Fashion Friday: Practical Summer Shoes Roundup

Last night I went into the city for a fundraiser and wore what used to be my “comfy” strappy high heels. Now, granted, I had to walk from the parking garage to a restaurant and then several blocks to the event, but normally (in my, what we shall now recall as “youth”) I can do that no problem. Well ladies, not anymore. My feet were killing me by the time I got to the party, never mind at the end and continuing this morning. Woof.

I have entered the “cute but practical” stage of shoe life. Yes, here we are. No more “I could run a mile in stilettos” for me. I want cute but practical shoes. Ones that don’t get stuck in between bricks on a sidewalk and practically amputate your foot mid-stride, that I can wear with relative comfort and go with more than one outfit. My whole closet is brown, nude, black and gold and I’m not mad about it for the most part.

Welcome to my brown/beige, block heel/wedge, sneaker/sandal era! Join me, won’t you?

Trends I will not be participating in even though they fit the comfort bill: fishermen sandals, jelly sandals and most certainly, jelly fisherman sandals. All of those are left to Emma’s age group, in my humble opinion.

Trends I WILL be welcoming: rivets/studs/embellishments on basic sandals, raffia/open weave and mesh ballet flats, Birkenstocks (never thought I’d be back here).

Shoes Above To Note:

• While I did say no stilletos, if I were to get a pair, it would be THESE. OMG I love them so much and they have a caged toe and an ankle strap so they may not be hideously uncomfortable. I’ve been eyeing these for a year!
• These are the block heel version of the painful ones I wore last night. They still have great leg lengthening, match anything benefits at a lesser cost.
• While I don’t typically spend crazy money on designer shoes, sometimes it IS worth the investment. I have a pair of Chanel espadrilles I bought 3-4 years ago I still wear all the time- they are comfy, classic and made so well. So I would consider buying these or these as I know I’d wear them to death.
• I love the classic brown sandal with a twist- either a gold sculptural detail or this lucite block heel. Something that is a classic but elevated and a little bit fun.