September 17, 2012

Oh boy. The Nordstrom's order came. Lots to discuss with you lovely ladies and gentleman.

First, the easiest bit. WIW today, plus the VC leopard print pumps, an Angie pick.

For a pump, they are comfortable. I say "for a pump" because pumps usually refuse to stay on my feet. These have elastic so they DO, miraculously, stay on. The heel's a wedge, so no problem to me. In fact, I typically find wedge heels the most comfortable footwear for me, full stop. More comfortable than any flat, more comfortable than any heel. I wore these for about an hour this afternoon and found them good.

The only issue? I don't think it really shows in the pic, but basically, my arches rise over the top of the shoe on the side. I mean there is no arch support for my foot. Does that matter? Maybe not. But esp, on one foot, it looks a bit odd.

I don't know if I could put an insert in there...it would probably show. What do other people do about this? I am sort of pump challenged since they typically do not fit me.

A side note: I LOVE my Kut from the Kloth white skinnies. In fact, one reason I was considering dyeing them is I find them so comfy and I know I would wear a coloured pair more often. Does anyone know if the other versions (other than the white, I mean) fit the same? Perhaps that is a separate thread.

Posted in the What I Wore category

This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

35 Comments

pil replied 11 years ago

Suz, with what you've been posting I find myself feeling the need to imitate Wayne and Garth and their "we're not worthy" mantra : )
lynn replied 11 years ago

Fabulous as always!
shiny replied 11 years ago

They are super cute but no, not working. Can see your arch-- they aren't supposed to do that!!

So sad. :-(

Cute outfit.
replied 11 years ago

Suz, that happens to me in pretty much every pump and flat I have tried on. So I have resigned myself to arch cutaway and T strap styles for shoes.
catgirl replied 11 years ago

Visible arches are a no-go for me. I didn't love these anyway, if that helps... Sorr,y Angie and others who love them!
Angie replied 11 years ago

The pumps look great!

Personally, I see no problem with the arch-cutaway. It's almost unavoidable with 3 inch plus heels that expose part of the foot like a pump. I like the extra room of the cutaway actually. I find it more comfortable.
morethanbeige replied 11 years ago

Not sure about the fit, but they and you look fantastic. I'll let others comment re: fit.
Aziraphale replied 11 years ago

I have trouble with the look of wedge pumps, but it's a personal thing. A bit of poison eye, perhaps. I'm not sure why. I'd like those a lot more as pumps if they had regular heels, or if they were wedge sandals. (FWIW, I've asked a few men, and they all think wedge pumps are funny-looking. Not sure if that makes you like them more or less, or if it is of no consequence at all!). I certainly hear you on the walkability of wedges, though. They're comfy, and that's important.

But as far as a bit of your arch showing, I have no problem with that. Some of my pumps have that issue a little bit, and it doesn't make them any less comfortable.

As for the whole outfit, you look maaaaahvelous, as usual!
MNsara replied 11 years ago

FabUlous outfit!! Love the uncomplicated vibe, but it's still so stylish! I have no arch wisdom for the shoes, but if these go back I do hope you'll track down another pair. Leopard and taupe are BBF :-)
Suz replied 11 years ago

Hmm. Mixed opinions, eh? Well. I do have time to consider this and will put them on again to see.

Elisabeth, I laughed at your comment about what men think. My hubs thought they were weird, that's for sure. But his eye always adjusts. For him, what was weird was not the wedge, but the leopard. And the gap.

I don't think I've ever tried on a pair of pumps that did not do this to some extent on me, except back in the 80s when they made a style of pump with very high sides.

Una, I know about you and your poison eye, heh heh. The thing is...there are occasions when a pair of pumps could be very useful. And as you'll see in another post, they make a big difference in terms of figure flattery for me. No, that's not always my top priority. But. I'm just sayin."

