Shoe Dilemma
October 10th, 2008 @ 5:56 pm by Miss Martini
If you know me, you will know that I’ve always had this strange hate relationship with shoes.
First of all, my shoe size is an annoying 5.5. Do you know what it’s like to browse through zappos.com, to see pages and pages of gorgeous shoes, then as soon as you filter to the size 5.5, watch all the shoes disappear as a single tear rolls down your cheek? That is my life story. Finding shoes in size 5.5 is an extremely frustrating task. I am also convinced that my small shoe size is the reason for my being so clumsy. Cracks in sidewalks somehow find me. Pebbles always end up in front of me. Sometimes I trip, then look back to see what the heck caused me to trip, only to find nothing there.
Second, I have NO taste in shoes. I wear the same black shoes to work everyday, whether I wear black, brown or blue pants. In the summer I wear the same beige sandals. Everyday. On casual Fridays, I wear the same black flip flops; the same ones I am wearing now as I type this.
I starting casually searching for shoes a couple of months ago. I figured I had a lot of time so it wasn’t a huge issue for me at first. But as time went on, I realized that this was harder that I thought! I couldn’t find a single pair of bridal shoes I liked.
Meanwhile, I have been entertaining the idea of wearing purple shoes to match my bridesmaids’ dresses.
This is the color that my bridesmaids will be wearing (not the dress):
From www.dessy.com, in color aubergine.
Since my dress is so simple, I thought it would look great if I zazzed it up with purple shoes and a purple bouquet. Unfortunately, some people didn’t like the idea. Even Mr. Martini thought that the idea of colored shoes was a fad, and that the purple I had in mind was too dark next to a white dress. It’s ivory!!
I can’t seem to shake off the idea though! I feel that if I don’t go purple I will always regret it, but I also don’t want to look back and wonder what the heck I was thinking. I considered getting nice ivory shoes to wear during the ceremony, and buying cheaper dyeable shoes to wear during the reception. But what shoes?
I sent an email to a few friends with a couple of shoe options and asked them for their opinions, and within 10 minutes my friend Susan IMed me, yelling at me for choosing absolutely hideous shoes. Then she sent me pictures of two perfect shoes which I fell in love with immediately. They looked so clean and classy. I didn’t even have a clue that Kate Spade made bridal shoes!
Of course, here we go again with torturing myself trying to decide between two choices. At first I fell in love with the Muse because it has more of that peep toe feel to it, which is what I was trying to go for. But then the Lover is starting to really grow on me. The Lover actually comes in my size, while the Muse is on sale but unfortunately comes in size 6 or higher (though depending on the shoe I can sometimes pull off the size 6).
Please help me with my decision!
Should I go for the Muse or the Lover?
What do you think of dark purple shoes against an ivory dress? Should I dye my shoes aubergine?
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52 Responses to “Shoe Dilemma”
I was just looking at these shoes yesterday! I second the vote for muse. I like the color shoe idea a lot, I would be going crazy to try to find the perfect match with the bm dresses but that is just me. Plus if you get purple you will probably wear them after the wedding more often!
if you want a purple shoe by all means get a purple shoe! sometimes people can’t picture what you see so they’re hesitant but then love it when you show them…maybe you can get a swatch that matches your dress and compare it to the color of shoes you’d like to show people.
either way, i say go for what your heart wants.
I votw for purple Lovers!!!!
I feel your pain– I’m a size 5!
Both shoes are gorgeous, but I’d probably go with the Lover since it comes in your size. It seems that with peeptoes, the foot goes forward in the shoe more, and therefore often makes you a smaller size than you might normally wear.
About the purple, I think it’d look great. If you’re not sure, maybe do a removable shoe jewel/decoration (on your 2nd pair) in aubergine? there are some pretty ivory rosettes on etsy, you could probably get them in purple.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_gallery_11&listing_id=15024787
I vote for Muse– the wide straps tend to be more comfortable than the thin straps on Lover.
I don’t think you will regret purple shoes either!
I love the idea of purple shoes. I would have done the same if I had purple BM dresses. I also love the Muse….delish! They are both very cute though….good luck!
I would go with the Lovers… They’re probably less likely to fall off your feet, are in your size and are super cute! 
I’m a size 4!
