New Yorkers, Help Me Find Some Shoes? (Not Food Related)
- By Robyn Lee
- Mar 5, 2010
- Comments
UPDATE (3/9): Just bought these shoes on Etsy! I'm pretty sure my feet are too wide for them, but I'll let you know what happens. Thanks for your help!
Sorry for the non-food-related post, but this is the easiest way for me to reach a buttload of people at once. THANK YOU FOR READING! For without you, I am nothiiiiinnggg.
First off, I'm not a big fan of shoes. Most of them don't fit me well because my feet are wider than average, and although I primarily buy shoes for comfort, not fashion (no high heels, please), I don't want shoes that, while comfortable, look like crap. My shoe collection consists of sneakers from Camper (my most oft-worn shoes), flip flops I bought at a Gap outlet mall over three years ago, Birkenstocks from three years ago, red flats from Camper that don't fit well because I should've bought a 38 instead of a 37 (although even if I got a 38, I suspect they would still be too tight), black flats from Clarks that are thankfully comfortable that I bought...I don't know how long ago, super warm fuzzy boots that are great when it's super cold and were adequate for walking in the snow until one of the soles wore away, and yellow flats made of plastic that I bought last summer for fun but are impractical because my feet are just a smidge too wide for them.
Fun, semi-formal shoes just don't work for me. And I'm okay with that because there are very few I'd ever want.
EXCEPT! In an instance of super rare desires, for some reason I really want this one pair of boots (or booties, rather; photos after this paragraph) in a specific design, and I feel like they must exist in my size. Whether or not they would be comfortable, I don't know...because I haven't found them yet. I randomly passed a vintage store last week that had the boots I pictured in my mind, but they were a size 7 and I'm a 7.5 to 8.
- Omg. Shoez. Thanks to Diana for taking the photos.
Simple white booties with just a little heel, and with that...uh...flappy bit that looks like a collar. There's probably a better term than "flappy bit."
I figure most of you are more fashion-minded than I am, and some of you live in New York City and know the shoe-scape better than I do. I haven't really looked around for these shoes; I don't know where I'd start. But if you think, "Oh, I know where to get something like that in NYC," after looking at the photos above, please let me know. Thanks! (I haven't searched much online, but even if I found them I wouldn't buy them since I need to visit a store to try them on.)
Comments
You said you don't want to search online, but Zappos.com is great cause you can return and exchange stuff for free shipping. I've done this several times with one pair of shoes to make sure a fit is right.
DSW is great (there's one in union square) and generally have a good array of shoes and boots. Generally you could walk around union square's perimeter and find some awkwardly trendy shoe stores with bright colored converse and other things "hip" types.
There's a store called "Shoegasm" that I pass by a lot that tends to have lots of boots. I'm not sure if there is more than one location though.
Hope this helps!
* sorry! An extra "things" found its way into that one sentence. Usually I know how to type properly.
Sorry again, but saw these and they're sorta close, just minus the nubby heel.
http://www.zappos.com/fred-perry-haine-black
Emma: Thank you for your response and for searching around! I had looked on Zappos, actually (it was the only one I checked, haha...I've never bought from them but have heard many positive things), but I couldn't find one that was close enough to the one above. :( I'm specifically looking for white and a bit of heel. I should probably specify leather too. OH GOD WHY AM I SO SPECIFIC. If only my feet were a size 7! ;_;
OMG. We are so the same. I have shoes I've used for ages...and its because I'd rather spend my money on FOOD instead of clothes, bags and shoes.
Hmmm so I won't be the best person to give you shoe advise :)
But here in the tropical Philippines, I do enjoy walking around in my crocs, and plan to get myself a pair of Sanuks, which I heard are comfy as well.
You know, if those shoes are real leather, you can go to a shoe cobbler and get them stretched to fit your feet! They'll look the same and be super comfortable, especially since they'll be the perfect width :)
As a Bostonian, I unfortunately can't help you with this one. I do feel your pain, though. I am technically a size 7, but I have to get an 8 most of the time so the width is right (I also take dance classes, so getting those shoes provides another level of WTF.) Good luck on your search.
I don't know if you'd have the patience, but you could check out Century 21 since they've got stocks of shoes, but you really need to dig into them to find the pair you want. Btw, there's a new branch in Queens too! Just opened last week, so might be a bit crazy.
Robyn, if you really want these boots, just find out the maker and style name (or number), and write to them--they can tell you who their NY vendors are. Shoe brands also often list vendors by city on their websites (although that doesn't guarantee the particular style you're interested in will be carried by the listed vendors). But depending on how small and friendly the maker is, they may be able to tell you specifics such as that.
Definitely check out Shoegasm (love the store, hate the embarrassment of saying their name out loud). The one at 14th and 8th ave has usually been the most successful for me.
Didi: I'd rather spend my money on food, too. HIGH FIVE. ...Eatin' myself to an early grave, probably. Uhoh.
WL: I never thought of that! I'm not sure I want the shoes that badly, but it's good to know. :)
Kim: I've never been to Century 21 since I heard it's a bit of a crazy place, hehe. I didn't know they had buttloads of shoes though. Thanks for the suggestion!
Amy: I tried googling the name on the label, but found nothing (not surprising since it's a vintage store). D'oh! Maybe if I went back to the store they could give me some pointers. ;_;
marthagrace: Thanks for the rec! I've passed that store a bunch of times (you don't forget the name, har har) but never went in.
