How to Invest in a Pair (or Three) of Designer Shoes
By Abby on June 29 2008 at 10:21 PM
“Designer shoes are an investment.” Some of us say this to justify to ourselves (or our husbands) how much we spent on that sexy pair of Jimmy Choos. And some of us actually mean it-- we can only afford a few nice pairs of designer shoes, and plan to make them last a very long time. But even those of us with the very best intentions can invest hundreds of dollars in a pair of shoes, only to retire them a few months later.
Want to buy designer shoes that really will last you for years? Read on for what to look for when shopping for a pricey pair of pumps.
Color & Material
Shoes get dirty… especially if you live in a busy city. If you walk every day, greasy grey city dust gets worked into your shoes-- and it can be impossible to get out. If you don’t take care when choosing the material of your expensive designer shoes, they may not look good for long. And it’s pretty frustrating to have a pair of once-white designer shoes that are now the dirty, faded grey of old dishwater.
If you only buy a couple of designer pairs of shoes, you want them to be long-lasting. So choose styles in dark-colored, high-quality leather. Leather (but not suede!) is the longest-lasting shoe material, and is also the easiest to keep clean.
Timeless Style
Sure you want your designer shoes to be in fashion for years to come… but being told to choose a shoe with a “timeless style” sounds suspiciously like being told to choose a shoe with a “boring style,” doesn’t it? No new trends, no fun detailing… just… boring leather shoes. What’s the point of going designer if your designer shoes are too boring to wear?
But timeless can be on-trend as well as classic. Lots of today’s latest, greatest, trendiest styles have classic shapes and details that will stay in style for years to come. Chances are, you’ve come across roughly two zillion shoe styles that you love. Instead of choosing the funky-heeled sandals embroidered with retro 80’s graffiti and paint splashes, choose a pair with cleaner (but still trendy) details that will be fashionable for years to come.
Personalized Fit
Every designer makes a slightly different-sized shoe. And every shoe shape fits one foot better than another. When you’re going to invest in designer shoes, be sure to choose a pair that not only fits you perfectly (and “just a teeny bit too small” doesn’t count), but that also suits your leg and foot shape.
When shopping for any shoe --but especially a designer pair-- it’s important to know how your feet are… and how they aren’t. If you have wide feet, for instance, it’s possible that you won’t find one pair of Manolos that will fit comfortably. Or that entire shoe styles --by all designers-- will feel as if they’re crushing your bones like little wearable trash compactors. If they hurt too much to wear or don’t flatter your splayed-out caveman toes, chances are you’ll never wear them… no matter how much you spent.
In other words, don’t buy the pair that looked great on Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City… buy the pair that looks great on you.
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