I am DEF OCD when it comes to shoes!

[cjy]

Fate, Oh queen of the shoe.... may I bow to you to ask a favor. Do you have any marys janes and if so, by CL or MB? I am deciding which pair I like the most. Both are classic and timeless. However the location on the strap is different on both. The MB seems lower whereas the CL is higher. This can be a big deal on short , I mean vertically challanged women. It may be on my short legs the higher strap could be more flattering. Do you have any words of wisdom to give one of your loyal and faithful subjects on this matter? Any thing you can add would be much appreciated. Hoping you are enjoying quality time with SO amd family! TYIA Always enjoy reading your post!!

[LavenderIce]

Originally Posted by fatefullotus

Lavendar, $119 is a good deal for a $400 shoe, and the smoke looks great. Have you posted pictures yet? And did you ever visit Anbar's?

No, I did not make it to Anbar's. However, I'll try again next time and there will be a next time for NYC!. I have not posted their pictures yet as I have yet to decide where, so I'll add them as attachments here as not to be obnoxious and take over your thread.

[fatefullotus]

Lavender, they are fantastic! A very nice sheen and ever so slightly metallic but still rich looking. Fab buy and I imagine they look so chic on you!

[fatefullotus]

cjy, you're so funny and such a doll! All my tPF updates get filtered in my email inbox so sometimes I don't catch items that are addressed at me. Apologies if I'm late on this reply.

I have a few pairs of mary janes, actually. I even have the same pair in 3 different colors (shhh! BF hasn't figured this out yet. Currently, they reside separately in the apt so as to not trip any alarms in BF's head ). I do own a couple of pairs of Manolo mary janes, the Thyme (open toed zebra print) being my favorite. I also own a pair of CL Iowas. I think they all work fine with my super model legs *extreme sarcasm* . I think it depends on how you wear the shoes. If you anticipate wearing the shoes bare-legged, I'd say go for the pair with the strap that is closer to the toebox. If you intend on wearing the shoes with coordinating leggings, which I love doing since it's such an easy fall/winter outfit, you have more leeway.

In all honestly though, unless it's an ankle strap, you needn't worry about the janes cutting off your legs visually, esp since both CL and Manolo make such elegant, streamlined janes. Either way you go, you'll have a fab, classic pair of shoes.

But all of us being such visual creatures on this board, I think you should buy them BOTH and then snap modeling pics!

[fatefullotus]

Also, CJY, if you ever want to get my attention, feel free to PM me (good option, if my Inbox isn't full all the time ) or email me. It's my screenname at g mail.

[Kamilla850]

Always enjoy reading your post!!
I second that!

I can't wait for the photos of the shoe closet! How is that project coming along?

[cjy]

Originally Posted by fatefullotus

cjy, you're so funny and such a doll! All my tPF updates get filtered in my email inbox so sometimes I don't catch items that are addressed at me. Apologies if I'm late on this reply. I have a few pairs of mary janes, actually. I even have the same pair in 3 different colors (shhh! BF hasn't figured this out yet. Currently, they reside separately in the apt so as to not trip any alarms in BF's head ). I do own a couple of pairs of Manolo mary janes, the Thyme (open toed zebra print) being my favorite. I also own a pair of CL Iowas. I think they all work fine with my super model legs *extreme sarcasm* . I think it depends on how you wear the shoes. If you anticipate wearing the shoes bare-legged, I'd say go for the pair with the strap that is closer to the toebox. If you intend on wearing the shoes with coordinating leggings, which I love doing since it's such an easy fall/winter outfit, you have more leeway. In all honestly though, unless it's an ankle strap, you needn't worry about the janes cutting off your legs visually, esp since both CL and Manolo make such elegant, streamlined janes. Either way you go, you'll have a fab, classic pair of shoes. But all of us being such visual creatures on this board, I think you should buy them BOTH and then snap modeling pics!

You were not late, I just posted yesterday. So it sounds like in the Mary Janes you may favor MB. I have heard both are comfy. Just trying to nicely round out my collection. Of course you can never have too many black shoes. I have the black simples, black and white trim espadrilles, foxtrots, black peanuts, and nude yoyo's. I may be a little heavy on the black. I am going to wait and see if anything else for spring rocks my world. Speaking of, you have not said much on the new styles, any comments on the new CL's??
Thanks for all your help, here's to you

[fatefullotus]

Originally Posted by Kamilla850

I can't wait for the photos of the shoe closet! How is that project coming along?

