Toms Classic Slip Ons

Toms- A Slip On? Or Slip Up?

So I will preface this by saying that I am somewhat of a "disgruntled Toms customer".  PLENTY of people wear and love Toms. I, however, am not one of them. When Toms first came out, I was a little surprised that the trend took off. They were the most flimsy looking shoes I'd seen, rivaling only to the "ninja" shoes that I used to wear in middle school... ok, I'll be honest, I wore a variation of them a few years back, but they were leopard print so I don't really put them in the same category. I was drawn to the grey wool Toms and finally decided to try them out.

A couple of things I noticed after wearing them:

- Unless you wear sock liners, they make your feet stink. And I mean, stink.  I hate wondering if the person next me can smell my feet... since I can! Who wants to be thinking that all day?!? Sock liners, however, tend to slip down given the way the shoe fits (allowing your heel to move up and down slightly as you walk).  So you may have to chose between stinky feet or uncomfortable liners that keep slipping down all day... tough choice...

- The back of my heel (below my achilles tendon) ached after wearing them. And not from any kind of rubbing... something about the style of the shoe put an odd strain on it and it is now sensitive to the touch even when I don't wear the shoes! Now, I am the Shoethinker. I own LOTS of pairs of shoes... and don't have a single pair that hurt as much as my Toms do. I have too many shoes to tolerate the ones that hurt my feet.

- They have almost zero traction. If you're walking on a smooth surface, use caution. They are slippery. I work in an old building with wood floors and I am always on guard, especially on the stairs. To fall would be bad... to fall in front of my students, even worse! My guess is that it would take the design team at Toms about 2 seconds to add a couple of pieces of rubber to add more grip to the soles, but then again, I am not in the shoe manufacturing business so perhaps I am off here, but it doesn't sound like a tough fix.

- Toms don't offer much support. And yes, I know you can tell that just by looking at them and I wasn't expecting them to provide much, but it is worth mentioning. I can feel almost every pebble in the road when I wear these. I contemplated adding a more substantial insole, but the shape of Toms is narrower and I didn't want to worry about the insole not fitting just right.

The only thing I like about them? I do like the color of the grey wool Toms, and that they are lined with fleece. They're a good "colder-weather" winter option if the above factors don't bother you. For me, personally, I am going to forego my Toms and invest in a pair of Vans classic slip-ons. It is an entirely different look, not as dainty, but I'm fine with that:).

Timberland Earthkeepers Stoddard Mid Biker Boot- Could they have a longer name for a boot?!

Harness boots have long been on my "want" list. I struggled with whether harness boots were too rugged, and had some hesitancy on what I would wear them with, but still... I was always intrigued and seeing people sport them well made me think that I could do it too. Fryes carry a hefty price tag of $250+, and that coupled with the fact that they don't allow discounts on sites, I haven't pulled the trigger. And now, I may not have to!

One of my all time go-to shoe websites is www.shoebuy.com. Sadly I get no money or gains from promoting their site or the shoes they sell, but they always have deals between 20%-30% off. One of their more recent cover pictures showed a pair of boots that caught my eye: the Timberland Earthkeepers Stoddard Mid Biker boot. Given that they have free shipping and free returns, I thought I'd give it a try. I own a pair of the taller boots (Timberland Lexis boot) and last year bought two of their Rudston boots (in two different colors in case you were wondering why I'd buy two of the same pair) so I knew they'd be comfortable, well-made and durable (and um, since I own them, stylish... well, to me, anyways:)).

