As I said last Monday – I will not be all shmoopy and serious about my topic for this Monday’s post. In fact – I probably never will be again since I’ve decided to call it “Materialistic Monday” and devote my subject matter to the stuff that I like, but don’t really need. [Gwen – I know you are thinking, “What is this ‘Materialistic Monday’ BS? My suggestions were so much better!’ And you are right. They were – but they were in fact just a little too clever – and in effect seemed to promise a bit more than I think I can deliver. I mean – seriously, look at what I’m writing about today…]
Today – I want to tell you how much I love my shoes (remember – I said I would talk about my shoes). Now DON’T go anywhere! I know this sounds kind of boring – but I promise it won’t be. And there will be nudity. Okay – that’s not true…and I’ve used that trick already, so I doubt anyone will fall for it again.
The only nudity involved is a pictorial of sandals and therefore exposed toes. So I guess if you are one of those creepy foot fetish people, this might be considered nudity. But for the rest of you that have no interest in shoes (like every man in my family), I will understand if you decide to pass on this one. Everyone else – glad that you decided to stick with me (except for you foot fetish people – I’m just tolerating you.)
I do not own 150 pairs of shoes and the ones I do own are not necessarily what many would consider expensive (meaning I do not own one pair of Manolos, Jimmy Choos or Louboutins). But I take my footwear choices pretty seriously. I think that I’ve made some very good investments over the years and I am willing to pay for something that I think will last far longer than a single season.
I buy my shoes in various boutiques and department stores, but the brand that never ceases to surprise me is Ann Taylor. Growing up in conservative DC, Ann Taylor has always been a bit of a go to for me. I know what I’m going to get there, and I can usually find what I need. Not that it’s the only place I shop – but it’s a great resource for basics and they always have some kind of sale going on. I rarely go in looking for accessories – but inevitably the shoe section catches my eye. I have made some of my best shoe investments there.
Here are a few shots of some sandals I own that are SEVEN YEARS OLD:
Now – I don’t know about you – but I think that’s a pretty long life span for shoes that get a lot of wear and tear. I break these babies out the minute temperatures rise to 60+ degrees and continue to wear them through Indian Summer.
[An aside: Those are actually my feet and I took all three pictures this morning at work. Two things should be noted: 1. It is really hard to take pictures of your own feet and 2. I wanted to mention that I was at work so that no one would think that I have industrial carpet or “bone” white paint in my home.]
I bought these sandals from Ann Taylor as part of a bridesmaid outfit for an afternoon wedding in October 2001. Some of the other bridesmaids opted for a less expensive version at another store – but I saw the potential in the slightly pricier pair… And how right I was.
I don’t know what it is about the style – but it has of yet to look outdated. Maybe it’s a lack of full commitment to style (strappy but not too strappy…high heel but not stiletto…). Either way – it works for me. They are in great condition and I think I’ll be wearing them for another seven years. Of course I recognize the fact that we ALWAYS think that we own something so great and basic that will last forever and never go out of style until one day we look in the mirror and say, “Oh my god – I’m wearing a tapestry vest!” But I think I’ve got a few years before I look at these shoes and think they’ve become mules overnight.
I have numerous other Ann Taylor shoes and boots. All of which have lasted for years AND have been incredibly comfortable (never to be taken off under the desk where no one can see). I felt a tribute was in order for my first materialistic post. For those of you who are still with me – thank you for sitting through the longest blog post about mid-price range shoes EVER.
As a disclaimer – I have to admit that the current collection doesn’t really grab me. But I never tire of animal prints, and I do think I could wear those Cinara Giraffe Flats with jeans all weekend long. I’ll have to keep an eye on them to see if they go on sale…
are you trying to say tapestry vests are out of style? crap! and it works so well with my bodacious belly!
Love the shoes. That is a pretty long life span… I think I have some birkenstocks older than that, but nothing quite so fashionable.
And unfortunately I DO have bone white paint in my home. Gotta love renting.
Oooh, cute shoes!
Wow! Those are some tough sandals!!! Your shoe fetish sounds alot like my purse fetish! I can’t help it! I change my purse about every two weeks…I’m now on the hunt for the perfect black fall handbag…I only have a FEW black purses…hee hee
How sad is it that of all the posts I’ve read thus far today, I choose not to comment on Palin, or Ike, or the economy, but on cute shoes? I mean really. :)
But those are some cute shoes. I have a pair of sandals I got at Target three years ago that are sooooo cute and were only SEVEN dollars. I will wear those shoes to the grave I tell you…
I never had a shoe thing since I wear a 10N and finding shoes at all is such a chore. But then I broke my foot a couple of years ago and had to wear these awful ortho shoes for six months and all I could do was lust after cute shoes. Now I stay pedicured and have cute shoes. :)
i remember those sandals and recognized them immediately and can not believe you still have them!
ha – I recognize those sandals too Kate! I tend to buy several of the cheap sandals I love. Last summer I bought two pairs, and they lasted just the summer, so this summer I bought three pairs, and sure enough, I’m on my third pair now. Funnily enough, this trait runs in my family. My dad has only one specific type of sneaker he will wear – so he stocks up on them whenever he purchases them. He once came home with ten pairs, because that’s all the store had in stock. My brother and sister in law sometimes buy him a few pairs and give them to him as a gift. I suppose we must be pretty rough on our shoes in my family, since we go through them so often.
Why is it that all I could think about while reading this is how funny it would be if someone walked into your office while you were taking photographs of your feet?
(Answer: it would be really funny.)
….I totally had a tapestry vest. And it was my favorite.
I keep buying red flats, because I keep wearing out the other pairs until the point of people wondering why I’m wearing red ballet flats full of holes. Not just any red though—it has to be bright red. I’m very picky about my shoes.
I have a few expensive shoes in my closet that I invested in. They’re always worth the extra money if they’re a timeless style–because in 10 years they’ll still be in the closet and just as good as the day you bought them.
Also, cute shoes! I wouldn’t last 5 minutes in those heels.
You’re shoes are lovely. And your feet look so small and cute too. I have ginormous feet. GINORMOUS!
How about a tapestry vest with button covers? What were we thinking? Love the shoes. I go only for comfort– can we still be friends???
VERY cute! When I get back to America, I just might have to stop by Ann Taylor! (Most of my shoes are from Target and they do NOT last quite as long…)
Oh my gosh! You truly have the prettiest feet! Seriously, I bet you could foot model for toenail polish.
Adorable shoes. I had to chuckle imagining you in your office taking pictures of your feet. I wrote a post once about a pair of polka dot shoes I purchased and the photo part was tough!
Great shoes. But I beat you with a pair of frequently worn shoes that are 13 years old ;-)