Shoe Shopping Is Frustrating, but DSW Is Having a Sale!
Until recently, I nearly gave up on finding a pair of platform wedges. Every time I go into a shoe store I imagine that shoe designers have forgotten that many people generally enjoy wearing heels and aren’t wearing them as a quick fix to rise five inches (although that’s a perfectly sound reason to wear them). Basically, I have a tall person bias in this situation and don’t foresee myself wearing a five-six inch heel casually. I could, but I’d much rather find a medium sized heel that isn’t, well, hideous, and finding such has grown to feel very similar to the fact that you could get a burger, fries and soda at McDonalds for under $4, but have to pay nearly $10 for a salad at Cosi. Fortunately, a heel around 4 inches is much more comfortable and wearable with the help of a platform.
I may be picky about shoes, but I don’t think I’m reaching here. So I spent an entire afternoon on the internet browsing around for a pair that meets certain requirements, or rather, avoids what I loathe in a shoe- that awful kitten heel, the bad variation of a cork/straw wedge, etc; along with an offensive price tag.
Then, the beacon of promise that is Google led me to DSW. How could I forget about DSW? It’s not like I don’t se their “Where’d you get your shoes?” commercial any less than five times throughout just one episode of Parks and Rec. Regardless, they are having a sale and there are some great options at very reasonable prices. So, if you feel my particular life-threatening shoe feels in this blog post, I hope this helps you find what you’re own shoe department is missing.
Mia Jukebox Wedge Sandal, $44.94
N.Y.L.A. Kino Wedge Sandal, $44.94
Envy Primrose Sandal, $44.94
If any of you PW Style readers out there have a particular go-to place, whether it’s online or in-store, where you always luck out with shoes, please let us know! It’s what my sartorial needs are currently thirsting for the most, and I’m sure I am not the only one.
Also, keep in mind that if you sign up to become a DSW Rewards member, you get free shipping on any purchase over $35! Use the code “SHIPR”.
-Emily O’Neill
The Cody d’Orsay
The search hasn’t been a vigorous one, but I have found my perfect shoe for this summer- maybe even for life, because, and believe me when I say, I am in l-o-v-e.
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| As seen on The Man Repeller |
Say hello to the Cody d’Orsay heel by 3.1 Phillip Lim. The shoe, with it’s minimally designed chunky heel and ankle strap, has such a sleek but fun aesthetic and would match any outfit effortlessly. In addition to the clear, the shoe comes in a splendid bunch of variations like camel, textured black leather, metallic silver and more. Similar to the PS1 decision-making-process-fantasy I often ponder, I don’t know which pair I’d choose. At a starting price of $595, I don’t see why I just don’t buy them all.
Seriously though- if I could, I would, and it would be so worth it.
Old City’s Eccentric Lost + Found
Having grown accustomed to shopping at the same places due to convenience and a busy schedule, I felt instantly refreshed and ready to make impulsive yet excellent purchases upon entering Old City’s Lost + Found.
Located on 3rd and Cherry Sts., I entered the shop to find a multi-hued rack of flannel shirts to my left, cases of jewelry in front of me, and a plethora of scarves and bags to my right. In any other store I might’ve found this overwhelming, but part of what made shopping at Lost + Found so enjoyable and relaxing was the clean and well organized interior.
The store sells every piece you’d need for an outfit besides unmentionables. From flowing tops with bold prints to casual pieces in solids or basic stripes, there is something to fit everyone’s style aesthetic. In addition, they carry dresses for both day and night as well as a modest vintage section filled with a variety of playful and classic sweaters, as well as great coats. Most new styles start at $40 while there were two lofty sales racks with great finds.
JustFab.com Is Anything But Fabulous…
In between my Sister Wives reruns, I have seen several commercials for this new website Just Fabulous. The commercial shows a series of girls fawning over shoes, handbags and jewelry that were “hand picked” for them based on their sense of style for only $39.95. Although Just Fab caters only to women, I had to investigate because I know a good pair of heels when I see them (cough, Louboutins, cough). More importantly, what girl doesn’t want a pair of shoes for a great price?