I think it's like the 2nd time for me to comment, buttttt I couldn't resist this request. Try Aldo shoes. They have an amazing return policy where you can return any shoe you bought online to any store (free shipping over a certain amount!). I couldn't find white, but these styles are pretty damn close. They run narrow, but you can always go to the store to try them on if you're too wary to buy online.
http://www.aldoshoes.com/us/women/boots/ankle-boots
Another one is to go to the Urban outfitters at 14st and 6th ave. They have vintage/new shoes for sale there and i definitely see that style there, too.
Piperlime.com
Endless.com
If all else fails, walk along 14st between 5th and 6th avenue for the shoe stores there. You have to find something in those stores! Don't forget Shoe mania on 3rd Ave? Not my most favorite place, but you never know.
Was that enough options? I might have more. Haha
i'm not sure if ballet slippers are practical/comfortable enough, (do dancers have to have skinnier feet?? cause idk!) but i just became obsessed with this ahDORABLE pair i saw in the new H&M magazine that came out. wantwantwant
ballet slippers are so cute
Hi there - second the Zappos recommendation. Zappos is wonderful - free (usually overnight) shipping, 365 day return policy, 24 hr 1800 number, awesome selection, decent prices, what more could you ask for?
And now, a more complicated solution - since you mentioned that you have wide feet I recommend Ferragamo, which offers C and D width shoes (D is the default width sold in Asia, B is the default US width, C is the default EU width, just random FYI). Plus they have a LIFETIME guarantee even if you are not the original owner. See where I'm going with this? There are tons of vintage Ferragamo booties on etsy and ebay - I got myself a pair (in 7.5C!) a few months ago for like $30. They're awesome, comfortable, and I know that if the stitching ever comes undone or whatever Ferragamo will take it and repair it free of charge. If you're so inclined just set up the ebay email alert and cross your fingers, you never know. And sorry for the excessive Ferragamo love, they have been really good to me!
Either way good luck on your shoe hunt!
OMG. Shoes. Haha...
In regards to Holly's comment, Aldo runs normal in terms of width, IMO. (Christian Louboutin or Jimmy Choo comes to mind if you say a shoe runs narrow. Salvatore Ferragamo is expensive but as House Hunting mentioned, it's comfy from the use of gorgeous, luxurious leather.) Aldo does have some good leather boots with a bit (or a lot) of heel on sale now but they only have black. No white boots. :(
I would say Nine West is another shoe store you can look at. I think they're decent and they do have sales once in a while.
Holly: Thanks for the info! I look online a bit and went to a bunch of stores on 14th street, but unfortunately couldn't find what I was looking for. I think I may have to go to ebay-like places, or vintage stores....I'll get it someday.
Claire: I'm not looking for flats at the moment, but I do like em! Cos I can actually walk in em. ;_;
House Hunting in Paris: Thanks for the info! Definitely never looked for Ferragamo before. I just measured my foot and I'm D width, if not more. Hahahahaasob.
Tina: Thanks for the info! I think I may just have to keep my eyes open on ebay and etsy. Depending on how badly I want to find those shoes, haha. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to find them somedaaay.
Ah, here's your shoe post!
You must have posted in one splurge because I have not seen these last few posts a few days ago!
Sorry, you updated all in one day. That explains why I didn't catch the two except for your tipping entry.
:P
okey.
ohmigosh, what about moonboots? http://www.rabanser.com/es/images/m/tecnica_moon-boots_weiss_white.jpg
If you wanted to stretch your shoes... here's a good tutorial on how.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf5mJ7aR2t8
Eat: Yup, I slipped it through the cracks.. :)
Claire: OH GOD.
Those are nuts.
becky: I remember one of my friends telling me about this!...but I never tried it. I'll try it with the new shoes I just bought. :) Thanks!
i love the shoes you spotted at the vintage store! i was wondering where was this vintage store? name? thanks! and i like the shoes you've purchased from etsy!
I agree, I'm not a fan of shoes b/c I can't find anything comfy yet doesn't look like crapola. So, I have a lot of wedge shoes and boots, the best medium so far. But I LOOVE Camper shoes, they have this wedge 'laura' sandal that I've been trying to buy for some time now if the Canadian customs will allow it. PS - Those white boots you got are so chic!
Claudia: Sorry, I didn't mean to respond so late! And..I'm not very helpful because I don't remember the name of the store. ;_; All I remember is that it was on Lafayette in the block above Houston. I think. On the east side of the street.
Elaine: I like the design of Campers, but only the sneaker-y walking shoes seem to fit me; the prettier ones are too narrow for my feet. I fail. Oh well. On the bright side, the white boots I got fit fine! The heels hurt my feet though. Can't win em allll.
this post is my life! except I have wide feet and ever since I had ankle surgery and two screws inserted, I have been doomed to a life of no heels, good arch support, and ugly, ugly shoes. thank goodness there are exceptions! nordstrom has a good selection of wide sizes and they will order for you for free. i'm sure you know about the usual suspects (cole haan, birkenstock, camper, clarks). zappos is great. good luck!
gloverparkistan: The shoes from Etsy miraculously fit alright! Although after walking in them for a day, my feet felt sore...a casualty of the short (but still high for me) heel. I put in a squishy gel pad thingy, hopefully that'll make it less sucky next time I try to wear em.