Putting together a work wardrobe that is comfortable and affordable - and makes me feel authentically me has been a work in progress for the past few months. I picked up this sweet pair of Kork-Ease Deborah Avana sandals at the same time I picked up these.
image via 6pm
I alreabdy had three or four pretty pairs of heels that had gotten very little wear over the past few years. But it's amazing how hammered they have gotten over the past few months. Beat up and battered. Wearing work clothes for 10-14 hours a day takes its toll.
I have found that the soles on both pairs of Kork-Ease are very comfortable but the front straps are very narrow. I figure since they are leather they are going to soften up a lot but they are tight now.
Oh, in full disclosure and on the downside, I should tell you that the black Bette Vachetta's have turned my feet black from the dye in the leathers which I haven't been very happy about. I'm hoping that will stop soon but for the cost of the shoes, there is no way that should be happening. I had no dye issues with the pair pictured above.
These sandals are so cute on the feet. They are comfortable to walk in for long distances and they feel very feminine and stylish on. I wore them last week with a skirt for a long day of worked followed by a long night of travel. They definitely helped me hold my style together for the day. I might want to pick these up in the black because I can imagine I am going to get a lot of wear out of these.
image via Zappos
On another shoe purchase note I ordered a pair of black patent Dansko clogs last night. I have been wanting a pair for work and for work travel. Perfect for days when you know your feet are going to take a beating or for the day after they already have. Conferences and press tours are the perfect place for a pair of really practical comfortable walking shoes with a little sparkle. I think these will be perfect for an upcoming trip to NY.
I seem to often come back from trips to NY with my feet looking and feeling like hamburger after walking miles and miles every day. I have a tendency to say, "Ah, I'll walk for a few blocks them hop on the ____" (subway, train, bus,etc.) But then I just keep walking and walking, wandering the city. By the end of the trip, my feet are dying.
So I thought I'd go for guaranteed comfort with a good pair of clogs that would go well with nice black pants or a casual skirt. Plus they are great for good or foul weather. I anticipate there will be some rain showers while we're there. So I think these will carry me while wearing a rain slicker and down jacket as well as more business-y looks. I'm hoping I'll be able to get away with just two pairs of shoes -- and to get everything into a carry-on. Fingers crossed I ordered the right size because there won't be time to return them.
I've known I needed to make this purchase for a while but have been putting it off. Why is it so easy to make impulse buys but seems so difficult sometimes to just lay down the money for quality investment pieces we know we need. I'm trying to be better about this and focus on buying the basic items I need.
Building a functional work wardrobe seems like an ongoing effort. I order my basic pants from online retailers who carry tall sizes, so I stick with brands I know that work. I try to stop into some favorite shops to try on jackets and tops regularly to catch good deals and find things I really like. I often leave stores empty handed but it gives me a chance to be more picky and feel less desperate about finding pieces I honestly love and feel good in.
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