Via Spiga pumps worth the $$?
January 31, 2012 6:13 PM Subscribe
I'd like to buy this Jessica pump by Via Spiga. However, I'm balking at the $198 price tag because that's more than I've ever spent on footwear. Is it a good value to buy expensive shoes?
I am starting a new manager position and would like to buy spiffier neutral shoes. I've tried these on and they look sleek and seem comfortable.
I'm wondering if the leather sole and upper make a difference. Most of the cheaper heels I've seen have man-made parts--is this necessarily lesser quality?
Please help me decide whether to purchase these shoes!
I am starting a new manager position and would like to buy spiffier neutral shoes. I've tried these on and they look sleek and seem comfortable.
I'm wondering if the leather sole and upper make a difference. Most of the cheaper heels I've seen have man-made parts--is this necessarily lesser quality?
Please help me decide whether to purchase these shoes!
Honestly, those are just straight up classic pumps, good leather, good construction. I don't know that they are worth $200! I think if you try Aldo or Zara or Marshall's or Zappos, you'll find a comparable shoe for 1/2 that price. Shop around!
posted by thinkpiece at 6:22 PM on January 31, 2012
posted by thinkpiece at 6:22 PM on January 31, 2012
I think $200 is a good price for good shoes. Can you share a link?
You can keep your nice shoes nice by keeping them at work and wearing different shoes to and fro and for your commute.
posted by sweetkid at 6:23 PM on January 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
You can keep your nice shoes nice by keeping them at work and wearing different shoes to and fro and for your commute.
posted by sweetkid at 6:23 PM on January 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
Aldo shoes are lots of fun. They fall apart quickly. Expensive shoes last for years. I find they're also more comfortable, and prefer to have a few not cheap shoes (120-180) but I know people who like to own lots of cheap fun shoes, and that's also a reasonable choice.
posted by jeather at 6:29 PM on January 31, 2012
posted by jeather at 6:29 PM on January 31, 2012
Best answer: In my experience, once you buy a more expensive shoe, you will never go back. I don't see a link in your post? But if it's a basic pump, that is comfortable, you will get a LOT of wear out of it -- making the price per wear lower than a cheaper shoe that just sits in your closet. $200 seems like a good price for a classic leather pump IF IT IS COMFORTABLE ON YOU. The best purchase I ever made was a pair of black patent round-toe 4inch heeled Louboutins. They were $500 -- still the most I've ever spent on a shoe, although I often buy shoes that are worth MORE than that, just on sale, because I love me a sale -- but I literally wear them three times a week, and have for years. They go with everything and they are so comfortable. I've resoled them twice and they look like new. The quality has been INCREDIBLY worth the price in my experience. Now, of course, you still have to be able to afford whatever it is within your personal budget, but I think shoes are a You Get What You Pay For. They are not going to fall apart on you. Save money on tank tops and sundresses, spend money on shoes and haircuts, is my motto.
Plus, if you can afford them, they might be a nice and still practical Congrats On Your New Job! gift to yourself!
Congrats on your new job!
posted by Countess Sandwich at 6:31 PM on January 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
Plus, if you can afford them, they might be a nice and still practical Congrats On Your New Job! gift to yourself!
Congrats on your new job!
posted by Countess Sandwich at 6:31 PM on January 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you don't mind secondhand, there are dozens of Via Spiga shoes on Ebay you can pick up for a tiny fraction of the price. Though I must say some of the most well-made, comfortable classic pumps I've ever owned were from Ferragamo; since they probably cost about the same here, why not try both?
posted by aquafortis at 6:35 PM on January 31, 2012
posted by aquafortis at 6:35 PM on January 31, 2012
I think Via Spiga makes the most comfortable pumps out there, and you can wear them into the ground. I agree, though-- check ebay, there are a lot of new Via Spiga shoes on there also.
posted by devymetal at 6:37 PM on January 31, 2012
posted by devymetal at 6:37 PM on January 31, 2012
It can be a worthwhile investment if you care for them well. Me, I never wear my really good shoes outside because I do a lot of walking and it will kill my shoes. I carry nice shoes where I'm going and put them on when I get there.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:38 PM on January 31, 2012
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:38 PM on January 31, 2012
nthing check ebay first, nthing that once you buy your first pair of pricey shoes you will never buy cheap shoes again
posted by 200burritos at 6:39 PM on January 31, 2012
posted by 200burritos at 6:39 PM on January 31, 2012
I'm fond of Via Spiga, but I do't find that they last any longer than less expensive shoes. I think you have to go to a higher price point than $200 for a significant increase in quality.
Keep in mind that 1) I'm super hard on shoes, and 2) Cute shoes are rare in my size, so I willingly paid more for Via Spiga just so I could have a grown-up looking shoe.
(Also, this thread is useless without pix)
posted by Space Kitty at 6:42 PM on January 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
Keep in mind that 1) I'm super hard on shoes, and 2) Cute shoes are rare in my size, so I willingly paid more for Via Spiga just so I could have a grown-up looking shoe.
