qofcc
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Post by qofcc on Apr 20, 2011 12:30:12 GMT -5
I'm not one of those "shoe girls", but between work and casual, I maintain the following selection (in a 4 season climate): Black dress winter boots to wear with skirts or dress pants or jeans Brown semi casual winter boots to wear with dress pants or jeans Black shoes to wear with dress pants & jeans Brown shoes to wear with dress pants & jeans Black practical t-strap mid heels to wear with skirts year round Brown practical mid heel pumps to wear with skirts year round White strappy heels for summer dresses Black summer sandals that can be worn to work or with shorts Brown summer sling backs that can be worn to work or with shorts Silver dress shoes for formalwear Sneakers nice enough to wear cleaning the house or exercising, etc. Crappy old sneakers for gardening
Now that spring is here (maybe) I'm putting my winter boots away and starting to wear my shoes again. I've noticed that the shoes I'm wearing today are cracking in the front where my toes bend. I HATE shopping for shoes. It takes a long time to find specifically what I'm looking for as far as a classic versatile style. It seems like 1/3 the selection is geared to a 1970's hooker 1/3 to an 80 year old grandmother and the rest to Hannah Montana. And it's hard to find shoes that fit comfortably for walking (I have flat feet and wear size 10 narrow). I usually spend about $25-50 on shoes (and maybe $100 on black dress boots) and they last 1-3 years, but it's a long search every time I have to replace shoes because of course they discontinue everything every year.
Repairing the shoes isn't an option, because it's not the heels or bottoms that wear out, it's the tops on most of the shoes and the elastic part of the straps on the sandals and the boots get salt damage.
So my question is...
Should I just keep doing what I'm doing and go on a mission to search for modestly priced shoes to replace each pair as they wear out?
Should I try to upgrade to higher priced shoes in the hopes that they will be more durable (Has this worked for anyone and do you have any suggestions for brands)?
What do you do?
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Apr 20, 2011 12:52:17 GMT -5
I'd say if you can take the hit to the wallet, buy a second pair when you find ones you really love. when they finally die, you can pull out the new ones, and be good to go for another couple years.
in the meantime, find a cobbler - a good cobbler. I have a pair of strappy pumps that I've gone back and bought another pair of the same color as well as a pair in each of two other colors. the original black pair has been re-heeled twice. I think my guy will replace elastic on slingbacks too (I don't wear them, so I'm not sure)
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Apr 20, 2011 13:16:10 GMT -5
Naturalizer has lots of nice comfortable shoes in that price range (when on sale, or with coupon code).
Not sure if they have 10N, but also check Nordstrom - I think when you have an unusual sized shoe you are better off buying quality rather than quantity. Nordstrom has a great selection of odd sizes, and they also have a lifetime warranty on it's products.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Apr 20, 2011 13:16:22 GMT -5
Like you, I ABSOLUTELY HATE SHOE shopping! I used to have a size 10 foot, but after having kids, it's now 10 1/2. Most stores that have above size 10 go to whole sizes, and size 11 is too big for me. Fortunately I require very few pairs of shoes. For work I have safety shoes/sneakers that I actually found at Walmart at size 10 1/2 and they are so comfortable. Wouldn't get much else there though.
I refuse to go to any of the regular shoe stores where you have to request a shoe and size. They almost never have anything in size 10 (and 10 1/2 is out of the questions). We have a place called Shoe Station where they have good quality name brand shoes (may be last years models) with a good selection and you pick them yourself. To me, this makes shoe shopping so much easier. For me, it is hard to tell how well I like shoes right away, and it is also hard to tell how long a pair would last. I would not necessarily buy 2 of what I like, but if I had a pair that was worn out, possibly look on the internet to see if it is still sold.
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cael
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Post by cael on Apr 20, 2011 13:19:03 GMT -5
Um. let's see, on a regular basis I wear black Sketchers sneakers, black Columbia trail sneakers, black Doc Marten boots, a variety hiking boots, and flip flops. Oh, and my gym sneakers, and my north face winter boots. I'm not really a shoe gal I do have a few pairs of cute heels for nice occasions. Then again I'm comfortable on my days off in jeans & a t-shirt, so why should I wear cute shoes with that?! I'd rather be comfortable
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 13:20:02 GMT -5
I keep shoes forever (or till they're beyond repair). Right now I'm wearing a pair with squared-off toes and a heel shape that clearly mark them as almost 10 years old but I don't care. My most recent pair of dress shoes were Thierry Rabotin (Italy) and they cost $375. I love them. I wore them on a business trip where I chose to walk the 2.5 miles between my hotel and a seminar site and my feet were only mildly sore. With cheap shoes I would have had blisters. You get what you pay for. Having discovered Birkenstocks in a discount store, I now buy them on-line- they're made in Germany. Also comfortable and durable. I have a pair of Timberland boots (ankle-high but boot style) I bought 20+ years ago which are still going strong thanks to a good cobbler. I will be heartbroken when they give out- the stuff Timberland is making now is not the same quality. Finally, for fun I have a pair of pale blue Justin cowboy boots with pink stitching- they're a Berkshire-Hathaway company and I got them at a discount at an Annual Berkshire meeting.
