Comments on: The Price Thing, Again.

By: dustbury.com » Value added, or not

dustbury.com » Value added, or not — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:30:44 +0000

[...] fall I did a piece called “Where the price points are,” which linked back to this article at Manolo for the Big Girl. This time I quote a different section from the same article: [C]heap shoes are a false economy, so [...]

By: Christina

Christina — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:42:54 +0000

I walk a lot and lift heavy objects for work. I mostly shop for comfortable walking shoes. That being said I usually spend $100 on a nice pair of black mary janes from Merrel that I know will last me a year or two. I have never found a pair of comfortable everyday shoes that last more than a year or two before I wear out the heel or the toe box. For my fancy dress shoes though, I like Fluevog because the heels are very comfortable and walkable.

By: mywhimsey

mywhimsey — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:54:54 +0000

I concur with the statement that quality shows – sometimes it just takes a while to notice that you really do get what you pay for. I’ve bought 2 pairs of flat-heeled, black, nearly knee high boots in my life (I’m tall, and very picky about fit in the calf) and I bought them in the same year, 2001. One was a $100 pair from Aerosoles, and the other a $400 Marc by Marc Jacobs pair of riding boots. The rubber soles on the Aerosoles wore through about 4 years ago, about a year after the uppers started separating from the soles, and about 2 years after the leather on the toecaps started looking cheap even after polishing. The MJ boots? Flawless still, and still totally on trend. I wish I’d saved the money on the cheap boots to start saving for my next pair of really good boots. So thanks again for the reminder that really quality items stand the test of time.

By: Kat

Kat — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:53:22 +0000

I would love, love, LOVE to see your recommendations for essential footwear. I will pay for quality, but as I must make most of my purchases online, it would be great to know the specific styles that are, sturdy, offer some type of arch-support for my sky-high arches, AND offer reasonable comfort for walking.

By: Zuleika

Zuleika — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:56:26 +0000

Dearest Plumcake —

I appreciate that you insist on the well-made of teh shoes. There is no point in spending one’s hard earned dollars on things that are not worth it. Sadly in the fashion world the money:value ratio is not always good. I’m often shocked at the poor quality of designer clothes. Luckily sometimes cheap clothes are decently made. Ladies of all sizes should learn to ignore labels and look at materials and workmanship. Well, after they’ve looked to make sure whatever it is has superfantastic style.

Unfortunately, there are a few wardrobe things that I’ve learned that it’s not worth investing in — for me. I demolish shoes no matter who makes them. I can’t manage to make a pair of shoes last more than a couple of seasons. And shirts. I can’t wear one out. They usually end up with a stain at that strategic spot on the shelf created by my lovely, er, cleavage.

Every woman should know where it’s worthwhile to invest in clothing for herself, and where to buy the easily replaced.

I second the ebay sugggestion. But you can buy new there for many things, including shoes that might otherwise be out of your budget. Like the other reader who recommended DSW, it’s a slog, but often a worthwhile one, if you have a leetle more time than money.

Thanks for all the prettiness you provide us!
xoxo

By: Plumcake

Plumcake — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:33:56 +0000

OMG YOU were the one who stole those McQueen crocodiles! I hate you!

By: Lyssa

Lyssa — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 15:30:21 +0000

Again? Personally, I see this site alot like I see the shoe catalogs from Nordstrom or even Vogue – something to drool over. ;b

I wonder – have people not been to the main Manolo site? And any site that takes its name from that shoe designer is not a site that’s going to be talking about Payless shoes.

I’m not looking for a $20 shoe on here, but what I can do, is look at the $600 shoe you show me and look for something similar to it at Nordstrom Rack which is in my price point (Nine West, Franco Sarto, etc.) Plus, this is the site that allowed me to buy my Alexander McQueen shoes (regular price $800, according to the sticker, bought for $100 at yoox), so OF COURSE I have much love. :)

(Note: I wear anywhere from an 11 to an 11W to a 12 depending on the shoe, but I definitely have a wide foot. There are many options at Nordstrom Rack for the savvy shopper, esp. during their twice-a-year large shoe size event – even for wides and double wides.)

By: raincoaster

raincoaster — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:55:41 +0000

Nine West has served me well; I took a pair to a shoe repair shop to get half-soles and heel tips and he remarked on how well they were made. Not only do they come in a range of sizes, but they’re also relatively stylish.

It must also be noted that, strangely, as you go up in price bras become more custom-fitting, while shoes do not. Some designers don’t like their shoes in an E width. Bra designers, fortunately, are not so narrow-minded.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:13:33 +0000

I’m just starting to move from strictly Payless to $50-$125ish shoes. My problem? I *need* a wide width. Worse, I found that my foot length seems to have shrunk, but the width stayed the same (the bone’s just not moving). Payless is one of the few stores that consistently stocks wides. As I said, I want to upgrade to some Clarks or something soon, though, as soon as I save up for it. I’m sick of shoes that fall apart. But it’s frustrating to walk into a department store and be told there’s no such thing as wide width shoes!!! (yes, Macys, I’m looking at you!) And Aerosoles? Telling me I can look at your catalog? Not helpful. I’ve already been to your website and want to *gasp* try them on now. Knowing that Stuart Weitzman carries a lot of wides gives me something to aspire to! :)

By: Plumcake

Plumcake — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:59:27 +0000

A word to the wise. There has been a spate of counterfeit products, particularly accessories, at discount stores like Ross, TJ Maxx and Marshalls that have been marketed as the real thing. French couture houses have particularly strict rules as to where they allow their brands to be marketed. Caveat emptor.