We have a Christmas party to go to in early December. Naturally I’ve been thinking about what to wear. It’s casual but I want to wear something nice and Christmassy. I’ve been thinking about maybe something in a bright, Christmas green with only little touches of red because, generally, red seems to be the preferred color when people want to look Christmassy. At the same time, I’ve been thinking about the black velour pants and tunic set with embroidered poinsettias in a necklace like arrangement that I received as a gift several years ago. I’ve only worn it once or twice. So I finally tried it on to see what I think of it now and, “Oh yeah! This is definitely what I’m going to wear!” (Black really is slimming, darn it.)
That brings me to another problem. I need a black purse and shoes. I have a small, dressy black purse but it’s not big enough for my minimum necessary stuff, now that my minimum necessary stuff includes a cell phone and digital camera, which it did not when I bought the purse. That’s not a huge problem. Wal-mart usually has decent looking purses for under $10 and nobody at this party is even going to notice that a purse came from Wal-mart, much less look down their noses at it. Shoes, on the other hand – that’s a problem. I must have comfortable shoes and those never come cheap. I have a pair of black shoes that are about 15 years old. They were the most comfortable shoes in the world back when my feet were half a size smaller than they are now but they’re a little tight around the toes and starting to show their age just a little bit.
Men don’t understand stuff like this – the need for matching purse and shoes to the outfit – and, to be honest, I’m a little bit embarrassed that I have this need because I am aware of the silliness of it but that still doesn’t change the fact that I cannot go to this Christmas party without a black purse and black shoes.
Fortunately, there’s Endless.com with their free overnight shipping so I will have time to buy shoes, try them, and if necessary send them back and buy another pair. There are several styles I’m looking at. These Mary Janes would do. (Damn, that’s a long URL) I’ve always turned my nose up at Mary Janes. I think of them as little girl shoes but… maybe. I also like the skimmer of the same brand. I’m not entirely sure about the “bubble textured footbed”. I was sort of attracted to this one but I think I’ve already ruled that out. But of course I have saved the best for last – these Hush Puppies. I think I am in love with these shoes. “Glove soft leather”… mmmm…. ooooo… ahhhhh… I would not hesitate to buy these shoes but they are at the very top of my price range and the others I sort of like cost somewhat less. Also, I suppose the skimmers, being plainer, would be more versatile.
I need to make a decision in the next day or two. Should I follow my cheapskate instincts or follow my heart?
November 20th, 2009 - 8:36 am
Versatility is a factor only if you expect to wear them several times; from the sound of things, this does not occur on a regular basis.
I say go for the Hush Puppies. If they’re that good, you’ll find reasons to wear them.
November 20th, 2009 - 8:50 am
I always say to buy the best-made shoes you can afford. Cheap shoes often lack good support and get miserably uncomfortable fast.
I don’t own many shoes but I try to buy ones that are well-made and have good support so I don’t have to go shopping for shoes again so often.
November 20th, 2009 - 10:55 am
I never match my purse with my shoes, except by accident. I consider shoes to be things to protect my feet from the ground, so comfort is paramount. My preferred shoes are my working shoes with the non-slip soles I got at Walmart (black leather), and my black slip ons (also obtained at Walmart — these all “man made” material). As for purses, they have to be large, have several compartments and pockets (I like to organize my things) and have shoulder straps long enough to sling across my chest. Or else I’ll use my little waist pack if I don’t feel like carrying the whole purse. Looks are secondary, though I prefer not to buy something that looks too ludicrous. My current purse is red, though usually I get something black or brown. I could never understand the whole “party purse” concept, because I like to have all my stuff with me and those little party purses hardly have any room for anything.
November 20th, 2009 - 3:40 pm
I have never regretted buying expensive shoes – my definition of expensive, which is anything over $40. I have bought shoes from Wal-mart but I rarely find anything acceptable there. I bought a pair of white Dr. Scholl’s slip ons and I liked them so I went back and bought a pair of the same style in taupe and hated those. Same brand, style and size, just a different color but one pair fits and is comfortable and the other is too loose at the heel and too tight across the top and hurt my feet. I don’t get it.
The 15 year old shoes I mentioned are Rockports and look a lot like the skimmers I linked to but without the stitching (which I don’t especially like) and with more arch support. For the first 5 or 6 years I wore them several times a week.
I don’t know… I was thinking “I’ve gotta have those Hush Puppies” but I keep going back and forth, looking at one and then the other and now I’m leaning more toward the skimmer. I know sooner or later I’m going to need another simple pair of shoes like that. I consider that style “dress shoes” but they work for casual too since most people think of any kind of flat as casual.
November 20th, 2009 - 3:55 pm
I think wal mart has some Brahma boots that are black, they are very comfortable as well. Steel toed to keep careless people from hurting your feet.
Even as I type this I wonder if maybe these won’t be the shoes you’re looking for…