So, over the years, I've gone to buying shoes far less often, and buying higher-priced brands NOT made in China. They feel better and they last longer.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Apr 20, 2011 13:39:42 GMT -5
Shoe buying can be an emotionally traumatic experience for me. I wear size 11 or 12 depending on the brand and the width. Very few companies make shoes in those sizes and even fewer stores sell them. I can not walk in to the shoe department of any store, find a cute pair of shoes and say I want those. Most likely, those do not come in my size. I used to shop at Payless because even though the selection wasn't big (and quality wasn't high) I could see exactly what they had that was even a possibility for me. Sadly, my arches are now in bad shape and I can't wear Payless type shoes. Now, I spend god awful amounts of money on shoes at Nordstroms. Luckily, the shoes are of really qood quality and last a long time, so I don't have to replace them very often. I like Nordstroms because their website lets me go in and search by shoe size. This way, I only look at shoes that I know have a chance of fitting me. And their inventory feature lets me know which store near me has that shoe in my size in stock, so that I can still go and try it on before I buy. Without this feature, I would have an emotional meltdown every time I needed to buy shoes.
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TrixAre4Kids
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Post by TrixAre4Kids on Apr 20, 2011 13:57:14 GMT -5
I have high arches, and mainly wear Dansko clogs & sandals, Adidas athletic shoes, Keen boots & sandals and Tevas. Sometimes you can find a good sale but generally they all run in the low $100's. They last me for years, so while the price doesn't make me happy, I know I'll get my money out of them.
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qofcc
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Post by qofcc on Apr 20, 2011 13:59:42 GMT -5
Hmmm... this Nordstroms sounds like a place to check out if I ever get to a city that has one.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Apr 20, 2011 14:01:34 GMT -5
Hmmm... this Nordstroms sounds like a place to check out if I ever get to a city that has one. Try DSW. You can wander around for hours and the shoes are all right there for you to try. I have really wide feet, and I find Naturalizers and Aerosoles to be a good fit. You may want to try MaddenGirl shoes by Steve Madden. They have lots of flats, they aren't too expensive, and they're adorable. They're made too narrow for my fat feet.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Apr 20, 2011 14:20:56 GMT -5
DSW in my area doesn't carry Women's shoes above a 10, at least not at my store.
I do buy my sneakers and other casual shoes from the men's department. I wear a men's 9 or 10, and stores always have those. I haven't owned a "Womens" sneaker in years. (I started wearing women's size shoes - vs kids size - in 2nd grade, and at that point we started looking for my sneakers in the boys department.) And my favorite sandals came from the clearance rack of men's shoes at DSW.
Norsdtrom's web site also lets you look at boots by calf size, which is also helpful for us big girls.
Even if you don't have a Nordstrom's near you, I would use their website to research brands that would fit you and be of good quality. Then, once you have an idea of what you're looking for, you could look for stores that carry that brand in your size near you. Also, if you buy from Nordstroms online, its even easier to return the shoes if they don't fit than it is if you buy them in the store - and returning them at the store is simple. Nordys may be more expensive than I normally like, but they really do care about high quality service.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 14:26:48 GMT -5
Try the internets.
Zappos.com has free shipping and free returns, so it is pretty low-risk to try something, and they have extended sizes and narrow/wide widths.
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sapphire12
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Post by sapphire12 on Apr 20, 2011 15:20:51 GMT -5
I too live in a 4-season climate and rain, snow, sleet, salt, asphalt, etc do wreck havoc on your shoes. To help with the wear and tear on your shoes, maybe you could invest in a rain and/or snow boot and a pair of sneakers for commuting. The sneakers save the shoes in the warmer months. Rain/Snow boots save the leather on your shoes in the winter. Save the leather for when the weather and your commute is decent. Your shoes will last longer.