Luckily, I was able to fit in to Kate Spade size 5’s… with a little room to spare. I vote for the “Lover” shoes!
You should order both and see which fits and feels better. I think getting purple shoes is great. It isn’t going to show in all your pictures only a few.
I had red shoes for my wedding!! I wanted red shoes since the beginning despite hubby’s objection. After buying a dozen shoes elsewhere, I went ahead with them and I love them!
Between these 2 options, I’d vote for Muse as well. It’s so modern and cute!
I laughed when you said little feet were what you blame your clumsiness on….. my family tells me I am clumsy because I have large feet for my size! I love the idea of purple shoes, my favorite is the Muse shoe above.
I’m a HUGE fan of purple shoes! I’m wearing bright, bright blue shoes (they’re my something blue) by Steve Madden. Get ready for the ridonkulously long link:
http://www.endless.com/Steve-Madden-Womens-Shakeup-Pump/dp/B001200A52/ref=sr_1_2/?cAsin=B0012009U8&asinTitle=Steve%20Madden%20Shakeup%20Pump&&colors=519115011&size=40&dept=242321011&node=242321011&nodes=242321011&brands=Steve%2520Madden&keywords=&sort=shoesbrowserel2&&showDesigner=&secondaryBrands=&sizes=&widths=&heelheights=519509011|519510011&page=1&fromPage=search&contextTitle=&qid=1223680920188&sr=1-2&prepickColor=&asins=B001200084,B0012009U8
Muse in purple would be amazing!
I was going to get the Lover but the shorter heel version. I LOVE IT! but it was a bit out of my price range.
LOVERS it is!
BTW, if you want comfy reception dyables, colorrifics are extremely comfy! =)
Lovers. As much as I love the purple idea, i think you should stick with white/ivory. You’re least likely to regret it in years to come. Stick to the classic idea, everytime. You could add a little purple diamante brooch to the middle of the bow. I have actually added earrings to mine! they were big hideous stud ear-ings but made beautiful brooches for my shoes. Maybe a little purple diamante heart or something?
I really really really really like the Lover, especially since it’s comes in your size it’s likely to be comfier. I personally love colored shoes. But if you’re still hesitant I think Englishmuffin has a grand idea to put a purple accent on ivory shoes, although I think the bows on these ones would make that a little impossible. A plainer shoe w/ some fab clip ons would be my pick if you can’t go all purple.
Check out endless.com… I love their search function. You can limit the search by shoe size AND multiple colors AND heel height (ie 5.5, purple, ivory, 2″+ heel). I just did this for you and found this pair, that might be a fun mix of purple and not-so-purple.
http://www.endless.com/Jessica-Simpson-Womens-Josette3-Pump/dp/B001535AGU/ref=sr_1_22_vp/?cAsin=B001539BSS&asinTitle=Jessica%20Simpson%20Josette3%20Pump&&colors=519125011|519121011&size=40&dept=242169011&node=242169011&nodes=242169011&brands=&keywords=&sort=shoesbrowserel2&&showDesigner=&secondaryBrands=&sizes=519626011&widths=&heelheights=519510011|519511011|519512011&page=1&fromPage=search&contextTitle=&qid=1223684145583&sr=1-22&prepickColor=1&asins=B0011MY4WQ,B0018CAF0E,B0015D65BO,B0015TSFSO,B0019EZPDS,B001A6K0RG,B0016OHP2U,B0018CAF4K,B0016NT9BG,B001A5Y1FO,B0019FLI74,B001AH8DE2,B0016OIUPG,B0018CHO8K,B00134PKS4,B000UWS0RS,B0018CCONA,B0018L3TAI,B0015TGYUU,B000UWQE6W,B0016OM9TY,B001539BSS,B0012M6G2G,B001AGQL9C,B001A35SLM,B000UWVPI4,B000VYG2I4,B000UWOMOI,B00119OGNG,B000WFZGZW,B0011YU6DU,B000W937J0,B000W8YIGW,B000X2B4Q4,B000W9RKIE,B000XRMY3Q,B0012LUMYU,B000SOYJO6,B0012M6B2Q,B0015357MC
Oh and they have an easy return policy. I found my gold wedding shoes here. Easy.
