Want to buy shoes, not closet decorations!
January 31, 2011 11:03 PM Subscribe
How to find the right shoes for the dress?
I'm having trouble figuring out how to find comfortable, realistic shoes for the kind of pretty dresses I would want to wear during the day in the spring and summer.
I don't like super strappy sandals, as they cut into my feet. Then there's a point where heels are comfortable, and another where walking is just awkward, and yet it seems to be a standard heel size.
How do I find these mysterious comfortable but good looking shoes for dresses like this or something from ModCloth? Is there some sort of guide, a graph?, comparing shoes you'd wear with a chiffon dress compared to something you'd wear with a British safari adventure style dress?
I'm having trouble figuring out how to find comfortable, realistic shoes for the kind of pretty dresses I would want to wear during the day in the spring and summer.
I don't like super strappy sandals, as they cut into my feet. Then there's a point where heels are comfortable, and another where walking is just awkward, and yet it seems to be a standard heel size.
How do I find these mysterious comfortable but good looking shoes for dresses like this or something from ModCloth? Is there some sort of guide, a graph?, comparing shoes you'd wear with a chiffon dress compared to something you'd wear with a British safari adventure style dress?
I'm a fan of wedge heels - they are as flattering as regular heels, but much more stable and easier to walk in. Get a pair with a low heel and you can wear them pretty much anywhere.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:39 PM on January 31, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:39 PM on January 31, 2011 [2 favorites]
Those modcloth dresses are cute and most could be worn with a cute flat or even a dressy sandal (like a nice thong/flip flop).
That first dress is trickier. It seems really flowing and dressy and would probably work best with a strappy-ish leather sandal. But the sandal could be flat.
The only guide I'd suggest is looking at how the stores style them, if they ever show images of models.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:54 PM on January 31, 2011
That first dress is trickier. It seems really flowing and dressy and would probably work best with a strappy-ish leather sandal. But the sandal could be flat.
The only guide I'd suggest is looking at how the stores style them, if they ever show images of models.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:54 PM on January 31, 2011
Actually, the kind of shoe you want for those shorter Mod Cloth dresses is more appropriately called a ballet flat.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:58 PM on January 31, 2011
posted by bluedaisy at 11:58 PM on January 31, 2011
They look above knee length. If your legs are short, you need a heel, but if your legs are proportionate or long, a flat will do. Either that or go with a high waistline and a flat shoe.
Wedges are not healthy for your feet because you pick your foot up and put it down like an elephant rather than going through the foot as you step. They're also unstable for lateral movement, and if you have small bones they'll likely look too chunky. That said, I do like a United Nude Mobius Hi, but they aren't exactly walking shoes and even indoors there are trade-offs.
What you could do is get a slide style and tie them to your ankles with ribbons. That could work.
posted by tel3path at 1:23 AM on February 1, 2011
Wedges are not healthy for your feet because you pick your foot up and put it down like an elephant rather than going through the foot as you step. They're also unstable for lateral movement, and if you have small bones they'll likely look too chunky. That said, I do like a United Nude Mobius Hi, but they aren't exactly walking shoes and even indoors there are trade-offs.
What you could do is get a slide style and tie them to your ankles with ribbons. That could work.
posted by tel3path at 1:23 AM on February 1, 2011
I'm a fan of Dansko/Sanita stapled clog sandals. Extremely comfortable and easy to walk in, and not the best looking shoes ever but they will pass for somewhat dressy. Specifically ones like these black patent sandals.
Some Clarks are also extremely comfortable. Have a look at the "artisan" styles with good arch support and nice padding. Both those brands are pricey, so you might want to check around at discount websites like 6pm.com or stores like DSW. I find I'm happier with just a pair or two of Danskos that I know I can walk miles in than trying to find cheaper shoes, but obviously they may be overpriced if you're not walking long distances.
posted by lyra4 at 3:41 AM on February 1, 2011
Some Clarks are also extremely comfortable. Have a look at the "artisan" styles with good arch support and nice padding. Both those brands are pricey, so you might want to check around at discount websites like 6pm.com or stores like DSW. I find I'm happier with just a pair or two of Danskos that I know I can walk miles in than trying to find cheaper shoes, but obviously they may be overpriced if you're not walking long distances.
