September 10, 2003
Finding Shoes
Contrary to popular belief- I don't own as many shoes as my husband does. It's not that he owns a lot of shoes, it just that I don't have very many. I've always done the Payless thing and gotten cheap shoes for a cheap price. And, I suppose they have served their purpose well. But, I'm tired of having aching feet and shoes that tear up after one season. I finally decided to go shoe shopping last week. I had two gift certificates to two different department stores in the mall and I decided that I would buy good shoes with them. A tip for the shopper: never go shopping for something specific! I wanted brown and black shoes- not sandals, not flip-flops, not high-heals, not boots- just regular shoes that are on the dressy side, but could be worn with a nice pair of blue jeans if you needed to "dress" it up. AND I didn't want Grandma shoes. I don't mean to insult anyone's Grandmother, but, there is a certain type of shoe that caters to the needs of the elderly. I'm not elderly, so I didn't want that type of shoe. Well, there aren't any of those types of shoes -- at least not at the department stores where I had my gift certificates. Then, I happened to find a good tennis shoe on the sale rack (which I am also in desperate need of) and right before I could get to them another shopper snatched them up. I was so dissapointed. So, I'm still looking for good shoes. Any suggestions? This is what I need: black and brown "dress" shoes- to wear primarily with pants and tennis shoes. I've been reading a lot of health magazines lately and they have a lot of tennis shoe advertisements. Ididn't realize that it was necessary to have a different pair for walking, aerobics, running and tennis. But, apparently there is a difference. I'm looking for an "all-in-one" shoe. I need good arch support because I have frightfully flat feet. So, please suggest away.
P.S. I didn't mean to gripe about my shoe searching experience. The good side of my trip to the mall was that the department stores were on opposite sides of the mall and it allowed me to get some exercise in a cool place. Also, I went on a weekday morning- so there were hardly any disorderly children and screaming parents. Just old men sitting on the benches - people watching. It was over-all a pleasant experience, despite the fact I didn't come away with any shoes.
Posted by Lisa Huntington at September 10, 2003 10:43 AM | TrackBackWeekday mornings are definitely the best time to go to the mall.
For several months now, I've been (passively)searching for a nice, quality pair of black dress shoes that are comfortable enough to wear to work all day but are somewhere between a grandma shoe and a 16 year old punk shoe. I've been completely unsuccessful. I bet if we just keep our eyes peeled, we'll find the right ones when we're not really even shopping for them.
Posted by: Christin at September 10, 2003 11:25 AMGo to Journeys.
The one pair of shoes I bought from there (3 years ago) have garnered me more compliments on my footwear than all of my other shoes combined.
Posted by: Micah at September 10, 2003 01:59 PMBuy cowboy boots...or swim flippers, they feel great on my feet when I wear them and my feet never sweat in them. I don't ever have to wear socks for the swim flippers.
Posted by: SonofThunder at September 10, 2003 02:41 PMAh, I remember those trips to the Mall durring daylight hours. Good times, good times.
Nicholes are good shoes and so are Clarkes, they last forever.
Lisa! I will HAVE to go with you on you next trip to the Mall. I saw dozens of shoes I loved.
I guess it was because I was going just to look and not to buy.
It's that the way it always is?
I personally love Joseph Siebels and Uggs. The dept. stores should carry Siebels, although they run around $100 a pair.
I always did the same thing; buy the Payless shoes and wonder for a summer why I bought something so cheap that hurts so bad. I usually have one pair of shoes for each season, and cheap shoes last just one season.
However, my last pair of Siebels, which were $90, lasted for three years, year-round. I could wear them with absolutely anything. My Uggs I've had now for four years, and they are winter-only shoes.
My advice: with shoes, you get what you pay for. If you see a pair of Naturalizers, Siebels, or expensive name brands, they're probably pretty good. Don't let your feet suffer!
Did you try Hibbett's for good tennis shoes? Usually places like that have a discount table or rack of discontinued models.
Posted by: Sarah at September 11, 2003 04:38 PMJennifer is right about Clarks. I have a pair that I just love. They are super comfy, cute, and well-made. They cost a little more but are well worth it. Some swanky outlet malls even have Clarks stores. That might be a cheaper way to go.
Posted by: hollie at September 11, 2003 05:38 PMIf, in your shopping, you run across a good deal on Birkenstock shoes, buy them and then tell me where you got them. I've worn the same pair of Birk sandals almost daily for seven summers (although I did have the heels re-corked and soles replaced a couple years ago). I also found a pair of their wool-ish clogs on sale, and they've come in handy in the fall and winter months. Now, I'm just waiting to find a deal on Birk shoes, so I can wear them all the time, at work, etc. They're worth the price (even though I try to find them on sale).
Posted by: jon amos at September 12, 2003 12:21 AMI am a teacher and I love Clarks. I have 3 pairs: one is open-toed clog, another is just clogs, and the third is a slightly-heeled clog. And here in Hawaii they are great because heeled shoes suck.
The only problem is that the soles start smelling after a while. I use Band-Aid brand anto-foot-odor cooling foot gel. (Buy it near the insoles in WalMart or that type of store.)
Good luck.
Posted by: Krista at September 13, 2003 12:12 AMDo you have a Bass outlet near you? I swear by Bass shoes. They NEVER die.
Posted by: Jeannette at September 13, 2003 12:57 PMJon, if y'all are ever on your way to Charlottesville, VA, there is a Plow and Hearth outlet on I29 about 1/2 hour out of Charlottesville that has Birks, Siebels, Uggs, Clarks, etc. - sometimes up to 60% off. Got my good fuzzy Uggs for $30. Whatta find!
Posted by: Sarah at September 18, 2003 10:56 PMLooking for a Naturalize main headquarters/location. I bought 3 pairs of Naturlizers while on vaction. I was told I could return them to any Naturalizer store, but if it is an independent store, the owner will not take the shoes back. So I need a
Naturlizer location to send back 2 pairs. There is not one in my area. I live in Lexington,KY. there is a independent naturlizer store that carrys naturlizer but will not take shoes back that is not bought from that store. Can you help me? I would like to take them back personally but will mail them if I can find address and phone number for contact. Thank you
Jo Ann Perkins
Lexington, KY jann@qx.net