Ladies, take a moment to look down at the shoes on your feet. Are your every day work high heels looking beaten and battered? Are the toes scuffed and fraying? Are the heels gouged and damaged? Then, it’s time for an upgrade, just in time for the new year.
Enzo Angiolini ‘Call Me’ Pumps ($67)
These inexpensive pumps are one of the best buys on the market. The Enzo pumps are 3.25″, which is a good mid-height for the office. With the addition of a ball of foot insole, I can walk for hours in these without issue.
In addition to these Enzo heels, I would look at the Michael Kors Flex heels in both the mid-height and the kitten heel. Several readers have mentioned this shoe in the comments as a comfortable, professional heel. If neither of those looks right for you, try the $55 Nine West Austin pump.
Have a bit more to spend? The Patrice heel from Rowen looks similar to the more expensive Loeffler Randall Tamsin heel. The shoes have a sleek shape with a 2.5″ heel that’s just a bit thicker for stability and comfort. I tried these on a few weeks ago and loved them.
Also in the $100-$200 price range, we have the Cole Haan Chelsea heel. I have several readers and friends who have told me that this shoe is all they will wear because they have the Nike Air cushioning in them. And I have two pair of Ivanka Trump shoes that I wear regularly, so these mid-heel Natalie pumps are worth a look.
I know some of you like more height. I would recommend staying at 4″, however, if you’re on the more petite side, I think you can go up to 4.5″ before the shoes start to look unprofessional. I love the look of a stiletto Louboutin or Jimmy Choo as much as the next woman, but they’re not something most of us can or should wear to the office. But if you need more height, give these Charles and David Sway II pumps (4″) a try.
A rep at a Cole Haan store told me recently that after this year their shoes won’t be made with the Nike Air cushioning. Might be time to buy a few pairs if what he said is true…
I’ve heard the same rumor. It’s no loss for me, because the cushioning makes my feet fall asleep, but if you like them, it may b time to buy a backup pair. Or nine.
Nike sold off the Cole Haan brand, so I’m guessing there would be some major licensing required to keep the Nike Air piece.
Rockport began making pumps with Adidas cushioning that I find more comfortable than Cole Hann. https://www.rockport.com/womens-adiprene-by-adidas-shoes
It’s more fun to get new shoes, but I find that taking a few pairs to a shoe repair place can be just as effective in making a pair of “new” shoes – plus you already know you like them! And you can get 3 or 4 pairs done for the price of new. I once got a pair of boots entirely re-soled and three or four pairs polished and re-heeled for the price of those Enzos….though they are very cute. Especially this time of year.
I agree if the shoes you’re repairing are either much beloved or high quality. But if they’re Nine West, it’s usually a better investment to buy new.
Belle, I’m having the HARDEST time trying to find some basic navy pumps. Does no one wear navy shoes anymore?? I work for a University whose school colors are orange and navy (Oskee Wow Wow!), so I wear alot of it and I would like another shoe option for the winter besides nude. All I’m looking for is a mid-height (2-3.5″), leather (not patent), closed toe pump, preferably with an almond shape toe. I tried to order a pair from Ann Taylor, but the “desert sky” color turned out to be more of a deep purple, not navy. I’m hoping for the $60-80 range, but am willing to go up to $130 if I absolutely have to. Any advice?
I-L-L
I-N-I!
After doing similar searches, I’ve come to the conclusion that this shoe does not exist. If Belle can find a navy pump fitting this description (that comes in a size 11!), I will be amazed.
The Nine West Adriana pump I mentioned below comes in a size 11. Link is here: https://www.ninewest.com/Andriana/7900761,default,pd.html?variantSizeClass=&variantColor=JJNG5D6_1&cgid=8346252&prefn1=catalog-id&prefv1=ninewest-catalog&prefn2=variantColorValue&prefv2=Blue
DSW has a limited selection and may be worth a try.
I’ll do some digging. If I find something, I’ll put it in Friday’s Weekly Reading.
Nine West has these – the Adriana pump is just under 3″ and comes in Navy saddle leather for $59 (can you tell I’ve been ogling shoes this week?). Here’s a link: https://www.ninewest.com/Andriana/7900761,default,pd.html?variantSizeClass=&variantColor=JJNG5D6_1&cgid=8346252&prefn1=catalog-id&prefv1=ninewest-catalog&prefn2=variantColorValue&prefv2=Blue
If you’re okay with suede – I have these, they really are navy, and adore them (3″ and $130)
https://tnuck.com/collections/ladies/products/del-suede-heels
LK Bennett Shilo were the ones I found. Navy, patent, 2 1/2 inch heel. Over $130, but the elusive navy pump is hard to find, and LK Bennetts are SO comfy.
https://www.shoes.com/en-US/Product/EC1217397-5077784/LAUREN+RALPH+LAUREN/Rl+Navy+Leather/Womens+Zabrina.aspx
These Ralph Lauren pumps are my go to. I have them in black and polo tan and haven’t found anything else that I can wear/walk in all day long. I want them in navy too.
They’re sold out right now, but Ann Taylor makes perfect pumps in navy. Wait for a sale and you can get a decent price.