posted by lyra4 at 3:41 AM on February 1, 2011
I'm always impressed with Angie's shoe recommendations at Youlookfab, she tends to think about comfort first and often fetaures styles with a low or mid heel.
http://youlookfab.com/category/footwear/
posted by Ness at 3:51 AM on February 1, 2011
http://youlookfab.com/category/footwear/
posted by Ness at 3:51 AM on February 1, 2011
Seconding 5_13_23_42_69_666 in that wedges sound like a good option for you. For spring/summer, I find that light metallics are easier to match to both your skin tone and clothing, and I can heartily recommend Cole Haan's Air Elly.
posted by evoque at 5:24 AM on February 1, 2011
posted by evoque at 5:24 AM on February 1, 2011
French soles has an excellent selection of ballet flats.
posted by shoesietart at 5:36 AM on February 1, 2011
posted by shoesietart at 5:36 AM on February 1, 2011
Mary-Jane type shoes work with almost any style of casual dress, and come in all heel heights. Ballet flats also. Also, if you know what height works for you, try searching on zappos by height and work from there. Also, check out Fluevog shoes - they are remarkably comfortable and the kind of funky that could be a good fit with the type of clothing you prefer.
posted by Mchelly at 5:41 AM on February 1, 2011
posted by Mchelly at 5:41 AM on February 1, 2011
The past few summers I have been wearing mostly simple thong-type sandals with my sundresses. They're usually light enough that the straps don't cut into my foot, and I obviously try to find styles a step or two above a flip-flop.
Aldo Trego
Rockport Jeanie
Bernardo Matrix
Clarks Coral Sand
Then, to pair the shoes with the dress, you'll want to look at colors and the style of the dress. For a chiffon dress, you could go with the Aldo sandals if you want the shoes to be a focal point, or something much lighter and delicate if you don't.
For a safari-style dress, because the fabric is heavier and tone of the dress is different, I would probably go for a brown leather sandal with a heavier feel, like the Clarks Coral.
posted by Squeak Attack at 6:31 AM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Aldo Trego
Rockport Jeanie
Bernardo Matrix
Clarks Coral Sand
Then, to pair the shoes with the dress, you'll want to look at colors and the style of the dress. For a chiffon dress, you could go with the Aldo sandals if you want the shoes to be a focal point, or something much lighter and delicate if you don't.
For a safari-style dress, because the fabric is heavier and tone of the dress is different, I would probably go for a brown leather sandal with a heavier feel, like the Clarks Coral.
posted by Squeak Attack at 6:31 AM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
f your legs are short, you need a heel, but if your legs are proportionate or long, a flat will do. Either that or go with a high waistline and a flat shoe.
Naw. I've got short legs but still wear ballet flats in lieu of heels most of the time and am not considered a freak or anything. If heels are too uncomfortable, don't wear 'em.
A few pairs of cute flats or something with a small kitten heel in black, a brown color, and a metallic can get you along if you don't have an inherent sense of what looks good together shoe-dress wise.
Here are some examples of some cute flats that are spring/summery: 1 2 3 4. Here are some low-heeled shoes that go with a lot of spring-colored dresses.
These are an example of shoes that you could wear with those dresses. They have a 3" heel, which is not quite as tall as the ridiculous platform heels that are popular right now. Promise I'm not a shill for Urban Outfitters, I just didn't feel like going to more sites when the types of stuff are pretty much the same.
There are also many comfortable sandals that aren't especially strappy and don't have heels. This is one pair.
Target has a really good selection of flats and sandals, actually. The bonus with those is that most of them aren't real leather so they can get wet if its rainy or you're at a pool party or something.
posted by elpea at 6:41 AM on February 1, 2011
Naw. I've got short legs but still wear ballet flats in lieu of heels most of the time and am not considered a freak or anything. If heels are too uncomfortable, don't wear 'em.
A few pairs of cute flats or something with a small kitten heel in black, a brown color, and a metallic can get you along if you don't have an inherent sense of what looks good together shoe-dress wise.
