Hello!

[jest]

Hello! I am in need of a second opinion! I can't decide if the following shoes are fun or fugly.

In the past I have always been a boots person, but since I sold my motorcycle last year, sneakers have suddenly become an option. I bought these today at a secondhand store for $10 (as new). I have 7 days during which I can bring them back and exchange them for something else. Advise me!

Comments

[cimorene]

The print is very pretty, but the sculpting is inelegant and really doesn't mesh with the fabric that well. The overall impression is pretty fug from this angle, but they might look okay on with jeans...

[jumpuphigh]

My personal philosophy is if I don't LOVE it, I don't buy it and I certainly don't wear it. So, do you LOVE them? It sounds like not-so-much if you are now questioning your purchase.

[ambersweet]

This is one of those, "Well, maybe if..." shoes that you run into at secondhand stores all the time. Like, maybe if it didn't have that strap across the back, or maybe if the soles weren't two-toned, or - ooh, here's something you could actually DO - maybe if you changed out the laces for ribbons. That MIGHT bump it all the way into crazy/fun.

It sort of looks like the bastard love child of a brocade slipper and a track shoe, though. I TOTALLY see the potential, but I have to agree with cimorene - the execution is just a little lacking.

[jest]

If that was my personal philosophy I'd be naked most of the time. *g* Honestly, I never start to love clothes or shoes until I've been wearing them for a very, very long time. It makes shopping a bit of a gamble because I never know what I am going to like until I have given it a chance. That's part of the reason I favour second hand stores... At $10 if I decide I hate 'em a month from now, it's not that big a deal. But if I had paid the original ~$150? That would be a problem.

[jest]

Having worn them around the apartment for a few hours, I have to say that if I had to run across North America tomorrow, these are the sneakers I'd do it in. It's like a team of engineers set out to design the most comfortable walking shoe ever, but it was HIDEOUS, so then they were like..."Well, what if we stuck some flowers on it?"

[jest]

Ribbons are terrific suggestion! A shiny red would carry the colour and texture of the floral pattern into the black leather laces panel (I don't know correct shoe terminology) which is where the design is sorta going wrong for me. *sigh* They would look so cute if the floral pattern had been carried over the toe rather than interrupted by that fat black strip of leather.

Based on how comfortable and well designed these shoes are as far as walking goes, I think ribbons are definitely worth a try.

[gblvr]

Okay, I'm going to buck the trend here, and say that I love them -- but then again, I like funky shoes....

[pensnest]

I like them too - after all, it's pretty hard to make really cute sneakers, and if these are comfortable, cling, cling to them!

[willidan]

Have to agree with everyone else; they're almost cute and I do agree some ribbon laces would make them better. But then again, if they're comfortable, I'd wear them for a run to the grocery store or laundry mat. And you can't beat the price tag. :)

[elizaria]

You've got several great replies here, which I agree with most, so instead I shall say hi and welcome!

[papercoversrock]

I like them a lot, but I agree with the other comments here that ribbon laces would do wonders for them. I had a pair very similar to this that I changed the laces on and it was like a new pair of shoes.

[jest]

Hi! Thanks for the welcome. It's a good group you have going here. *g*

[jest]

I changed the laces yesterday - it was enough to satisfy me!

[jest]

The people on my livejournal love them too! However, I don't think anybody over there spends as much time thinking about footwear as the people over here do. *g*

[jest]

I am liking them more with every wear, so I will cling, cling, cling to them. *g*

[jest]

The ribbon laces helped a lot, so for $10 I'm going to keep them.

[hillarygayle]

I'm in the "love them" boat. I like things with a lot of contrast, and something that looks like a running or hiking shoe, but executed in brocade? That's the definition of contrast.