Yes, you, readers, I’m talking to you. Why on earth did you have to suggest to me so many fabulous red shoes?
And with all that talk of free shipping and returns, before I could come to my senses, shoes from endless were on their way.
Uh-oh…
trouble..
has…
ARRIVED!
(l to r: Vaneli “Larinda”, Unlisted “New Love”, Exchange by Charles David “Camisole”, Charles David “Baci”, Chinese Laundry “Bowie”)
Since it is too hard to tell what fancy shoes look like while wearing khakis, naturally, I had to put on a favorite little black dress to really get a sense of what the shoes really look like. Since the wedding really is an excuse to buy amazing red shoes, I have to be able to wear those shoes the next time a fancy occasion comes up.
Warning: Pictures of feet are below.
The first pair by Vaneli were a very bright red color. Overall they looked fine, but nothing to write home about, and I’m really going for fabulous.
Second pair by Unlisted was nice, but the positioning of the straps seemed to make my toes look really long. Comfortable enough, but missing a bit of pizazz.
Third pair but Exchange by Charles David were suggested to me by several people- and they are really pretty shoes. Excellent arch support. Sadly, though, at a heel height of 3.5″, they were a bit too tall for me- and didn’t have enough red to them.
Fourth pair by Charles David are arguably the most beautiful shoes I have ever worn. Ever. But they pinched my feet some, and at 3.5″ high, were again too tall.
And the final pair, by Chinese Laundry. Of all of the shoes, these were absolutely the most comfortable. I liked the fact that the shoes really seemed to hold in my feet. (No duh, Miss Dahlia. It’s because they are more like regular shoes and not the sandals that you have been trying on.) And not to get all matchy matchy, but the color does happen to be the exact same shade as the bridesmaid dresses, only shinier. They are absolutely not as gorgeous as the Charles David shoes. But the more I walked around in them, the more I really liked them.
Only thing is, part of me is still not sure about the criss-crossing in the front. There is a (small) nagging part of me that thinks that the shoes are more fugly than fabulous.
So, your thoughts. Are the Chinese Laundry shoes fab or fug?
absolutely keep the charles david - just get the heels trimmed! so much more fabulous!
If you like ‘em, keep ‘em 
They really don’t do much for me personally, though, I’ve gotta admit. I’m still loving that first pair of Charles Davids! Though hey, if the heel’s too high, it’s too high. 
Maybe only fantastic shoe people are supposed to respond, but I like them. AND they’re the same shade of red I used (okay, maybe that’s why). I couldn’t believe how hard it was to find a shade of red that wasn’t bright cherry.
I love the fourth pair of Charles Davids. They look like Louboutin’s! But I hear you on the heel height… but I’d wear them anyway for photos and change into flats for dancing. But I’ve never been a practical one when it comes to shoes!
what about these (all under 2&1/2″):
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/23141215/c/77659.html
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/23854812/c/5360.html
Hrmm, NOT fug, they are interesting, although I think you really have to try them on w/your your dress to know for sure. I understand your search for red shoes… I had the same obsession!!! =)
I dunno about you, but I have a hard time w/slingbacks. they always slip off my feet… but my wedding shoes were slingbacks nonetheless!! hehe
fug
Great shade of red! But, yeah, the criss-cross style doesn’t do it for me….
I really like that last one Jen posted!
…the thing is, I’m starting to think that a hot red shoe…you might kinda have to go with a tall heel to get the whole effect, ya know?
truth… keep shopping. They look outdated.
I’m loving the Charles but the Chinese Laundry not so much! Sorry! I say get the heel trimmed too!
I am not crazy about them either but if you love them go for it. Then again I pretty much only wear mary-jane type shoes & the occasionaly strappy heal. I had a hard time in my hunt for redish wedding shoes are these are what I just got, see mary-janes
Yea, they’re a little fug - something says 1980’s about them to me….
I really like the third pair. Very delicate looking. I love delicate looking shoes 
sorry dahl, they fugly.
if you’re not getting the charles davids, then go with jen’s last link! HAUTE!
i wouldn’t go so far as to say fug, but i’m not loving them. they look kind of old ladyish.
they loook a little matronly…sorry!
O.k. minority here but I like them and think they are very classic and elegant. Obviously they are a more conservative look and they don’t scream “sexy” like the others but it all depends on the look you are going for.
I know people like the Charles’ Davids and I know the look you’re going for but those look like eighties homecoming queen to me…like they’d go with a bubble skirt, poof sleeves, and high bangs.
fug-tastic. They look a little matronly. Although the color is fab.
