Despite the fact that I’m of the female persuasion, I could probably count the number of shoes I own on two hands. There’s the 8-year-old, no-longer-waterproof-in-any-way-shape-or-form hiking boots I need to replace soon, my fantastic snow boots from Lands End, a pair of UGGS, short city boots, tall riding boots (sensing a trend, here?), and various decaying Converse and tennis-style flats. And a couple pair of pumps that never get worn anymore. What’s that? Around ten, like I said. Since about a year before I got laid off three years ago, I have not bought a single new pair of shoes. That’s a long time.
I used to be able to find old-fashioned, simple espadrilles at the local swap meet for four bucks apiece. I’d get two or three pair every summer. They’re somewhat disposable, because the soles are made of woven jute rope. Works great for some while, but if you get them wet, the soles start deteriorating at an alarming rate. I stomped all over Europe one summer in a pale yellow pair that I loved. But I can’t find them anymore. They’re all dressed up and fancified, and 10 times the price. Recently, I saw a girl at the lake wearing a pair. I ran up to her and asked where she got them. “Ensenada.” Not going that far for espadrilles.
So, I’m flipping through a Lands End sale catalog, and I spy these adorable things called Gatas. Plus, they’re 20% off with free shipping. I’m a sucker for free shipping. So I ordered them, and I LOVE them. So soft and comfy. They’re already a bit dirty.
Then about two weeks later, Yardsellr.com sent me an email. They’d set up a sister site, called Style.ly, exclusively for clothing and accessories, and gave me a $15 coupon to use. I found a pair of Toms for $40, which also look like espadrilles, and got them. Toms is a great company: for every pair they sell, they donate a pair to children in need. Seller ran out of those, but had other Toms for $45. I asked for five bucks off, and got this pair of two-tone classics. I just LOVE them.
There's African animals printed inside!
Of course, BlackBot had to try them on, too.
"What do you think? Too big?"
Oh, I forgot you had a Blackbot! I need to get an Uglidoll of my own. LOL big but stylish, Blackbot!
Love the shoes! Both pair look very cozy. I have 4 pair total – 2 boots, one phony Doc Martin and one of Keen sandals. I have the nicest maroon cavas pair as a teenager, I wore them down to the last thread. They no longer make my favorite Montrail Juras either. You just can’t find the great deals / long lasting shoes they used to make.
So true. Most things are so cheaply made anymore.
I haven’t worn slip-ons in a long time because I have such weird feet (7 wide, with high arches). But the Lands’ End ones look so comfy I might try them. LOL at Blackbot! He looks like he should be wearing size .5 inch.
I have high arches, too. Size 8, the most common (and the first to run out) size, which is a miracle considering I’m 5’9″ tall.
I have a shoe problem. :-/ I have to quit buying them. But last year in Puerto Rico I saw a lot of men wearing some espadrille-looking shoes. They looked as comfy but a little more structured but I never found out what they were. They were a little like Toms. But just plain oatmeal colored canvas. I came across SoleRebels on Amazon :http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_3_5?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=solerebels+women&sprefix=soler%2Caps%2C127 They look pretty cool, are cheap and they are made in
Africa by Africans. The reviews are varied about size and fit though. I really don’t need any more shoes of any kind so I have refrained from getting a pair but I like them.
I had to abort that comment because the box shrunk down and I couldn’t find the end of where I was. They’re from Ethiopia, made by Ethiopians of eco friendly materials. Then there are the more expensive Sanuk brand which are really cute and vegan.
I saw your post about going on a shopping diet for a month. Those look super comfy, but I don’t really care for the style, though.
I’ve noticed the reply box is smaller. It does expand as needed. I wonder if WordPress is messing around again?
I don’t know what happened, the box was expanding and then suddenly the page jumped and the box shrunk and I lost my place. I may have accidentally hit the Ctrl key or something, I don’t know.
No, the new reply boxes are buggy. I’ve had that happen repeatedly, on my blog and others. Apparently you’re not supposed to leave a comment of more than two lines.
Dammit, cranky always finds the cutest shoes, and then I have to buy a pair. I just took a pile of old shoes to Goodwill, so I think I can justify buying a new pair. Or two. Or three.
Yay!! Let me know what you think!
LOL! April is new shoes month!
arrrgh I forgot to mention…your new shoes are both very cute. I have one of the early incarnations of Toms and they are pretty small.
Thanks! This is my first experience with Toms, and I’m quite impressed.
I just have to ask … who persuaded you to be a female?
Oh, my mother, to be sure. She presented all the pros and cons to me when I was 9, and I decided then that being female was far more preferable. I haven’t looked back since.
I’m very pleased you haven’t looked back since being persuaded….this blog may well be different had it been otherwise.
The tread on your new shoes is impressive….very practical.
I only buy one brand of joggers and have 6 pairs of ‘em varying in appearance from “best town” to “filthy farm”.
Rich does the same thing: he has several pair of simple black cloth slip-on “kung fu” shoes he gets from the drug store. In varying stages of disintegration.
I’m completely loving on those Toms.
Me, too. I’m trying to keep them nice. The Lands End ones were lighter in color (almost white) than they looked in the photo. In fact, the color is called “stone.” So they’re getting a bit dirty already, sigh.