The Stoddard has certainly lived up to that standard! There was no breaking in period for these boots- they were comfortable out of the box and I spent a full day, complete with lots of walking, in them with no complaint. The weather here has been decent with a couple of cooler (almost cold!) days but it hasn't been enough to make me pull out my boots. These "mid" boots are perfect- not too much coverage to say "it's winter" but enough to add a fall touch to your outfit. In fact, I am surprised at how much I can wear these with- today was Grandfriends' Day at our school (I am a teacher) and I so desperately wanted to wear these, but knew that it was one of the few times in a school year when I am expected to look nicer and somewhat non-grade-school-teacher-ish. I paired these with black leggings and grey shirt dress (yep, I mixed brown and black... I am only 5 years or so behind the trend!) and was surprised at the result... if I don't say so myself. These boots partner well with jeans (skinny and boot cut), skirts, dresses and I can definitely see these as being my go-to boots- the ones you pull on when you have to run out for a quick errand or dress up with something nicer for a night out. I have a conference to attend next month and I think these will be the pair that come with (and my sneakers because running on the treadmill with these would just be... weird... just plain weird). Can you tell I am excited about these?! Also, their mid length makes it easier to pack since they don't take up as much room, which is key for me since I travel about once... every year or so... ok, so that's not a huge factor for me, but perhaps it would if I traveled more.

The fit is pretty much true to size. I usually wear an 8.5 and these fit well in that size. I will say that getting one of the two boots on is sometimes tough- I don't know if it's my foot or the shoe... I have a pair of Uggs and have the same issue so perhaps it is me! I am hoping that as the leather stretches, this won't be the case. The opening around the calf feels slightly wide to me, but admittedly my calves are not the most developed... and they're skinny to begin with, so if you have normal to somewhat wider calves, these would work for you. My friend suggested leg warmers to fill the gaps... I am not sure I am desperate enough to go to that extent, but my tune may change when the weather gets into the 20s! I bought these in the "rust" color and am glad I did, but I could see myself liking the black as well. Overall, the fit, comfort, look and versatility of these boots make them a great buy!

Teva Haley Boot

I saw the Teva Haley boot last year and was not a fan of the different mis-matched shades/ types of leather. The contrast between the color of the suede and the color of the leather was just too much for me. This year, I came across them again and actually thought the color difference made it unique and a bit more than your average boot. I also liked that, unlike most of my other boots, they were lower and had a little bit more of a casual-sport look to them, and unlike most of my boots, they had a super price tag attached! $55, free shipping and free returns on www.amazon.com. I couldn't resist. I bought them in September and then had to wait five weeks till the weather dropped enough that wearing boots wouldn't make me seem like someone who wanted to get a jump-start on winter. We all know those people...the ones that wear boots in September on the first 60 degree day... or the ones that wear flip flops in March when the weather gets about 50 degrees for the first time... I'm not judging... and in fact, I've probably been guilty of it too... definitely no judgement. But in this case, the boots have a very obvious fleece section that shows through and when I think fleece, I think cold... or at least cool. So, I have them on today. They are amazingly comfortable and stylish with my skinny jeans... if I do say so myself. I originally ordered an 8.5, which is my standard shoe size, and they were too small- so I sent them back for a 9, and the fit is perfect. The leather around the foot is soft and my guess is that if you have wider feet, they will stretch out a bit. I find myself already wishing that the little elastic clasps on the side were tighter and am worried that they will stretch out with time... I'm considering adding a velcro tab on the inside of the flannel piece to keep it snug and flat against the boot. There are a lot of things I like about this boot: comfort, style, uniqueness, and some things I wish I could change: clasps, and the looseness of the leather below the ankle that sometime bunches and makes it look like your feet are wider than they are... maybe if my feet were wider, they'd fit into the boot better? No idea. But given that they were $55, I'm certainly sticking with them. Plus I've worn them out so they are mine now:).

