Hi ESB,
I'm a grad student and a bridesmaid at an upcoming wedding (Iowa in March), and blah blah blah, I need low-to-flat black shoes that are under $30 and I could preferably wear again to work. The best I can find is target, payless, or Forever 21 (this or this?).
The wedding has an old Hollywood glamour sort of feel, and the dress is simple, black, and plain. I'm not generally a stylish person (did I mention I was an engineering grad student?), so I was hoping that you or your stylish readers could help me?! I generally struggle with which t-shirt has the least holes, but aspire to more eventually.
Thanks!!!
*****
First off, please please PLEASE invest in a pair of shoes that costs more than $30. Shoes made of real leather, not "faux suede" or "faux patent leather" (What does that even mean? They're not patented??) or "thermoplastic rubber." With my apologies to the vegans. I mean, if you're vegan I guess those rubber ones wouldn't be the worst.
A good pair of shoes, say an $80 pair of shoes, or even a $120 pair, will last you four times as long as the $30 ones. Longer even, if you take good care of them and reheel them when they start to wear down. And they will be comfortable, and your feet won't get all sweaty and gross, and you won't get blisters while you're dancing at that wedding or tromping around at work.
Again, my apologies to the vegans. I don't know how you do it.
Again, my apologies to the vegans. I don't know how you do it.
Anyhoo, dear reader, I'd go with something uber-simple like these Seychelles.
(Which you could even rock with a holey t-shirt. Who's got two thumbs and loves a t-shirt full of holes? This blogger.)
$59 down from $108 on Gilt for two more days
I totally agree with ESB. A good pair of black flats will be forever useful.
ReplyDeleteThat said, flats don't really scream "old Hollywood glamour" to me.
I've bought the Seychelles flats before and returned them--they showed too much "toe cleavage" for me. I am also on the hunt for a good pair of black flats! I own these: http://factory.jcrew.com/womens-clothing/shoes/balletflats/PRDOVR~95976/95976.jsp, but I bought them when they were made by regular J. Crew. I like them okay, but I'd go up a half size.
ReplyDeleteInvest in shoes. Save your money elsewhere, but always spend a little extra on good shoes. They'll end up paying for themselves. I don't know your size, but jcrew is having an extra 30% off sale items, so these are about $70.
ReplyDeleteIt's irresponsible to be buying plastic China made crap that ends up in a landfill, whether you're a vegan or not.
ReplyDeleteI have basically no budget for clothing at this point in time, but when I do spend money on shoes or clothes I make sure I get something high quality that's going to last me a long, long time and then will break down in less than 100,000,000 years once they do wear out. Some shoe companies, like Quoddy, will even repair your shoes for you if they do start to wear out in your lifetime.
Pleeeaaaassseee be a thoughtful and responsible consumer!
This is obnoxious. You know that "high quality" clothes and shoes are still often made in China (or Southeast Asia, or a variety of other regions/countries overrun with human rights violations) by overworked, underpaid laborers working in hazardous conditions, right? I mean, if you're going to go on a "be a thoughtful and responsible consumer" preachfest, it's ridiculous to assume that buying "high quality" equals responsible consumerism. Come on.
DeleteShe's not naively assuming that high quality = responsible consumerism. She clearly specified what she means by "high quality": natural materials that will biodegrade. She didn't say anything about labor conditions; she's making a legit argument about minimizing plastic consumption.
DeleteSounds pretty thoughtful and responsible to me.
What about these? Real leather and on sale for $35.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you should start checking MYHABIT . It's Amazon's sample sale-ish site and if you have a prime account (which, being a student, I assume you do) then you get free 2 day shipping. They have black flats on the regular.
DeleteI like those, but they're not in my size - 9.5. :(
DeleteThey also had these Kenneth Cole flats in a 9.5 for $33.
DeleteWhen buying shoes I try to consider the price in wear and tear on my feet, as well. I'll splurge on shoes ($120 or $150 at most) for daily wear shoes knowing that if I don't, I'll be seeing the cost in eventual loss of arches, lower back pain, etc. Be good to your body too!
ReplyDeleteIf you're going to go for cheap synthetic, why not really go for it (spikes, anyone?)
ReplyDeleteIf you're looking for more of an invest/ wear forever/ don't kill your feet,
these might do the trick ($100 and not on sale, though...)
