Gige

I have a pair of Leviticus 2.0 Lug Heel OTK boots and I love them! Sizing is true to size but perhaps just ever so slightly a bit on the large end. Interestingly, sizes are only in 1/2 sizes (e.g. 8.5, 9.5, 10.5) etc. They are very well made and very much worth the price. I, generally speaking, have thin calves and thighs, so my boots shafts are a bit on the large side. Thus, I wear them over a pair of jeans and they are fine. They interior is not at all on the cheap material side, which is great, and the foot bed is very roomy (no cramped toes!). I plan on purchasing the new Kenzie model in a bit and if they are too wide in the shaft, I'll have them reduced in size a bit by a professional leather worker in St. Louis. I would make an out reach to Kristina (the owner/designer if you are full sized (i.e. 9, 10, 11) for her recommendation as to going up or down to the next 1/2 size.

This is not a heel topic per se, but it certainly applies to wearing such. I'll ask the question first and then provide the back story for those who want to read it. The question is, have "you" ever not worn a pair of heels (Pumps, boots, etc) or not worn them in a certain way because doing so was "too young" of a style? The back story: Last week I was at my local large shoe store (part of a national chain here in these good ol' United States of America) looking to purchase a few "heel backers" for the hoard of new heels I just purchased/received. As I finished perusing the discount section, I noticed a pair of "chunky sole" Mary Janes (Steve Madden "Millee") that were intoxicatingly adorable. Needless to say, a short time later I had me a pair. I wore them to work today but due to swelling issues with my feet, they alternated between being just right, to loose, to rather tight. This is due to the fact that I spend a large part of my day sitting and thus, there is build-up of blood/fluid in my feet from time-to-time. This happens in the mornings as well, so that what pair of heels/boots I wear any given day is largely dependent on what fits in the morning. This is relieved by simply getting up and get moving for about 15 minutes. I have become much more aware of the condition of my feet/toes and now put forward more of an effort to care for them via trimmed nails, moisturizer at bedtime, and better fitting shoes. Likewise, I prefer to wear socks/tights to prevent blisters, and use bandages to prevent my skin from rubbing against the side of the shoe/boot. I was wearing my new Mary Janes without socks as when I left my place this morning, they felt just right. As the day wore on, however, they went from being too tight to too lose, and I was constantly having to put on or take off "footies" much to my annoyance. Given my constant having to put on/take off the footies, I realized that next time I wore these shoes, doing so with socks or tights will be a necessity. I am not disappointed by this as they can be dressed up or down. Interestingly, however, I went shopping in them without socks/footies and they were fine. There is a young woman at my "normal" grocery store who has exquisite style, and I have observed her wearing black patent Mary Janes with white socks (my new Mary Janes are leather). I have absolutely love the look as she pulls it off so well, but then again, she is probably in her early 20s. I did some research on the style and most of what I found/read seemed to be geared toward those individuals young enough to be my children (again, IF I was a parent). So the question arose of if there are certain styles of footwear, or wearing footwear in a certain manner that is "too young" for some of us. I am of the opinion that the Mary Janes with the white socks is uber cute but do not want to appear that I am trying to wear fashion my children (If I....) would wear. I suppose if I can make it work, then why not? Just to clarify, I wore my Mary Janes with a pair of above the ankle black jeans and a t-shirt sporting my love for the "Other woman" in my life, Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Let me begin by offering my apologies on behalf of all enlightened American across the globe for those ignorami in your tour group. Sadly, however, there are not too many of us! I am not "elderly" by a longshot and don't plan on ever considering myself to be such, but I am of the age where I could be a grandparent (which, I suppose, would require me becoming a parent first). I can tell that acceptance of new and/or different idea was always hard for my parents (both born pre-WWII) compared to me and my siblings. I, as an early Gen Xer, however, have a much more "live and let live" approach to life/society. Just this afternoon, I was at my local grocery store and noticed a couple of (probably) teenagers with their jeans exposing more of their rear end then actually covering it. I felt that if wearing their pants like such makes them happy, then who am I to say differently? I do not need/want anyone negatively commenting to me about my choice of attire, so I only comment to those individuals who truly have put some effort into being presentable. FWIW, I did notice two (assuming) middle aged women at the store who, probably after their work day ended and were getting their shopping finished prior the weekend getting started, looked very well put together - refreshing to see that not everyone wears leggings, t-shirts, and flip-flop to the office. A person I have always admired is Nicola Sturgeon. Say what you will about her politics and positions, but she has always presented herself as very well dressed and wearing a pair of heels. I think an individual like her speaks to how wearing heels can be very powerful.