Utter, complete and lamentable lack of progress. Not sure what I can bribe BF with to get the ball rolling on that, but I really am starting to think that subconsciously, he thinks that by not giving me a designated, organized place for my shoes and bags, I'll be less likely to add to my collection. HA! So little he knows of me...! Currently, my shoes are (1) in moving boxes (2) in the coat-closet-turned-makeshift-shoe-closet for my most used shoes (3) in the extra bedroom closet which I claim is for my brother's use during his frequent visits (4) in the wardrobe for cocktail and evening dresses (5) in shoe boxes on top of the bookcases in the room used as an office (6) in the attic (shhhh!) (7) in a bookcase I cleaned out for use as a temporary closet for holiday/dress shoes (you know, satin and silk and beaded and fancy stuff that I don't like sitting in a shoebox) and (8) strewn about the apt. It's no wonder BF wants to discourage more buying.

I really don't know how he puts up with my addictive personality.

[fatefullotus]

Originally Posted by cjy

You were not late, I just posted yesterday. So it sounds like in the Mary Janes you may favor MB. I have heard both are comfy. Just trying to nicely round out my collection. Of course you can never have too many black shoes. I have the black simples, black and white trim espadrilles, foxtrots, black peanuts, and nude yoyo's. I may be a little heavy on the black. I am going to wait and see if anything else for spring rocks my world. Speaking of, you have not said much on the new styles, any comments on the new CL's?? Thanks for all your help, here's to you

In terms of comfort, Manolo's win over CL, certainly. The Iowa's are cut a bit narrower than any of my Manolo janes, so that's something to take into consideration.
Sounds like a nice CL collection you have going there. I think having shoes in the same family of colors makes sense when they're different heights and different styles. Afterall, we all purchase things to complement our tastes and our wardrobes. For you, it's black; for me, it's the browns-tans-nudes. I don't own too many black accessories, and I find that ppl who favor black don't own too many brown accessories.

Part of maintaining a working wardrobe is adding the right colors so that you can get dressed in the dark if you had to and still look coordinated and look pulled together and fresh without going monochromatic. In that vein, I think every wardrobe usually starts with one base color (black or brown, usually) and then adding: (a) coordinating colors in the same family and (b) complimenting colors, usually in the jewel toned family. For instance, for a black based wardrobe, I'd suggest doing (a) varying shades of gray and silver for the coordinating colors and (b) raspberries, royal blues/indigos and deep, saturated purples for complimenting colors. This way, for a conservative look, you can pull out black-gray combo; for a sleek look, a black-black combo; for a casual look, a black-light gray combo; and for a chic, pulled together look, a light gray/silver-jewel toned color combo. You can add any of these colors together and still look fine. This way, all your pieces actually get used and used WELL, thereby justifying the price of the item. I mean, what good is $600 shoes when it doesn't work with anything you own? But $800 shoes that you can and DO wear regularly that make you feel chic and pulled together even when you just rolled out of bed? I think the same thing goes for clothing.

Ehh, I'm starting to ramble on clothing philosophy.

None of the new CLs really have a place in my wardrobe, as they all would fill roles that are already filled. I can't really justify the price for something that doesn't really strike my fancy and that I can do without.
I did add a couple of Choo's this season though that I cannot wait to debut.

[pursecrzy]

Wow! You have a great collection

I just bought my first pair of CL on sale- Wherever in black kid 85mm. The thicker heel appealed to me. When I saw my size, I couldn't resist.

[Chrystalline]

Wow! One of the best shoe collections I've ever seen

How do you store or care for your shoes? Do you keep them in their original boxes? It's amazing how everyone of them still looks like they just came from the store display. :)

[venusfly]

GOOD GOD! That is an Unbelievable collection.

[fatefullotus]

Originally Posted by pursecrzy

Wow! You have a great collection I just bought my first pair of CL on sale- Wherever in black kid 85mm. The thicker heel appealed to me. When I saw my size, I couldn't resist.

Uh-oh. It's a slippery slope, pursecrazy! Congrats on the fab new shoes!

[fatefullotus]

Originally Posted by Chrystalline

Wow! One of the best shoe collections I've ever seen How do you store or care for your shoes? Do you keep them in their original boxes? It's amazing how everyone of them still looks like they just came from the store display. :)

Thanks Chrystalline! No, I don't keep them in the original boxes. I keep them on shelves, behind glass doors. This way, I can see what I've got at a glance - it makes getting dressed a little easier in the morning. It helps that for a long time, I had a driver (company car) to go from office to home, so they didn't get too abused on the NYC streets. Ahhh, those were my very spoiled days...

Edit to add: Having a designated storage and display place for all my shoes helps motivate me to keep them sparkling. Whereas I might just kick them off at the end of the day like I did before, now I take them off, dust them and return them to their place on the shelves.

[fatefullotus]

Originally Posted by venusfly

GOOD GOD! That is an Unbelievable collection.

Thanks Venus! So glad I can share them with you ladies!