Good luck and don’t forget to let us know what you end up selecting!
muse!
I know your pain! I was nodding the whole time!!!! especially the zappos thing sometimes I can’t even fit into a size 5 1/2 and thats the hardest part of all!
Funny. I wear size 7 and I absolutely hate it. Can never find cute shoes on sale. It’s either too big or too small.
I agree with another commenter. Buy both, and return the one u don’t want. Shoes look different when you actually wear them.
I don’t see a problem with wearing purple shoes. I even thought about wearing hot pink shoes. :p
Though, I’m not sure if this is true or not. I heard that the color of dyed shoes tend to run when it’s wet. I wouldn’t want anything staining a wedding gown.
You could try finding purple shoes. like this one. (ex for color not for style) :p
http://cgi.ebay.com/ITALY-Auth-KATE-SPADE-Purple-Heel-Sandals-SHOES-Sz-6-B_W0QQitemZ270284112844QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270284112844&_trkparms=72%3A1406|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ebayphotohosting
I really, really don’t think that you will regret colored shoes. I wore blue shoes for my wedding (matched my bridesmaid bouquets) and it honestly wound up being one of my favorite things. My mother thought I was nuts, and told all the relatives how much she hated my shoes, but you know what? I don’t care. I think she hated them because she didn’t think they were very me, because I’m so classic and sophisticated, and she couldn’t picture me in anything but timeless white shoes, but I LOVED my shoes. And, as a bonus, I’ll wear them again, which I never would with white shoes. Honestly, shoes don’t show that much, except tiny peeks in photos (well, and when you do the hora in a Jewish wedding), and the only people who noticed were the ones LOOKING for the shoes because my mother ranted and raved about how much she hated them. But going back and forth, I would have regretted going with a plain white shoe over my colored shoes, because it just added a secret little punch that wasn’t noticeable under my dress, but brought a smile to my face every time I thought about it.
Muse!
I love both…
if you do order either one of them..bluefly got them for 40% off. Plus $30 off your order if you spend over $150. Coupon THIRTY2793
i like the muse.
i too have a hate relationship with shoes. i wear a 10 1/2 - 11 wide. its hard for me too!
Yes, colored shoes are a fad.
No, I don’t think in the future you’ll hate yourself for wearing them. Best case, you’ll grin and remember it was such a happy day with the shoes being a detail _you_ wanted. Worst case, you’ll laugh at the silly fad (just like we laugh at moan about what we used to wear as teenagers).
Yes, I do think in the future you’ll be more disappointed that you gave up a decision for something you wanted - and one that only you have an input in saying. (Its different when compromising with others or letting others make the decision on salmon vs halibut. You, however, are perfectly in control of how you dress your feet unless someone would be very touched if you wore your great-great-great grandmother’s wedding shoes.)
Purple toenails!! 
then you can have both!
Totally go purple! I bought gorgeous dark purple shoes and my dress is ivory. I can’t wait to wear them all together! If you feel like you can’t let the idea go then that means GO FOR IT!
I love the Muse shoe. The bow is wonderful addition to the shoe and very sweet. Maybe try and find a pair of cheap purple shoes and see how it looks with it before dying the shoe. But I think colored shoes - any color against white/ivory/etc POPS and makes a statement.
I was literally just browsing these shoes (and others) before I wandered over here to check out the bee, My vote is also for the Muse. The lucky thing is if they are really too big, you can return it with free shipping. Good luck!
Honey, I say if you want purple shoes, wear purple shoes. I’m thinking about doing that myself (my bridesmaids will be in lavender). And think about it this way - are you more likely to wear a pair of kick @$$ purple shoes again or a ivory ones that match your wedding dress?
I would totally do purple! I wore ivory shoes for the ceremony and chuck taylors that matched the groomsmen for the reception. If I had it to do again I would wear the chucks for the whole thing. They were way more comfortable and show personality in a minimal way.
The Lover! And go for the purple shoes! I am wearing red shoes and they match my BM dresses, so it’s the same thing. Besides, you only see them in “foot shots”. The rest of the time they’ll be hiding under your dress!
first off, go with the purple shoes if you want purple shoes! i think they’ll look fabulous and you’ll feel fabulous! i’m looking for the perfect pair of red heels myself ;).
as for those lovely kate spades, i love muse. i tried on a similar pair (or maybe there were the same?) in red at nordstroms and they were superrrr comfy. i now regret not purchasing while i could have!
