I am DEF OCD when it comes to shoes!

[fatefullotus]

Originally Posted by Novbunnie

wow...amazing! how many pairs of shoes do you own???

I refuse to keep count because I'm really scared of the answer -- I think Dr's refer to this as "denial". Denial is good stuff!

Last time I took a count, which was probably about 1.5 years ago, I had somewhere between 150 - 250 pairs, but that's counting a bunch of non-designer shoes. The collection's grown since then, but I've also edited out some older shoes, and some non-designer shoes, so perhaps the actual number isn't all that different from the last count. BUT, I've been a shoe fiend since my high school days, when I scored my first pair of designer heels, so really, over time, I haven't really added THAT many shoes each year.

Thanks for looking!

[fatefullotus]

So yesterday, I had a few minutes to kill while I was downtown filing paperwork at the Municipal Building. So of course, I popped over to my tried-and-true outlet shoe place to browse. They are a true outlet place in that in any shoe, they might have only a few sizes, and they purchase from factory and retail returns and displays. They usually carry mid-range shoes, but have a couple of high-end and designer shoes, and it's really just luck with sizing.

Found a beautiful pair of Paciotti's but they couldn't locate its mate, so I couldn't pick those up. But I did pick up a pair of Luciano Padovan's. Original retail is $385. I got 'em for $77! WOOHOO!

Sorry for a camera-phone pic, ladies! It's a dark chestnut brown in a super soft napa leather. There's a bit of toe-cleavage (you know I love that!) and are just the perfect height for some light running-around, at 100mm.

[Kamilla850]

OMG 250 pairs of shoes

Sorry I am in finance so I am very number oriented...I average that you have purchased about 20 pairs of shoes per year assuming that you started your collection at 17 and you are about 30 years old now.

My ears have perked up....what is this shoe outlet that you are referring to?

[Kamilla850]

I see your avatar has changed to birkin or bust...does that mean no more CL shopping for a while so that you can contribute to the H fund?

[fatefullotus]

^--- Haven't found anything I *need* to have lately. Some shoes are very lovely, but i find that I just will end up wearing them the same way, with the same outfits that I already have 2 or 3 other pairs for. So my shoe purchasing has really slowed down of late. Waiting for someone to WOW me. And of course, when it comes to funds, I do have those SO's coming in...

The Birkin's been in the works for ages. But I didn't think I could pull off a Birkin in my early or mid twenties -- it would just look obnoxious, KWIM? So now at the ripe ole age that I am, I think I can tote a Birkin without raising too many eyebrows. FINALLY!

$77?!?! What a deal!! Pretty color!

Kamilla! You probably have 250 pairs yourself! I have seen your collection posted all over this forum!!

[Kamilla850]

It looks like your collection is very well rounded, not much missing other than the seasonal 'trendy' pieces that you will probably get sick of in a few months anyway.

Didn't you promise another hint about your SO?!?! I can't stand the suspense.


A birkin never looks obnoxious, regardless of age! I have been dreaming of one too but so far no calls from H Hopefully it will be one day soon, I don't know how much longer I can continue to stalk the SA at H before she thinks I am going to kill her. Is yours coming from NY?

[LavenderIce]

That's a great LP find Fateful! There is a leopard and black patent leather I like right now, but I will have to admire it from a distance. Oh, and is the outlet worth my while when I go to NYC next month?

[fatefullotus]

Originally Posted by LavenderIce

That's a great LP find Fateful! There is a leopard and black patent leather I like right now, but I will have to admire it from a distance. Oh, and is the outlet worth my while when I go to NYC next month?

Ooooh, I know the ones you're talking about. Those are pretty! Hopefully, they'll go on sale soon.

Hmmm... Is it worth your while? They carry alot of mid-range shoes like BCBG and the like. Designer shoes are more spotty in their inventory. This visit, I only saw a few (a pair of Paciotti, a pair of Le Silla, a couple of Miu Miu's, a couple of Brian Atwood's and the Padovan I bought), and again, the sizing is just luck of the draw. Are you planning on visiting Century21's shoe dept? If you are, let me know and I'll dig up the proper address for this place, since it's only about 6 or 7 blocks away. Certainly don't make a special trip out of it.

[fatefullotus]

Originally Posted by Kamilla850

Hopefully it will be one day soon, I don't know how much longer I can continue to stalk the SA at H before she thinks I am going to kill her. Is yours coming from NY?

Hopefully, from Paris. But if I don't hear from Paris by February, I may have to pursue other means!

[Kamilla850]

^^2 friends recently scored on Wall Street, I hear that they constantly have good finds on display. If you don't have a specific color/leather/size in mind, then it might be worthwhile to visit Wall Street occasionally, or who knows you might just find exactly what you are looking for there.

[fatefullotus]

That's the thing about Wall Street. Since they deem themselves flagship, they generally don't keep a waitlist, so it really is whatever happens to be on the floor.

I am looking for a specific Birkin in size, color and leather. I have three such in mind, but I definitely won't compromise, so Wall Street is a no-go for me. I mean, one color is more rare, but these are rather common skins, so if I'm a bit patient, it's sure to turn up. I haven't gotten an invite to place a PO yet, but I'm hoping SOOOOOON, so perhaps I can make the February podium. *crosses fingers*

Where's yours coming from?

[LavenderIce]

Originally Posted by fatefullotus

Ooooh, I know the ones you're talking about. Those are pretty! Hopefully, they'll go on sale soon. Hmmm... Is it worth your while? They carry alot of mid-range shoes like BCBG and the like. Designer shoes are more spotty in their inventory. This visit, I only saw a few (a pair of Paciotti, a pair of Le Silla, a couple of Miu Miu's, a couple of Brian Atwood's and the Padovan I bought), and again, the sizing is just luck of the draw. Are you planning on visiting Century21's shoe dept? If you are, let me know and I'll dig up the proper address for this place, since it's only about 6 or 7 blocks away. Certainly don't make a special trip out of it.

I am planning on going to Century 21. I want to hit everything I missed during my last trip to NYC. Please feel free to PM me.

And, I never even noticed the LPs until I saw someone else trying them on in the store and they look gorgeous.

[fatefullotus]

Lavender, sorry for posting so late -- I've been a bit scatter-brained of late.

The place is called Anbar Shoes. It's been there ages, and the only reason I know of it is because I used to live in Tribeca in the early 90's and stumbled into it one day. Here's the info:

60 Reade Street
(between Broadway & Church St)
New York, NY 10007
(212) 227-0253

Like I said, totally not worth the trip if you aren't in the area already. Century 21 is the place for shoes in the downtown area, and is only a short walk away. Hit up Century first and then walk uptown on Broadway til you get to Reade (about 6 or 7 blocks, 8 mins).

They group everything by color. The back of the first floor is the Lucky Size section, so check that out. I've found a few things there over the years. If you head downstairs, turn right and head into the corner -- that's where they hide the Mannies and Loubies and Choos occasionally, along with Prada's and Miu Miu's, IF THEY HAVE THEM that week. I think they mark down on Mondays and bring new stock in on Tuesdays, but don't quote me on that.

It pays to look on the tops of the shelves and displays too, because they keep single pairs there, boxed, without any on the floor. If you're lucky, you may find a pair of nice designer shoes for $80 in your size. And it also helps to brush up on little known european designers, as they do get shipments of those every now and again.

If nothing else, you can walk away with BCBG's for running errands for $50.

Enjoy!

[LavenderIce]

Thank you Fate! You are a goddess with a heavenly collection!