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Un-Fancy

fall outfits, Outfits: Fall

4.14 when things don’t work out

10/20/14

fall-outfit-ideas-12 fall-outfit-ideas-13

Yes. I put my shoes on with the straps twisted and didn’t realize it until just now.

fall-outfit-ideas-11fall-outfit-ideas-14 fall-outfit-ideas-15

Remember that time I was like, “Hey everyone! I’m going to get my heels shortened!”

About that.

Funny story.

:)

A day or two after I wrote that post, I diligently took my shoes to Austin Shoe Hospital. A bearded man in an apron greeted me with a smile. I reflected his smile right back as I set my shoes on the counter and explained my hopes and dreams for these shoes. He picked up the shoes and gave them a thorough once over with an expert eye — testing their flexibility, inspecting the heel, noting the materials.

Then, abruptly:

“This heel cannot be shortened.”

Insert grumpy cat meme.

I was bummed. But I kept chatting with him to see if I could learn a thing or two about why it wasn’t going to work this time + what it would take to make it work in the future.

Here’s what I learned:

These shoes are, y’know, pretty cheap. The sole is made of plastic, so it’s 100% inflexible. If I had brought in a nicer pair of shoes with a leather sole, he could have shortened the heel about half an inch to an inch depending on how flexible the sole is. And it would have run about $15 per heel.

So it didn’t work out. But … I’m remembering the words of my favorite adopted grandfather + renown conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Benjamin Zander: How fascinating! 

Another mistake? How fascinating! Another opportunity to learn something just presented itself.

I’m definitely filing this information away for future use. And hopefully, it’s useful to you too.

In the meantime, I’m still wearing these shoes all the time — they are my favorites after all. It’d be nice if they could have been shortened, but since they can’t, now I’m practicing the art of walking in high heels. It really does get easier with practice.

Top: Aritzia

Plaid Shirt: J.Crew (similar)

Bottoms: Gap (similar)

Bag: Madewell (similar)

Shoes: Aldo

Necklace: Moulton

Bracelets: Moulton

Rings: Moulton

29 Comments

Related

Comments

  1. Autumn says

    October 20, 2014 at 6:08 am

    Hi Caroline! I also struggle walking in heels, but have found this YouTube video helpful. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lSNh2FyjleQ
    Hopefully, it’ll help you with those cute shoes. : )

    Thank you for your blog. It is helping me tremendously!

    Autumn

    Reply
  2. Kimberly says

    October 20, 2014 at 6:58 am

    That stinks about the heels! Come winter you’ll be walking like a pro in them, giving us all tips, I’m sure!

    Two questions about the Aritzia shirt:

    1. They describe it as a tee, you say sweatshirt. Can you tell more the feel of the shirt? Is more of a hybrid of the two?

    2. Do you LOVE IT?!

    Thinking about it for my winter capsule!

    Reply
    • Autumn says

      October 20, 2014 at 10:56 am

      I have it! It’s more like a thick tee cut like a sweatshirt. I really like it. it’s cute with skinny jeans & a scarf and as a bonus, it covers the rear. It runs big. I usually am a Medium in 99% of tops, but in this one I am a Small. Hope you like it!

      Reply
      • Kimberly says

        October 20, 2014 at 11:02 am

        Thanks, Autumn! I really appreciate your reply! :)

        Reply
      • Mallory says

        October 22, 2014 at 12:38 am

        Yes! Thanks Autumn! I just ordered a size down. I love it. Can’t wait to add it to the fall capsule!

        Reply
  3. Niinipuu says

    October 20, 2014 at 7:12 am

    I totally hear you! I’m having fantasies about 2-3inches high heels boots similar as Acne Pistols. :D Apparently not in my country here in Finland. I don’t know how other people manage to walk in the winter slippery with 4inch high heels?! Please tell me! :D :D Just bought pair of boots ‘cos they were so comfy(!) in second hand, 20€ Ecco’s sculptured heel boots with one inch heels. If your budget stretch little these sculptured heels are something with recommend!

    Reply
  4. Mindy says

    October 20, 2014 at 8:04 am

    1. I am digging this outfit. I rocked that flannel yesterday :).

    2. An idea…I’m not sure if the bottoms of those shoes are “slick” which could be making them hard to walk in, you can get a rubber sole added to them. The rubber sole makes all the different and can be added to most anything (I did a pair of Aldo sandals once that I got dirt cheap).

    3. I love your entire wardrobe concept and am considering doing this and another “basic/classic” concept that I found.

    Thanks for the amazing blog. Love seeing your looks everyday.

    Reply
    • Casey says

      October 20, 2014 at 6:47 pm

      You can also take sandpaper and roughen up of the bottoms of heels when the soles are really slick. Probably not as effective as rubber soles, but even less expensive! I’ve done this and it was helpful. Just gave them a little more grip.

      Reply
  5. Tania [girlwithanakita] says

    October 20, 2014 at 8:17 am

    I love your positive spin on everything in life! Sometimes, I get cranky about something dumb and I go to your blog and I feel the energy — and my day brightens up just like that. Between you and your positive readers, this blog is like therapy!

    Oh and I’m digging straight hair on you :)

    Reply
    • Nicolle says

      October 20, 2014 at 9:18 am

      Seriously! I come here throughout the day just to check in on the comments. Love the positive vibe here!

      Reply
      • Glenda says

        October 20, 2014 at 11:59 am

        @ Nicole: I’m guilty, too!

