June Bride Week Part II

 Dear Shoe Fairy,

I am getting married next year and I am looking for teal, peep-toe heels that have an ankle strap. I wear a size 9 or 9.5, and can spend up to $100 (cheaper the better).  I am going to add peacock feathers to them. I'll try any height.  Maybe they’re more aqua than teal—something like these:

Can you help?

Catherine

Dear Catherine,

You bet I can help!  (And congratulations too, of course.)  This one already comes bedecked with peacock feathers:

And rhinestones too!  The Peacock Platform Sandal by Johnathan Kayne is beautiful blue satin, with folding details at the toe and on the ankle strap.  It’s got a 4.5-inch heel, but the 1.5-inch platform makes it feel like only three inches, which is eminently reasonable for a long day on your feet.  Size 9 comes in under $100 at $93, but the 9.5 is $122—find them both on Amazon.

Since your example photo was suede, I give you the Haylie by Besty Johnson.  The heel is sizable at 5.5 inches, but there’s a one-inch platform to help out.  (And the ankle strap will hold you in!)  These are just a smidge over your price range at $130, and you can find them at Heels.com.

If you want to have a hand in the shoes you wear, try the design-you-own feature from Nina.  Here I started with the Electra and just covered it in their teal blue luster satin.  Plus you get to pick what kind of sole you get—so I picked silver glitter for you, of course.  This heel is four inches, but there’s also a 3.25-inch version—each will run you $125 at Nina Shoes.

Response from Catherine:

Omg love them all!!!!!  Maybe I will change my shoes every hour.

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: Extra 20% off everything

Bakers: 20% off two pairs, 30% off three or more pairs

Bus Stop Boutique: Sale tonight!  15% off everything

Call it Spring: Extra 30% off all sale shoes

Lord & Taylor: 20% off sale and clearance with code JULY.  Also, sandal sale!  25% off one pair, 30% off two pairs, 40% off three or more pairs

Macy's: Extra 20% off with code REDHOT.  Also, 20% off one pair, 25% off two pairs with code GREAT

Nine West: Buy one, get one half off the entire site

Payless: Every sandal now on sale, plus buy one get one half off, plus 10% off whole order with any sandal purchase (code ZZBOGO)

Saks: Designer sale-- up to half off

Ask the Shoe Fairy

Dear Shoe Fairy,

I am a teacher interested in a pump that goes well with my brown skirts or tan slacks, that I can wear to work and sometimes for those after-work-but-no-time-to-change occasions such as dinner or a reception (I have those with parents at the school where I teach).  I need a modest heel—2-2.5 inches at most.  No squared-off toes, though don't mind pointy toes.  I prefer something pretty conservative, and would like a closed heel, not a strap.  I wear size 8; sometimes wide, sometimes not.  I am on my feet for much of the day, going up and down three stories of stairs, but want to look and feel like an adult.  I can spend about $35-60, but of course prefer a bargain!

Helena

Dear Helena,

A brown pump—is there anything more perfect for fall?  Let’s see what we can find...

The Kashmir by Life Stride is a dark brown faux croc pump with a two-inch heel and bow detail at the pointed toe.  (And look at the little gold buckle!)  Subtle, yes; boring, no.  Also available in black, burgundy, or a sort of light gold—find them at Macy’s for $60.

Perhaps a satin?

This brown beauty is the Abby by Touch Ups is a satin peep toe with a 1.75-inch heel and pleating detail across the front.  This would look lovely under pants or a skirt!  Also available in white or silver; yours from Endless for $54.

How about a metallic for a special touch?  The Vivia by Sofft is a warm metallic brown, with a solid stacked 2.5-inch heel.  It also has black detailing around the foot and across the round toe, and the best part?  They’re by Sofft, so you know they’re comfortable!  On sale for $65 from 6pm; also available in black, black patent, or Chianti.

Whatever you pick, this is the right time of year to find a great brown pump.  It’s hard to go wrong!

- The Shoe Fairy

Ask the Shoe Fairy

Philly Shoe Fairy:

I’m going wedding shoe shopping—what should I get???!!!  Looking at a high heel, budget is between $100 and $200.  Something with detail.  J  Love beads, love lace—delicate things.  Hate chunky looking add-ons.  Between three and four inches high is probably best.  Champagne is my color, but I can do dyeable.  Shoe size varies...7.5 to 8.

Lindsay

Dear Lindsay,

Congratulations!  Thank you for the photo of your dress (I promise to keep it top secret!).  It was helpful when I picked out shoes — for instance, these have floral beading similar to that on the side of your dress:

The Sadi by Nina is somehow simple and elaborate at the same time—delicate sequined and beaded flowers on ivory satin.  It has a five-inch heel, but it has a one-inch platform, so it’ll only feel like four!  (It was just too beautiful; I had to include it.)  Find them at Macy’s for $129.

Your dress also has some lace, which reminded me of these:

The Astrid by Caparros may be a little difficult to see in this photo, with everything being ivory and all, but it has an upper made of delicate floral lace, scalloped at the edge around the foot.  It’s a slingback with a four-inch heel and three-quarter inch platform, and also comes in a taupe which might work with your dress if the ivory is still a little too light.  Find them at Zappos for $79.

One more!  I thought a soft gold shoe would work with your dress as well:

 The Pretty by RSVP is pretty indeed!  This D’Orsay pump has a soft gold satin upper that is gathered at its peep toe and topped with an oval rhinestone detail.  It has a three-inch heel, and can be found at Zappos for $79.

Whichever pair you choose, I know you’ll be radiant!

