Please help me to decide on a black pair of evening shoes

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H

honeybunch

O.G.
Jan 22, 2007
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998
#1
Hi all,

I don’t have a huge collection of shoes as I like to get good quality rather than a load of cheaper pairs. I currently own only one pair of black evening court shoes and it’s the Saint Laurent boucle slingback pair that has a gold metal toe. They are gorgeous but I think they are very wintry/Christmassy and don’t work all year round. I’m looking for a slightly plainer pair but that still have a little something and could work all year round. I would wear them in the evening only, with dresses, skirts and tailored trousers. I would also want them to work for more casual nights with jeans.

The pairs I’m drawn to are:
Prada slingbacks with silver metal toe
Prada classic logos plaque slingbacks
Alaia Coeur patent shoes

At the moment I’m most drawn to the Alaias but don’t know if they look more wintry/Christmassy than the others and am also a bit concerned about them being a backless mule style. I have very narrow feet so I don’t know how secure they would be. Finally, I have concerns about the clear plastic straps turning yellow or discolouring over time. I have a clear plastic phone case that has done this! Also a strap on a watch when I was a kid!

Would love your thoughts on which to buy and if anyone has the Alaia shoes and can comment on how they are that would be so helpful. TIA.
 
#3
Don't get the Alïa, not because their shoes are not good (they are) but because perspex doesn't age well.

I had Prada black patent slingbacks for years and they did very will. I prefer pic 2 version with the metal toe because firstly, the toe-line is more elegant and secondly, the logo is more subtle. A good shoe doesn't need to advertise.
 
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#8
Haha, what a coincidence! Tried on the 3rd pair earlier today! (I really wanted to try the silver pair but they didn’t have my size.)
Wish I took a photo but tbh, I felt they were a bit meh on me. :oh:
(I also wish they had a higher heel/stiletto, but that’s just me, I prefer a taller heel lol.)

I didn’t see the metal toe version but if I did I would have liked to try them on, they are more interesting.
 
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#9
papertiger said:
Don't get the Alïa, not because their shoes are not good (they are) but because perspex doesn't age well.

I had Prada black patent slingbacks for years and they did very will. I prefer pic 2 version with the metal toe because firstly, the toe-line is more elegant and secondly, the logo is more subtle. A good shoe doesn't need to advertise.
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Thanks for your advice. Do you have experience with Perspex on shoes? How does it age badly? Does it discolour?
showgratitude said:
I got something similar to the 3rd one..really like it. It's truly a classic.
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Yes, they were my first choice before I saw the others. I love them and nearly bought them but sometimes I think they look a bit like shoes one would wear to the office! Would love to see a pic of yours.
lill_canele said:
Haha, what a coincidence! Tried on the 3rd pair earlier today! (I really wanted to try the silver pair but they didn’t have my size.)
Wish I took a photo but tbh, I felt they were a bit meh on me. :oh:
(I also wish they had a higher heel/stiletto, but that’s just me, I prefer a taller heel lol.)

I didn’t see the metal toe version but if I did I would have liked to try them on, they are more interesting.
Click to expand...
I love the metal toe version and would have bought them in a heartbeat but I thought they were too similar to my gold and boucle Saint Laurent shoes as they also have a metal toe. Just wondering if the metal toe is too much of a trend that will look dated in a year or two.

Thanks so much for the advice, everyone. It’s such a hard decision. I absolutely love the Alaias but have my reservations and it seems none of you are really a fan! I saw them at 20% off so was very tempted.
 
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#10
honeybunch said:
Thanks for your advice. Do you have experience with Perspex on shoes? How does it age badly? Does it discolour?

Yes, they were my first choice before I saw the others. I love them and nearly bought them but sometimes I think they look a bit like shoes one would wear to the office! Would love to see a pic of yours.

I love the metal toe version and would have bought them in a heartbeat but I thought they were too similar to my gold and boucle Saint Laurent toes as they also have a metal toe. Just wondering if the metal toe is too much of a trend that will look dated in a year or two.

Thanks so much for the advice, everyone. It’s such a hard decision. I absolutely love the Alaias but have my reservations and it seems none of you are really a fan! I saw them at 20% off so was very tempted.
Click to expand...

Perspex can do anything, cloud, craze, crack, go yellow etc
 
#13
I’ve just found another contender. These Saint Laurent shoes. I kind of like how they are very plain and black so will work all year round but are also edgy. The problem is they are silk so does anyone have any experience of silk shoes? I live in England so we get a lot of rain. I obviously wouldn’t wear them if it was torrential but would these water mark with the slightest drop do you think?

995ECEE2-CB03-4AD8-9948-73AE84F820B4.jpeg
 
#14
honeybunch said:
I’ve just found another contender. These Saint Laurent shoes. I kind of like how they are very plain and black so will work all year round but are also edgy. The problem is they are silk so does anyone have any experience of silk shoes? I live in England so we get a lot of rain. I obviously wouldn’t wear them if it was torrential but would these water mark with the slightest drop do you think?

View attachment 5664611
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I live in the UK too. I have a couple of pairs of silk shoes. One pair is silk-satin and far more delicate than these. If you want to keep them for a while make sure of your weather forecasts or keep them for indoor-only events with taxis/cars door to door. Evening shoes are not supposed to worn outside anyway.

BTW, of your choices, these would be my favourite :tup:
 
#15
papertiger said:
I live in the UK too. I have a couple of pairs of silk shoes. One pair is silk-satin and far more delicate than these. If you want to keep them for a while make sure of your weather forecasts or keep them for indoor-only events with taxis/cars door to door. Evening shoes are not supposed to worn outside anyway.

BTW, of your choices, these would be my favourite :tup:
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Thank you for your valuable advice. I do always try to keep evening shoes for very minimal walking but sometimes it’s unavoidable if we’re taking the car and have to walk for a few mins, depending on parking. I think those YSL could be my favourite too as they’re very minimal and a bit more timeless than the others.

So if water got on your silk shoes would they stain?
 
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