It has to do with the particular shape of my foot, ankle and calf, I have come to believe.
kellygirl replied 11 years ago

I love these and the visible arch doesn't bother me one iota. I find wedges to be the only kind of pump that I can wear. That being said, I have a hard time with the elasticated backs. My Boutique 9's aside, every other pair I've owned have cut into my heel. These are gorgeous. If they are comfy, I vote keep. They look like they will go with everything! (You are so cute in your white skinnies and denim shirt!)
D'Ellen replied 11 years ago

I love the pumps, and I vote with those who see no problem. Love your outfit too!
JulieJohn replied 11 years ago

Marvelous outfit.
Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

I think if the pumps are comfortable Suz, I would keep. I think they're gorgeous and that arch thing wouldn't bother me in the least. Fabulous outfit BTW!
Preppy Pear replied 11 years ago

The shoes are great - the visible arch thing doesn't bother me a bit.
Aziraphale replied 11 years ago

I thought about this a bit, and I think the visible arch would be visually less bothersome if the shoe had a delicate heel. Wedge pumps are blocky -- it's a big block of leopard-print fabric -- and with a bit of empty space showing beneath your arch, it looks a bit like your feet are coming out of the shoes. That's probably why it looks funny to your husband. If they were peep toes with a slender heel, the shoe would be more "airy" and the bit of space under the arch would probably not even be noticeable.
Laura replied 11 years ago

I like the looks of the shoes - my only question is if the heel is too high or are you comfy at that height?

Bring on photos of more loot!
Suz replied 11 years ago

I'm actually more comfortable in a heel (or better yet, a wedge). Ideally 2 to 2. 5 inches. This is 3. So high for me, but okay. I THINK. I'm just wondering if my arches would get tired without support. It has never happened before. I'm much more likely to get sore feet in flats. But then I've never had a pump with this kind of obvious gap. Well...more inner debating and wearing in the house, I guess!
replied 11 years ago

You look wonderful! I am so copying this outfit! I have lots of shoes without arch support. Some of my flats gape a bit at the sides, but I wear them anyway. Please wear wedges for me. I tried them again the other day and due to their weight, I just can't keep them on. If these stay on and are comfy, I say keep. You don't have a leopard print shoe, do you?
Suz replied 11 years ago

No, Claire. No leopard print shoes. Hardly any SHOES, period! I have boots and booties (and not really very many of those by YLF standards) but only 2 pairs of flats (both purchased this year) and 1 pair of heeled oxfords, 1 pair of dress-up patent pumps, and a pair of Fluevogs that I never wear and should really donate to somebody here because they aren't getting the love they deserve from me.

I hate any shoe that is heavy, too. That is my one complaint about my Doc Saras - their weight. I can just barely bear it, but it's not idea, and it is a lesson learned. These ones are very lightweight.

I can't wait to see you in your version of the outfit! It will look stunning on you!
JR replied 11 years ago

Okay, you made me run to my closet to check. I never even thought of looking at my arch in pumps. But I also have a very, very high arch, so I had to know.

I think I'm okay. Looking straight down, I can see it a bit, but not from the side. I doubt if anybody would ever notice anything weird. FWIW, they're Lennox from Naturalizer, still available (although I have not been happy with the durability of the patent leather, to be quite honest). They aren't wedges, and I don't think they have any in leopard, although they are available in snakeskin. Anyway, you might want to check their pumps, if that's an issue for you.

Nice outfit, of course. Because yes, it's an "of course" in your case.
sarah replied 11 years ago

Wow, this is a new look for you. I like it! Does the arch thingie go away when you're walking? I mean does your foot press it out as you walk on it? I have no wisdom except that they need to be comfortable. I have Kut's in black and a dark blue wash and wear them a lot (am wearing them now, actually).
ramya replied 11 years ago

Ok this was informative...
I have Claries problem of wedges being too heavy on my feet and Suz's problem of gaping arch....
So I donot own any wedges(duh......)... But I love this Suz... Please wear it lots!!!!
Kiwibird replied 11 years ago

You're really on a roll Suz! Love everything you've posted over the last few days and am unashamedly going to copy your outfits in this post. I have a pair of low wedge leopard shoes that have been rather neglected because I haven't thought to wear them with anything other than black - they're going to get a whole new lease of life this summer. A pair of white pants has just gone on the shopping list!
krishnidoux replied 11 years ago

Suz, I have to second Una and Elizabeth. Although I love your look and everything in your outfit, I am not a fan of the arch gap there. I wonder if the shoe won't become even wider with wear, making the gap even more visible. What if you took them to a good cobbler to see if the problem could be fixed in some way? Or just ask them why it does this?

RE: wedges being heavy on the feet... yes, I know the problem! But not all wedge are this way! I bet these are light.

