My dress code is business casual during the week. I love high heels with a pencil skirt or a nice pair of slacks (yes, I said slacks LOL). They make me look taller and are just so much nicer looking than flats. BUT I have a bad lower back (I’m falling apart slowly), so I have to opt for either a low heel, like a kitten heel, a wedge or a flat.
I always wondered where the name kitten heels came from so I did some digging. In the late 1950s, these shorter heeled shoes were introduced as formal fashion attire for young adolescent teenage girls because they were too young for higher heels. At that time, high heels apparently came along with sexual connotations. Kitten heels were also referred to as “trainer heels” in the US, used by young girls getting ready to eventually wear high heels. Here are some of my favorite kitten heels for Fall.
To get somewhat of the look of heels, but not kill my back, I may opt to wear a wedge. Banana Republic has some super comfy wedges. Here are some other great picks for the office.
Now I do have to say that flats have come a long way. There’s nothing more comfortable than a well-fitting ballet flat – I love my Tory Burch flats and definitely wear their worth in gold. D’orsay heels are my favorite style heel and now they have d’orsay flats. The Madewell ones in the slideshow below…I have them and LOVE them. They are so comfy and the pointed toe gives them a little splash of style.
People always ask me how I can confidently purchase shoes online, as they traditionally like to try them on in the stores. I wish I had the time to look for shoes in a store and have someone help me! I did try a few times but I was with one or both boys and it was so stressful trying to make sure that they weren’t wrecking havoc in the shoe department while trying to find the perfect shoe.
A trick I use when buying shoes online is to buy two sizes (especially when I am purchasing from an online retailer and they have free shipping & returns) OR I can go to the nearest location and return them and not have to pay the return shipping.
Where are your go-to stores or online retailers for shoes? Do you feel more comfortable going to the brick and mortar store or are at ease shopping online? I’d love to know!
Image {VIA}
Homemade Momy says
Shoes fit me so funny that I can’t buy them online. My shoe range is 8.5 to 9.5 and I may even have had a 10 thrown in ir good measure. My feet and knees also require a minimum amount of padding which you just can’t judge in a picture. I do like the idea of buying two then returning but to me that is almost more work than just goin to the store. I also have very limited brick and mortar stores available and most places don’t ship for free to me either. I would have to do some research to see if it would be possible to do the returns or not.
Dana says
Homemade Momy, I hear you about it being hard to purchase shoes online! Are there specific shoe brands that you tend to purchase more frequently than others – ones that have the minimum requirement of padding to ease your knees and feet? I tend to stick to the brands I know when ordering online, but will do the “buy two sizes” if it is a new brand. I also read all of the reviews – they can be very helpful!
Tara Newman says
PERFECT! Thank you. I love those wedges. They look incredibly versatile. Adding to my fall shoe shopping list!
Dana says
I’m glad you like them! Wedges are great because they elongate your legs like heels, but aren’t as bad on your knees and back! And they also look cute 🙂
Mamma says
You are truly my child no DNA test needed