Shoe mavens -- white sandal trend?

[SusanMac]

I need to go shoe shopping (something I absolutely hate) & need your help. I could use a pair of pretty sandals that I can dress up or down. The driver is an upcoming business trip and wedding. Both outfits are navy & white, so I was thinking of navy sandals. But, it seems that white sandals are literally everywhere! And would be much more versatile.

So, here's my question (2 actually):
1) Are white sandals going to be "in" for a while? They were out until recently. Is this a quickly passing fad? Will I be dumping a $50 pair of shoes next year?

2) What about the wedge trend? I think some wedges are really cute. But this seems like it would be "out" even faster.

Help!
TIA

http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/2/optimized/288952_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=273&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg

[Chefzhat]

You'll be fine with white sandals for a long time - not too sure about the wedge, but we're in the 2nd year of that (at least) so I'd guess you'll be good for next year too.

Those are cute - for white sandals. I saw a pair of white loafers that I actually considered for about 10 minutes. We all know what I think about white shoes - but I almost changed my mind!

Debie

[Robyn1007]

My personal feeling is go with with nude. I think it works with much more and tends to lengthen your legs visually but if you are set on white I do like the ones you've posted.

[KimKelly]

I think they are very cute! But are they nice enough for a wedding? I guess it would depend on the wedding and your outfit..... They look more casual to me, like to wear with shorts or even jeans? I really like them though!

Kim

[RebeccaT]

I think the trick with white sandals is skinny straps - the more white leather, the more like nurses' shoes they tend to look. :eek:

I like the ones you posted, but I don't know if I would wear them in a business setting (unless this was a party or picnic or some other after-hours type thing). Wedges with a cork heel are pretty casual.

For a more work-appropriate shoe I would go with navy. These are stylish but a bit more dressy:

http://www.piperlime.com/Asset_Archive/PLWeb/Assets/Product/491/491519/main/pl491519-02p01v01.jpg

http://www.piperlime.com/browse/product.do?cid=19812&pid=491519&scid=491519022

[avariell]

i think these are adorable and could be more work appropriate:
http://www.zappos.com/images/733/7332661/6900-448784-p.jpg
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/25582397/c/1892.html

i think these would be nice with slacks as well:
http://www.zappos.com/images/724/7246675/3034-269962-p.jpg
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/13248600/c/8297.html

i think these are a little more sophisticated... i like the wedge that you pasted a link to, but it is pretty casual - the "flip flop" style plus the cork = casual to me... not sure if that matters to you or not?? :)
http://www.zappos.com/images/733/7335593/3832-455700-p.jpg
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/24580609/c/728.html

my strongest opinion is this - with white shoes make sure your shoes are clean and your toe nails are painted :) just my $0.02 :D *sigh* i love shoes :)

[avariell]

RebeccaT: i love the sandals that you posted :)

[SusanMac]

Thx for the input! I'm actually not wild about the cork on the wedge, which is why they don't look very appropriate for work or a wedding (it's a beach wedding, btw). But, I was in a hurry & couldn't get the Macy's pictures to post correctly except that one :-)

Several of the ones posted above are a bit too dressy for what I need right now. I think I might have to go w/2 pairs -- dressy navy, and more casual white. Eek -- more $$. Rebecca's pic is my fav, too.

I usually veer away from nude. I figure they just blend into my legs/feet too much. Like I'm wearing nothing. Should try on a few, tho.

I'm with ya about the "nurse" look -- I think that's a main reason white shoe trends change so much. Good point about the skinny straps & minimizing the amount of white in the shoe.

I'm off to Macy's today on my quest!!

[avariell]

the only thing about strappy white sandals is that they always look like wedding sandals to me... either to be dyed for bridesmaids or bridal shoes... just my thoughts :)

[Robyn1007]

I usually veer away from nude. I figure they just blend into my legs/feet too much. Like I'm wearing nothing. Should try on a few, tho.



That's actually the point. Nothing to draw the eye down and away from the outfit or to distract from the outfit. It also means you don't cut off the leg line which makes one appear longer and leaner.

[greatcook]

IMO, wedges will be around for a while- and I love white and navy- it's so summery!

I think of beach weddings as being much more casual- here's one option from ES- I almost bought them myself about a month ago, and immediately thought of them when I read your post-

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/KristinMontalbano/PALADINT.jpg
http://www.easyspirit.com/s?namespace=catalog&origin=viewall_category.jsp&event=p.shoe&pid=14849&cid=51007#

I love the woven wedge, and the strappiness is nice. Not sure if they're too casual for you though :)

Post pics of what you end up with!