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Post by illinicheme on Apr 20, 2011 15:32:37 GMT -5
I'd suggest upping your price point somewhat if you can. I'm not much of a shoe person either and refuse to wear anything uncomfortable for daily wear. (Occasionally I'll wear heels when I need to dress up.) I've had decent success in the $50-120 range at stores like Clarks and The Walking Company.
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Apr 20, 2011 15:41:26 GMT -5
Hmmm... this Nordstroms sounds like a place to check out if I ever get to a city that has one. Try DSW. You can wander around for hours and the shoes are all right there for you to try. I have really wide feet, and I find Naturalizers and Aerosoles to be a good fit. You may want to try MaddenGirl shoes by Steve Madden. They have lots of flats, they aren't too expensive, and they're adorable. They're made too narrow for my fat feet. you have good luck with Aerosoles? I have 8.5 very narrow, swear by the Italian designers and can't touch anything Madden or Mudd. those strappy pumps I mentioned in my 1st reply are Aerosoles. wow, that's surprising. but yay for you, they certainly are comfy. qofcc - I echo the DSW suggestion, especially if you have a big one near you. I can lose a couple hours in there. but you'll definitely get to see what's available at any given time. if you don't like the prices, you can always leave 'em at the store and hit up zappo's when you get home.
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Apr 20, 2011 16:40:37 GMT -5
I love casual shoes ... I wear a lot of sneakers, tennies and Ked-type shoes. My biggest problem? I wear a woman's size 12 ~ making it a real challenge to find what I want at less-than-ridiculous prices. I do pick up a few from Payless, but I also go "treasure hunting" at places like TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall's etc.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 17:23:19 GMT -5
I have a pair of shoes around here somewhere... I was going to wear them to TGH's funeral, but it had been so long since I'd worn heels that I couldn't stand up with them on! It was February and there was a sNOwstorm that day, so I wore dressy black boots that my sister lent me.
I have a pair of Reeboks that are "new"...only got them about a year ago. My old sneakers are Sketchers, and I use them when I'm digging around in the garden. How old is old? Um. I bought them in 2002. And I have two pair of flip flops. One pair is really cool...the straps have silver glitter. When I wear them I feel like such a hussy ;D
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2011 17:27:37 GMT -5
Try DSW. You can wander around for hours and the shoes are all right there for you to try. Last time I was there I did wander around for what seemed like hours- looking for dress shoes not made in China. No luck at all. In the past I occasionally found dress shoes made in Brazil or Italy. Not this time. I haven't been back since.
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Apr 20, 2011 17:36:15 GMT -5
When I've got time and money to go shopping I usually hit some stores and look for stuff. Invariably when I need something its not to be found. It took me until mid January to find some brown boots to wear to work. For shoes I'll look at Nordstroms, Nordstroms Rack, Macys, DSW, Nine West outlet and now and then I find something at JC Penney or Kohls. Its been awhile since I found anything at the last two.
The black boots I wore all winter are Tommy Hilfiger and came from Shoe Carnival. I looked online for them after I bought them and couldn't find them. I think the leather is still in good shape so I will have the heels redone this fall. I also have some Franco Sarto boots but they have something metal in the heels that sets of the metal detectors at work so I didn't wear them to work this winter.
I swear I am not that picky, odd size or anything but it seems like I am always on the hunt for something for work either shoes or clothes with not much luck.
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kgb18
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Post by kgb18 on Apr 20, 2011 18:56:00 GMT -5
I looooove shoes, and I love Zappos. I just ordered a pair of shoes Monday afternoon, and they were on my doorstep yesterday. I do keep shoes a long time. I am restocking my supply because I had to throw several pairs away at the end of last summer. They were really starting to look pathetic, but my favorite pair I just sent to shoe hospital for a refurbishing. Someone on the boards mentioned the place. They were a pair of $25 shoes that I've been wearing for six years (three seasons a year), and for $20 I'll probably get another two years out of them.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Apr 20, 2011 22:14:46 GMT -5
I buy more than one pair if I find shoes I really love. Which isn't very often. I have narrow feet and most shoes slip and slide on my feet so I have to try them on before buying. No internet shopping for me. And at the stores my size seems to be the most common because they are always out of them. And no matter how many shoes I buy I never have the ones I need for a particular event or outfit. Being a woman sucks sometimes.
