High-end shopping in heels

fashionablefun · 19th July 2005, 01:59

When I'm out-of-town, my confidence factor goes up. Though I regularly street heel in my own city with all my footwear -- when I'm out-of-town any reservations about what I wear, where I go and who I might see are pretty much abandoned.

This past weekend I was in Southern California on business. Friday was work-related, but Saturday was all fun. I wore my Nine West black stiletto boots with dark Seven jeans, and a T-Shirt under a black suit jacket. I think the suit jacket, paired with the heels, gives a more coordinated dressy look, while the jeans and T-shirt provide a casual contrast.

I first wore the outfit to the complimentary breakfast in the hotel, then clicked my way across the lobby, checked out of the hotel and headed to the rental car for a trip to one of two high-end malls where I had planned to do some shopping. I first went into Nordstrom's, where the half-yearly sale was going on and was very crowded with people. I have bought a number of shoes from the women's shoe department at Nordstrom's before, with helpful, unconcerned sales associates, but with the sale going on, it was a mad house and I headed into the mall instead.

Though I have a preference for boots, they're not as appropriate for summer wear as for winter, so I was on the look-out for pumps. I've purchased pumps only infrequently before, but due in part to the experiences of others here, I decided to look for some.

I all ready own one pair of Stuart Weitzman boots, so the first place I stopped was a Stuart Weitzman store, a small high-end women's shoe boutique. I told the female sales associate that I was looking for a classic pointy heel, in black, as a Summer alternative to the boots I was then wearing, which I pulled up my pant leg to display. I picked up a possible selection, which she pointed out was last year's model and she recommended another that had just arrived. It was a fashionably current-looking, suede leather, black pump, 4" heel, but round-toed instead of pointy. She said that round toes were going to be very popular this fall and although it wasn't what I was looking for, she seemed so excited about it, I thought I should try them on.

I'm closest to a 10.5 in a women's shoe, but wear anything between 10 and 11, depending on the fit, in part because size 10.5 are not as common. She only had a 10 in stock, but we tried it on and the fit wasn't bad. She complimented me on how I walked in heels saying she couldn't do it anymore (though she wasn't very old). I kind of liked them. The round toe makes your foot look very small compared to pointy's. But I didn't like the price -- $295. I've paid $200 for women's shoes before, but not $300. I told her I had to think about it. She checked her computer and said she could ship me a size 10.5 and gave me her card and a Stuart Weitzman catalog and said to call her anytime. In parting, I said, "You probably don't get many guys shopping here for themselves." She said, "Actually we do".

Next I went into a Jimmy Choo boutique, the famous women's shoe designer. At Weitzman's, there weren't any other customers besides myself, but at Choo's there were a couple young asian women shoppers in addition to the two female sales associates. But with the positive experience I had had previously, I went in undeterred. As it turned out they didn't have a lot I liked except my perennial favorite, boots. I thought the decimal point was in the wrong place on the first pair of boots I picked up, but on second glance, I decided it was correct -- they were a pair of brown ostrich leather, pointy toed, stiletto heels for $3,925. Though I liked them, I thought it a bit disingenuous of me to actually to try them on, so I opted instead for another slightly more-down-to-earth pair on sale for just $350. They didn't have them in black I asked for, but she brought out the brown which I tried on instead. She asked what brand I was wearing and when I said, "These are just Nine West", she said they looked good. (I think she meant "Looked good anyway".) While there, I never even had a glance from the other shoppers and just a friendly smile from the other sales associate, but before I left, she said, "If it would be more comfortable for you, you're welcome to come in sometime before we open up and try on anything you'd like without others around." I said I appreciate the offer and I'd let her know.

I wandered around the mall for awhile and found another pair of boots that attracted me in the window of a women's store called St. John. The first to approach was a male sales associate, but he quickly retreated, and soon a female showed up and asked what size I took. Before I knew it I had on a truly beautiful pair of tan leather ankle boots, pointy, with a 4" stiletto heel. I really liked them, but they were another pair priced at $295 and besides, I was actually looking for pumps anyway.