Miss Dahlia, they are just not fabulous enough for you. Send them all back and keep on looking! You will find the ones, I promise!!
The fourth pair are gorgeous. Beauty before pain!!! But please don’t wear panty hose with them!
I agree. The second to last ones are AMAZING, but the last ones are definitely a bit matronly and just not so cute. But hey, ordering more shoes is never a bad thing!
Thanks for all of the feedback! Mr. Dahlia will most likely have the final say when it comes to them.
As for the pantyhose, Mrs. Strawberry, that won’t be happening on the wedding day, but I wanted to make sure that I didn’t get any marks on the shoes, since I knew I would be returning most if not all of them. 
Anyone else want to chime in?
The lattice work front looks okay by itself, but a little weird with your feet in the soes. Also, I’m afraid your big toes might pop out of the front as the night wore on.
Here’s a pair with a little bling (and 2-3/8″ heel/padded insole):
http://tinyurl.com/yrb5ne
And here’s a dark red satin, sandal 2″heel:
http://tinyurl.com/yq8cmc
Different styles:
http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod88554271&catId=cat240223
http://www.stevemadden.com/DREAMIN-RED-PAT
http://www.stevemadden.com/FANCI-PURPLE-FA
http://www.stevemadden.com/ROSANNA-RED-PATENT
These might not quite be right (many are pretty high), but a few different styles to maybe give you some more ideas…
PS–can you size up 1/2 size on #4–they look too small and that is probably why they are pinchy.
hmmm, not loving any of them to be honest. The last pair are kind of frumpy (what does fugly mean?! I’m scottish, never heard it before!), matronly - yes. I almost love the ones with the bow, but the ack does’t balance with the front and they’re starting to look minney mouse-ish.
Keep looking! xxx
Cara, it’s a meshing of words (we love to do that a lot): f-word plus ugly.
I agree that they’re kinda fugly. Sorry. They’d be ok if they were just a basic peeptoe, instead of all the wierd criss-crossing going on. I agree that the Charles David shoes are the best. They’re sexy and I like the retro vibe.
I love the chinese laundry shoes actually….something a little different? the others look like the typical bridal/bridesmaid shoes. But I also like the ones with the bow…
I agree with your tastes (they ALL looked so cute stacked next to each other though!). The Charles David pair is beautiful! However, I have to be honest, the Chinese Laundry pair, fug to me. They look like baskets!
Good luck, I cannot wear heels over 1 inch!
Unfortunately I think that the Chinese laundry shoes leave a slight bit to be desired, and lack the omigod factor that the charles David’s have.
Here’s a naturalizer lizard 2inch: http://www.shoebuy.com/naturalizer-entari/208625/457576
Annie satin and rhinestone 2 3/4: http://www.shoebuy.com/annie-marlene/213010/464274
boutique 9 rebecca: http://www.shoebuy.com/boutique-9-rebecca/213723/465718
The Charles David pair are great. Zara actually had a similar pair of red satin heels a month ago in their shops. The only difference was that the back was a complete back and not a strap and it had a cool chrome heel. Those Chinese Laundry are fugly, but people probably wouldn’t notice with your dress, right?
fug! sorry….
Love them! Yay Chinese Laundry!
LOVE both Charles David. The Chinese Laundry aren’t fug, but they aren’t that special. Gotta say, the only actually fug thing in any of those pictures is that you have on pantyhose with open-toe shoes. Eeek!!!
Yeah, not good sorry.
My vote is to keep the unlisted ones, but add a small broach to where the straps all cross. that will jazz them up a bit.
I think that if you wore them without the stockings, they would look better, and you wouldn’t get the feeling about your toes being too long that you feel now.
definitely fug - looks like somebody started bandaging your toes with red tape, but gave up in the middle and didn’t finish the job. they also remind me of the lattice on top of pies.
Sorry, fug. But I LOVE that fabulous Charles David pair!
the charles david shoes are so much nicer. don’t do the chinese laundry.
go for the Charles David - wear them around to soften them up a bit- and maybe add some foot petals to them. They are Wedding Fabulous. the other shoes are nice- but not va va voooooom
Yeah, I’m not liking those much. Keep looking if you didn’t like any of the other ones, I think.
Girlfriend, wear what’s comfortable! Some of the other shoes are sexier, yes, but unless your dress ends at your knees ppl really won’t be seeing your shoes. They will however notice the bride who keeps shifting her weight from one uncomfortable foot to another all day!
