Help me find some fall shoes

[JenaW]

What do you wear in between flip flop weather and boot weather? I am a non-inventive mom of 5 who is always on the go. During the week, I flip between jeans and cords (usually trouser style, slight flare, or boot cut - NEVER skinny), with the occasional knee length denim or cord skirt. I'd love to wear my skirts with some of my funky knee/over-the-knee socks, but while this look is adorable on my girls, I am not sure it is as cute or appropriate in a 33yo mom. Is it??? In the summer, I live in flip flops. Now that it is too cold for them, I have no clue what to wear on my feet. I have a few mary-jane type athletic shoes (ecco, tsubo) that I like, but both are loud colors (the tsubos are hot pink camo and the ecco's are turquoise) so I am somewhat limited in what I can wear them with. I buy these (on deep discount!) when I have a moment of "I want to look cool" but then often worry I can't pull them off, so they spend most of their time hidden in my closet. I read the post on the red shoes, and I'd love to find a pair of red mary janes, probably like Keens, or even clarks, but I am a penny pincher and am still waiting for the right deal to come along. I finally got some jeans that are short enough that I can wear them with flats, but I am not sure which flats to buy. I have tried some at Target but did not like how they looked or fit. I am picky I guess :) So what do you wear in the fall/winter when it isn't quite boot weather? Any suggestions?

J

[dylansnan]

Hi Jera!
I just bought these from Lands End http://tinyurl.com/yh5wye2 and I like them a lot.
These are not flat but so comfy, I love wearing them http://www.zappos.com/merrell-plaza-emme-brown I got mine at DSW and have seen them at Marshalls too :)

Hope your family is well- how is Natalie? Dylan is nearly 7, in first grade, playing softball and soccer and towering over all her friends!

[KathyN115]

I have the same problem as you! Also, for some reason, closed-back shoes don't stay well on my feet. I must have narrow heels or something. My go-to shoes in this weather are my dansko clogs. These are the ones I have:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2985771?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=dansko+in+All+Categories&origin=searchresults

They have red patent too! They are comfy and last forever, I can't seem to kill mine. I also recently bought these flats at Target, I think they are really cute, and they are actually very comfortable:

http://www.target.com/Mossimo-Valda-Ruffle-Flats-Cranberry/dp/B0026FXNTW/ref=br_1_9?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=3429561&node=3429561&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Mossimo%20Valda%20Ruffle%20Flats%20Cranberry

FTR, I have already started wearing my boots. It is cold here!

[JenaW]

Hi Jera!
I just bought these from Lands End http://tinyurl.com/yh5wye2 and I like them a lot.
These are not flat but so comfy, I love wearing them http://www.zappos.com/merrell-plaza-emme-brown I got mine at DSW and have seen them at Marshalls too :)

Hope your family is well- how is Natalie? Dylan is nearly 7, in first grade, playing softball and soccer and towering over all her friends!

I was just going to ask if anyone had tried the Lands End Terrain styles. Some are really cute and they are on sale right now, plus I just got a free shipping code, so I won't feel as bad if I need to exchange them for size. Thanks for the rec.

Natalie is doing really well. This time of year is hard for us, and she has already had two major colds (we haven't even hit "winter" yet!), but nothing too serious, as we haven't been hospitalized or needed oxygen so far! She is getting weekly OT and has some sensory issues that are impacting her much more as she gets older. Luckily we have a wonderful therapist (FINALLY) and she is really making some headway there. She is still a peanut, size-wise. Lexie has finally surpassed her in weight by a few pounds, but Natalie JUST hit 30 pounds at her 4 yo check-up. She WAS in jeans and a sweater, so it may be a bit inflated, but we'll take it. She is on the taller side too, which doesn't help much. It makes her look so emaciated. Despite our best efforts to get calories into her (she eats much better now, but moves so much and just burns right through it all), she has very little fat on her. All in all we are so happy with how far she has come. She truly is a miracle!

