I love shoes. It’s no secret. And over the years, my shoes have become even more precious (and pricey) to me. While I am still a Florida girl who will throw on Rainbow flip flops (the same pair since high school… but whatever), my shoe arsenal has definitely upped it’s game.
Now, it’s not just those old Rainbows, but also luxury pairs such as my favorite black Manolo pumps, studded Louboutins, classic Prada loafers, and strappy Gucci sandals. While my collection is still growing, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that each of these pairs aren’t a big purchase for me. They’re definitely a splurge, so I want to make sure that these babies are well taken care of and will last for years to come.
So what’s my approach for protecting my shoes? First I take stock of my purchase and gauge how often I think I’ll wear them. Are they expensive and worth an extra investment of some additional shoe care? Or are they shoes that are just worth however long they last. Take my Manolos for instance – a little on the pricey side, but I also wear them A LOT. In this case, it was worth it for me to invest in durable heel taps, and a sole protector (that rubber bit along the large part of the bottom of your shoe) that helps prevent wear-down. With my sole protector, these shoes have lasted me exponentially longer, and now the extra money for this shoe is totally worth it. You can also easily replace a sole protector – instead of doing major surgery on the shoe itself. On the other hand, there’s expensive shoes that that I RARELY wear. In this case, they are pricey, but I wear them so few times a year that it isn’t worth it for me to invest in additional shoe care. Hey, you have to be discerning!
The other thing I do to help protect my shoes is to make sure that I wear them in appropriate situations. No suede in bad weather, no stilettos if I’m doing a lot of walking, and super pricey shoes only come out to play for short periods of time. I like to walk to work in a pair of comfy and cute Vans sneakers, but then change into my big girl heels.
And last but not least, after seasonal changes I assess the damage to the shoes that may need work. When Fall starts, I take a look at my summer sandals to see which pairs might need some extra TLC. With a quick visit to my local cobbler (Leather Spa in NYC, Bear’s Shoe Repair in JAX, and Santana Creative in ATL), my shoes are once again back in great shape for another year of wear!
What about y’all? Do you have any tips for helping your shoes last longer.
So I decided to take the plunge… I bought my first Chanel bag! Admittedly, I’m already a “treat-yo-self” kind of girl, but this was a big purchase even for me. I had been eyeing a Chanel boy bag for quite some time. I mean, they’re beautiful! The perfect combination of classic femininity you’d expect from Chanel, combined with a modern and edgy touch from the hardware details. In a moment of pure fantasy I had tried on a couple of different sizes and hardware tones at Bergdorf Goodman. I decided that the medium-sized, brushed gold was the perfect option for me, before I was sharply brought back to reality by the price tag. I left the store with a “one day” mentality, assuring myself that the bag would soon be mine with some smart saving tactics.
Fast forward to our trip to Ireland and a routine visit to my favorite department store, Brown Thomas. Since my brother is one of my favorite fashion advisors, I thought that I would show him the bag that was at the top of my lust list. After drooling over it once more, I noticed that the price tag was quite a bit cheaper – even after the currency exchange. Imagine my surprise! And then there’s the cherry on top… Ireland actually has a high tax refund rate if you are an Non-EU resident. With the financial incentives, I decided it was actually smart for me to purchase my bag while traveling abroad. So I went ahead and pulled the trigger! If you are traveling abroad to Europe and eyeing a luxury item, it might be beneficial for you to consider purchasing there. My advice is to look into tax return rates and the actual cost of the item in the countries you are visiting. You just might come home with a brand new beauty for your wardrobe!
I can honestly say that I’m so thrilled with my purchase. I ended up going with the gold hardware, because I felt like the brushed silver (ruthenium) was a little too edgy for my personal tastes. Additionally, the medium is a great size which can be transitioned from day to evening. I felt like I couldn’t see myself wearing the larger bag in the evening. While I’m still treating my bag with kid gloves, I hope to wear it more and more as the season progresses. Stay tuned!
What about y’all? Do you have any love at first sight stories or tips for shopping while abroad?
As you’ve probably noticed, this week is about J.Crew! Head to toe J.Crew! Let’s start with the shoes, shall we? When I saw these satin slingback flats, I knew they had to be mine. Between the pointed cap-toe, the luxe fabric, and the navy and black color combination, I fell in love instantly. Despite being insecure about flats making me look “stumpy,” I sometimes crave a sensible flat that’s still dressy and polished. Enter these bad boys. I’ve found myself wearing these with cropped black trousers and a black sweater, shift dresses, and of course, jeans. These cropped jeans with the slightly flared hem were the perfect option to show off my satin beauties.
To play on the blue and black combo, I paired my flats and jeans with my favorite black t-shirt, and a fun classic houndstooth blazer in navy and ivory. I love the combination of a traditional and old-world pattern in a modern color palette. I also think the navy and ivory combined with the blazer’s slim fit, adds femininity to a menswear-inspired piece. Oh… and how cutes is the navy dot lining? The finishing touch on my head to toe J.Crew look is a lucite chain link necklace in ice blue. I think it adds dimension and a little something extra, while staying in the blue family. What a pretty cherry on top!
Campbell Houndstooth Blazer: J.Crew. Perfect Fit T-Shirt: J.Crew. Satin Slingbacks: J.Crew. Lucite Link Necklace: J.Crew.
