WIW 9/27: Blue snake pumps v.2 & green/navy purse (disappointed)

As you know, I've been searching for a replacement for my ink blue snakeskin Mary Jane pumps that I got at White House Black Market. I love them, but they are too high and spiky for me to wear comfortably all day at work. Plus I'm kind of a klutz, so I'm afraid I'm going to trip and twist my ankle while wearing these. I've been searching and searching for a flat or low heeled pair, but struck out with the Jimmy Choo blue snakeskin kitten heels because they were too pointy.

So I kept searching and then found what I thought was the perfect replacement pair of blue snakeskin pumps, from Chie Mihara. The heel is lower and chunkier so the shoes are more stable than the stiletto heel on the WHBM. And they have a double strap to keep the foot in place. The heel is about an inch shorter than the 4 inch WHBM--it's 3 inches, with a 1/2 inch platform, so the equivalent of about a 2.6 inch heel. Plus it is blue with green straps, which is a perfect match my for blue and green outfits! (You know how much I love matchy matchy). I have two pairs of CM's and they have a reputation for comfortable heels. My other Chies are 3 inch heels but relatively comfortable for their heel height, I've worn them all day at work before. So I took a chance and ordered them (this pair was only available at her website and shipped from Spain). I was so excited and couldn't wait to get these!

I am a 7.5, so I wasn't sure whether to get 37.5 or 38. They didn't have a 37.5 so I went with 38. The closed toe MJ pumps I have from Chie are also size 38 (the CM sandals are 37.5). I know it looks like the foot is too small for the shoe because of the gap at the back of the heel, but all my pumps do that. My ankle is skinny compared to my heel. If I size down then it is too tight in the toe box. And by the afternoon even the 38 was getting tight, I guess my feet were getting swollen. At first when I tried them at home, I was like "Great! These are really comfy for heels!" but then as the work day wore on, my feet started hurting--they were rubbing against the sides of shoe at the base of the big toe and pinky. I am so disappointed! I thought these were going to be the perfect pair, but instead they seem like they are also going to be mostly sitting shoes. :( I can't return these, since they were shipped overseas and I've already worn them. But there was no way for me to tell--they seemed comfortable enough at first when I wore them at home. They're still better than the WHBM, so I'm keeping them until I can find a better replacement. I don't understand why they didn't work out--maybe my feet are just getting fussier.

I also ordered a navy and green Kate Spade purse from eBay--I had been
eyeing it previously, but had bought the BR clutch on eBay that matched
my Banana Republic Mad Men dress (it even has the dress print as the
lining of the clutch). However, I always carry too much to fit in a
clutch, so I thought maybe this satchel would be a better size.
Unfortunately when I got it, I realized that the green color is very
bright, almost neon. It totally does not go with my dress or my emerald
blouse. So disappointing! I think I am going to have to re-list on eBay.

Ugh, I am so frustrated! I thought I had it all figured out, but instead I am stuck with two expensive mistakes! And the funny thing is, I got lots of compliments on the dress, but nobody said anything about my shoes. I guess they are just too subtle to notice. I do like how the outfit came out in 1-2, but is it too much to hope that these shoes will soften up and break in?

Thanks for your comments/commiseration!

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16 Comments

  • DeclawedJaguar replied 10 years ago

    Beautiful Chies! Don't give up on them yet. I think the leather around the edge should soften with wear. In the meantime, have you tried applying Body Glide to the spots on the foot where there is friction? I do that now with all  my new or potentially blister-producing shoes, and it really, really helps.

  • Dottie replied 10 years ago

    Yes, don't give up.  They are beautiful (your whole outfit is beautiful).  Body Glide is a great idea.  I don't know if you have enough room in them to try Foot Petals.  If you place them where the ball of your foot lies, it may prevent your foot from slipping forward and creating friction by the toes.

  • Neelie replied 10 years ago

    Maybe you can wear the shoes with nylons or tights a few times until they soften a bit?  Or this little half sockettes that just cover the toes?  They are so pretty, I hope they get more comfortable.

  • Runcarla replied 10 years ago

    This outfit is so appealing, on so many levels, including lovely colour combination and looks beautiful on you.

    Don't give up on the shoes. A cobbler might be able to stretch the specific areas where you need a little room (the toe box?) without changing the overall size of the shoe.

  • Day Vies replied 10 years ago

    you do matchy matchy so well. I love that BR printed dress. I thought about getting it last fall but you know I'm recovering from my fear of prints. Blue with emerald green is a divine color combination and I adore the double straps on your replacement pair. Either purse would work but I am drawn to the KS.

