Strapping Young Things

Cable tights and heels

I have a sartorial soft spot for a few things: button downs, horse-bit detailing, navy anything, and grey (particularly in shoe form). This is evident here, here and here. It’s the perfect neutral when you don’t want to wear brown but black is too harsh. I really think I could have endless pairs of tan and grey shoes and be perfectly happy.

I’m liking the stockings and heels this fall, particularly the dark leg, lighter shoe look. Some find it gauche, particularly with an open toe shoe, but I see no reason to snub the look—I’m all for extending the season of a shoe. These cross-strap heels from Boutique 9 (part of Nine West) are a lovely soft dove grey. The color makes them season less, the side zip gives them a modern kick and the slim, high heel give them some sass. Almost a bootie but a bit more dainty and feminine. I’ll add those to my soft spots.

prov⋅e⋅nance

[prov-uh-nuhns, -nahns] –noun; place or source of origin.

Date of Purchase: Fall 2010

I found these online when perusing a Nordstrom sale. I was looking for a shoe with substantial leather on the vamp (more than a pump) but not as solid or clunky as an ankle boot. These are a nice hybrid so I decided to head to my local Nordies and try them on. Well, work and life happened and I took my sweet time doing so. By the time I made the trip the sale items were heavily picked over and this shoe only existed in a size 10, in black, in the store. Drat. Unsurprisingly, Nordstrom’s customer service came to the rescue. My salesperson scoured stores around the country and called me within a day to let me know they had been located and were on their way to my house. I’m a loyal shopper there because of this kind of service. Retailers, take note!

Compliments: 4. Several. Best of the day: a coworker emailed me a few pairs of shoes he was contemplating purchasing his wife for her birthday. These were the first pair listed. Shoe confidence: High.

Comfort: Not bad at all, but tough for an 8-hour active work day. The heel is quite thin which makes for tired legs by 3pm. Overall: 6 out of 10.

Worn With: Selvedge chambray button down, grey wool skirt, both from J. Crew, grey cable tights probably from target, grey ribbon and pearl necklace, watch from Michele.

Thoughts: “When I wear high heels I have a great vocabulary and I speak in paragraphs. I’m more eloquent. I plan to wear them more often.” ~Meg Ryan