I think PURPLE! It would look great w/ivory & the bridesmaids. Also muse is cute.
I have to agree if you want purple go purple. I am actually wearing fuchsia shoes with a matching bouquet. I think it really shows my personality as I love pink and the girls didn’t end up in pink because I was really looking for magenta since my wedding is a few weeks away and we never could find the perfect color. I know I will have no regrets and I don’t think you will either!
You should do an Ebay search to see if there is a listing in your size. You never know what you can find! I’m doing colored shoes and don’t care if they’re “trendy”. I know they’re more me.
I think the lover is really beautiful, plus it is so important to have shoes that fit you well. And i agree with the purple toenails. But if you want purple shoes, i think you should at least get them and try them on with the dress. See if you like it. It could be really nice or yucky, but try it out!
GO PURPLE! i like the Muse better, but I REPEAT: Go Purple! you will not regret it. It would look awesome, and yes, you will wear them again, and yes, it will be one of the things you look back at and remember wonderfully!
I’m a fellow 5.5-er! And yes, it IS tough! Sometimes a 6 works for me when I’m trying it on in the store. But then I’ll buy them and realize that they feel like flip flops, flopping around my foot. :T
Do you have a problem with slingbacks staying on your heel? Mine ALWAYS fall down and I end up stepping on it. SO annoying…. so for that reason, i vote LOVER! But I would go try them on and see which ones look better on your feet!
if the muse doesn’t come in your size, don’t get it. look at the design - i’ve had shoes like those before, and even when they were my size they slipped off. what can be more annoying than constantly sliding off shoes on your wedding day? even if they came in your size, i would recommend the lover. i like the lover to begin with!
I wore fuschia heels from Nordstrom and it was my favorite part of my look for the day! And I got lots of compliments, even more now that people are seeing the pink peek out in the pictures. Wear the shoe YOU want!
My friend is wearing dark purple shoes, my sister in law wore red, and I’m wearing blue. Wear whatever color you want! Oh and I like the lovers. Try endless.com for shoes - but I don’t think they carry Kate Spade =(
I have tried on both and neither were comfy…I couldn’t imagine walking, much less dancing the night away in either. Try them on before you purchase!
lover!
I feel you too. I wear a size 5 and it’s hard! I like the Lover but have you thought about silver shoes?
I saw a bride paint the bottom of her shoes a funky color. It’s Christian Louboutin-esque. I think purple soles would make some super cute creative photos too, like the classic “foot-pop” kissing shot…you two kissing with one of your feet up (hope that makes sense), or just a shot of you from the back looking at the bottom of your shoe like you stepped in something. Cute, no?
i think gold/silver shoes would look stunning also. white or ivory seem too bright for the dress in my opinion. but i do love the Kate Spade Lover!
purple stuart weitzmans - would still be cute with jeans!!!
The muse is way cute, BUT if you’re as clumsy as you say, then the lover will hold your feet in more with the straps. You could also dye the shoes to match the exact shade of the bm dresses. Gluck!
[...] Shoe Dilemma by Miss Martini [...]
Miss Martini, New Jersey
Age and Occupation: 30, Telecom by day, Superhero by night
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Investments & Finance by day, Hip hop dancer by night
Engagement Date: May 24, 2008
Wedding Date: March, 2009
Blogging Since: August 18, 2008
Venue: The Venetian
About Me: Things that make me happy: Haribo Happy Cola gummies, TV shows on DVD, buying books although I never read them, 80’s rock ballads, ramen, and of course Mr. Martini! He is the calm, logical and number crunching finance guy. I can’t even multiply double digit numbers in my head and I am so indecisive that trying to choose between light green or slightly lighter green paper stresses me out (Wedding planning is going to be soooo much fun). We both find great joy in nabbing great seats at the movie theater for a blockbuster movie on opening weekend, and we are both absolutely crazy about snowboarding. And he loves to cook, I love to eat!
I vote for muse - but they are both beautiful. (And I personally LOVE the idea of a purple shoe - I don’t see how you will regret it.)