    I generally like WHBM shoes and find them very comfy but you're right even with the platform most are too high for all day wear, though I did find a pair of WHBM mary janes (I have to have the buckle repaired) that are so comfortable and perfect under my long trousers. I have been having ankle issues lately so I have been opting for low and kitten heels or flats so that I can wear them all day.

  • kkards replied 10 years ago

    I've had that issue with shoes, the seem so comfortable when you try them on. They're so comfortable for the 1st couple of hours, then BOOM.....they aren't, and you can't wait to take them off. In my experience sometimes they get better, but usually, I take an extra pair of shoes so that late in the day, I can change

    ,

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    OH, I know what you mean about expensive shoe mistakes! They seem comfy on the carpet, walking a few steps, but then when you kick into gear and wear them on the work floor it is a whole new ball game. *major sympathy*

    I saw these, but again a higher price point:
    http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/st.....wordsearch

    Are you open to flats?
    http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ra.....wordsearch

    http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/mi.....wordsearch

  • MuseumGal replied 10 years ago

    Why is it so hard to find navy shoes?!  Those are gorgeous, give them a few more tries to conform to you feet.

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    I've loved some shoes enough to break my feet into them, rather than the other way around.  I do think we've gotten used to not having to break shoes in - as a kid I remember that shoe phase vividly, and some still require it.

    Love the look!  And the KS is still useful in my view.

  • goldenpig replied 10 years ago

    Thanks DJ, Dottie, Neelie, Carla, DV, kkards, Rae, MuseumGal, and Una!

    Those are good suggestions. I'll have to look into the Body Glide and foot petal options. The tights and stretching options sound good too (maybe I'll have to do that potato stretching!). I feel like they would have been OK for a light office day, it was just the afternoon swelling and walking back and forth to the hospital that did me in. I saw that my new colleague brought a pair of clogs and leaves them at work. She changes out of her heels and wears the clogs at work. Maybe I need to do something like that.

    Thanks for the suggestions Rae. Those look like good options, especially the first pair of flats. I am not sure about the peep toes and the big logo on the second pair of flats, if it didn't have the logo I think the MK pair would be perfect! I wish I could find a 1.5 or 2 inch chunky heel. MuseumGal, it's not just navy shoes. It has to be blue snakeskin. I am stubborn that way, when it's a replacement it has to be exact! LOL! Una, I do remember thinking when I was younger that all shoes had to be broken in. Thankfully more shoes are designed with comfort in mind nowadays. I still haven't decided what to do with the purse. I am just not sure about the bright neon green and whether it clashes with the emerald green.

    DayVies, I hope you do get the BR dress...maybe stalk eBay? I would love to be dress twins with you!

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-NW.....OLD-OUT-/2

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Banana.....l-NWT-/300

  • kkards replied 10 years ago

    would a wedge work?

    http://www.zappos.com/stuart-w.....st=fac%3A1

  • In My Joi replied 10 years ago

    Aw, I'm sorry Goldenpig! The pointy MJs are fab, but I can understand that the effect is muted if there are not practical ;( The dress looks great, and the Kate Spade was a score! I've never bought anything on eBay, but I just might consider it now ;)

  • Sara L. replied 10 years ago

    I've also heard of people putting moleskin in shoes at the friction points to help.  I haven't tried it myself but that might be an option for you.  I think the shoes look great and I really hope they work out for you.

  • Asingh replied 10 years ago

    That's such a great dress! got a retro vibe to it and I love anything retro! :)

  • Neel replied 10 years ago

    You and your outfit are beautiful!  I hate it when shoes aren't comfortable. It's just so hard to find the perfect pair!  I thought investing in more expensive shoes might solve my problem.  Guess I am wrong!  I hang on to shoes that fit me well for years and years for this very reason!

    I have no solution :(  And I am guilty of buying shoes that seem comfortable and never use it after the first time :(  I hope the shoe works for you!

    ETA - The bag is a beauty!  Color block and neon!

  • Lisa replied 10 years ago

    I understand expensive mistakes.  I had to rebuild my shoe wardrobe from scratch after foot surgery two years ago.  I had lots of shoes (over 30) and brands like Cole Haan, Frye boots, it really hurt to let them all go and start over.  I also have wasted a lot of money on handbags that were too small or just did not work for me.  And I still have a couple of scarves that I never wear but will not part with.  I have a Hermes scarf, but it's a pocket square and doesn't even stay tied to a handbag.  And I have a Pucci scarf, but it's very long and thin, like the kind you tie in hair as a headband, but it always slips out of my hair.  Both collect dust at the bottom of my drawers.

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