[JenaW]

I have the same problem as you! Also, for some reason, closed-back shoes don't stay well on my feet. I must have narrow heels or something. My go-to shoes in this weather are my dansko clogs. These are the ones I have:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2985771?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=dansko+in+All+Categories&origin=searchresults

They have red patent too! They are comfy and last forever, I can't seem to kill mine. I also recently bought these flats at Target, I think they are really cute, and they are actually very comfortable:

http://www.target.com/Mossimo-Valda-Ruffle-Flats-Cranberry/dp/B0026FXNTW/ref=br_1_9?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=3429561&node=3429561&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Mossimo%20Valda%20Ruffle%20Flats%20Cranberry

FTR, I have already started wearing my boots. It is cold here!


I actually have red patent danskos from my work days as a PA. They are SO comfy, but I just can not get over the idea of them as anything other than work shoes. Hmmm. Maybe I should just give up the notion of ever going back to work and dig them out and use them now.

It is COLD here too - we had frost over the weekend. But for some reason I feel like I can't break the boots out until it actually snows. Hopefully THAT is not in the near forecast, but we could see it soon I guess!

[bubbaray]

I like Clarks for fall, even mild winter days (our weather is rain, not snow in winter, though).

What about these? http://www.zappos.com/product/7414531/color/128836

Every pair of LE shoes I've tried, I've returned. I just don't like the quality compared to brands like Clarks or Dansko, etc.

[JenaW]

I like Clarks for fall, even mild winter days (our weather is rain, not snow in winter, though).

What about these? http://www.zappos.com/product/7414531/color/128836

Every pair of LE shoes I've tried, I've returned. I just don't like the quality compared to brands like Clarks or Dansko, etc.

Hmmm. Good to know on the quality. However, I tend to go through shoes like underwear......well maybe not QUITE as often! But I get bored easily. I'd have to REALLY love a pair of shoes to spend $80 on them, because I am afraid I'd get tired of them before they wore out. If I buy a $20 pair and only wear them for one season, I won't feel as guilty. I want them to last AT LEAST one season though :)

[Kindra178]

Just got some Born Maryjanes at Sierra Trading Post. They are in Burgundy/oxblood type color. I wear them at work and on weekends. Extremely comfy - I walk about a mile each way to the train on my commute to work.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,1760R_Born-Fifth-Avenue-Shoes-For-Women.html

Get on their deal flyyer list. I think I paid less than $40.

They look great with socks and pants or no socks.

[dylansnan]

Natalie is doing really well. This time of year is hard for us, and she has already had two major colds (we haven't even hit "winter" yet!), but nothing too serious, as we haven't been hospitalized or needed oxygen so far! She is getting weekly OT and has some sensory issues that are impacting her much more as she gets older. Luckily we have a wonderful therapist (FINALLY) and she is really making some headway there. She is still a peanut, size-wise. Lexie has finally surpassed her in weight by a few pounds, but Natalie JUST hit 30 pounds at her 4 yo check-up. She WAS in jeans and a sweater, so it may be a bit inflated, but we'll take it. She is on the taller side too, which doesn't help much. It makes her look so emaciated. Despite our best efforts to get calories into her (she eats much better now, but moves so much and just burns right through it all), she has very little fat on her. All in all we are so happy with how far she has come. She truly is a miracle!

Glad to hear she is doing so well. Yes she truly is a miracle. certainly makes my appreciate how "uneventful" Dylans progress has been. All the best to you.

[Melanie]

I like some of the styles from Skechers.

[KathyN115]

I agree about Lands End shoes - I have a pair similar to the one posted, they are cute but definitely not comfortable. I thought of two more that you might like:

I have these in a silver-grey, and they are sooooooo comfortable. They are as comfy as my Danskos:

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=68549&CatID=68549&Grptyp=PRD&ItemId=16a5003&cm_mmc=ShoppingFeed-_-Google-_-Juniors-_-Nike%20Mary%20Jane%20Women%20s%20Shoe

These are also really comfy, and a little dressier than the nike ones. you could probably wear them with a skirt. They feel like sneakers, but actually just look like ballet flats:

http://www.endless.com/DKNY-Womens-Mahdi-Flat/dp/B001BFBAPW

My Danskos are left over from my days as a PA too!!! There weren't many shoes that would get me through the whole day on my feet. Not the most attractive though, I agree.