(Also, this thread is useless without pix)
posted by Space Kitty at 6:42 PM on January 31, 2012 [2 favorites]
For those asking, Via Spiga Jessica pump.
posted by grapesaresour at 6:43 PM on January 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by grapesaresour at 6:43 PM on January 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
If you're willing to do a more rounded toe, these are similar but half the price.
Congrats on your new job!
I've never purchased from them, but I find browsing for shoes soothing.
posted by Space Kitty at 6:56 PM on January 31, 2012
Congrats on your new job!
I've never purchased from them, but I find browsing for shoes soothing.
posted by Space Kitty at 6:56 PM on January 31, 2012
Do you know about 6pm.com? It's the Zappos outlet, and you'll find sales there you won't find on Zappos (even when the shoes are listed in both places!).
I don't see the Jessica on 6pm, but here are the Via Spiga shoes.
And here are lots of black leather pumps on sale there.
posted by bluedaisy at 7:33 PM on January 31, 2012 [6 favorites]
I don't see the Jessica on 6pm, but here are the Via Spiga shoes.
And here are lots of black leather pumps on sale there.
posted by bluedaisy at 7:33 PM on January 31, 2012 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Agreed that those are pretty standard mid-heel pumps: All the mid-range brands (Steve Madden, Steve Cole, Ann Klein, etc...) will make something like this.
If you want a better quality shoe at the same price point, try Cole Haan Air Talia Mid Pumps.The sole is padded, and the shoes are very comfortable and very well made. I have heels and boots from these guys.
Other similar-looking shoes from good quality companies, outside of the super-expensive designer brands (Jimmy Choo, Manolos, Louboutin, Ferragamo -- all of which charge 500+ for a shoe) are Ecco and Clarks.
Or you can get a bit funkier (okay, much funkier) with Fluevogs, which have the comforting quality of being made by people who make good wages and are treated well: they're mostly manufactured in Portugal, although recently some are made in China, Vietnam, Peru and Mexico.
Good quality shoes are usually 1) leather 2) sewn, not glued 3) designed so that they will not kill your feet and, sadly, 4) quite fragile -- so 'better made' doesn't often mean 'more durable', although it almost always means 'more comfortable'. Since I've gotten older, I can't walk in cheap shoes any more, and I try as hard as I can to avoid shoes made in China: they kill my feet, and they're just not worth it.
Best thing to do is just to go to good stores and try a million things on; you'll find something you like. Avoid walking long distances in them (wear runners and carry them in your bag, and change into them at work) and take them to a good repair place to get the heel taps (the soles on the itty-bitty heels) replaced regularly, before they start to wear down.
If you walk into a shoe store and it reeks of glue, turn around and walk out: it's a sure sign of cheap crap, no matter how expensive the shoes are.
posted by jrochest at 7:38 PM on January 31, 2012 [3 favorites]
If you want a better quality shoe at the same price point, try Cole Haan Air Talia Mid Pumps.The sole is padded, and the shoes are very comfortable and very well made. I have heels and boots from these guys.
Other similar-looking shoes from good quality companies, outside of the super-expensive designer brands (Jimmy Choo, Manolos, Louboutin, Ferragamo -- all of which charge 500+ for a shoe) are Ecco and Clarks.
Or you can get a bit funkier (okay, much funkier) with Fluevogs, which have the comforting quality of being made by people who make good wages and are treated well: they're mostly manufactured in Portugal, although recently some are made in China, Vietnam, Peru and Mexico.
Good quality shoes are usually 1) leather 2) sewn, not glued 3) designed so that they will not kill your feet and, sadly, 4) quite fragile -- so 'better made' doesn't often mean 'more durable', although it almost always means 'more comfortable'. Since I've gotten older, I can't walk in cheap shoes any more, and I try as hard as I can to avoid shoes made in China: they kill my feet, and they're just not worth it.
Best thing to do is just to go to good stores and try a million things on; you'll find something you like. Avoid walking long distances in them (wear runners and carry them in your bag, and change into them at work) and take them to a good repair place to get the heel taps (the soles on the itty-bitty heels) replaced regularly, before they start to wear down.
If you walk into a shoe store and it reeks of glue, turn around and walk out: it's a sure sign of cheap crap, no matter how expensive the shoes are.
posted by jrochest at 7:38 PM on January 31, 2012 [3 favorites]
Best answer: I think the more expensive shoes are worth it. I have two pairs of the Cole Haan Air brand pumps that jrochest mentions (I actually only paid $75 for each pair*), and the difference between those and the Bandolino price-level shoes I spent my early and mid-twenties running around in is striking. The expensive shoes breathe well, and stretch to accommodate my wonky-shaped feet far more easily, probably due to the better materials. They're also just way more comfortable by comparison - I can feel the difference in the balls and arches of my feet, my knees, and my lower back at the end of the day. If the $200 doesn't hurt your wallet too much, then go for it!
As for Via Spiga specifically - they never struck me as more comfortable than cheaper shoes, but again, I have some weird-shaped feet.