Here are some examples of some cute flats that are spring/summery: 1 2 3 4. Here are some low-heeled shoes that go with a lot of spring-colored dresses.
These are an example of shoes that you could wear with those dresses. They have a 3" heel, which is not quite as tall as the ridiculous platform heels that are popular right now. Promise I'm not a shill for Urban Outfitters, I just didn't feel like going to more sites when the types of stuff are pretty much the same.
There are also many comfortable sandals that aren't especially strappy and don't have heels. This is one pair.
Target has a really good selection of flats and sandals, actually. The bonus with those is that most of them aren't real leather so they can get wet if its rainy or you're at a pool party or something.
posted by elpea at 6:41 AM on February 1, 2011
You can wear (almost) whatever kind of shoes you want with whatever dress, as long as you accessorize around it. I would wear a safari dress with black heels, black tights, and a black blazer with a long necklace. I would also wear it with flip flops. My goal is typically to buy shoes that can work for as many outfits as possible. In that vein, I'm really into 2-3.35 inch t-strap heels as a versatile look that can be dressed up or down. I usually buy in black or brown because I find those to match the most outfits.
I just bought these, although they're slightly too high for me to wear at long stretches. Here's a similar heel in brown.
These two are a little less basic. I really love that first pair.
My sister wears these as a hostess (i.e., on her feet all the time), and says they're comfortable.
I really adore these, but I try to stay away from platforms during the day.
These last two aren't technically t-straps, but are similar, and have nice low heels.
posted by quiet coyote at 8:43 AM on February 1, 2011
I just bought these, although they're slightly too high for me to wear at long stretches. Here's a similar heel in brown.
These two are a little less basic. I really love that first pair.
My sister wears these as a hostess (i.e., on her feet all the time), and says they're comfortable.
I really adore these, but I try to stay away from platforms during the day.
These last two aren't technically t-straps, but are similar, and have nice low heels.
posted by quiet coyote at 8:43 AM on February 1, 2011
For low heels, I have found Munro makes pretty good, comfortable shoes.
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:03 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:03 PM on February 1, 2011
(low heel to me = under 2"; the Munros I have use a nice fat stable heel but not a wedge; I think the Munros may tend to be a little on the narrow side too.)
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:05 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by LobsterMitten at 2:05 PM on February 1, 2011
For ideas, Anthropologie's website is great - most of their shoes would look cute with that dress. You may not want to pay that much, but it may give you inspiration.
posted by you're a kitty! at 5:53 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by you're a kitty! at 5:53 PM on February 1, 2011
Here are a couple more very versatile pairs of t-straps with just the right heel height.
posted by quiet coyote at 6:47 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by quiet coyote at 6:47 PM on February 1, 2011
I just got these in grey just recently and I'm very, very pleased with them. One of the more well made and comfortable shoes I've purchased and definitely worth the money. I'd check out the Naya brand, or try Miz Mooz. Either tend towards a the comfortable (lower heeled), slightly vintage/unusual style that might work well. (Miz Mooz tends to run large, though, FYI.)
posted by griselda at 2:11 PM on February 3, 2011
posted by griselda at 2:11 PM on February 3, 2011
Oops, links. Naya and Miz Mooz.
Search around for Naya if you find a style you like. Amazon doesn't have the greatest range of colors and sizes. (They come in wide widths, which is a plus for me.)
Clarks are also a good comfortable, quality shoe, but sometimes I think their styles tend towards old-lady-boring. (However I am wearing Clarks right now as my everyday shoe.)
posted by griselda at 2:25 PM on February 3, 2011
Search around for Naya if you find a style you like. Amazon doesn't have the greatest range of colors and sizes. (They come in wide widths, which is a plus for me.)
Clarks are also a good comfortable, quality shoe, but sometimes I think their styles tend towards old-lady-boring. (However I am wearing Clarks right now as my everyday shoe.)
posted by griselda at 2:25 PM on February 3, 2011
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posted by violetk at 11:07 PM on January 31, 2011 [1 favorite]