Lime15

22 hours ago, RonC said:

I agree with you on that one - Torrid is horrid (lol) for the most part, and Lane Bryant has next to nothing as well.  It will be tough losing Payless.

What irritates me about Torrid is that 4 - 5 years ago they had tons of awesome shoes in a variety of colors and designs.  They also all fit really consistently.  Then their designs became really frumpy (and more expensive) and their sizing began to fluctuate all over the place.  All they need to do is bring back the System, Quincy, Holly, etc. styles and they'd make bank instantly.  They did that once before around Halloween a couple years ago when they didn't have any classic platform pumps (black patent and red patent System platforms came back for a few weeks), so it's not beyond them to manufacture them again.

I'd say I'd like them to get another larger size partnership with Iron Fist going but it looks like Iron Fist is either in the process of going under (for what, the fourth time?) or already has.

18 hours ago, JeffB said:

For someone like myself who wears a size 13, losing Payless will make for quite a blow as that size isn’t found in brick and mortal stores. Between Payless and Shoes of Prey having gone belly up, my choices for footwear have decreased considerably.

This is the key.

If you wear a size 13, Payless was one of the few retailers that had constant seasonal stock of new shoes in a standard 13.  Not whatever oddball version of "wide width" Torrid is deciding upon as the definition this week, not the overpriced and limited selection of Lane Bryant, and not the rare unsold scraps the discounters get.  Payless wasn't always the best quality, but they were absolutely comparable to those other choices at 1/3 the cost, which made it perfectly acceptable - especially when they would have an occasional great fitting above-average quality style (Brash, some Christian Siriano, the old Christian Siriano Gold Collection).  Importantly as well, Payless shoes generally would fit the same, which made ordering online easy.

I hated going into their stores - they never had any variety in my size, but I ordered online from them all the time.  Sure, Payless hasn't had very many incredible styles recently like they did not too long ago but the plus size retailers (Torrid, Lane Bryant, etc.) have become the very definition of frumpy shoes over the past few years.

18 hours ago, maninpumps said:

JeffB , you may want to check with Lane Bryant , Woman Within or Torrid . I have great luck with all of them .  

 Just sitting here thinking about getting rid of more Brash and American Eagle brands from Payless , maybe they will sell on ebay as "vintage" then I could sell them for double what I paid . Just kidding , I plan to post them here first in groups of two when I get pictures taken of them . 

If / when you list those shoes, please send me a message here as I would be most interested as well! Thanks!

Since you already heel on a regular basis, you're already past where the biggest hiccup usually is - clomping around inexperienced and uncomfortable in heels.

The only advice I can give is the same I do to everyone who steps out in something that may be a little more eye-catching - Make sure you're clean, well-groomed, your clothes fit appropriately, and actually have something to do where you're going.  Looking put together and with purpose, even when wearing something that may be considered outside of the norm, makes it the norm.  Doesn't matter your age, physical stature, any of that - that's why we wear clothes.

I think a lot of us that live in larger cities have seen the stumbling crossdresser who looks a mess, mugging around for attention.  I'm sure all of us have seen someone on this very forum we've wanted to facepalm over.  Everyone is free to do whatever they want, you and I should have no bearing on that, but obviously it's still important to gel - even just a tiny bit - with society.  Otherwise you may as well live in a cave somewhere, and I'd assume it's hard to get shoes delivered to such accommodations.

That doesn't necessarily only apply to clothing from the other side of the aisle, any time someone is wearing an alt fashion or something that isn't frequently seen in a region.  I don't go out wearing black and blue leopard multi strap high-tops and a pop art hoodie without making sure my facial hair is well-groomed and that I'm well put together - and that's all men's clothing - but it can draw attention from some people.  When that attention is drawn I want to leave a good impression.

All sold.

Yet another discussion online that rolls into classifying people into categories of how they should or shouldn't respond to a complement.

You complemented someone, it made them uncomfortable.  She didn't push the issue as she is temporary staff and such would be unprofessional. (just like when someone has an asinine crazy rant toward a retail worker who will stand there and take it under professionalism - although they are paid nowhere near enough to be harassed)  She talked to a co-worker about it (maintenance), someone who is a regular employee.  Property managers and maintenance supervisors talk a lot about work as they're usually the only two regular employees at an apartment complex.