*I troll Bloomingdale's or Nordstrom regularly, as they will often put nice shoes at this price point (Coach, Cole Haan, etc) on sale, then have an event in-store where you can get 40%-50% off that sale price. A $200 pair will get marked down to $150, then a special event will knock that down to $75. Obviously, this is hard if you live someplace that lacks brick-and-mortar department stores.
posted by zamboom! at 8:26 PM on January 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
As for Via Spiga specifically - they never struck me as more comfortable than cheaper shoes, but again, I have some weird-shaped feet.
*I troll Bloomingdale's or Nordstrom regularly, as they will often put nice shoes at this price point (Coach, Cole Haan, etc) on sale, then have an event in-store where you can get 40%-50% off that sale price. A $200 pair will get marked down to $150, then a special event will knock that down to $75. Obviously, this is hard if you live someplace that lacks brick-and-mortar department stores.
posted by zamboom! at 8:26 PM on January 31, 2012 [1 favorite]
Alas, JujuB, those are fake Louboutin pumps. The "about us" page says that they scour the world to find the pumps and then make certain that they make theirs *exactly the same* way.
Le sigh.
posted by jrochest at 9:01 PM on January 31, 2012
Le sigh.
posted by jrochest at 9:01 PM on January 31, 2012
My understanding is that women's shoes go out of style quickly, so you're better off buying things at the end of their lifespan. The classiest woman I know spends about $30 on a pair of shoes. As a man, I can't spend less than $300 for a decent pair. You can do better than $200, look around.
posted by Yowser at 3:24 AM on February 1, 2012
posted by Yowser at 3:24 AM on February 1, 2012
I'm totally blaming you, OP, for feeding my shoe obsession. During the "research" phase of answering your post, I came across these, and I'm now watching watching watching ...
posted by thinkpiece at 4:10 AM on February 1, 2012
posted by thinkpiece at 4:10 AM on February 1, 2012
Retail-wise, we had quite a few Via Spiga shoes come back for..uh..construction faults. Mostly decorations, but some heel issues and separating soles. Try them on in-person - their version of sizes often runs small.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 5:21 AM on February 1, 2012
posted by halfbuckaroo at 5:21 AM on February 1, 2012
Have you ever been to DSW? Lots of very nicely constructed and beautiful to look upon shoes for surprisingly cheap. When I started my first serious job, I treated myself to a pair of $450 Marc Jacobs pumps that had been marked down to $125. Beautiful, well made, and comfortable, and I got to try them on!
posted by telegraph at 6:18 AM on February 1, 2012
posted by telegraph at 6:18 AM on February 1, 2012
Best answer: Nthing DSW. I haven't bought a pair of shoes anywhere else since forever (except maybe Nordstrom's once or twice). Bonus for me: They carry lots of shoes in wide widths. No more squeezing my stepsister feet into Cinderella shoes - or settling for stepsister shoes. And their clearances are great places to find bargains. (I also get handbags there.)
I believe that a good classic pump ought to last several years. It may be that women's shoes change fashion from season to season, but a classic, mid-heeled pump in a neutral color is going to be good for years - it's not like, say, gladiator sandals.
I don't usually buy super-high-end designer shoes (because boo, wide feet, those high-end shoes don't often come in my width) but I find that the difference between Nayas (my favorite brand, I have Naya pumps, boots and ballet flats and I love them all) and shoes from Payless or Target is vast in fit, appearance, and durability. (And what I save on shoes I spend on blister-block and padded stick-on insoles anyway.)
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 6:10 PM on February 9, 2012
I believe that a good classic pump ought to last several years. It may be that women's shoes change fashion from season to season, but a classic, mid-heeled pump in a neutral color is going to be good for years - it's not like, say, gladiator sandals.
I don't usually buy super-high-end designer shoes (because boo, wide feet, those high-end shoes don't often come in my width) but I find that the difference between Nayas (my favorite brand, I have Naya pumps, boots and ballet flats and I love them all) and shoes from Payless or Target is vast in fit, appearance, and durability. (And what I save on shoes I spend on blister-block and padded stick-on insoles anyway.)
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 6:10 PM on February 9, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone. Sorry I meant to include a link but I see someone else kindly posted one. I live in a geographically isolated area, so unfortunately no Nordstrom to troll or DSW to find good quality shoes at good prices. But will check Zappos and 6pm.com (just wish their return policy was just as liberal!). I did just buy the Cole Haan Air Talia Mid Pumps and hope they work out. I like that they're not too high.
posted by lirael2008 at 11:44 PM on February 10, 2012
posted by lirael2008 at 11:44 PM on February 10, 2012
Best answer: DSW has an online store - http://www.dsw.com And it also has perks like member rewards. I do most of my DSW shopping online.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 3:41 AM on February 11, 2012
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 3:41 AM on February 11, 2012
Response by poster: Oh I didn't realize they have an online store too! Thanks for mentioning that.
posted by lirael2008 at 12:27 AM on February 15, 2012
posted by lirael2008 at 12:27 AM on February 15, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
That said, my experience (I am a man) with buying shoes is that the more expensive they are, the higher their quality and the longer they last.
Whether $200 is too expensive for you is a matter of personal opinion, of course.
posted by dfriedman at 6:21 PM on January 31, 2012