Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Shoes! Shoes! Glorious Shoes!*

Over the past two years, I've come to love shoes...especially vintage-inspired ones. I say that because, sadly for my vintage-loving self, I have big feet for a girl. When I say that, people invariably respond that I'm tall, they're proportional to my body, etc. and so on and so forth. I know that (and am comforted by the fact that Audrey Hepburn also sported size 10's and was still gamine and incredibly, unbelievably lovely) and over time have grown into and come to terms with my long, narrow feet.

Except when I go thrift shopping. For some reason, 8 1/2 seems to be the magic number in the places I visit. I very rarely find cool vintage shoes that fit me, so I usually haunt the Anthropologie super sales section (I'm -- probably futilely -- hoping that these will come down to a price within my range) and search out great vintage knock-offs.

That being said, when I do find vintage shoes that fit I always feel like I've hit the jackpot...kind of like the first time I went on a really successful thrifting expedition. I was sick in bed today, and don't think anybody wants to see photos of my over-sized pajamas, so I thought that I would share my small vintage shoe collection with all of you.

So without further delay...










(Most are thrifted, but the white perforated oxfords and tan cowboy boots I found on Etsy.)

I can't wait to break out those tan boots with short floral dresses and my shrunken leather jacket...or the blue and white spectators with shorts or skirts...or the sherbet rainbow Hushpuppies with just about anything. The gold heels are a little more tricky for me, but I'll figure something out eventually. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

And I'm also very excited to write that I just purchased the Born lovelies pictured below on Zappos this afternoon. They're not vintage, but they are incredibly adorable and I'm sure comfortable...and they've gone down in price since first appearing on the website. I guess there is something to be said for having big feet after all...the smaller sizes were gone by the time I decided to order them.


Does anyone else have an absolute favorite pair of vintage or thrifted shoes? If so, I'd love to hear about them.

*( P.S. If anyone caught the That 70's Show reference, well...its nice to share a little giggle with you.)

22 comments:

  1. I am really not a shoe person - much more interested in dresses, cardigans + necklaces, but what an amazing selection. Thank you for the comment on yesterday's secret, it is always so nice to hear someone elses response to something so personal to me. I am loving reading (and seeing) your blog - keep it up, it makes me a little bit happier everytime I read it :)

    www.ameliais.blogspot.com

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  2. Oh gosh, I could talk about shoes all day long and do a tremendous post about my collection. I love the Born's you just got and I love your vintage collection!

    Recently (within the past 2 years or so) I decided that I wasn't going to buy shoes as well as handbags made in China anymore and that really cut back on the amount of shoes that I found I could buy, which is a good and bad thing. But since I love vintage shoes so much, and most if not all vintage shoes are not made in China, that's where I get most of my shoes unless I really want to splurge for modern non-China shoes.

    See what I mean about droning on and on and on about shoes. Yeah, I'll shut up now haha!

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  3. these are so very beautiful....have you seen the frye shoes? they are very vintage looking and remind me of those last shoes.

    ~pemora

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  4. I'm with Ms. B. Vintage shoes are the ideal, but I know what you mean about the problem of sizing. Love those golden shoes--they are magical!

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  5. I love that last pair and the ones you pointed out at Anthropologie. I covet so many of their shoes, and wish they weren't so exorbitantly priced. I'm also perversely drawn to Børn shoes, as well...Those really do have a vintage vibe!

    xx

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  6. The white perforated oxfords and the tan cowboy boots are my favorites!

    You are not alone on shoe size. I wear a 9 and my daughter, who is shorter than me, wears a 9.5.

    I do hope that you feel all better very soon. But I'm betting that your PJ's are just as stylish as the rest of your closet!

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  7. I've recently been getting way into shoes. Such an amazing collection! Those black and white ones are to die for.
    My favorites are my tan Ann Taylor brogues although the ones I got today are almost as good:)
    I hope you feel better soon!
    xoxo
    L
    Starship Narcissus

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  8. Those tans boots are going to look adorable with little floral dresses and so much more!

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  9. these are some really cute finds! shoes are like the only things im too lazy to thrift for but you make me want to try!

    xo

    fall in love with kate moss...
    http://youareashootingstar.blogspot.com/

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  10. The two-tone ones are amazing! Vintage shoes are so much fun because they're unique.

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  11. my grandmother's vintage huraches are my favorite shoes of all time! unfortunately they are finally breaking down after countless summers of nonstop wear! :(

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  12. Oh I hope you are feeling better soon. I like your vintage shoes ~ the new pair look gorgeous.
    xoxo

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  13. I love those white oxfords!
    The vintage ones are very nice too!

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  14. love the shoes! especially the one with the red laces :)

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  15. Hope you feel better soon. I love those laced-ups, my fave is the one with red laces. So cute! xoxo

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  16. Wait, I'm confused, so are you a 10 or 8.5?

    Anyway those two-toned loafers are blowing my mind. The front looks unique, I haven't quite seen a style like this before.

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  17. What a lovely collection. I don't wear leather, so it's a nightmare finding vegan shoes. It's sad for me most thrifted shoes are leather :(

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  18. No way! I'm an 8.5 but I have an awful time finding nice vintage shoes on etsy/ebay. We need to switch places :D

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  19. OH those gold shoes are fabulous. My classy grandmother used to (and still does I guess) wear gold shoes all the time. I think I need to paint someone wearing some magic gold shoes like those!

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  20. Thank you for your comment...The shoes in your second photo, I have a pair just like them!

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