Tsubo Acrea

I'll admit it. I am not a heel kinda girl. I really do like the look of heels, but after about 5 minutes in most heels, I am ready to throw them out the window (along with the money I spent on them unfortunately)! I secretly (or sometimes not so secretly) envy people who can wear heels all day and maintain a smile. There are SO many cute heels out there, but as reality would have it, I am a teacher. And no, I am not one of those teachers who wear mini skirts and heels to teach in (honestly, I haven't met any teachers who do!). I work with little kids. But even the least dressiest of us still need a good pair of heels or two. I love my Tsubo Asmiks so I thought perhaps that Tsubo would carry something that would work. I saw the Tsubo Acreas and loved the different, but still somewhat classic look to them. The back part wraps around your heel but is soft and more strap-like than solid heel-like. They are just the right height for us tall gals to wear without feeling like we tower over the rest of the population, stable enough to walk in, and stylish enough to get compliments on:). I usually wear an 8 in heels (8.5 in most other styles) and the 8 is perfect for me. If it is a bit snug, I imagine the heel strap will stretch a bit with use since the leather is pretty soft. They go well with boot cut jeans (I am not secure enough to wear them with skinny jeans, though my guess is they would look great, maybe with a looser fitting blouse... do people wear blouses anymore? I'm a teacher so as a rule of thumb, and to try to not come across as too teacher-y, I stay away from blouses...), dresses, and skirts, and can be dressed up or down. I own these in black, and my one disappointment is that the inside is a brightish pink color. I like my shoes uniform... or if they aren't, I like the difference between colors to be subtle, like black outside and grey inside. Although most of the pink is hidden by your foot, a small part shows through under your heel when you walk. My friend says that her favorite part, but this isn't her blog. I highly recommend these as a versatile and comfortable shoe that can go from office (notice I didn't say school... I have yet to find an outfit I'd wear to school that would go with these... note: today I am wearing jean capris and a Cardinals t-shirt... doesn't seem to go with heels) and then out to dinner/ drinks with the girls... comfortable, classic, and cute! Apologies for the stock photo! I'll add some real ones at some point... if I remember...

Ugg Lynnea Clog Boot

My first blog on shoes (ever) was on the Ugg Abbie clog, which even with its hazards, is one of my favorites. I own them in black and chestnut. Since three of the same shoe is a bit too much, even for me, I opted for something super similar, but different enough. The Ugg Lynnea. With a heafty price tag (retails for $200+), this boot is warm and stylish. Sadly it has been 80 degrees here and I have not had the chance to wear them, but from romping around the house in them (I suggest wearing them with something other than pijamas... not the best look), I can say that these boots are just what I was looking for. The fur lining is really just on the toe part of the insole, and then again around the cuff. My toes, yes, those need extra warmth from the fur, my ankles? Not so much. But, they were made to be worn either up or folded over in which case you would have the fur showing around the ankles. I've seen pictures on the internet of people wearing them with the exposed fur, and while it looks fine on them, I don't think I can bring myself to sport that look. I am usually a few years behind the trend (aren't you glad you are reading my blog?) so perhaps someday, but for now, I am perfectly content wearing them up. I went with the charcoal grey color figuring I could wear it with both black and brown, but I do have my eye on the chestnut color which has a reddish hue to it. I imagine that color would look great with blue jeans, or even grey jeans. The charcoal suede is burnished, a look I can't quite get over. It makes me feel like I haven't taken care of my shoes, even though they are brand new. Like jeans that come with holes in them. I am posting some terrible pictures... taken from my iPhone... did I just admit that the iPhone isn't perfect? Side track. I believe I would like them more if they were uniform in color. I asked Dave if he thought they looked weird being two toned, and he gave me a half hearted,"Nah," and then said people who know fashion will know they are meant to be like that. I work at an elementary school. Kids will think I spilled milk on the front of both of my shoes. Not that they were intentionally made to look like milk was spilled evenly... on both shoes. So now I am deciding between black, which is almost tooooo shiny for me, or holding out for the chestnut. Now, there is also the Ugg Lynnea II, which is almost identical to the original Lynnea, but the fur on the inside is more "hairy" vs. "sheepy" (think fur vs. knobby wool type) and it is dyed closer to the color of the shoe, and the top of the boot is more crinkly... I read somewhere that is more of an ostrich texture... I know exactly what that is since I handle ostrich skin all the time.

