Good morning ESB,
This is about shoes and desperation and a plea for help.
I'm a fairly tall bride at 5'10'' so I don't really need to wear heels. I'm also a bride with Morton's neuromas in both feet, actually in my right foot I have two, so I actually can't wear heels.
I have been searching since my engagement in May 2010 for lovely flat shoes. It's my wedding, so I would like to wear some nice shoes and not the usual excruciatingly unfashionable orthopaedic ones I have to wear. I have seen shoes come and go. Three times I have found shoes which I love, only to have them cruelly (dramatic license here) snatched from me.
1. Steve Madden I-Dreemy - ordered in March 2011, never made it through customs. Now out of stock in my size.
2. Aruna Seth's butterfly ballet flats with a 20% discount - I phone to place my order, they don't have any in my size in stock, but will call me back when they do. Right as rain, a few weeks later I receive a call back to say that the shoes are in stock in my size, but by the way the price has now gone up by £100 (I sh*t you not) and would I still like to order them? Grrrr.
3. Just last Friday I ordered the low Darcy in pale pink from Beatrix Ong in their sale. I just got an email to say that although they were in stock when I placed my order there was a problem with the website and now they don't have any shoes to send me. I cried.
I am nearing the end of my tether. I have a budget of £100 to £150 which I think is about $150 to $200. I have size 7UK (9US, 40EU) feet. I need your and your stylish readers' help. Please.
Yours,
Crazy lady who keeps shouting at her feet in shoe shops
*****
Feel like helping out you guys?
I'm on a deadline today. Trying to stay off the old internets.
xoXXXXX.
Photo: Aurore by Céline Nieszawer via Dawn via The Shiny Squirrel
Tom's has just released their ballet flat collection (as of today!)- they're pretty cute and guaranteed to be comfortable. Plus, they're about $79 and they donate a pair of shoes to a child in need with each pair sold. I promise I'm not affiliated with the company, just a satisfied customer. :)
ReplyDeleteBuy these if you really like them as shoes but please don't think you are saving the world by giving shoes to kids in Africa - Toms is essentially the definition of Bad Aid (and for the amount of markup on these very simple shoes there is so much more the company could do)
Delete- http://apersonaldiaspora.blogspot.com/2011/04/toms-discussion-on-bad-aid.html
How about, instead of buying Tom's, buy some shoes that are actually remotely cute and then donate some money to an org that actually does good stuff? That would be way better for everyone involved.
DeleteThese are sweet and girly and ethical.
How about we stick to the point and solely suggest shoes? It'll be up to the bride where she buys her shoes and what cause she wants (if she even wants) to donate to.
Delete@Anon we like ranting about Tom's around here. it's kind of a thing.
Delete£19.00 Topshop's vibrant glitter ballet pumps
ReplyDeleteTa da! They even come in white.
ReplyDeleteSo, you're in the UK, yes? What about ASOS?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-LACE-Ballet-Shoes-with-Bow/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1542301&cid=4172&Rf900=1564&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Nude
http://www.asos.com/Miss-KG/Miss-KG-Lolita-Jewelled-Ballet-Flat-Shoes/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1967681&cid=4172&Rf900=1564&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Grey
Nice looking out! First place I scoped out for her, too.
DeleteThese Paul Mayer flats seem like your style. £142.
ReplyDeleteAre you srs ESB? You offered up something to the self-indulgent way-too-many-bracelets-come-on bride but not the woman that ACTUALLY needs assistance?
ReplyDeleteOh stop.
Deletesrlsy. go away!
DeleteAdding one more pair of sparkle flats:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.melissa.com.br/en/produtos/detalhe/109/melissa-ultragirl-j-maskrey
melissa's are so comfy, last forever, smell like bubblegum!
Not sure if these are delicate enough, but noticed the nice sale price and they seem to be left in your size. Totally understand having foot issues and not being able to wear certain shoes. Would sandals be an option? Can we see the dress?
ReplyDeletei am, as ever, on team sequins.
ReplyDeleteWhat does your dress look like? Here are some versatile options:
ReplyDeleteGold flats, on sale for $148.
Two toned white flats, $64.
White ostrich-y flats, about $166.
Ivory oxfords, $94.95.
@Lauren, for you ;) Glitz oxfords, $38.
you're good to me, nicole.
