I had to wonder: is this just a fluke? Did I just happen upon two pairs of shoes that possess that rare quality of being both attractive and user-friendly or is there a whole other world of comfortable cuties out there that I’d always been blind to? I decided to press my luck. The next time I was downtown, I sought out The Walking Company.
Now as anyone who knows me can attest to, I’m one of the least outdoorsy gals around. The fact that I was willingly entering an establishment that proudly displays the newest versions of Uggs and Birkenstocks is almost unthinkable, but there I was, determined to keep an open mind. I resisted the roll-my-eyes reflex that usually seizes me when I gaze upon a display of shoes intended for tree-huggers with orthopedic issues. Looking closer, I saw that placed among these utilitarian disasters was a selection of darling styles.
Seeing mostly Eccos and Danskos, the ones I admired were the strappy sandals and Mary Janes. I actually tried on a pair of Dansko’s Mary Janes with a braided strap. They felt dreamy, but were a little too granola for me. Actually, for $109, they were a lot too granola. I might have felt differently had they been half the price.
A few days later, I was at DSW (aka Designer Shoe Warehouse, aka my second home). Inspired by my recent revelation, I decided to bypass the obviously dangerous styles and seek out the more practical. After a lovely half hour of trying on different designs, I marched up to the register with a pair of fabulous faux suede chocolate brown Rocket Dogs. They’re designed in the shape of a Mary Jane, but they have the soles of a sneaker.
Eureka!
Now that I’ve opened my eyes—and my mind—to the idea of stylish comfortable shoes, I’ve been finding them at every turn: ballet flats, flat suede pumas (these don’t qualify as sneakers), and chunky heel oxfords for fall. If anything, my problem is now that the custom’s agency might turn me away for having too many shoes!
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