If you really can't spend more than $20-30, is there any way to borrow shoes from a friend instead? Buying $20 shoes is like lighting your money on fire, but your feet hurt more and you don't get to watch the pretty flames.
For everyday shoes it is worth the investment of quality shoes, but cheap little shoes are just fine for parties and weddings. If you’re only planning on wearing them two or three times a year for special occasions, they can last you for a few years. I’d say nix the idea of trying to use them for work too (there’s where you should invest), and instead go for something fun that will spice up the plain dress. It sounds like you might not be the type of person who wears heels a lot, in which case maybe something like this would be good because the heel is low and it straps on to your foot. The tie front has a bit of old Hollywood glam.
ReplyDeleteTHIS
DeleteI've been reasonably happy with Aldo shoes generally (also a graduate student). These two are not leather but are a step up from target. I especially like the faux patent ones (but mostly I agree with everyone else - it's better to buy even the Aldo shoes that are available for 80 bucks and in real leather than to do this).
ReplyDeleteYes, if you're planning on wearing them to work/school and other daily activities, invest more than $30 in them. I used to buy cheap shoes that I wore to work and walked a lot in, and my feet were always bothering me. I started buy better quality shoes (anywhere from $50-$200) and lo and behold, my feet don't hate me any more.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm also a grad student. I buy less shoes than I used to, but because I buy better ones, they last longer and I love them more.
DeleteHollywood glam anyone? These are $39.95 and absolutely perfect! http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shopsale-shoes/25404146.jsp
ReplyDeleteOr a little less glam, but a lot of awesome at $29.95: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shopsale-shoes/25330085.jsp
OP here. Thanks for all your thoughts! I would love to spend more on these, but due to some unexpected recent expenses ($800 flu shots + $300 vet bills, and suddenly you're going to this wedding alone), it's a stretch to buy anything at all, so it's $30 shoes or nothing. Reading your replies, I'm inclined towards nothing.
ReplyDeleteI actually have some nicer black heels (3.5") that I'd like to wear but the bride has requested that we wear black flats. It looks like my best option will be to find something decent on clearance, or just wear what I have and deal.
If you have DSW or a similar discount shoe place nearby, they always seem to have the latest Steve Madden flats (I'm a fan) on sale.
DeleteI like these. They're a step up from your basic black flats. Good luck.
Delete@nicole eeeeeeeeeeew are you joking me??
DeleteJust going for something different. Swing and a miss?
Delete@nicole FAIL BIG
DeleteSo sorry.
DeleteIf the bride has requested that you wear black flats, she should be buying them. Asking for black shoes is reasonable, but beyond that level of specificity, I'm out, especially if it's a financial strain to meet her request.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, if you're not at a point where you can drop a little cash on some decent shoes that you'll be able to use in your real life, I wouldn't throw money at cheap shoes for a solitary event. In the scheme of things, nobody's going to much care what your shoes look like.
I appreciate what you're saying about the bride here, but she's been great, and if having us in lower heels is going to make her more comfortable, I'm going to at least make a good effort. If it doesn't work, she won't sweat it, but ebay is looking promising!
DeleteIf you have TJ Maxx or Marshall's around your area, I'd look there. You can get the quality shoes, for the $20-$30 you want to spend. I'm currently all about Born flats (I don't wear heels) and even got a pair of rose gold colored ones for my wedding for $42 at a Nordstrom Rack. These shoes are comfy and last a long time with almost daily wear.
ReplyDeleteGood call. Guess I have to leave the house to shop...
Deletewhat about ebay, martha? you can't make returns, which sucks, but you should be able to get a sturdy pair of black flats for $30, no problem. these? or these (eccos will last you forever), or these (ditto for borns)?
ReplyDeleteThese Nine West flats are on sale for $39.99, and they are available in 9.5! It's a little more than $30 but hope it's close enough.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there is a ballet flat sale happening on Gilt tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteooo. you can re-sole flats?! do you any more advice on this topic, ESB? would love to hear more...how do you choose a cobbler, which shoes should you just give up + throw out.
ReplyDeleteyou can resole anything, can't you? i'll be honest, i don't actually WEAR flats....
DeleteeBay is a great way to go. Also Etsy. These are $75 plus shipping from the UK, but they're really cute and would go with everything.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so these are on the blingy side, but they're $20 (down from 75), and in your size. For $20, they are not awful.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Nine West black glitter flat, $30 + 20% off.
ReplyDelete