-The Shoe Fairy

Sales this weekend:

Bloomingdales: 20-30% off a selection of shoes

Lord & Taylor: Buy one pair of sandals and get the second half off; 15% off regular price items and 20% off sale and clearance items (online only!) with code BIG

Macy’s: 20-50% off select styles

Payless: Summer preview sale

Ask the Shoe Fairy

Dear Shoe Fairy,
Help!  I've just been invited to a January wedding, and I have no idea what shoes to wear!  The wedding is at the Thatched Cottage on Long Island, and I'm planning to wear this dress:

However, I've only ever worn it in the summer, with strappy heels.  Do you have any recommendations for close-toed shoes that would match?

Here are my specifications: 

I'm a size 10, and my feet are kind of wide - depending on the style, lots of shoes squish my toes, but wide shoes are sometimes slightly too wide. Heels or flats worlds be fine, but I'll probably fall over if they're backless or taller than 1.5 - 2 inches!  Also, I'd like to spend around $50 ($75 at most), since I'm a poor starving grad student.

Thanks!
Kristin

Dear Kristin,

Ah, a winter wedding!  There are so many types of shoes that you can wear with a black dress: it truly is the blank canvas of the fashion world.  A black shoe has the most rewearability potential, but I’d be careful to make it a fun black shoe lest all the black look too funereal!  Something like this, maybe:

A little subtle sparkle!  Love it.  The Barbie Glitter Pump by Mix No. 6 has a 2.5-inch heel—a little over your requested height, but still very sensible, I promise.  It also comes in gold if you don’t like the black; find them at DSW for $40.

Want to be a little festive, but not sold on the glitter?  How about these:

The Change by Christin Michaels is a shiny patent leather number that comes in (get this) ten different colors!  I love the stone pearlized metallic (shown here), but the burgundy or pewter metallic would be beautiful also.  It has a 2.75-inch heel and is on sale for $35 from Zappos.

A satin shoe would also be festive but still rewearable:

The Angel Pump by Jellypop has a 2.5-inch heel (and in a cute little kitten heel shape!), layers of satin, and a bow.  I love the idea of a red shoe with your black dress, but it also comes in black, charcoal, brown, and champagne.  Find them at DSW for $40.

Whichever shoes you pick, have a fabulous time and dance the night away!

~The Shoe Fairy

Update from Kristin:

I really like the burgundy patent heels, but they're sold out in size 10 - and so is every similar shoe from both Zappos and DSW!  However, yesterday I was walking around Manhattan with my boyfriend, and we happened to pass by a DSW.  I dragged him inside ("I promise I'll be quick - I'm only trying on shoes that were pre-approved by the Shoe Fairy!"). 

They were sold out of both the gold Mix No. 6 and red Jellypop, but I was able to try on both styles in black.  Mix No. 6 was cute, but squished my toes.  When I put on the Jellypop, I was immediately struck by how comfortable they are - and that in addition to looking great with my dress, in black they would also be really cute for work.  They also earned an immediate "I like those better" from my boyfriend.  Sold!

Thank you, Shoe Fairy!

You’re welcome!  There’s nothing I love better than bringing together people and shoes.

Ask the Shoe Fairy

Dear Philly Shoe Fairy, 


I have a special shoe-shopping request that I am hoping you can provide some guidance with. I purchased the following black shift dress with silver lace appliqué detail at the ever-fabulous Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse sale in King of Prussia a few weeks ago:

The dress is set to be worn in an equally fabulous locale: my anniversary dinner at Remy on board the new Disney Dream cruise ship during a very special anniversary celebration with my husband. Remy is features an upscale five-course French tasting menu inspired by the film Ratatouille, and the restaurant aims to earn the first Michelin star at sea. As you can see, I need some special shoes to go with this special dress! 


My only requirements are that the shoes be relatively versatile (I'll have to pack them away in a suitcase, and I want to be able to wear them with other things), and that I'd like to spend under $75 if possible. Please work your magic! 


-A Cinderella Seeking Her Glass Slippers 

Dear Cinderella,

Congratulations on your anniversary! Now let’s see if we can’t find you some shoes to wear as you accompany your Prince Charming to dinner. Of course, black would be the most versatile color. You can wear black with everything, and it’s oh-so-French.
Classic, sexy, very re-wearable, and enough bling to make it something special—the Zoie by Martinez Valero has it all! It has a satin upper and a 4.25-inch heel, and you can pick up a pair at Nordstrom for $64. Black shoes, however classy, may be too much black for a summer anniversary cruise.

Have you considered a colored shoe? Maybe a saucy red? I love how the white detail on the Vickie by Liliana mimics the silver lace on your dress. Satin, rhinestones... and it’s a pump, so you can wear it to work. Well, I would wear it to work. Find them on Amazon for $25! (FYI, it also comes in an equally lovely blue. The sizes are a bit scattered amongst the colors.)

But I say, if you’re going to be an anniversary princess, go for the glass slipper! The Alene by J. Renee has a silver satin upper with beautiful rhinestones going up the front of the foot, and has a 3.5-inch heel with a half-inch platform. Easy enough to squish in your suitcase; short enough to dance all night in; beautiful enough that you’ll never want to take them off. Plus silver matches everything, so you can wear these a lot going forward. You can find them on Endless for just under $58.

Bon anniversaire, bon voyage, et bon appétit!

 -The Shoe Fairy

Have a question for the Shoe Fairy? Email her at phillyshoefairy@gmail.com. 


Sales this weekend: 
Bakers: All sandals on sale
Macy’s: Save 20-30% on shoes
Payless: Buy one, get one half off now through 6/27
Lord & Taylor: Sandal sale: one pair 30% off, two pairs 35% off, three pairs 40% off