles. In general I tend toward instantly comfy tennis shoes; it's been a long time since I've had to really break in a pair of shoes for everyday wear, and I'm not entirely sure what (if anything) I can do.

Other than not wearing these shoes, what options do I have? I'd like to try DIY methods to either toughen my delicate skin or break in these shoes before I consult a pro.