Put yourself in her position for a moment - you are a temporary employee and one of your tenants comes up to you one day.  They complement you on your nail polish - then your shoes - then your feet - then ask if you are married.  What are you supposed to say in response?  "Back the hell off weirdo." No, you have to be professional, that's the job - you sit there and take it.  Her saying she has teenage kids was probably a bit of a defense to get you to back off.  How the hell is she supposed to know you are married?  Even if she does, how is she supposed to know if that would prevent you from making advances toward her?  Being married isn't license to creep on people, in my opinion you crossed a bit of a line here.

Everyone has a right to feel uncomfortable at any time.

6 hours ago, gibby said:

Ladies in the past I knew or worked with loved when I noticed  their new nail polish or shoes or outfit Etc.    I noticed and their husbands or boyfriends did not 

All women are not the same.  All men are not the same.  All people are not the same.  Say it with me, "When you assume, you make an ass out of...

Outstanding on both pairs, redandwhite!  Classic, sexy, refined.

Just got these today, BCBGeneration platform pumps.  Totally my usual style, look to have been worn maybe five times tops and cleaned up great.  Nice fit all around and I'm sure they'll form up to my foot shape soon.

18 hours ago, Sydheel said:

Hi to all

Well I ended up buying 1 of the pairs of TORRID shoes that were on Ebay AU. I wanted to see how they fit. The seller told me they were wide across the toes, so I jumped in.

I bought a pair of blue snake skin pattern platform pumps. 13cm heel, 2.5cm platform. They have a nice solid feel about them, but the platform doesnt bend so much and as they are un worn the sides and toe box are still quite stiff. I am sure they will soften with time and wearing.

They fit really well across the toe width wise, however they appear a bit bulky at the back, but all in all I like them and they are comfortable

You are correct, they will soften up as you wear them.  Those are a sub-style of the "System" platforms that Torrid sold for many years (and brought back a couple years ago around Halloween, only to discontinue them permanently).  They were hands down the best shoes that they ever sold - decent mid-range quality, around $40 at full price (and half when on sale), and in a ton of different colors and finishes.  Classic pinup shape and style.  They were in solid colors and different finishes - black patent, red patent, nude patent, pink patent (limited), cobalt faux suede, black faux suede, etc.

Most had a hidden platform and a vertical stitch at the front (giving them a bit of a pointed nose).  The sub-style (one of which you have there) featured a visible platform and were featured in edgier prints and finishes, such as the blue snakeskin you have, and matte black faux leather with gold pyramid studs on either side at the back.

In my experience I always wear a 12w in that style (although I'm generally a 13).  The visible platform versions take a little longer to break-in as they have less material to flex than the hidden platform ones.  The platforms will also soften up and begin to flex / match your natural walking motion.  I've worn out dozens of pairs of shoes in that style / line.  I actually currently don't have any in my rotation and it's irritating me - the supply is finally drying up completely.

Please, if anyone ever seems to make contact with a Torrid representative up the line or are surveyed, ask them to bring the System Platform Pumps back.  Blows my mind the fugly old lady "ghetto fabulous" (a term an employee called them at a store) shoe styles they sell these days.  All the people who don't even wear heels bitched that Torrid's heels were too high, so they replaced nearly everything with low wide heels that their true shoe customers aren't interested in and sit unsold in their stores and online.  Payless is heading the same way it seems.

I think I'm the only person in the world who doesn't like this shoe.  While I love classic shaped pumps, there's just something about these that doesn't look right to me.  I know everyone else loves them however!

On 4/30/2018 at 9:17 AM, hernaezjames said:

Here's mine.

If you don't mind, what brand are these black pumps with the gold heart over the toebox? My wife would go crazy for a pair of these.

On 3/19/2018 at 4:54 PM, Jkrenzer said:

Believe it or not shoe republic la. Well built for mid quality heels. For whatever reason the snake print style runs consistently 1/2 size larger. 

Ah, thank you!  My wife has a pair of yellow with black polka dot pumps by them and I was surprised at how well they were made myself.