Both of these were taken with the flash on so the color difference stands out more.

The downsides: they are priiiicceeeyy! Again, I am a teacher. $200 is a lot for shoes... Uggs or not. The shoes also have a wooden/ clog bottom. They are loud when you walk and people can hear you coming from miles away. Maybe miles is a stretch, but take my word for it, wood floors and steps are loud. I feel like I am always calling attention to myself, or saying,"Hey, look at my shoes!" But for $200, maybe people should look at them? Sizing was also a complaint for some. I usually wear an 8.5, and went with the 8. I won't be able to wear thick socks, but I suspect I'll be able to suck it up from my car to the building if the weather is super cold. I don't plan to wear these hiking or on long walks so that doesn't bother me. They feel fine with normal socks but some 8.5-ers went with the 9 so they could wear those wooly socks.

All in all, I think the boot is a great buy... it can be dressed up or down, and goes with dresses, skirts, jeans, etc.  If you need to try it on, I suggest a store, though you will pay a lot more for it. Online, www.sportsauthority.com has the lowest price I've found (slightly over $100 for the black leather, $150 for the black suede, a lot more the chestnut). Free shipping and I believe, free returns, which is a plus. Here's a tip... if you add it to your cart, and then move your cursor to the "cart" link (but don't click on it), an extra 10% coupon may pop up to encourage you to check out... good marketing technique... worked on me!

Black Ugg Lynnea from Sports Authority... I'm not sure I would have looked there for Uggs... who knew?

Fly London Yogi Boots

These Fly London Yogi boots are adorable and a just different enough to make a statement without being overly-"out-there". I love the height and feel of the wedge sole- comfortable right out of the box! I own two other pairs of Fly London shoes and am super impressed by their comfort. I am a teacher so I am on my feet almost all day and I have never had a problem in these shoes. The leather on the top is soft enough to give when you walk so it doesn't pinch or feel tight across the top of your foot. The velcro closure in the back allows for a good fit, but honestly, if you pull it too tight, the side doesn't velcro all the down so it sticks out, but just placing the velcro where it does leaves the shoe secure enough- there is an elastic band on the heel so your foot won't slide out even if the flaps isn't pulled all the way. I typically wear a 39 EU/ 6UK but went up to a 40 in these and am glad I did. The Fly London Yogi's pair well with skinny jeans, leggings, and boot cut jeans. The wedge gives it some height but not too much to make it uncomfortable. Adding patterned socks above the boot adds just a little something extra!

Mary Janes with a Lift: Tsubo Asmik

My new fall/ winter style this year (admittedly I am always a few years behind) has been skirts and dresses with leggings. On cold days, the boots are perfect, but today, at the start of February, it is supposed to reach a high of 50 degrees. Too toasty for my Emus (I do not ever wear these in the summer... yeah, yeah, yeah, I know the style was first thought of by surfers on the beach, but really?!? Who wants to stick their damp foot into a wool lined boot?? Not I...), and other boots, and sometimes, it is nice just to mix it up a little. I was perusing a store in the Delmar Loop here in St. Louis on the hunt for some Fly London shoes (see previous post). Turns out they don't carry them anymore, but I did fall for a pair of Tsubo Asmiks in red... first of all, I love red shoes. My wardrobe is mostly grays and black so a hint of red does a lot to brighten up my look. When I put them on, the first thing I noticed was how tight the toe box was. My heel seemed to be in the right place, the length felt fine, but my toes were definitely squished. I'd consider my feet average and usually have no problem with shoes not fitting in the front. The sales lady assured me that the toe box would stretch out and after reading some other reviews online that seemed to back her on that, I went with the 8s (even though I was skeptical). I wore them for two full days at work and by the end of the day, the balls of my feet were aching. They weren't stretching as quickly as I needed them too. I used my husband's shoehorns to see if that would help expand the toe box... nothing. The shoes are completely adorable, but the sizing is tricky. I've sized up to an 8.5 and so far, they feel very comfortable, but a bit long. In an ideal world, it seems like I would take an 8.25 in these. It is still winter, so I am going with the 8.5 with hopes that in the summer with the heat and humidity, these will fit. I am pretty sure that if I stick with the 8s, my feet will resemble stuffed sausages when the weather warms up... and who wants that to ruin the look of cute shoes with bulging feet (ok, thats a bad visual)? I'd go for comfort over look so the fact that these have some space in the back bothers me a little, but not enough to part with them. I may go with an insole or something to cut down on the gappage (yes, I am aware that is not a real word) in the back. The pictures posted are of an 8, not the 8.5. I have also heard that they should have some space in the back, like Danskos, so your heel slides up and down freely, but I have not been able to find anything online to confirm this, just the word of the saleslady... the same one who swore the toe box on my 8 would stretch and be comfortable. Maybe they would have, but I know that when summer hits, they'll be too snug. The 8.5 is comfortable and I can wear them all day. The shoes look cute with skirts, leggings, boot cut jeans... maybe tights? Haven't tried them with tights yet though... stylist, cute, and comfortable. These are a keeper:)!

