Where are all the mid-rise heels?
January 1, 2015 11:42 PM Subscribe
I am trying to get a work wardrobe together for my return to work after maternity leave. I want to buy a couple of pairs of decent wearing, mid-rise heels in beige and black. Should be easy, right? Not so.
I'm sure there must a place where everyone else is buying this shoe, because it seems to me to be the most desirable work place shoe. But all I am finding is flats and really high heels. I am also in Australia, so need stuff that ships here.
I like these Lucchesi Jada Spago heels, but they are too high. The next level of heel at zomp seems to be almost flat or, alternatively, chunky sandals with a low heel which are, all in all, too casual for work.
I am also finding a lot of kitten heels and other variations upon the spindly heel. My work has a lot of cobblestones so if not a wedge I need a heel of some thickness i.e not stilletto or kitten.
Is there a search term I should be using? A brand? I have liked Wonders shoes before but I am trying to do this online and their website doesn't offer even browsing capacity. (Just a promo video).
Finally, the other thing I do not want are really generic pumps. I don't mind quite a generic pump, honestly, but I don't want an entirely plain leather pump in beige.
I am willing to spend up to about $120. This is usually enough to get something nice on sale. Feel free to tell me if I am wrong about that, too.
I hope this is enough info. Please help!
I'm sure there must a place where everyone else is buying this shoe, because it seems to me to be the most desirable work place shoe. But all I am finding is flats and really high heels. I am also in Australia, so need stuff that ships here.
I like these Lucchesi Jada Spago heels, but they are too high. The next level of heel at zomp seems to be almost flat or, alternatively, chunky sandals with a low heel which are, all in all, too casual for work.
I am also finding a lot of kitten heels and other variations upon the spindly heel. My work has a lot of cobblestones so if not a wedge I need a heel of some thickness i.e not stilletto or kitten.
Is there a search term I should be using? A brand? I have liked Wonders shoes before but I am trying to do this online and their website doesn't offer even browsing capacity. (Just a promo video).
Finally, the other thing I do not want are really generic pumps. I don't mind quite a generic pump, honestly, but I don't want an entirely plain leather pump in beige.
I am willing to spend up to about $120. This is usually enough to get something nice on sale. Feel free to tell me if I am wrong about that, too.
I hope this is enough info. Please help!
zappos.com is good for specific heel heights.
It allows you to filter the shoes by heel height AND heel type (ie wedge, stacked etc)
Not sure what height you want specifically, but I just filtered zappos for Heel Height: 2-2/3, Color: Beige Type: Wedge and this was one of the ones that came up
Nordstrom.com also lets you search by heel height, but the height ranges are wider. I personally think there is a huge difference between a 3.5" heel and a 4" heel, but Nordstroms site puts them both in the same category.
posted by rancher at 12:05 AM on January 2, 2015
It allows you to filter the shoes by heel height AND heel type (ie wedge, stacked etc)
Not sure what height you want specifically, but I just filtered zappos for Heel Height: 2-2/3, Color: Beige Type: Wedge and this was one of the ones that came up
Nordstrom.com also lets you search by heel height, but the height ranges are wider. I personally think there is a huge difference between a 3.5" heel and a 4" heel, but Nordstroms site puts them both in the same category.
posted by rancher at 12:05 AM on January 2, 2015
Response by poster: The zappos thing sounds great but they do not ship to Australia. Having a look at Nordstrom now :)
posted by jojobobo at 12:18 AM on January 2, 2015
posted by jojobobo at 12:18 AM on January 2, 2015
I'm in Sydney and I have exactly the same problem, with the addition that I have huge feet. But yeah, it's casual flats and stripper heels as far as the eye can see.
Try looking through Direct Shoe Warehouse - here's the first page for wedges. Quality is variable, prices are good, and they'll ship if you can't get to a store. There are a couple on that page that might work for you.
The other one I use a lot is FSW - here's their wedge page. Ditto on stores and shipping. Nothing pops out at me right now, but it's worth a look.
Happy hunting!
posted by ninazer0 at 1:40 AM on January 2, 2015
Try looking through Direct Shoe Warehouse - here's the first page for wedges. Quality is variable, prices are good, and they'll ship if you can't get to a store. There are a couple on that page that might work for you.
The other one I use a lot is FSW - here's their wedge page. Ditto on stores and shipping. Nothing pops out at me right now, but it's worth a look.
Happy hunting!
posted by ninazer0 at 1:40 AM on January 2, 2015
Best answer: Have you tried Ziera? Their shoes trend towards the sensible, even the high heels are not that high. Quality is excellent, but the style may not be what you are looking for.