Delete+! for the ostrich - i LOVE my french soles, they're so so comfortable
DeleteSteve Madden Karisma ~ $80
ReplyDeleteSo far, the previous posts have been really good! In my opinion, they all have really great and diverse suggestions.
ReplyDeleteAmerican Eagle Outfitters has BC shoes, Sam Edelemans and Steve Maddens for less than $100. Don't know how long that will be for...
Also awesome...
1. BC Limousines
2.BC It's a Cinch
3.Vibrant Glitter (was also a pick from a reader up ^^)
4.Valerie Slower Slingbacks
5.High-Shine Flats
6.Real Go-Glitter Flats
7.Madden Girl Glitters
The last aren't flats, but don't afraid to where a little heal on your wedding day just because you're 5'10!! Own it girl! Be the towering goddess that you are.
Did you even read the post? She isn't looking for flats because she's afraid to be a "towering goddess". She needs flats because she has a medical condition that normally requires the use of orthotics.
DeleteZappos has fantastic sorting capabilities on their website. They also have free shipping and returns, so you can order and try on. How about one of these?
Ankle strap, lots of colors
cut-out details
Frye hand-woven leather
gold edging
I got these (http://www.dsw.com/shoe/sm+women%27s+heaven+glitter+flat?prodId=dsw12prod3100092&productRef=SEARCH) Steve Madden Heaven Glitter Flats from DSW. I checked online, and they're available in your size and can be shipped internationally.
ReplyDeletehttp://shop.nordstrom.com/s/nine-west-orysia-flat/3255823?origin=category
ReplyDeleteI got these in a US 9 and they're cute and comfortable. Plus, Nordstrom is the bomb dot com for shipping (no fees).
@ActsofBeauty I was going to suggest Kurt Geiger too, but you beat me to it.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I think a lot of Kurt Geiger shoes are awful. 12cm stripper heels you can't walk in. But they are actually surprisingly good for smart lower heeled or flat shoes. The shops only seem to do the high heels, so I recommend buying multiple pairs online and returning what you don't like.
This is in fact what I did for my wedding shoes. I needed low heeled shoes (not flats) for my wedding, as my husband is a bit of a short-arse and had various other very specific requirements and Kurt Geiger had the exact shoes I needed. They were also incredibly comfortable. In fact my KG wedding shoes remain by far my most comfortable smart shoes.
Oh my gosh it's the crazy bride here! Wow thanks ESB and everyone for suggestions I am now going to do lots of clicking and review them. Also sorry for the delay.........English time and all that.........
ReplyDeleteCrazy bride again, dress is Charlotte Balbier Pixie in Blush Ivory - not the white ivory. I'm super pale, and wearing white makes me look rather ill.
ReplyDeleteAnna the Paul Mayer flats are very much my style, thank you!
I did try the super sparkly KG Lolly flats however the bow is really huge and I didn't reckon it would facilitate ease of movement if it was catching on the lacy bit of my dress.
Crazy bride again again, I have to dash off to a conference but I just wanted to say thank you all so much! I will be reviewing everything when I get in this evening.
ReplyDeleteTieks! They're at the upper end of your budget, but they are SO comfortable and if you get a sparkly colour they'll look totally rad. They'll also look totally rad if you just go with white or cream or some other colour too. I searched for size 11 flats with a bendy sole for A YEAR before caving and buying these, and now my only regrets are that a) I waited so long and b) I didn't buy 2-3 pairs at once.
ReplyDeleteI think all those shoes look great, and you'll be able to choose the perfect shoes from that selection.
ReplyDeleteI've gotta say I would have have the same worries about the jelly shoes. I never really got the whole Vivienne Westwood jelly shoes with the big heart that a lot of brides seem to like - because, yuck, foot sweat. How would you dance in them?
I'd also take the whole comfort factor into account - with flats you'll be mostly ok, but I've had flats that pinched or were sliiightly too big or small & it's just as much of pain as uncomfy heels. Especially with your foot issues. I definitely think having extremely comfortable yet awesome shoes is KEY.
Marais! Marais!!!
ReplyDeleteThe bow-toe type is adorrrable, but does tend to elongate an already-longish foot. The Marais, on the other hand, does the opposite with its 2 tones. Just my 2 cents, but truly all your top options are lovely. Good luck!