Thanks!! They are just a bit large (sz 10 vs 9.5 which is "normal" for me) so I had a cobbler shorten the rear straps just a bit and they are now very comfortable. I agree that wedges, especially those with a platform, can be a bit much. These, however, seem to have the right balance of wedge and platform. I did receive the nicest compliment from a co-worker on them when I wore them. As we are heading into the autumn, however, I am not sure that I will get to wear them again before open-toe season comes to an end.

Holy Cow!! I was so off the mark on my response to this or I have changed so much to render what I wrote meaningless! I wrote that: 1) I was not into open toe sandals; 2) I was not into painting my toe nails, and; 3) I was wearing pointed toe heels. So, just today, I was wearing a pair of open-toe espadrilles sandals but my toe nails were not polished (which I having been doing during the summer to wear with open-toe sandals) and I have started moving away from pointed to heels/points as they usually have a narrower toe-box. Thus, in order to compensate for such, I will usually get a 1/2 to full size large and if needed, attach heel backers. I have also started to pass on very cute pointed toe heels knowing that no matter what size I may purchase, the shoe/boot simply will not ever properly fit my foot/feet. Shoe - LC by Lauren Conrad.

...but totally worth it!!!! Noe 88 Colors (out of The Netherlands) was having a stock-up sale during the month of August. Buy one pair and receive a 20% discount, two pairs and 30% discount, and three pairs for a 50% discount. Well, as I adore their styles and colors, I got a bit carried away by buying three different pairs in three separate orders. Noe footwear is not necessarily "designer" heels but they are made from genuine Italian leather. As it took about three weeks for each individual package to arrive, the wait for them to arrive was agonizing! It is said that all things come in threes or that the third time is a charm - I guess this is true! Sadly, Noe may not be able to ship to the U.S. for a while as the Dutch Post Office is no longer accepting packages for shipment to this country because of issues that have arisen from the recently impose tariffs. I cannot speak for other companies such as DHL, UPS, or FedEx, so, I guess I will just have to go there to get my next pair which will be in December!

Oh wow! I though they would be long gone seeing how that neighborhood has changed over the years.

Is Skyscraper still open?

I would buy them only so that they could be destroyed, possibly by fire or similar means.

Believe it or not, the asking price was $100/85 Euros/75 Pounds. Seriously?

I saw these for sale and my reaction was, truthfully, "Ugly as can be." Maybe others will disagree with me but these are a mess as they look like shoes a clown would wear. I think they are personally hand painted.

Hi @Shyheels! I will admit that the simplicity of your response made me think about heels themselves being statement of self expression. I agree with this in that, yes, heels are a statement of self-expression but I also see them as being an accent to another piece of an outfit that may be an expression on its own. I would argue that it comes down to what is the focal point of the outfit that the wearer of such intends - is it the heels or is it another part of it? The photograph I have attached is an outfit I wore last November and I wanted the skirt to be the focal point as it is a statement piece on its own. In general, (and in my opinion only) bright colors and prints (especially animal prints) can be a bold statement piece where they would outshine the footwear regardless of what is worn. If I would have worn the skirt with a similar patterned pair of heels (pumps or boots) I think it would have been "too much" and the pop of the skirt would have been lost. Hence, pared with a black outfit, the skirt makes the statement. The 4"/10cm wedge boots absolutely add a superb touch of elegance to the overall feel of the outfit but they do not overshadow it. Thanks for the response! Just to briefly add to my previous response, but I am waiting for the heels pictured here to go on end of season sale and you better believe I am going to be rockin' out these bad boys as soon as I get them! Why? Because I can!

The outfit for today - simple with a timeless/classic feel to it.

Hi Luvmaryjanez! It appears that this is your first post and if so, I would like to welcome you to this forum! I agree with you that the heels of the 60's were so elegant. They were simple and always had a timeless design to them. Likewise, the simple black pump without any sort of embellishment will always have a timeless elegance to it.

The woman in this picture is someone who holds a somewhat infamous place in annals of American history but her identity is far less important than that which she is wearing. What is amazing about her outfit is how the heels are the focal point of it - they are certainly "statement" heels without being excessively so. I absolutely adore the entirety of her ensemble as the colors are perfect and accent her heels so well. I love the idea of simple solid colors from the same pallet matching or complimenting "exotic" or "statement" footwear. I am utterly entranced by this and have had the ability to start putting together outfits along this concept. Even if the heels were block or kitten height//type heels, they would still complete what is an extraordinary simple yet beautiful outfit. Heels play so well with wide leg trousers, regardless of their height. A frequent commentor on this forum recently noted a disliking for "kitten" heels and there is certainly good reason for such. But, given the right outfit, in terms of style and color, most any pair of heels can be perfect. This, to me, is houte couture in a very simple manner. Always remember - it never goes out of style to have style!