I looked around Macy's, saw some nice Franco Sarto's I liked, but not in a classic pump, checked out a couple other stores and then headed back through the crowded Nordstrom's store. Later, I had lunch at a Boudin's Sourdough Bread restaurant, wandered through Neiman Marcus and an outdoor shopping plaza, all the while in my stiletto boot heels with very few glances and certainly no comments from anyone. I think when you walk with confidence and style, there is little that looks out of place. Though I never made a purchase, I had a lot of fun.

Shafted · 19th July 2005, 02:21

Sounds like you had a good day none the less fashionablefun, even if you didn't get the pumps. Shoe stores here around where I live are fashionably dull with lots of low and mid heel footwear for women. Not a high heel in sight.

Dawn HH · 19th July 2005, 04:40

Fashionablefun:-)

I really enjoyed reading your adventures through the shoe stores. What a grand time you had. More power to you. You should try that adventure sometime again and maybe you will find what you are looking for then.
Cheers---

Dawn HH

kneehighs · 19th July 2005, 06:06

Great story...keep em coming. The last couple of times I've street heeled in black pointy pumps during the day I went to Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, and Filenes. Filenes is a store that sells name brand products at deep discounts much like Marshalls or TJ Maxx. They have all their shoes displayed for people to walk in and do a self serve. If you find a style you like, you just pull the right size from the shelf and try them on. While I didn't try any on, I did walk around the two girls who were in the dept at the same time as me and they didn't even bat and eye.

Great story though...keep em coming

JeffB · 19th July 2005, 11:19

Fashionablefun:
Welcome aboard! I hope you'll enjoy the board! I found your adventure quite entertaining, and it sounds like you had a good time shopping. However, I must admit to a small amount of envy since I wear a size 13 and can't go just anywhere to buy shoes, but, clearly you can, and do, so I'm greatly impressed with your boldness, and your sense of style. More power to you. I hope to read more of your exploits!
:D

JimC · 19th July 2005, 20:49

I think I was at that mall back in Feburary.. Right on the edge of the "gas lamp district". I had packed a pair of 4" Cole Haan heeled boots since I was getting into town sunday, and didnt have to work till Monday morning, but I was a few minutes late for my plane and could not take any luggage.. so I ended up at the mall to get socks/underwear/work pants. Oh well.

At the time Nordstroms had a pair of the 2.5" heel rubber boots in green for $40, but I could not pack them anywhere, so I had to leave them.

That area of San Diego seems very heel friendly, as I have seen a higher percentage of people wearing heels 4" and up then I have in Fort Lauderdale or Miami/Miami Beach.

I also prefer boots, and have been looking for a pair of pumps/etc that would be a little more heat friendly as this summer has been particularly brutal.
Keep up the good work
Jim

fashionablefun · 6th October 2005, 01:39

Following up on the story that begins this thread, I finally bought a pair of pumps, although not at the high-end stores I was shopping at out of town. Just the opposite in fact. I went to the Nine West outlet near my town and bought a pair of tan colored Bandolinos pumps in size 10 1/2. I'm not as comfortable wearing them in public as I am with a boots, even though many of my boots look much the same -- at least when standing or walking. I've worn the new Bandolinos to lunch, dinner and walking in the downtown area and on at least one occasion in the exact same outfit you see here. No observebale reaction on any occasion. We'll see if I get more comfortable with him. But of course we're getting into boot season now and I've got plenty more to choose from in that category.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...DSCF0007hh.gif

Dawn HH · 6th October 2005, 03:21

Fashionablefun:-)

Looks like a well co-ordinated outfit to me.
Cheers---

Dawn HH

Shafted · 6th October 2005, 03:58

Very well coordinated!

tightlevisandhhboots · 6th October 2005, 04:11

Love the outfit, and I know what you mean about San Diego, I lived there off and on with the military, and they have always open to just about anything.
What style Seven jeans were you wearing? I like the style, as they appear to be a low rise boot cut pair.
Thanks again. TLAHHB