Let’s talk about shoes. I was never a big shoe person until recently. I know most women love shoes, but up until the last 2 years or so, I was the kind of gal who stuck with a few pairs that worked with most outfits and wore pairs over and over.
I sometimes see other people’s shoe collections and I can’t believe how far behind I am in building my collection. Part of the reason is that I only started really buying heels in the last few years, for work. Prior to that I was wearing UGG boots, flip flops and flats (you know, typical college student stuff).
I’m slowly working on building my collection so that I have a larger variety of shoes to wear. Because I don’t have a large collection where I’m always rotating what I’m wearing, my shoes tend to get worn out sooner and I end up having to buy a new pair of black pumps over and over (and over.) I’m hoping these new additions will offer me a little more variety (because if I wear my nude heels one more time next week, people are going to think I don’t own other shoes!)
I bought three pairs this week and some new runners, which I’ll get to later.
The first pair I got were the ever-so-popular Steve Madden Fantasik
, at the Steve Madden store in my local mall. I love these because not only are they a replica of a gorgeous pair of Stuart Weitzman wedges, but they are also not as tall as many other wedges. I love a tall wedge, but sometimes it’s nice to have something just a little more subtle. They are very comfy too, I can’t wait to wear these all summer! Oh—and for those wondering, they are very flattering!
, at the Steve Madden store in my local mall. I love these because not only are they a replica of a gorgeous pair of Stuart Weitzman wedges, but they are also not as tall as many other wedges. I love a tall wedge, but sometimes it’s nice to have something just a little more subtle. They are very comfy too, I can’t wait to wear these all summer! Oh—and for those wondering, they are very flattering!
The second pair I got is a pretty nude sandal. I love my nude pumps so I wanted to get a nude heel that would be great during the hot Texas summer. I love the ankle buckle feature on these heels. They are from Nine West and retail for $79. You can buy them here.
The third pair of heels are from Zappos.com. Tangent here—but Zappos.com is seriously the most amazing customer service experience I’ve ever had. I ordered my shoes at 7PM one night and they were on my doorstep, the next day, before I even got home from work. Then, when I wanted to order another pair of the same shoe in a different color, the lady on the phone was so sweet and had them shipped to me the next day—free of charge until I decided which pair I wanted to keep. I got both the nude pair and this darker color called “cuoio,” and I ended up going with the darker pair. These are the MaxStudio Rodney.
Finally, I got new running shoes today. I loved my Nike Lunas, but sadly, I suffer from serious toe cramps when I work out (like I actually need to stop what I’m doing at times and stretch my toes out because it’s so painful that I can’t continue the workout). I needed a larger shoe so my toes weren’t always pressing up against the tip of my shoe. I don’t know if larger shoes will completely solve the problem, but I think it will be better for my toes to have more room. I ended up getting my first size 11 pair of shoes. I got a pair by a brand called saucony. I had never heard of the brand, but they were cute, they fit and they were comfortable. Plus, they were $59.99 which I thought was a great deal. I LOVE black running shoes. I was thrilled to find these all-black shoes with just a hint of hot pink. You’d be surprised how hard it is to find shoes that are all black and pink, with no gray or white in them. I can’t find the ones I got online, but I got them at Academy. You can see a similar pair here.
Here they are compared to my old runners (which I still love):
Do you have a large shoe collection? What do you think of the latest additions to my collection? I tried to stick with neutrals so that the shoes would work with lots of different outfits! I know some people find that boring, but I don’t have as much of a place for all kinds of bright shoes in my collection—however, I would like to eventually get a really fun/colorful pair.
I think the reason I never focused on shoes was because I always liked a simple, classic pump, because it goes with everything. Now that I’m building my collection, I’m really enjoying trying on all of the different styles out there!
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!
xoxo,
Veronika.
PS— Here’s my shoe rack, with the new additions in place:
I'm not much of a shoe wh0re these days bc of the issues with my feet… its so hard to find a pair that are cute and comfy and not something i need to save for…
in regards to the running shoes, I just got a pair of Saucony's yesterday, I have many pairs they are great shoes… I just want to say you should try to find a running show store (not footlocker) and have them professional fit you… they'll look at your arches, pronation, your real size and find shoes that support the issues you have… (for example I need stability shoes bc my arches turn in)… your toe cramp will prob stop along with other issues (arches, ankles, knees)… maybe for your next pair 🙂
I love your blog even more for this post… I am so not a shoe person either, but I definitely need to be.