1 hour ago, Cali said:

since you like retro take a look at these...

https://www.stevemadden.com/catalog/search.cmd?cm_sp=globalheader-_-search&form_state=searchForm&CSRF_TOKEN_SEARCHCMD=&keyword1=Canti&keyword=Canti

Totally not what I'm looking for, but thanks anyway.

On 3/13/2018 at 3:21 PM, Jkrenzer said:

Just picked up a huge selection of classic 5" pumps, mostly used. Love the classy style and have no trouble wearing these in everyday around the house inside and out. Damaging these is fine, prices were right.

As I said before Jkrenzer, " Your choice in pumps always have the most classic toe shapes and incredible colors."

Those look to possibly all (or mostly) be the same brand / style.  Care to share who the manufacturer is?  I'm always on the lookout for bold 80's style classic pumps like that for my wife.  Myself as well, but rarely do they run up to that size.

On 2/26/2018 at 2:52 PM, Jkrenzer said:

Love my new Casadei Blade heels. Extremely comfortable.

Damn amazing all around!  Styles I wish came in my size (13M).  Your choice in pumps always have the most classic toe shapes and incredible colors.

Two new pairs for me.  The first are Abound leopard print stiletto booties.  Although these are my regular size 13, I'm always cautious when it comes to booties as I generally don't like how they look on the foot with regular jeans.  They usually look fine with dress pants but I have no desire to wear skinny jeans or anything like that.  These however I really do like and I got a good deal on them.  Super comfortable too.  I wore them every day last week and they just keep getting better and better.  Surprised at the quality too.

The others are Enzo Angliolini brown leather peeptoe stilettos with a croc upper design.  I was a little apprehensive about these as they are a 12M and I've had terrible luck in the past year concerning a 12 working out.  However they were pre-owned and looked to be reasonably broken in, obviously worn but in good shape, and really cheap so I went for it.  Amazingly they fit really well and feel great.  They did need some cleaning and repair, new heel tips (most difficult to remove tip shaft I have ever encountered on one shoe) and some stitching repair on the back of one shoe.

On 9/29/2017 at 8:25 PM, Over5 said:

Picked up some new pumps tonight.  Pleaser Teeze from Electrique Boutique in Dallas.

Ah, good to know they're still in business.  Man, they screwed up their website with its redesign earlier this year.  I know the previous one was ancient but at least it worked, allowed you to search ALL shoes by size, and they had the awesome "Last Pairs" section with huge discounts.

Very nice, Jkrenzer.  That's a style I'm always looking for in my size.

On 9/5/2017 at 7:34 AM, RonC said:

Lime 15, nice looking heels.  My taste in shoes most often matches yours.

Thanks RonC!  If only the larger size brands and retailers felt the same.  I miss the days of places like Torrid stocking classically cut, office pinup type heels.  While I like the more exotic stuff fine, I want to see classic pumps with a 3" - 4 1/2" heel up through 13+.

9 hours ago, Jkrenzer said:

I hope you go public with them. The heels look low enough for easy all day use.

Not my thing so much these days, as I generally tend to heel when I'm working at home, which is the bulk of my business time over the past year or so.  Actually wearing heels has become such an ingrained part of getting into "work mode" that making that change last year has done a lot to keep me focused and help properly split up my time.  Doesn't mean I don't sign for packages or the like wearing my heels, again, they're standard work-wear for me.  When I'm out and about it's usually sneakers (which are generally louder than my heels anyway) as I walk 10 - 15+ city miles most days on average.

My preferences have definitely changed in the past year and I've massively reduced my heel assortment, but I wear heels now more than ever before.  They're also higher than they look, one of the illusions of wearing size 13. Haha.

 

1 hour ago, Jkrenzer said:

Look great, I didn't know Chinese laundry went that high in size 

Thanks.  I didn't know either.  Occasionally I see them go up to 12 on a few discount sites but they're almost always their lower / more frumpy styles.  I've actually seen a couple pairs of this exact style in this size on eBay over the years so I wonder if this style was a larger size experimental run or something.  Fearing they were mismarked or wouldn't fit, I wouldn't make the purchase  - but these came up really cheap so I took the chance, and yeah, true to size.