Shoe Superstore might have some that would work for you.
posted by arha at 2:15 AM on January 2, 2015
Shoe Superstore might have some that would work for you.
posted by arha at 2:15 AM on January 2, 2015
I've had good luck at Airflex, and also with EasySteps (at Myer or online). Hispanitas do good wedges including sling backs, Peter Sheppard stocks them. Don't discount Camper either - their sale usually discounts pretty deeply.
posted by girlgenius at 2:23 AM on January 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by girlgenius at 2:23 AM on January 2, 2015 [1 favorite]
Even if Zappos doesn't ship to Australia, you can use the site to find shoes that fit your criteria, and then search for those specific shoes at websites that deliver locally.
posted by fermezporte at 5:37 AM on January 2, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by fermezporte at 5:37 AM on January 2, 2015 [5 favorites]
I would still search under kitten heels. Not all are spindly and some are downright thick.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:09 AM on January 2, 2015
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:09 AM on January 2, 2015
The wedges you linked to remind me of the J.Crew Martina wedge. These are my favorite work-appropriate shoe because they look great but are still comfortable and not crazy high. At full price they're out of your range but with the sales J.Crew does it's really just a waiting game. The last pair I bought was around $100 US.
J.Crew also does a few other mid rise heels. There are also normally versions of most of their best sellers on the J.Crew Factory site. Not as nice, but cheaper. J.Crew ships to AUS, not sure about Factory.
posted by marmago at 7:03 AM on January 2, 2015
J.Crew also does a few other mid rise heels. There are also normally versions of most of their best sellers on the J.Crew Factory site. Not as nice, but cheaper. J.Crew ships to AUS, not sure about Factory.
posted by marmago at 7:03 AM on January 2, 2015
Are you dead set on a traditional slip on high heel?
I have a few pairs of heel oxfords that are wonderful. They often have a large heel that's lower than most and plus having something that laces (or zips) up makes it more sturdy so the heel doesn't seem or feel as high.
Here's a pointed toe gloss finish oxford heel.
Here's a wedge.
That's just what I found on Nordstrom but if you like that style then I'd check other places that ship or are local (I'm in the US so I'm not much help about that right now.)
posted by Crystalinne at 7:23 AM on January 2, 2015
I have a few pairs of heel oxfords that are wonderful. They often have a large heel that's lower than most and plus having something that laces (or zips) up makes it more sturdy so the heel doesn't seem or feel as high.
Here's a pointed toe gloss finish oxford heel.
Here's a wedge.
That's just what I found on Nordstrom but if you like that style then I'd check other places that ship or are local (I'm in the US so I'm not much help about that right now.)
posted by Crystalinne at 7:23 AM on January 2, 2015
Calvin Klein Saxton wedge pump, ships internationally to 'select' countries
I have a pair of these and I like them very much, but they do run a bit small.
posted by sideofwry at 9:17 AM on January 2, 2015
I have a pair of these and I like them very much, but they do run a bit small.
posted by sideofwry at 9:17 AM on January 2, 2015
Can you get Naturalizer shoes in Australia? I know you probably think of it as a less stylish comfort brand (I did), but I had good luck there last year or two finding mid-rise work heels when everywhere else has only flats or stilettos/platforms.
posted by amaire at 9:18 AM on January 2, 2015
posted by amaire at 9:18 AM on January 2, 2015
I will take every opportunity to recommend Clarks for any and all reasons. Super comfortable, come in half sizes, should have options in your price range, and durable enough to justify the price point too.
posted by Smells of Detroit at 1:04 PM on January 2, 2015
posted by Smells of Detroit at 1:04 PM on January 2, 2015
Seconding Calvin Klein heels. I'm not a heel person, but they were recommended to me here on the green as comfortable and with a lower than average heel height. I have two pairs now and they're pretty comfortable.
posted by theraflu at 4:23 PM on January 2, 2015
posted by theraflu at 4:23 PM on January 2, 2015
The shoes you REALLY want are a Ferragamo VARA. They are incredibly comfortable, the PERFECT height heel for all day wear (I work on my feet for 8 hours at a time), and come in different widths. BUT they are incredibly spendy, even more exorbitantly so here in Australia. I buy a pair when I see them on sale (shopbop and other overseas sites), and they last me 4-5 years EASILY in rotation with other shoes. I do get them resoled (it's called a TOPY sole here in Australia) when brand new to protect, and each year I re-sole all my good shoes.
What I have found good luck with (because I can't afford to just buy these exclusively), is finding shoes that are shaped and have a heel JUST like them - because they are precisely the perfect height to prevent fatigue and back pain. And they look so classic, they go with everything. I vowed I would never wear lower heels, and thought initially that these looked pretty daggy, but once you have them on they do make a lovely silhouette.
posted by shazzam! at 5:03 PM on January 2, 2015
What I have found good luck with (because I can't afford to just buy these exclusively), is finding shoes that are shaped and have a heel JUST like them - because they are precisely the perfect height to prevent fatigue and back pain. And they look so classic, they go with everything. I vowed I would never wear lower heels, and thought initially that these looked pretty daggy, but once you have them on they do make a lovely silhouette.
posted by shazzam! at 5:03 PM on January 2, 2015
Sorry, wanted to add that you should rush yourself down to a Ferragamo or David Jones, to try these on and get your size - then look out online for sales and ebay as well.
posted by shazzam! at 5:04 PM on January 2, 2015
posted by shazzam! at 5:04 PM on January 2, 2015
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posted by peep at 12:00 AM on January 2, 2015