I think you did a fantastic job on the shoe front!
I just got new runners too…. way past needed… but my asics are heinous so no pics haha
CarissaExplainsItAll
thanks, E, that's a good idea 🙂 the thing is, I know the right thing to do is to get fitted, but then you're kind of forced to wear whatever shoes they sell you and you can't pick the color and style you want. I'm not a runner so I think I don't appreciate the professional fitting service as much as I should.
you don't have to buy…. I just went yesterday, and almost walked out bc the only ones for me were pink – haha… instead the guy ordered me blue ones. Honestly though, this is the first time I have bought running shoes that I didn't love style wise… they aren't bad, but def not wahat I would have picked based on looks. However, I know bc of my knees and feet I need to focus on something more supportive and maybe I wont be in as much pain. (fingers crossed)
e– good luck with the new shoes! are you a regular runner? if I was a runner, I would 100% get fitted for a proper running shoe. I just use mine to train, so luckily I can still sort of get some cute ones. i hope your new pair works out for you! (ps—i would have been thrilled if I went to get fitted and they told me the ones for me were pink! LOL)
I love all of your purchases!
I'm a huge shoe person! I definitely favor shoe shopping over clothing. You picked up some great classics. I love the nine west heels! I've been looking for a pair of Nike's like that-love them!
i love shoes! i have a pretty large collection and it's getting larger by the day lol.
norma
I love your new purchases! I just adore the nine west shoes you bought!!
I am a college student so I own the usual Uggs and rainbow flip flops that you were talking about but I have started to grow my own shoe collection recently too! I only have a few pairs but I seriously love them all. Slowly but surely I will catch up with all the shoe lovers! 🙂
We are so much alike on the shoe thing! I have the same problem – I never cared too much, and now I have to start building a collection, but since I don't have a lot, I wear out what I already own quickly. So annoying!
You made some great additions though – good shopping!
I think your shoes are cute but I will echo a previous comment and say that if you are seriously working out (even not running) then you should get fitted for a pair of shoes. I think it's a misconception that you cannot get a 'fashionable' pair of shoes if you are fitted. My running store pulled 4 pair of shoes for me and the pair I ended up picking is pretty cute. Another thing is you can get a few types that are made more for your foot and then order them online in a different color if you don't like what the store stocks.
I'm in the same boat…I've always admired shoes (in theory) but at 5'11" and sporting size 11 feet, I've kinda given up on the idea of having a cute shoe collection. Also, I live in Tokyo, the land of dainty tiny feet, so I literally cannot buy shoes unless I do so online from the States. But as my wardrobe has been increasing I've realized that my shoes options are seriously lacking, so one of my goals for this year is to get up to 20 pairs (as of now, I only have 9!)
Oh I love buying shoes, no matter how i feel about my body shoes always give me confidence because they always fit. I love how heels make me feel confident and sexy and its so much fun to pick out new ones. I usually go for neutrals too so I can wear them with anything but its fun to have colorful shoes too. I have a pair of slip on peep toe sandals with a 5 inch heel they are white and emerald green canvas pattern with a bow on the toe and i just love them even though they don't go with much they are fun to wear when I can.
Nice purchases! I've always been a shoe person. When I started gaining weight in college I started buying a lot of shoes. They always fit, no matter how much my weight fluctuated!
I'm excited to see what you wear the Steve Madden wedges with!
Athletic shoes should never been chosen on the first basis of being "cute." If they are comfortable and the fit is good, then buy them. Being cute is not their primary purpose, nor should it be a reason to walk away from a solid pair of athletic shoes. Don't be intimidated or self-conscience about the size of your athletic shoes, you're feet expand and swell while you're working out, so it's normal to go up a half or whole size. I normally wear 8.5 or 9 heels and flats, but my running shoes are a 9.5. The woman who fits me for my running shoes jokes, "this is the time you don't care what the size tag says."
First, I love your old sneakers. Do you remember the name?
I've started to grow my shoe collection, but I'm extremely picky. For that reason I always end up wear my shoes in to the ground.
I'm currently on the search for a pair of nude pumps that aren't to high.
@alicia—they are Nike lunas
@heidi—don't worry, I would never buy shoes that were uncomfortable (for working out.) I always pick out my favorite pairs by how they look, and then I try them on and walk around in them to see how they feel—and if they don't feel good, i don't get them because that would not be good! 🙂 I didn't realize feet swell during workouts!