Fly London Yase

Being a shoe lover, I often struggle with shoe envy. My friend Cheryl stepped out of her house and immediately, I wanted her shoes. And yes, I know it sounds strange. Her shoes were from a brand called Fly London, one I had never heard of before, which surprised me. I like to think I know most of the cool shoe brands out there... anyhow, let's just say it didn't take long before I added a pair... ok, honestly, three pairs, to my collection. She owns two so naturally, I couldn't get those... I mean, I guess I could, but I already felt like I was infringing on her style, so I went for something similar, but not identical. The Fly London Yase seemed like a good introduction to the brand. They are a cute ankle strap shoe with a nice wedge on it. The wedge is slightly high, about 3.5" (technically, heel is 2.5" and the platform is 1") and I am already tall so I am surprised that I like these as much as I do. They are comfortable and the Yases didn't take much time to break in at all. I wore them to work (I teach and am on my feet all day) and was only distracted by how cute they were. It's pretty cold here now so they may have to hibernate for a bit, but once the weather warms up, these will be cute with leggings, skirts, dresses, capris, etc. I am not a huge fan of how they look with most jeans, but that is just me; it may depend on the cut of the jeans- skinny jeans, yes, boot cut/ flare not so much. Again, personal preference. The ankle strap worries me a little. I can see them stretching out with use. On the upside, they are soft and don't feel rough around the ankle, but I try to wear them a bit loose so they won't stretch out. I usually wear a 8-8.5 US/ 39 EU/ 6 UK and these were good in a 39. Again, it is cold here so I am hoping when it warms up, my feet will still feel fine in these. I ordered a pair of their ankle boots and had to order up a size in those. But in general, these feel true to size. Color... that was a tough one! I ordered the graphite which I consider to be gray, but they are more of a metallic- purple. They are a great alternative to usual black so the fact that the color is a tad unusual doesn't bother me. I also have a pair in "indigo". It is really more of a gray with a slight hint of blue...slate if you will. I am hoping to pair it with more brown tones. The truth is I can't get enough of them... the red is adorable as well! But I have my eye on a red pair from Tsubos so that is holding me off... for now. Besides, three of the same shoe is a bit much... even for me:)!

This is my new favorite background!
 The 5th/ 6th graders at my school made these out of bottles.

Salomon Emmy

I bought these Salomon Emmy boots a couple of years ago and was thrilled when I saw them this season in a Title IX catalog. I'd worn them with skinny jeans but given the number of shoes and boots that I own, these just never got the wear time they deserved. The catalog inspired me to wear them with a dress... and not just for snow. I know, it sounds weird, but I felt like they were more of a snow boot, and as it turns out, they are a great all-around winter boot. I paired them with this Horny Toad Roslinda dress (my all time favorite dress brand!) and some streaked tights and was surprised by how well the boots worked with the dress. It's a look I have repeated many times since.

