Recently in Shoes Category

Q. I love your blog so much- the personality is really fun and you have great style. Anyways, I am in love with almost every Frye boot, but I don’t want to spend $400. Do you know of any good (cheap) look-a-likes to any of their riding boots? I especially love the Campus 12R in Saddle, but I could go for anything.

A. Hey, thanks fashfile, keep up the good work with your blog too! Frye boots are famous for their classic styling, comfort and super rugged durability. They look great with everything from jeans to dresses and only seem to improve with age. So if you’re really dreaming of owning a pair, we think it’s worth the $228 investment and the years of pleasure you’ll get from wearing them.

That being said, if you’re set on saving some cash, here are a few boots that are similar in style:

Equestrian Leather Boot, $125 at urbanoutfitters.com

Na Na Leather Riding Boot, $149 at victoriassecret.com

Bronx Footwear Linus Mid Calf Slouch Riding Boot, $150 at shopbop.com

PALLADIUM Women’s Hasselt $135.99 at shoes.com

Q. I am a confessed shoe-addict who adores heels (especially because they elevate my 5’5” frame) and can’t pass up a pair of stilleto pumps. Unfortunately, I will soon be starting a job where I will be doing a LOT of walking, and also spend a good deal of time in scrubs. Do you have any suggestions for cute but comfortable heels for the office (not too high) as well as shoes to wear with scrubs that AREN’T Crocs?

A. Congrats on the new job! We’re always in search of cute but comfortable heels for the office. Generally, a round toe and a stacked 2 or 2 1/2 inch heel will be your most comfortable. Also, look for shoes that have added cushioning, like our favorite Cole Haans with Nike Air technology. Here are some stylish, comfortable, cushioned office picks:

1. Cole Haan ‘Jena Air’ Mary Jane, $295 at nordstrom.com
2. Taryn by Taryn Rose Devour, $225 at piperlime.com
3. Gentle Souls Instant Hit, $265 at piperlime.com
4. Aerosoles Role Play, $89 at piperlime.com

As for what to wear with scrubs, I’m not really sure what the rules are here, but I assume you can’t wear sneakers. Though not the best looking, I’ve seen many medical staffers wearing Merrells. Here are a few comfortable options that may work for you, depending on the dress code at your workplace:

1. Naturalizer Cresson, $65 at piperlime.com
2. Cole Haan ‘Air Bria’ Mary Jane, $165 at nordstrom.com
3. Leather Comfort Ballet, $21.99 at landsend.com
4. MERRELL Women’s Plaza MJ, $89.99 at shoes.com
5. MERRELL Women’s Encore Groove, $74.99 at shoes.com

Q. I hope you can help me with what seems like a simple quest. I have been in search of some great versatile brown heels for at least a year now. I was originally looking for brown croc heels but am open to other options. Maybe I’ll have better luck in the fall but I have a bunch of skirts & outfits that really need a basic brown shoe now. I’d probably wear them mostly to work so need a closed toe & everything right now is sandals, open toed etc. Also on the wish list - heel about 2-2 1/2 inches high or less, dark brown in color. Most flat leather brown heels seem to look cheap to me so I’ve been avoided those. Or, the brown is a strange shade. Black is so much easier - black is black!

A. We found some truly beautiful brown shoes with moderate heels, including a couple of croc pumps. These are classic shoes you can wear year round. And all but one are under $100!
1. Nine West Nuncio 13, $69 at piperlime.com
2. Franco Sarto ‘Fall’ Pump, $84.95 at nordstrom.com
3. Circa Joan & David Reginah 7, $99 at piperlime.com
4. Kenneth Cole Reaction Bell-issma, $89 at piperlime.com
5. LAUREN Ralph Lauren Tamia, $99 at zappos.com
6. Terza Corsia, $79 at yoox.com
7. Cour Carre, $138 at yoox.com

Q. I’m getting married in August and I’m going to have a Church Ceremony. My mom is basically MAKING ME wear closed toe shoes because according to her strappy sandals are inappropriate for a Church Ceremony. Is that true???? I really wanted to wear strappy sandals instead of big clunky shoes! I need help convincing my mom. She will listen to you!

A. Strappy sandals are acceptable for most modern church ceremonies. If you belong to an ultra conservative church, or just want to please your mother, you can wear a closed toe shoe for the ceremony and then switch to a more fashionable strappy shoe for the reception.

Q. I have been looking everywhere for flat, silver leather, strappy sandals for a wide foot for summer for under $45. But I can’t find any that aren’t gladiator or thong style. I want a casual sandal that I can still dress up if needed. Do you have any suggestions?

A. Wow, that’s a tall (or wide) order - flat, silver, wide, not a thong or gladiator and under $45. We did find several silver wide options at zappos.com and shoes.com, but none that fit all of your parameters. You may have to raise your price range or opt for a slightly higher heel to find a silver shoe that fits your wide foot. Here are some of the best we’ve found: