The Hunt for the Perfect Shoes

If you know me, you know I love shoes. Not only that, but you know that I’m adventurous, obsessive and impulsive when it comes to shoes. This leads to the unsaid expectation that I need to have some kick ass shoes for the wedding – no boring white flats for this girl! . (As a side note, about a month before  Math proposed to me, I saw these pink wedding shoes on the internet and found them noteworthy enough to be showcased on my FaceBook. But these are way too expensive to even consider…)

Farfalla - £475.00



Now I can’t say that I started looking for the shoes before the dress because, let’s not lie, the dress pretty much defines the wedding style…. *wink*.  However, I did find the dress almost immediately – which proves that there are areas where I’m not terribly picky.  Shoes are not  one of those. I definitely started looking for shoes before the bridesmaid dresses (sorry girls!).

Math proposed to me on March 25^th and by April 4^st I had my preliminary list of shoes with one pair at the forefront of consideration. I had decided that I was going to get the shoes in either chartreuse or purple. Here are a few contenders from the green category  The Paco Menas were the strong contender but they were just a bit too light in color, though their price was right (about $90).

Then there were the purple contenders. There were more than what was listed here but they were all relatively similar style and color to the ones pictured below:

  (from left to right then top to bottom): Paco Mena, Nina, Miu Miu, Bottega Veneta, BCBG. I did resolve that the bottom flip flop pair (BCBG) would be great for the beach and the end of the night so decided to buy those when they went on sale.
Then there were the purple contenders. There were more than what was listed here but they were all relatively similar style and color to the ones pictured below:

(left to right): Badgley Mischka, Badgley Mischka, Halston Heritage

I briefly considered these, though my heart wasn't into it. I'd rather go clubbing in these shoes.

Betsy Johnson



The first pair I actually bought were these. They are padded and not too high and have a killer-looking heel. They were at Nordstrom Rack for only $40. I wore them for 8 hours one day which included some shopping and walking, and while they were pretty comfortable, toward the end of the day my feet started hurting REALLY badly.

Born: $44

Also, I decided that these are more reception shoes instead of ceremony shoes. So, these will be my dancing shoes!

After that, I found these and determined that they would be perfect;  they were a great combination of a wedding color and funky, but sticking with the peeptoe/pump retro look. But...... there were two problems. 1). They were 3.75''high and 2). the only sizes they had close to my 7 was 6.5 and 8.  Even still, I chanced it and these were the secong pair I bought in size 6.5. Unfortunately, they were too tight and too high and I could barely walk in them. Which is sad. You definitely don't want the bride to be hobbling toward her future! They were so cute though (and so cheap). :'( Luckily Endless.com has free return shipping!



Rampage: $37

Then I really wanted to get these even if they were Christian Louboutin and probably would have been like $500. Unfortunately, they could be found no where online except in knock-off brands and even then I couldn't find the knock-offs actually for sale. Oh well, I'll just have to fantasize about them.

Christian Louboutin

I never *actually* considered these...but aren't they fun?

Versace (probably only model shoes anyway).

And then I found these at the City Center in Vegas... Oh...my...god...They were at the Versace store, and they were on "sale."  Versace is one of my favorite designers (partly because he's Italian!) but his stuff is pretty to way too expensive. They were $350 ish reduced from $500 and I was totally prepared to spend that, which shows how much I wanted them. They were the perfect combination of purple and funky and designer.  Unfortunately, they were TOO SMALL! The two Vegas stores didn’t have any in my size and the only ones left (in the country) were in New York.  I could have them shipped to me, but that would mean I would have to buy them first. And snooty designer Versace, doesn't take returns on sale items. So….no shoes for me. 

Versace

Wierdly, I can't even find these anywhere online, it's like they have ceased to exist. Good thing I got a friend to take a good pic from her iPhone. 

 I still dream about these shoes. 

Then I briefly thought these would be great but the price and the over-the-top nature pretty much deterred me. Though I would love to put them on display in my house!

Versace...again

 After that I was at a consignment store in Boulder, Common Threads, trying to sell some of my clothes (and shoe shopping - always shoe shopping) and I found these. They are Miu Mius which is another Italian designer that I don't really know much about. But they're real leather and all nice and broken-in without looking too worn. They were cheap too, for designer. 

Miu Miu - $70

Even though they weren't the peeptoe/pump shoe that I was goaling for, they still looked sooo good. Also they had a "something blue" in them. So I bought them, the 3rd pair, thinking that my search was finally over. However……

My neighbor gave me a pile of clothes and 4 pairs of shoes that she practically forced on me. As the shoe sap that I am, I tried to give them a good home, even though there was one pair of Steve Maddens that I was sure I'd never wear. They were a bit too platform-y, a bit too high  and a bit too pointy in the toe. But just the other day I was cleaning out my closet and tried on the Miu Mius above for Math. As I was putting them away I saw the shoes Beth gave me...sitting all alone on the closet floor and it dawned on me..."Wait a second. Those shoes are the perfect color of purple. Maybe..." So, I gave them a whirl and...

HOLY MOLY, Batman! They fit well, didn't feel too bad and fit the retro and funky/creative themes soo well. I think I've finally found a winner. (P.S. Somewhere between the Miu Mius and the Maddens I did buy those BCBG flip flops but got the wrong size and had to send them back and buy the larger size). Finally, after buying 5 pairs of shoes (two of which were returned) I decide upon the free pair! I will keep the Miu Mius because I really like them but they will have no part in the wedding. The Born heels will be for the reception and dancing and the BCBGs will be for before and after the event and if we go bar-hopping.
Now let me announce....THE WINNERS!


Steve Madden - FREE!