I had a pair of platform flipflops to wear only during the outdoor ceremony and pictures. Had a sexy pair of 3″ stilleto mules to change into right before the first dance. Never changed shoes - the flipflops were too comfortable and no one could see my feet anyway. Hopefully I’ll get the stilleto’s dyed black someday…but the flipflops were kinda fun.
i agree with the majority. i like the charles david the best and plus miss petunia’s last link.
I love the 3rd pair. I’m not a huge fan of the last ones. The criss crossing isn’t my cup of tea. I completely agree that you should get what you love and what is comfortable!
Personally, I like the Chinese Laundry pair a lot…I must be the only one, haha. I do like the Charles David shoes too!
Ok, I just looked at them again. Scratch that, I LOVE the Charles David shoes.
Please do not wear pantyhose with open toed shoes!
Sis-in-law… my faves are also the Charles David ones. Make it work girl! They are fabulous !! can i wear them too? ; )
fug
i dont know about the chinese laundry ones.. if it wasn’t for the criss crossing they’d be really good though!
did u know you can get ur heel shorten? at least a good 3/4 to an 1 off… years ago when my prom date was shorter than me and my heels were too tall… i took em to the shoe doctor and asked them to take off as much as they can! maybe this will help you out with ur too tall heels problem!
The Larinda ones are mine!! In red, too!
I love them…and they are very comfy.
awww i feel bad but the Chinese Laundry pair are kind of fug. I love love the Charles David shoes. Maybe if you break them in more they won’t pinch your feet. The November/December 2007 issue of Brides has a feature about adding color to your look and one of the pages are these bright red shoes that made me think of you. from justsweet for $100.
Its these but in red. Page 390, check it out.
the charles david pair with the bows!!! beaaaauuuutiful.
love the last charles david! don’t like the laundry good luck with the search!!
same w/ jennifer’s comment…
i thought it was a big fashion faus pas to wear stockings w/ open toe shoes??
If you read ms dahl’s comment (#25) she was wearing the hose so she could return the shoes. You said you are going for fabulous… so I have to say the chinese laundry ones have to go! But I agree with the majority….fourth pair is unreal beautiful. If not those or the third pair, keep looking, IMHO.
I say if you like them, then get them! It’s for you after all, right? If you decide to keep looking… I got the Annie Lolas from Zappos in blue for my wedding- the second link Jen listed. The color may be too bright of a red for you, but if it isn’t, I would suggest trying those. Not too high of a heel (which is what I was looking for) and they’re pretty comforable- I wore them all night!
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Fug. I agree that they look a little matronly.
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I hate to say it as well.. but yeah, they’re pretty fugly. kinda remind me of something my great grandmother would wear to a nice dinner. You know… red heels should = sexy. with that probably means some exposed skin, and some pretty pedicured toes. LOVE LOVE LOVE the CD Baci (bow heels). I would just go 1/2 size up and add foot petal inserts to make them more comfy and fit better.
Regarding the height, I think I agree with Miss Petunia. I’ve had a few friends who were slightly taller than the Mr. on their wedding day and no one could care less. You could do the Katie Holmes slight knee bend for pics?
Oh… and to those who don’t agree with pantyhose and open to shoes, they’ve had toe-less pantyhose for quite a number of years. I’ve bought them from Nordstrom and VS before. I had to wear them in a more conservative pantyhose req. office and tripped out my boss before when she thought my legs were just sooo smooth! just fyi.
comfort over beauty! wear what feels good! you won’t have much fun if your feet hurt all night. =(
[...] want to thank all of you who offered up opinions in my last shoe post. After much deliberation, and asking the opinions of my mom and Mr. Dahlia’s mom, I decided to [...]
Ms. Dahlia, Detroit/Cleveland
Age and Occupation: 24, PhD Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, IT System Administrator
Engagement Date: December 31, 2006
Wedding Date: May 2008
Blogging Since: September 19, 2007
Venue: United Methodist Cathedral & historic downtown hotel in Cleveland
About Me: I enjoy cooking, dancing and swimming. I am a geek and apply game theory to my everyday life. Winter is my favorite time of year, especially when spent curled up with good coffee and a book by Madeleine L'Engle.
can’t lie… i’m not crazy about those shoes. it’s the criss-cross up front. if they were closed toed in the same shape, they’d be fabulous! too bad the charles david shoe is so bright… in the chinese laundry color, you’d have a winner!