The review: The soles of the Emmy are a tad thin for my liking. I feel like at times I can feel more through the sole than I can in other shoes/ boots. The profile of the boot is slim which suits some, but not all. Some people prefer clunkier boots but for dresses, the slim look keeps it feminine. Its got cute detail along the sides and a zip for easy in and out. The soles have good traction and are warm (enough). I think I wore them during a winter in Canada and man, my feet were cold, even with wool socks! But for the average day in the mid-west, these are fine. There is a small line of "fur-like" trim, but it doesn't look like you have an animal trapped in your boots. It's just a fine border of fuzz. The part under the detail is kinda like a thick sweater type of fabric, but it is just for show and doesn't go through to the other side of the boot. The two tone of the leather wasn't my ideal, but I've learned to like them and it doesn't bother me much anymore... except when I see the close up pictures:). These cute boots can be paired with jeans (tucked in), skirts, dresses... you name it... well, what else is there really? :)

Dr. Marten Avery Boot: Bringing Back the Docs

I have lots of fond memories of my high school days in Dr. Marten's. My wardrobe was basically unisex, but I had a good reason for that. We were living in Santiago, Chile and there really wasn't a grand selection of jeans that fit my tall, lanky figure (what I would give to still be tall and lanky!). I basically lived in "hand-me-down" jeans from my best friend Nick since boy's jeans came in waist and length sizes. Oddly enough, we were the same size... which I guess would make him tall and lanky too... sorry, Nick. Anyhow, my Dr. Marten 8- eye boots were brown and I wore them for years. There was almost no support left on the soles and I could almost feel the street through them by the time it was all said and done. I was sad to get rid of them, but really, it was time. I Goodwill-ed them and almost immediately felt a sting as I drove away. I should have gone back and retrieved them from the bin. I am hoarder so I feel like I've climbed a small Mt. Everest when I gather things to give away. But this was one I shouldn't have gotten rid of. So I decided to get back into the market and wow, have the options increased. My fall/ winter wardrobe consists mostly of dresses, leggings, and long sweaters so I wanted something that was spunky yet feminine. Patent leather? I just couldn't pull the trigger. They look amazing on some women, but given that I felt I was pushing the fashion envelope for a woman in her mid-30s, I thought I should stay conservative. I opted for the floral velvet and even though it took me weeks of putting them on and taking them off before I left the house, I finally took the plunge and wore them on the street, thus making them mine forever. They are amazing. I get loads of compliments on them all the time. They catch the eye, but just enough for people to think,"Hey, fun shoes..." and then move on with their lives. It doesn't stick out as gaudy and I think I pull it off. 

So my unbiased review. I love them. They were comfortable from the get go. I remember having to break my previous Docs in but not these. They are fabric so they are much softer and more flexible around the ankles. The color is perfect and it goes well with black, grey... hmmm, that's all I've worn it with... perhaps I am not as "fashion-forward" as I think I am... the velvet has a nice sheen to it so you can dress it up, or wear it down with some jean shorts (I haven't... and can't see myself doing so, but I imagine it would work for some?). The one downer: it is velvet... which means you can't polish off the scuff marks, and if it rains, you better stay inside. I sprayed mine with ScotchGard since the latter option isn't really practical. I haven't worn them out in the rain but psychologically, I'll feel better about having them on knowing they are treated. I do walk carefully and in general, I take good care of my shoes, so so far, they've held up well. Definitely a keeper! I also bought a second brown floral pair (canvas vs. velvet) and those will be heading back... too casual. Cute, but just not what I am looking for. The Averys are my middle-aged upgrade from the brown leather ones I used to own and I feel almost as cool as Avril... give or take 60 lbs... and give or take 20 years:).