        Reply
  6. Nina says

    October 20, 2014 at 9:04 am

    Oh that sucks! I was really counting on your opinion on whether they were still comfortable / more comfortable after the heel shortening! Might still take the risk myself, that is, if my heels can be shortened, not sure what the sole is made off… It looks pretty plastic-ish to me, but you never know :)

    Reply
  7. Svenja says

    October 20, 2014 at 9:09 am

    Kinda sad, it didnt work out with the shoes this time.
    The outfit is lovely though..The touch of red is really nice for fall!
    Love,
    Svenja

    Reply
  8. Nicolle says

    October 20, 2014 at 9:21 am

    Really, really loving this outfit, Caroline! I just Google’d ‘how to tie a flannel shirt around your waist’ as I can’t seem to make it look cool and effortless. Makes me feel like a noob, but hey, I have to start somewhere! ;)

    Such a bummer about the shoes, but like you said, now you have great insight to take with you when you’re shopping for shoes for future capsules. They really do look great and I’m sure you’ll get used to the height soon!

    Reply
  9. Karen says

    October 20, 2014 at 9:23 am

    What a humble post! Thanks for the follow up on getting those heels shortened. BTW, I started my Fall capsule over the weekend, and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. I am excited to get dressed in the morning, and it was very enlightening to see how much clothes I was actually hoarding. Thank you for your blog! Your inspiration creates positive ripples.

    Karen

    Reply
    • Kimberly says

      October 20, 2014 at 11:06 am

      Love that last line … Your inspiration creates positive ripples. So true!!

      Reply
  10. Elle T. says

    October 20, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Though I’m not sure of how well these will work for you (and I haven’t tested them since I haven’t a reason to wear high heels at the moment) but I have heard that some sole inserts made by a company called Insolia (it’s floating around on Amazon too) could help take weight-bearing pressure off the front of the foot and put it back a little closer to the heel, where it would be more comfortable. Just an idea.
    Thank you for your honesty, by the way. And all the same, those shoes do look wonderful on you!

    Reply
  11. julie says

    October 20, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    Great to know!! That really is a good learning experience. Good luck practicing walking in those! ;)

    xo Julie | Cap and Gown Style

    Reply
  12. K. says

    October 20, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    Bummer! I just ordered these (because lurve!) and was really hoping that your cobbler would say “Yes! We can take off 3/4 inch, no problem!” I’ll have to think long and hard about keeping mine now. However, I thought I would ask if you have ever seen and tried the Superfeet Insoles, the Delux ones. I wear them in my too-high pumps and they provide a lot of added stability and comfort. They might help make yours feel more stable. They’re expensive ($30), but they last forever (mine are 5 years old) and since they just sit in your shoes and aren’t glued in, you can move them from shoe to shoe and get a lot of use from them. Maybe worth a try?

    Reply
  13. Sophia says

    October 20, 2014 at 8:34 pm

    That’s a bummer, but it’s nice to learn a thing or two from an expert!

    Sophia / sophiebysophia.blogspot.com

    Reply
  14. Malina says

    October 20, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    I had this experience with an awesome pair of Report zip front peeptoe booties. LOVED everything about the design, but knew in my heart of hearts I could not manage the heel height. They were close to 4″. I got some Madden cutout booties at a more respectable 3″ and they’re still high for me, and the buckle doesn’t tug on my heartstrings like the zipper, but I can actually WEAR them. And that makes all the difference. ;)

    Reply
  15. Kms says

    October 20, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    I second the scuffing up the bottoms idea! Helps a lot. I also wear (lower) heels as a hairstylist all day at work and higher ones for going out and I have found that insoles do make quite a bit of difference and I can wear them without having to go barefoot by the end of the day/night :) When I have a pretty brutal pair I’m only going to wear for a short time I also buy “corn pads” and stick them to my foot where i get sore (always on the boney part of my ball of my foot). Good luck! Love those shoes so hopefully you’ll find a way to make them work!!

    Reply
  16. Courtney says

    October 21, 2014 at 6:50 am

    Caroline!
    You opened my eyes to the possibilities of heel shortening. Have just collected my new winter ankle boots minus 2cm from the cobbler. Excited to get more wear from them!
    Thank you kindly. Courtney

    Reply
  17. Julie says

    October 21, 2014 at 4:46 pm

    Sorry to hear that the heel shortening didn’t work out! But I have to say, the Loeffler Randall Franca boot might be what you’re looking for. When you first posted a pic of your shoes above I thought of them – really similar styling but in a super walkable 1-2″ heel.

    Reply
  18. Nikki Unwin says

    October 21, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    These are a bit of a splurge, but they look almost identical to your booties with a shorter heel. Adding them to my wishlist now!
    http://www.blogher.com/frame.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.loefflerrandall.com%2FLRProduct.aspx%3FProductID%3D719%26CategoryID%3D198&_back=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogher.com%2Fspruce-your-fall-wardrobe-these-fun-pieces

    Reply
  19. Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's says

    October 23, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    I never even knew that you could get heels shortened! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s

    Reply
  20. Barrie Hardymon says

    November 3, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    I can’t believe my childhood conductor just made an appearance on my favorite fashion blog! Fascinating, indeed. (Great site.)

    Reply
  21. Gina says

    January 14, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    Hi Caroline,

    I’ve really been enjoying your blog. I’m almost all the way through reading it and it’s only been 3 days – crazy! So I was wondering A. How tall are you? B. The shirt in this post and the other thermal Aritzia shirt in your Fall capsule, how did you choose what size to buy? Aka Did you size up or pick your true size and it just happens to be the right amount of “baggy”? It’s hard to tell online.

    Thanks!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. the capsule wardrobe | update | short & lovely says:
    March 5, 2015 at 11:19 am

    […] replacement; or they didn’t fit my lifestyle as much as I thought they would. buoyed by Caroline’s positivity, I took these misses in stride and decided to find the lesson in them (“I didn’t use […]

    Reply

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