I love, love, love shoes. *Love* them. Ha! I got the SW wedges as a birthday splurge and omg, they are *amazing*. I know you will enjoy the SM version too. They are super sexy yet relaxed. I haven't ordered from zappos but have cruised around the site quite a bit. Thanks for the rec!
I started always getting fitted for running shoes too and though I am normally a 7 1/2 and I have narrow feet, I usually go up to an 81/2, sometimes even wide! They told me the same thing about my foot swelling when I run and I have noticed such a difference! The Saucony brand is one of the brands they usually recommended for me, so I think it was a good choice, they def make great running shoes!
Cute shoe purchases.
I love shoes! I am a huge shoe person—if it were possible, I'd never bother with clothes and just buy shoes. I have a ever growing collection. You'll get there eventually and starting with the classics is a must.
Saucony's are great shoes, you won't regret it. 🙂
I agree with E Hayes about the fitting. A few years ago I was only going to the gym or spinning or body pump classes. I bought what I thought were good fitting shoes. But, my toes would cramp or worse go numb during my workout. I finally went and was fitted. I wear a 8 1/2 shoe normally. In runners I now wear a 9. I didn't buy from the running store, I came home and ordered from Zappos. I've had Saucony before, they are a good brand, and worked for me while I was at the gym. They didn't work for me once I started running. I now wear Asics.
I know you said that you are not a runner, but most running stores are fine with that. And it's important to wear properly fitting shoes for any workout!
I have lots of shoes, but only end up wearing a number of them. I think if I could see everything, I would wear more of them. It's so easy to go for the nude pumps. I definitely got a backup pair for when my mainstays wear out. I love the Nine West pair. Very cute.
I am totally not a shoe person either…I will buy clothes and totally forget about shoes. I tend to wear the same pairs over & over…flip-flops in the summer & boots in the winter. I have also been adding more to my collection lately, but I still don't get the shoe obsession so many people have…
Awesome new additions! I just stocked up my shoe collection recently too. I love those maxstudio heels from zappos!
pretty! those steve madden wedges are on my wish list! nothing like a go-to pair you can wear with anything. i have a brown pair of wedge sandals, and a green pair that ties around the ankle, but black is missing from my collection!
i was never a big shoe person either V! i'm slowly growing my collection.
This is an incredibly timely post for me…just walking in to work this morning, my heel snapped on my favorite pair of Go-To black pumps! 🙁 I'm seriously bummed, but now have a reason to go shoe-shopping! 🙂
i have the same SM shoes and love them! they're so comfortable and cute
Ha, your collection looks exactly like mine, rack and all!
Love all four, but I especially adore the first pair. So cute!
I think you have a pretty healthy shoe selection there!! Love the darker nude shoes you got from Zappos.
I am very much a shoe person (and bags and clothes and now jewelry). My shoes have overflowed to other parts of the house and sometimes I actually wish I had less shoes (only because I would want fewer pairs that I absolutely loved and wore all the time), but then I would miss having more options.
I love your running shoes!! I need to get myselft a new pair, but I think I should go to the running store. Sometimes my feet will cramp even though the shoe feels supportive and I definitely don't want that while doing some serious running.
great buys! i am glad to see that you are building that shoe collection because your shoes were getting a little repetitive but i am the EXACT SAME WAY lol so i understand 🙂
LOVE the new additions, especially your new Nine West sandals! You have such impeccable taste with everything from shoes and clothes to home decor! Great finds Veronika!
Melissa M
I have been looking for a wedge that isn't too high and I like the Steve Maddens. Wish they cam ein tan or nude.
I looked at the link and it still says they are 4.5 inches tall. Would you agree with that?
Love all the shoes you bought especially that first pair (I know exactly which Stuart Weitzmans you are referring to!) Gorgeous !
http://www.featherfactor.com
Welcome to the dark side! I am HUGE shoe collector, I used to have over 200 pairs, but in the last year I have gotten rid of over half of them! I'm trying to get it under control and be more deliberate with what I buy. Not to mention the hubs isn't keen on my fetish and our recent budget cuts are curbing my spending! Love your new shoes though, great picks!!
sweetandsassy-sherry.blogspot.com
What kind of shoes (model) are the sauconys? I've been looking for all black and pink shoes for months.
@anon—no idea but I got them at academy—in the evening, message me on my formspring page and i will check the box for you—it's easier to do it on formspring 🙂
thank you!