[CompassRose]

I was going to make a joke about just about nothing being "work inappropriate" where I work, but I do think the first pair posted are -- something about the cork sole plus thong = mildly tarty.

Not that there's anything wrong with a bit of tart -- but not for a work function. :) I really like the style of the ones Rebecca T. posted, with that windy strap.

I doubt the wedge is going anywhere for at least another year -- there's just too many of them around.

Personally, I don't like nude shoes AT ALL. They're just too safe, and somehow that associates in my mind with "a certain age". Which is of course no specific age, but more of a state of mind. I'd rather see a bold choice of some kind, whether that be dark OR light. Mind you, white shoes have never been a good choice for me; I forget I'm dressed up, and go wandering about (especially at a beach wedding) and I'd end up getting them all smudged and grotty first time out. And there is NOTHING worse, nothing sleazier, than dirty white shoes -- which might be another thing you'd want to consider.

[Grace]

Susan, I think the shoes you posted are really cute. And since I've met you, I can say I think they would look really cute on you - you are thin with nice, skinny legs, so I think they'd be really cute, especially for a beach wedding. Maybe not so much for work, but for a beach wedding, yes.

[Middydd]

Personally, I don't like nude shoes AT ALL.

They seem to make your feet disappear.

[Robyn1007]

Personally, I don't like nude shoes AT ALL. They're just too safe, and somehow that associates in my mind with "a certain age". Which is of course no specific age, but more of a state of mind.

Well my nude shoes are in no way safe. We're talking nude slides with spike heels. In fact, I'd venture that not many women over 40 would venture into them on a regular basis because they can be dangerous to walk in. :p

[CompassRose]

Actually, most of the spike heels (I just typed "hells" :p ) I see around are ON women over forty. That kind of aggressive femme grooming is more of an older-lady thing in this area. Younger women tend to go for more comfortable shoes they can walk in. We've got two universities in this town...

which might affect my attitude to the look.

[slknight]

When is the trip and wedding? I know it may be old-fashioned advice, but personally, I wouldn't wear white shoes before Memorial Day. :o

[eks]

In my opinion, a delicate strappy white sandal always looks great for summer. I think something like this would be darling with your dresses:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/26121274/c/14.html

[erinlovesmarc]

Personally I think white will never go out of style...you can always wear white sandals with any pastel colors in the summer and get away with it...depending on where the wedding is going to be, you have alot of options...obviously if it's going to be on a beach I wouldn't wear stiletto's...if it's in a reception hall then you have to have a comfortable pair of shoes you can dance in...for my wedding I actually shoved a pair of white flip flops in my purse to change into from my heels so I could dance because there was no way I was dancing in stiletto's :eek: - from now on I am bringing extra shoes when I go to weddings - you don't want to know how many times I just threw off my shoes and danced barefoot because my feet were killing me!

I'm not crazy about nude shoes either...but I guess it depends on the person and I think skin tone is important...I'm very pale so white shoes seem to give my legs color...nude shoes are always darker than my skin and it just looks weird to me...I think it also depends if you have a cool or warm skin color...I don't look good in warm colors so browns, tans, nudes are OUT!

Navy is nice too but they're not as interchangeable as white shoes...

Here are some shoes I've been eyeing but of course not everyone has the same taste...

http://www.aldoshoes.com/eng/storeSection/redirect.cfm?sectionID=b2c/style/productDetails.cfm&itemID=65093105&&var=d&ckey=CA
http://www.aldoshoes.com/eng/storeSection/redirect.cfm?sectionID=b2c/style/productDetails.cfm&itemID=64776828&&var=d&ckey=CA

[alisajean]

When is the trip and wedding? I know it may be old-fashioned advice, but personally, I wouldn't wear white shoes before Memorial Day. :o

Since the wedding is on the beach I don't see anything wrong with white before Memorial Day. I think that "rule" has really changed over the last ten years IMO. I plan on wearing white pants in a few weeks out and it's a few weeks before Memorial Day.

[Abby]

When is the trip and wedding? I know it may be old-fashioned advice, but personally, I wouldn't wear white shoes before Memorial Day. :o

I thought the rule was no white sandals before easter or after Labor Day - that's the "rule" in the south anyway (same thing with linen.).