Last summer I unfortunately bought a pair of wedge sandals (on sale, at least) from Naturalizer... I was trusting the brand, but it turned out the shoe was poorly designed. The material used for the wedge was too heavy for the delicate patent straps, so these straps became torture blades digging into my feet as I walked! I tried padding each strap with expensive gel strips, no avail. It was the design and the material at fault. However I own other wedges that are much lighter and that don't feel heavy at all.
lyn67 replied 11 years ago

So happy you didn't dye your white jeans, Suz! They are a must in your wardrobe, as the leopard print wedges, too! Love the all outfit, and don't mind the little your arches are showing.
Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

Well Suz - after wearing the wedges around the house what did you decide? I'm being nosy...

BTW you are right about the Docs being heavy. But I decided it's like wearing ankle weights and helps with my fitness - ha ha ha!
Suz replied 11 years ago

Thank you, everyone. This is very informative and interesting.

It seems there are very different opinions!

JR - thank you for the Naturalizer recommendation. Unfortunately, I can't wear their pumps. I can't wear MOST pumps because most do not stay on me - the heels are too wide for my heels. I had an awful experience with Naturalizer Mary Janes that wouldn't stay on. I thought the strap would keep them there, but no luck .And I tried inserts of all kinds - heel, ball or foot, whole insole. No luck.

The visible arch does not go away when I walk - that is the shape of my foot and it doesn't change. It is as if the shoes are just too shallow for me.

Well, I will wear them a bit more in the house and decide on the basis of comfort, I think. It might be possible to put an arch support in there, but I think it would be visible, and that wouldn't look nice.
Joy replied 11 years ago

I've got leopard wedge envy and the arch gap doesn't bother me at all. Seeing a big gap at the heel does look odd to my eye but seems common.
My white Kuts are the same size and fit as my blue pair although both are 2 or 3 years old. I'm hoping that they come out with some in deep red or yellow that are not cropped.
replied 11 years ago

I am also a person with an extreeeeeem arch and would like to comment on the wedges. First off, they do look great. I have no issue with how they look on your foot. However the arch issue concerns me. There will not be enough support for your arch in these shoes. I find that with heels, I make sure that the shoe "bends" under the arch, and provides support....in the same way an orthotic works. If the shoe doesn't "bend" right under my arch then the shoes basically become sitting shoes or one hour shoes because there is not enough support under the arch. And when wearing heels, the angle of the shoe will tire your foot out faster than a lower heel would. I'm not a doctor so I have no idea about the proper way to describe this but at my age (48) I do have a good grasp on how to make my sad, wonky, sensitive feet make it through the day! So if you are looking for a shoe that is not an 8-hour shoe, then these are adorable. Super cute!
unfrumped replied 11 years ago

You might get used to the look or it might be that it's a look you don't like on you, whether or not it's "okay."

I've learned I just don't do well in 3-inchers--I teeter and somehow lose "myself". But if that height is good for you, then you will be trying to think, is this the one.

Could you go to a major user-friendly shoe store with a large inventory--like a DSW--and try on a number of other high-ish wedges to get an idea of whether it's likely this would be the same in other brands (even though they may not have all of the other features) ? Then if the shoe really fills a hole in your capsule plans, you'd know more about whether arch-gapping is as likely in any other shoe as well, vs. whether you like a non-gappy look better.
Suz replied 11 years ago

Alas, I am in Canada in a small city, so my choices are very limited. No big place to try on many styles. And I fear that Enginemom is right - they will tire me out if there is no arch support; this is why absolute flats are the absolute WORST on me.

Maybe i need Rae's advice here; I think her feet are similar in some ways; she's more comfortable in a heel or wedge vs. flats for similar reasons to me.
CK replied 11 years ago

Great outfit, Suz! I love the leopard print shoes, but put me on the side of those who are not fans of the arch gap. :-(

I have the Kut dark blue skinnies Angie recced from the NAS, and I love them. I have not tried the white ones on so I don't know if the fit is the same, but they are my most comfortable jeans.
krishnidoux replied 11 years ago

Suz, have you tried those in taupe leather?
http://www.planetshoes.com/ite.....rana/20603
They are a dream to wear.
Elly replied 11 years ago

I like them---- I have similar feet. I have clear dr. scholls arch cookies I put in a pair of wedge sandals. As long as I make sure they are clean (they are sticky silicone, so I can take them out and wash them with soap and water, then dry them and reinsert and they still stick) they are pretty much unnoticeable and make an ok pair of shoes a 6-10 hour pair for me. My arch supports get dustier than yours would since I live in a rural location and wear these in the summer in an open shoe where dust abounds.

If you are going to wear the shoes with hose or tights, try them on with them as well because it might cause foot slippage.

Pix-Elated

WIW and K/R VC leopard pumps

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