Been awhile (again).  I bought these a few weeks ago online as what appeared to be an old store return.  Chinese Laundry half d'Orsay stilettos with a an interesting yet classic leopard print back and a contrasting matte toebox.  These are my usual 13M and fit great and feel really good now that I've broken them in after a couple wears.

On 8/11/2017 at 1:11 PM, Rockpup said:

Michael Kors Susan Flex pump. Leather upper with rubber sole/heel tip. So far comfortable and quiet. These might be my practical go to shoes for a bit as with 'feels like' temps over 100, boots are getting a bit warm.

I'd be all over those if they came in my size (which they never will). Very nice!

Nice styles, SF.

On 4/29/2017 at 8:17 PM, alphax said:

Near designs on that site. Too bad the sizes are only up to UK 9, and they're synthetic leather.

Iron Fist did got up to US12W years and years ago in a handful of styles via a partnership with Torrid, and actually had a small line that went all the way up through US14M more recently (still quite awhile ago).  Although Torrid sold a ton of their partnership line, it's been so long since then they are reasonably difficult to find in the secondary market.  The more recent assortment is even more difficult to find as it had next to zero distribution and very thin production yield.

I referenced a pair in this post:

As another of the Size 13 Club, I have mixed feelings on this.  While the size 13 assortment in most Payless stores that even stock them is pretty poor (just the most basic plain pump or flat - or if you get lucky a pair someone returned to the store), they are one of the few retailers that manufacture nearly every one of their styles up through size 13 and make them available online.  Additionally they always have some sale or promotion so their shoes are often very affordable.  Sure, they might not be of the highest quality but in my experience most styles are quite acceptable for the price.  In the case of a few pairs I've had over the years there have also been some surprisingly high quality shoes from them.  While it would be nice to see the full assortment of size 13 shoes in their stores, the prices are still often far better online.  I would also venture a guess that discontinuing most of their socks, hosiery and shoe accessories (traditionally EXTREMELY high-margin items) both online and in many stores a couple years ago robbed them of some solid profits.

I'm sorry but unless you require the larger sizes (especially 13) you really can't thumb your nose at Payless outright.  They meet a demand.  Most mid quality brands (Nine West, BCBG, etc.) go up to 12 in many of their styles but that extra tick up to 13 is where the pickings truly become slim and unless you wear that size you have no idea.

Torrid sizing has become a complete crapshoot now that they seem to be heavily leaning toward extreme width.  Additionally they've continued to nearly completely bail on their earlier pinup and classic styles.  Then you have their ridiculous prices unless on clearance, and have you seen their new shoe line with the insane $100+ price tags?  It's freaking Torrid!!  Come on!!  Of course they also only ever go up to size 12 in store, most of the time stopping at 11 and many of their offerings are now online only.

Nordstrom Rack is getting better after earlier killing off the size 13 section in most stores (along with a large portion of size 12) and improving their website, but the selection is still very small and prices are still near full what I call "realistic retail."  It's like buying a new car, no one pays the sticker price.  Half the time a pair of shoes at Nordstrom Rack is 'marked down' to a higher price than the same pair in a more common size would go for brand new online or in-store at the same time. 

Everyone used to sing the praises of Zappos but again, you're paying full "realistic retail" or higher on most of their shoes.  Additionally you don't see the size 13 selection that was around a few years ago due to so many manufacturers stopping at 11 or 12.  Even when size 13 is included, they're always made in much smaller quantities although there's a huge demand there.

DSW's prices are outrageous for larger sizes, again, generally absolutely full sticker retail for a style that can be found much cheaper in more standard sizes, and cheaper still out of their in-store clearance area.  I used to be able to, on rare occasion, find a pair of size 13 shoes in their in-store clearance, or at least some solid candidate 12's.  However last year many stores compressed down their clearance section to make space for their new kid's assortment.  And you've guessed it, size 13 and most of the 12 were the first casualty.

I hate buying things on Amazon for the simple reason that their entire operation has become so bloated and convoluted over the past five or so years.  There's simply so much garbage you have to wade through even if you know exactly what you're looking for.  When they combined Endless.com (remember that, Amazon's amazing separate shoe site) into Amazon.com it was the beginning of the end in my opinion.