On Top(shop) of the world, still crushing on Ralph, and not feeling Fryed.

AKA summer shoe/ sandal update!

I got some things today and I have a report and a question.

First, the lovely Fryes are no good and must go back. Beautiful shoe, but does not fit my foot. Too wide at the ankle and no support. At that price, they must be perfect. So...still hunting for the white sandals, and may have to break down and order from the US after all...

Next, the Topshop Jolene shoes are a winner for me -- my arch is a bit high for them but the straps ensure support and keep them on and the fit is otherwise great. Comfortable! I don't have many opportunities to wear dressy narrow heels, e.g. my Okalas, but a dressier block heel will be much easier for me to work into my daily life and I look forward to wearing these when it warms up. At the price to got them ($70 CAD) they are a steal and a great update.

And...Ralph Lauren sandals. These are totally fab for me! In my regular size (6.5) there is plenty of room for feet to swell. They are instantly comfortable despite those narrow straps because each strap has a little elastic built in. Lightweight and flexible, with a sturdy block heel and rubbery sole to prevent slips.

My question is this: I ordered these in silver. Should I have gone for them in gold instead? (Adding the photo for comparison). 

For the last two years I have had casual gladiators in pewter from Sofft. I wore them literally to the ground. The Laurens are a bit dressier in feel due to the heel and I probably wouldn't wear them with my at home shorts outfits. I also have a super casual silver sandal from Ecco. Too much silver? I do find it works well on me and I wear mostly silver jewellery.

For gold, which bookends my hair, I have a pair of Okalas for dressy wear.

I also have taupe low wedge and higher heel cage sandals.

Maybe it would help to imagine the outfits I'd be wearing? Probably with tube skirts (navy, cobalt, leopard, charcoal), white jeans/ crops, regular denim, navy sarong shorts, dresses.

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17 Comments

  • replied 8 years ago

    I'm glad you were able to find a few pairs of good shoes, Suz! The topshops and the RLs do seem like they might be "wear-splitters" with similar straps, heels and colour.

    I don't feel qualified to comment about whether gold would be suitable.

  • krishnidoux replied 8 years ago

    I just got the Okalas myself and love them already! (Mine in nude).

    As for the Ralph sandals, I vote stay with the silver.

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    Lovely shoes. Keep the silver. I have both silver & gold sandals and notice that the silver wears out faster....its somehow just easier to wear, especially if you like silver jewelry and cool tones in your outfits. One pair of dressy good shoes are probably enough

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    YAY. Happy for you, Suz. (Waving at my Jolene twin!). They are GREAT silver buckled pumps. But they scuff easily - and I can't get the scuffs off -  so be careful with them. 

    Personally, I love the gold - but you're a cool metal gal so I'm pausing at the very yellow gold of that sandal, which is not pewter. OTOH, I like the push out of your comfort zone and wild card. Can you order them and mess around in your closet with both metals? 

  • Bijou replied 8 years ago

    As an Australian, we have just gotten through a long hot summer.  As I have blonde hair, one of my go to sandals was a gold pair.  That said, I do mainly wear gold jewellery and one of my favourite summer bags is a cognac leather bucket bag with gold hardware, so for me gold is an easy choice. 

  • replied 8 years ago

    Good haul!  Not sure about keeping two pair of silver sandals though . The Jolene's sound pretty finicky/precious based on Angie's comments, and knowing how you wear and walk in your shoes ...will this work for you?  Did those Jolene's come in another colour?  (and where did you find them for $70?  Hudson Bay website?  and are they actually leather? thinking maybe not for that price?) 

    I'm full of questions with little to suggest . I do like a gold shoe, but agree with Angie that this one is pretty yellowy- although I do realize  it's hard to tell metallic from a photo.  

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    Well if the Jolene's are finicky it might make sense to keep the RL's in silver - you know you will want to wear silver a lot. Gold is easier for me to wear with shorts. Silver bookends my hair and gold blends more with my skin - if your skin is cool perhaps it is the opposite for you? Also do you have some other white sandals heading your way? Silver and white are more similar, so gold might be an interesting alternative. Umm, play in your closet seems like the right answer huh?

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Smittie, thanks! I am not too worried about splitting wears as one is a shoe and one a sandal -- different times of year (mostly) for me. 

    Krish, Maneera -- that's two votes for silver. Thanks! 

    Angie, absolutely I can order the gold and try them. I can even get them on sale in the gold, I believe! It's an easy in-store return for whichever pair I decide not to keep. 

    Thanks for the heads-up about scuffs. I feared that. I will take care! 

    Bijou, good point about gold bookending. 

    Lisa, it's true I might wear the heck out of those Jolene's. But I don't care if they are one season shoes. They are in fact leather. I got them on sale -- Topshop stuff was on March break sale last week. They're much better made than many Topshop shoes. 

    I think the gold is softer in person, if my memory isn't fooling me. 

    Jaime -- gold bookends my hair and blends with my skin when I have a tan. Silver does not bookend but is "softer" on me because I do have cool toned skin. I think I look good in both and I do wear both metals -- I just tend to revert to silver more of the time. But gold might be a fun wild card. 

  • Style Fan replied 8 years ago

    I vote silver for the RL.  The gold looks too bright.  You seem like a silver person to me.  Why not have lots of silver footwear?  It works for you.

    I am totally the opposite.  Silver footwear looks horrible on me.  I can wear silver jewellery.  Go figure.  My feet must be very warm toned.

  • replied 8 years ago

    I really like the silver for you (but you know your wardrobe better than me).  

  • unfrumped replied 8 years ago

    I vote compare them IRL.
    As noted, it's sometimes more how they blend or don't with skin and legline than just isolated color. And even one may be dressier or not, and may help skew usual wear/ versatike vs. Special outfit maker. And whether daylight issues or evening wear. So not just choosing, but having a little fun color lesson and outfit creation time along the way.

  • Tanya replied 8 years ago

    I am sorry that the Ftyes did not work out for you but happy that RLs did.  I also vote silver as gold looks too yellow.
    I have the silver TopShop pumps too and confirm what Angie said, they scuff very easily.  I scuffed them on the first wear and haven't yet figured out how to fix it :(

  • texstyle replied 8 years ago

    I kind of want you to try the gold - I know recently I began experimenting with gold/brass toned jewelry and handbag/belt hardware after wearing mostly silver and I'm liking the change.

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    YAY! I'm excited about the gold, Suz. 

    *waiting patiently*

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Guess what? They are on sale for $82 today -- flash sale. So I ordered them and a light sandal bootie to replace my black ones, that felt too dark and heavy for me last year. 

    Still looking for white sandals, however. Nothing at the Bay that works. I thought I was going to get the Franco Sarto in white (I already have it in taupe and know it's a great all day wear style for me) but alas -- none in stock.

    The TopShop ones have not arrived yet. 

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Excellent. And keep these on the back burner: 

  • Beth Ann replied 8 years ago

    Oooh!  I'm so behind in finding my Summer shoes!  I love your Finds, although I'm aware that are feet are as difference as our frames and coloring (curious, isn't it, that we often like the same things).

    I'm glad you're trying out the Gold in your closet.  I'm looking for burnished metallics in a comfort package myself, and am having trouble finding them.  I did collect that Sofft sandal for closer look!

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