[erinlovesmarc]

I thought the rule was no white sandals before easter or after Labor Day - that's the "rule" in the south anyway (same thing with linen.).

I heard that had changed...but maybe it's a regional thing...

[RebeccaT]

I think it depends on where you live. It might seem odd to put on white shoes or pants or whatever in cooler climates (though white pants and a bright cotton sweater is a classic spring look, IMO) before Memorial Day, or at least May. Around here, the high temp was above 80 degrees for at least half of April, so I have been wearing white capris for a couple of weeks and I broke out my new white sandals today (although it is May 3, and IMO May = summer!)

FWIW!

[SusanMac]

Thanks for yet more pictures, suggestions, etc! You guys are awesome.

I'll keep an eye out for the tarty look - LOL. My biz trip is w/a British woman, so that's definitely a term she'd use (she's 40 & prefers stilletos!). I also live in a college town, so agree that the most common shoes around here are Teva's or Croc's (which is why I don't have anything for this trip!!)

*love* the Easy Spirit shoes, as well as the Zappo's. Of course, you've all selected shoes out of my ideal price point, but I might have to bite the bullet.

The wedding is late June on the Jersey Shore.

I think when it comes to both white & nude, there's a big variety in personal preference. A lot has to do w/clothes, style, skin tone, etc.

Grace - OMG, that was out of the blue. And very, very sweet. What is the blushing emoticon??

My shopping expedition is this Sat. Will keep you posted (geez, it doesn't take much to entertain us, does it?)

[greysangel]

I was just in Easy Spirit this morning :o Let me tell you there are a lot of cute shoes there right now.

Here are a couple other options other than above...all easy spirit. The pics don't do the sandals justice because they are so cute in person *and* a great heel...especially for beach wedding. I can't really stand wedges but they have been around for like 3 years now and they are not disappearing any time soon. My other suggestion would be espadrilles...they are EVERYWHERE..at least in NYC. And all varieties...strappy, low heel, high heel, open toe, traditional, swirlie etc.

http://www.easyspirit.com/s?namespace=catalog&origin=viewall_category.jsp&event=p.shoe&pid=14265&cid=1094

http://www.easyspirit.com/s?namespace=catalog&origin=viewall_category.jsp&event=p.shoe&pid=14697&cid=1094

http://www.easyspirit.com/s?namespace=catalog&origin=viewall_category.jsp&event=p.shoe&pid=14523&cid=1094

[NancyR]

Since you stress that you are on a budget, have you considered Target? I have seen some amazingly cute shoes lately from there.
Here is one example
http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XDET33C0L._SS260_.jpg
or how about these?
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RFDHFMXHL._SS260_.jpg

[greysangel]

OMG i love the polka dots...darn that wedge!!!

[greatcook]

I was just in Easy Spirit this morning :o Let me tell you there are a lot of cute shoes there right now.

Here are a couple other options other than above...all easy spirit. The pics don't do the sandals justice because they are so cute in person *and* a great heel...especially for beach wedding. I can't really stand wedges but they have been around for like 3 years now and they are not disappearing any time soon. My other suggestion would be espadrilles...they are EVERYWHERE..at least in NYC. And all varieties...strappy, low heel, high heel, open toe, traditional, swirlie etc.

http://www.easyspirit.com/s?namespace=catalog&origin=viewall_category.jsp&event=p.shoe&pid=14265&cid=1094

http://www.easyspirit.com/s?namespace=catalog&origin=viewall_category.jsp&event=p.shoe&pid=14697&cid=1094

http://www.easyspirit.com/s?namespace=catalog&origin=viewall_category.jsp&event=p.shoe&pid=14523&cid=1094

Oooh, I love the 3rd one- they have so many cute styles lately!

I agree white is fine during the warm weather- especially at a beach wedding- I think some of those old fashion rules are outdated.

[SusanMac]

Well, I ended up w/navy shoes! I tried on a whole bunch of white ones. They were all either too casual, too formal or too uncomfortable. I absolutely fell in love w/some navy ones & decided they'd look great w/my 2 outfits & even w/jeans. And, even though they are tall, they were super comfortable (at least for the 5 minutes I had them on :-)

They are Laura Ashley w/a woven wedge in neutral & navy straps. Couldn't find a picture online. If I get organized I'll try to post a picture.