I went to the site, and I took the fashion personality quiz. Initially, the site shows you a series of pictures of celebrity outfits and ask which you’d prefer. Unfortunately, all of the outfits are impractical. The way each of the girls are dressed, I wouldn’t want to raid any of their closets.
As I progressed through the quiz, the styles became weirder. Nearly halfway through the quiz, I was presented with these three gems. When would anyone ever wear any of these shoes? I was forced to select the lesser of three evils in order to progress to my hand selected shoes.
After painfully clicking through the best of the worst, the site prompted me to register. After making an account, I saw the shoes, bags, and jewelry hand selected for me. I didn’t expect a selection that could compete with Nordstrom, but I was hoping for trendy, fun shoes and bags. Unfortunately, I got a selection of cheap looking shoes and a line of bags that imitated every major designer, including the Birkin by Hermès. Granted, the wedge boots and the lace pumps aren’t terrible, but they also aren’t something a personal stylist would have selected.
Overall, I think it’s a really cool idea to tailor a shopping experience to a person’s sense of style, rather than let the customer browse the site for something that catches their eye. They have the right idea, just not the right selection.
Alternative Running Shoes Help Get You Back in Shape…
Image courtesy of birthdayshoes.com
Thanksgiving weekend is one of the few three day weekends every year where calories simply don’t exist. There’s no such thing as gaining weight, so go for that extra piece of pie or that drumstick bigger than your forearm. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. For the other 362 days in the year, we must resort back to working out and snacking on celery. Like most people, I’ll do what it takes to keep the weight off, but that’s about it.
About a year ago, I saw someone wearing a pair of Vibram FiveFingers, and I was instantly fascinated. Essentially, they simulate running barefoot -something humans have done for thousands of years. I rushed to my local running store and tried on a pair. Needless to say, I was instantly hooked.
In the past, I didn’t mind running, but after trying on the FiveFingers, I enjoyed running. There is a learning curve when attempting to run barefoot, so I started with short runs, around a half mile. Eventually, I ran faster and further, and ultimately ran the 10 miles Broad Street Run in my toe shoes.
People constantly ask me if I like my Vibrams, and I can’t recommend them enough. After running barefoot for over a year, I can’t go back to regular running shoes because they feel completely unnatural. With every step I take in my minimalist running shoes, I can feel every slight change on the ground underneath me. Regular running shoes feel like a chunk of rubber stuck to my foot.
Vibram sells shoes for many sports in addition to running, and there are lines sized for men, women and children. Next time you ask Santa for a new pair of running shoes to beat your New Years resolution, try on a pair of alternative running shoes. They may completely change your perspective on exercise.
Shoes Glorious Shoes: Be&D
I’m a shoes fanatic. Ask anyone that knows me will tell you that I live for a great shoe! I would sell my first born for an outrageous platform or a quirky stiletto. Right now my budget doesn’t allow me to splurge, but a girl can dream right! The shoes at Be&D are certainly dream-worthy, first-born worthy and anything else I can hawk in order to get my hands on these babies. Feast your eyes on a shoe parade!
Would You Wear It? The Madonna ‘Blonde Ambition’ Shoe
Like many others in fashion, kooky Israeli designer Kobi Levi must have a thing for early 90’s Madonna. But he takes his love just a step further than the rest with this shoe he created inspired, quite literally, by the cone-bra clad singer herself. The ‘Blonde Ambition’ shoe features all the iconic details of that infamous Madonna look: from the platinum braided ponytail to the cone toe and mini microphone at the ankle, it’s pretty spot on. But what we want to know is…even if you were Madonna’s biggest fan, would you wear it?
—Kat Blazowski
Image courtesy Kobi Levi via MTVStyle