Year to shop for shoes/clothes walking in Italian Summer

[niccig]

We've just gotten word of travel with friends to Italy next summer, our friend travels for work and he is sharing his miles with us - a very good friend!

I need to buy some new summer shoes, so I thought I should make sure I can walk in them for long days walking around Rome and Florence in 90 degree weather. I do have some cuter sandals for wearing out to dinner with a dress, so I'm looking for all day shoes to wear. DH has it easy - he has a pair of keen newports and lace up ecco shoes and he's set for any activity.

Shoes - work with skirts and long shorts/capris. I like my Keen Newports, but find them clunky for non-athletic times. Last time I was in Italy was just after backpacking through Asia and I felt very out of place in my travel gear when everyone else was so dressed up. This time, I want to still be comfortable, but a little dressier, but I find it difficult to find comfortable, cute shoes to go with a skirt.

I thought maybe something like this:
Ballerina/Mary Jane
http://www.6pm.com/keen-erin-ballerina-firebrick (http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/fw09/shoes/women/blvd/erin%20ballerina/****ake)
http://www.6pm.com/keen-erin-mary-jane-ensign
http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss10/shoes/women/market%20street/madrid%20ballerina/brindle
http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss10/shoes/women/market%20street/madrid%20mj/beet%20red

Sandal
http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/ss09/shoes/women/blvd/carmel
http://www.rei.com/product/797581
http://www.zappos.com/keen-paulina-mary-jane-madder-brown?zlfid=111

I do like the look of some of the privo slip-ons, mary-janes but I don't find them comfortable enough for all day walking.

Clothes
I thought I would get a skirt that would be great for traveling and a couple of t-shirts/button shirts that are wicking material. DH has a couple of shirts like this, and always stays comfortable, while I'm sweltering in my normal shirt.


Any advice on what to get? I thought I would spread out the purchases over the next year, and these are things I would wear during the day/weekends biking/hiking, so they'll get used etc.
Thanks.

[nfowife]

I live in Italy and travel all over. I would be concerned about wearing a closed-toe shoe in the heat here. My feet would be terribly hot and sweaty in a close-toed shoe. I personally wear the earth exer-fit flip flops with adjustable strap on top and they have been great for walking everywhere.

how about something like these:
http://www.zappos.com/clarks-isle-sunset-black-leather
http://www.zappos.com/clarks-unport-black-leather
http://www.zappos.com/clarks-unhoist-black-leather-nubuck
http://www.zappos.com/clarks-eastham-woven-tan-leather

[niccig]

Thanks Margaret.

I actually ordered that first shoe from Clarks yesterday and am waiting for it from Zappos. It is cute, and I hope it works. I'll check out the others. My problem is that I normally find cute, but not comfortable for all day walking. When I was pregnant, I bought a pair of shoes that my MIL also had, so I would like to not have "old Lady" shoes either.

I'm prefer to not have a slide or flip flop as I can't run in those shoes - I'm too uncoordinated to do that without losing the shoe.

If it comes down to it, I can take my Keens for the days of lots of walking and just ignore that they look funny with a skirt!

[cairo06]

I bought these recently and they are very comfortable and work well with a dress or skirt. I :heartbeat: them.

http://www.zappos.com/teva-ventura-cork-2-wedge-cocoa

They make these also without the heel. They have a few other cute flat styles you might want to check out.

[catpagmo]

DH and I spent 2 weeks in Italy, and I walked all around in a pair of Mephisto sandals. They were great. I could dress them up a bit, or down. Pricey, but definitely worth every penny. Very comfortable. We were there in early September.

They were sort of like this pair:

http://www.zappos.com/mephisto-altina-black-nubuck

[bubbaray]

Birkenstocks? Not exactly fashionable, but definitely comfy.

[niccig]

Bikrenstock....mmmm, but I want an ankle strap. They do have these

http://www.zappos.com/birkenstock-bali-soft-footbed-taupe-silky-suede?zlfid=111

and I found these clarks that could work too http://www.zappos.com/clarks-unjib-khaki


I'll get a few shoes through Zappos, and find something.

Why can't comfortable shoes also look good and be find for all day walking??

[dcmom2b3]

I've heard that Camper shoes are quite comfy, and they're more on the stylish side -- made in Spain, eurofabulous and all that . . .

I'm thinking of ordering a pair or two, I'll let you know how they work out.

[niccig]

Please let me know about the Campers - my sister in the UK agrees they are comfy.

I also found some naot shoes - some of the reviewers said they were as comfy as a birkenstock, and they have more sandals with an ankle strap.
What do you think of these:

http://www.zappos.com/naot-footwear-kayla-cherry-patent-leather different colours too

http://www.zappos.com/naot-footwear-paris-burnt-copper-leather

http://www.zappos.com/naot-footwear-dorith-acropolis-leather

http://www.zappos.com/naot-footwear-rachel-java-nubuck

http://www.zappos.com/naot-footwear-edge-acropolis-leather

I like the last 3 the best...


ETA.
I also found these http://www.zappos.com/mephisto-adelie-black-majestic-boa-print-leather or http://www.zappos.com/mephisto-saga-dark-oak-imperial-dark-brown-bucksoft but they are much more expensive.

[graciebellesmomma]

I have these in metal and LOVE them:
http://www.zappos.com/naot-footwear-faso-black-madras-leather?zlfid=111

and these in black patent and love them, as well:
super comfy.
http://www.zappos.com/mephisto-helen-black-waxy-leather?zlfid=111

Got the Mephisto at Nordstrom Rack for 49.00!! Wish that I'd
bought two pairs....

[niccig]

Got the Mephisto at Nordstrom Rack for 49.00!! Wish that I'd
bought two pairs....

I'd check the Rack..duh....thanks for the reminder...

[Kindra178]

Think Sandals are the best. Birk like bottoms, cute top. Zappos has a ton.