Shoe miracle (?)

I have been crowing about the Rock & Republic Sabra booties for months now, and didn't think I'd be able to find them at all. They were sold out, but then secretly a pair in my size showed up on piperlime awhile back and Sarah even had a coupon code for me! I stayed up until midnight to wait to buy my shoes on sale and when I clicked at 12:04 AM, they were GONE.

Fast forward to two weeks ago, my fellow shopping enabler and dear friend Cecilia emailed me that Gilt had these booties, in my size, for way cheaper than I had seen them previously.

I quickly logged in and bought these booties and waited patiently for them to arrive. Being snowed in nearly completely last week had left me thinking I'd never see them, but there they were bright and sunny on Monday, delivered by my faithful UPS guy (back from back surgery).

So... that brings us to the booties themselves. Hmm. I like them, but upon first fitting I thought they looked a bit hoofish. Maybe it's the shape of the toe-box, or the suede, but I guess I haven't let it stop me before.

My only major qualm with these is the pain. Not in my foot, even, but my shins! The tops of the booties are quite stiff and dig into my shins like nobodies business. It's so depressing when something I've wanted so long falls short of the hype, but I still think I'm keeping them. I might try putting some moleskin where they dig into my shins and hope that solves the problem.

Rock & Republic Sabra bootie in black suede and patent leather

The fit on these is true-to-size, but I would say work better on a narrow calf. The heel is quite tall, but there is a hidden platform and exposed platform that make them pretty easy to walk in.

Shock value

I try to keep my shoe collection limited to shoes I actually wear, and every time I have a "spring cleaning" I glance at these vintage Nine West flats. I don't shy away from loud, but I have had a hard time actually imagining what to wear them with. With the cut-outs on the toe and heel, they aren't really winter shoes so perhaps I'll find something springy in the coming months.

The tights were actually inspired by a lady on a fashion forum. She had posted an amazing head-to-toe shocking pink outfit and I thought "that looks so cool!" When I came across these Vivienne Westwood/Wolford collaboration tights at Marshalls for five dollars, I decided to try and make that dream come true. Cheers, Helga!


Fit on the flats is true-to-size (unlike other vintage Nine West shoes, I typically have to size up). The stockings are another story entirely. I waffle between a medium and large in Wolford, but these are like "extended leg medium" (my words not theirs). They are too snug, but also too long. I don't have particularly short legs but these weren't made for someone 5'2" apparently.

Spectator sport

Many years of thrifting has blessed me with quite a vintage collection. I've said goodbye to a lot of those shoes (mostly lower heels), but the ones I kept are special. Not just because I know I won't see anyone else wearing them -- but because they have been years in the making of a well-curated collection. What? Shoes are art, they deserve curating.

Before eBay and resellers came along, my favorite thrift store was a treasure trove with vintage goodies. These delightful spectator shoes were one of my many finds after poring over shoe after shoe.

There's just something enticing about spectators. The pattern, I mean. I feel like a sexy villain, the kind that Dick Tracy falls in love with before ultimately being betrayed. The smooth lines and curves of these shoes elaborate that feeling. The era is difficult to guess, but I would say 80s, just by the look and feel of them, but to me they are timeless.

Vintage Oscar De La Renta Spectator heels

Fit on these is surprisingly true-to-size for vintage. They are a 7.5, and slightly too big for my standard US 7 feet. As with most vintage shoes, however, they run quite narrow.