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Apple
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Post by Apple on Apr 20, 2011 22:19:50 GMT -5
I'm not a shoe person either, I just want to say how much I you all. I don't know any woman personally who has bigger feet than me. I'm a 9 1/2. I wear Sketchers for my daily wear, have a pair of granny boots I love for when I dress up in jeans or the extremely rare long skirt or dress. And a few sandles. Plus my steel-toed work boots, often have to buy men's but finally found a pair of women's boots again. I truly hate shopping for shoes. Sierratradingpost.com has lots of shoes as well, but I don't know how great their return policy is if they don't fit since I've never had to return any.
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sunshinegal1981
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Post by sunshinegal1981 on Apr 21, 2011 3:00:48 GMT -5
Adding my vote for zappos.com.
They have reviews written by other ppl who have purchased that shoe, and a lot of them will give you a good idea of whether the shoe 'runs big' or 'runs small'. I always order two pairs of the shoe I want, one in the 9 and one in 9.5 (or 9.5 and 10, if reviews indicate the shoe might run small), and then I just return the pair that doesn't fit, and keep the one that does. If NEITHER happen to fit, I return both and try again. They make the return shipping process so easy, a child could do it. And the customer service can't be beat.
I cannot say enough good things about zappos.com.
(ETA: Just glanced over at shoe closet... about 50% of my shoes were purchased on Zappos! LOL!)
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gawgagranny
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Post by gawgagranny on Apr 21, 2011 3:21:40 GMT -5
add my name to the "wears over size 10" club....and size 11's are not the easiest thing in the world to find....M width or W width, depending on the shoe, so internet shopping is a bit of a crap shoot, too. Sounds like I need to try zappos.com myself!
The best thing is that I can wear sneakers/athletic shoes to work, so that helps out a lot. Currently my extensive dress shoe collection (a whopping 3 pair!) are either Naturalizer or HushPuppies
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Apr 21, 2011 8:01:37 GMT -5
I've not tried Zappos, but have had pretty good luck getting shoes that fit from Sierratradingpost.com.
I've got lots of shoes, but will likely have to do another huge purge again. I limped badly prior to my hip replacement and really wore my shoes unevenly. The wear pattern has a huge impact upon how I walk after surgery. Fortunately, I think that there are only about 3 pair that I wore regularly enough to cause this problem.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Apr 21, 2011 9:26:21 GMT -5
Qocc, My system would not work for you (because my shoe needs are different) BUT here's my suggestion. When you find a pair that you know will meet your requirements, buy 2 or even 3 pairs and set them aside. I am assuming that you buy pretty classic styles.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Apr 21, 2011 9:31:10 GMT -5
Qocc, My system would not work for you (because my shoe needs are different) BUT here's my suggestion. When you find a pair that you know will meet your requirements, buy 2 or even 3 pairs and set them aside. I am assuming that you buy pretty classic styles. I would go with this advice. When you find something you like, just suck it up and buy an extra pair of two. I love, no, LOVE!!!!! shoe shopping, but jean shopping is my nemesis. When I find a pair I like, I buy a second pair, even if it pains me to spend more than I planned. In the end, it's for the best so I don't have to visit as many stores and I don't cry as often. ;D
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ohmomto2boys
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Post by ohmomto2boys on Apr 21, 2011 9:40:14 GMT -5
It's nice to see other women that are NOT shoe people!!
I splurged this spring and bought 7 pair of shoes (Feb to last week). I had to replace my summer shoes (should have done it last year) and get a nice pair of black pumps for a wedding that I absolutely love. I have wide feet (size 9) and actually need surgery on my right foot because of a bunion.....will probably have to have it done later this year.
I wear shoes too long - they look terrible, but when I find something I love - I hate to part with it.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on Apr 21, 2011 9:40:25 GMT -5
Another vote for Zappos here! They have such a wide variety of sizes, widths and styles, it's really easy to find something. I also love their return policy.
I have wide feet and also have bunions, so it's really hard to find comfortable shoes. to keep the bunions from hurting I end up with too big shoes that slip and slide around on my feet unless I get the more expensive shoes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2011 13:02:54 GMT -5
Adding my vote for zappos.com. I always order two pairs of the shoe I want, one in the 9 and one in 9.5 (or 9.5 and 10, if reviews indicate the shoe might run small), and then I just return the pair that doesn't fit, and keep the one that does. If NEITHER happen to fit, I return both and try again. Please keep this up! You and I wear the same size (well, I swing more to the 9.5-10 side). All of the shoes that get returned to Zappos end up at their 6pm outlet store. If you happen to live near Kentucky, everything at the outlet is half off or better. Your rejects become my bargains
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