Personally, the BEST thing about blogging is not about the events that
I've been invited to or the number of hits I get per day but it's the
friends that I've made. They keep me going on days when blogging becomes
a chore (let's face it, few of us make enough to justify blogging professionally), inspire me when my "deep" well of ideas run as dry as the Sahara, celebrate my success or secretly nominate me for an award (yes, I'm talking to you, Avril. You know that I know that you did it). I want to thank Vanisha for the touching post she wrote about me over the weekend which made me teary eyed along with Sooae (of the Haute Cookie or should I say Hot Mama) who'd left such a sweet comment.


I've now decided that the best way to go shoe shopping is to covertly stare at women's feet. No, seriously! Women shoe shop a lot. Since they've practically edited the entire world's shoe collection on your behalf, why go to all that trouble yourself? I go to a function and I check out the attendees' shoes. I shoe watch when I'm at a cafe. I don't have a foot fetish, just a tad obsessed with sandals after having boots permanently soldered onto my feet for more than half a year. I mean....it's not like staring at someone's groin or boobs. That would be totally wrong. And disturbing.
I was talking to a chic PR lady at a fashion event when I zoomed in on her shoes. Ankle strap? Check (can you tell I'm still addicted to ankle strap heels? My excuse is I'm channeling Sofia Coppola. So there). Chunky heels? Check!
"Err....." I interrupted her mid-speech. "Where did you get your shoes? Marni? Chloe?"
"Clarks", she whispered in my ear. "But don't tell anyone!" Poor lady looked remarkably uncomfortable. After all, we're surrounded by designer clad women.
Cue jaw dropping moment. Clarks?! That orthopedic....chunky....old ladies shoe shop on High St that I avoid like the plague?? NO! "You're kidding, right?!"
"Erm.....no."

So I came home and checked out...... C L A R K S (sorry, I still have trouble saying that word). Insanely cheap and comfortable shoes. They're not going to win the designer of the year award and the quality is a little inconsistent but hey, for 30 something quid, I think I can put my misconceptions away for the moment. I spied a pair of gladiator heels that look Givenchy -esque. Another has the flavor of Roberto del Carlo wedges. While you're at it, do check these gorgeous flats from Boden. I spied them on a friend's feet at a party and I just HAD to find out.


Clarks Sharna Balcony (enter "bright" for a discount)
I was talking to a chic PR lady at a fashion event when I zoomed in on her shoes. Ankle strap? Check (can you tell I'm still addicted to ankle strap heels? My excuse is I'm channeling Sofia Coppola. So there). Chunky heels? Check!
"Err....." I interrupted her mid-speech. "Where did you get your shoes? Marni? Chloe?"
"Clarks", she whispered in my ear. "But don't tell anyone!" Poor lady looked remarkably uncomfortable. After all, we're surrounded by designer clad women.
Cue jaw dropping moment. Clarks?! That orthopedic....chunky....old ladies shoe shop on High St that I avoid like the plague?? NO! "You're kidding, right?!"
"Erm.....no."

Clarks Sleepy Dust (or here)
Love the Clarks you picked out! Who would have thought, indeed. I must check them out in Canada. Thanks for editing on our behalf. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. The editing part was the best. In the meantime, I'll just keep shoe watching.
DeleteYou're too funny, M with the way you "shop" for shoes! That method wouldn't necessarily work for me since I prefer to wear something that's unique and less common. ;) So, does that mean you've pacified your need for those Givenchy heels? ;)
ReplyDeleteer...no. I won't rest until I find a pair of Givenchy gladiators in my size. At the right price of course :P
DeleteI love Clarks. I like the first pair but unfortunately they are not available in the US.
ReplyDeleteOMG - Clarks? Really? WOW
ReplyDeleteThese sandals are pretty dam chic! Both pairs are on trend but I can totally see their classic appeal also, which is ideal for summers to come. I was in Clarks the other day and was thinking to myself that they seem to be hitting it this season, though like you say the quality is a bit questionable but for what you're paying, not bad at all!
ReplyDeleteI'd also like to say that I agree with you in that one of the best things about blogging is the friends you make along the way. When anyone asks me what I love about having a blog, one of my first responses is normally how i've made friends that live all over the world, so to speak and what an amazing feeling that is. I hope if you are around at the time, that we can meet once again during London fashion week :)
Take care,
Daniella xox
HAHA I have a pair of old somewhat chic Clarks too that I'm embarrassed to admit are Clarks. I love that white pair. Can't seem to find it on a US site though!
ReplyDeleteYou are totally late to the Clarks party! There is a discount Clarks near me and I bought a pair of sandals there last year. Saw a pair of nice wedge lace-up boots on someone in a cafe this winter and was gobsmacked when she said they were Clarks.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Clarks - my nubuck ankle boots and my loafers are Clarks and they are so comfortable, hard-wearing and stylish. Those sandals are amaaazing.
ReplyDeletenever tried clarks! but it looks like a great everyday wear! going to have to check them out ;)
ReplyDeleteSo so true - I have to say that there are many days when I just think, ugh, I have to update, but it's the community that really keeps you going.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if Clarks are easy to access in NZ (may have to order online), but oh my goodness, LOVE those sandals. Easy to mistake them for designer shoes defintiely!
I was just thinking I have a pair of Clarks sandals stashed away - must drag them out. I have a bit of a love hate thing going with Clarks - my friend has the most amazing jodhpur boots in nubuck leather and they have just got progressively better with age but I have struggled with a lot of the styling in there - it somehow just misses the mark for me. But having said that, you've picked out pairs which I wouldn't have guessed were Clarks and Kat (Does My Bum Look 40 in This) always manages to nab the most happening pairs. The white ones have a touch of the See by Chloe ones which you already have. And they also remind of the Sam Edelman Trina sandals in the white colourway with silver which is my favourite colourway this year.
ReplyDeleteGreat choices Marlene and it sounds like Clarks has shoes in your size which is a great thing since I know it can get tricky for you. Looking forward to an outfit post of you wearing your new shoes! :)
ReplyDeletexxTheresa
No way! Well never say never right? Some brands may definitely be a pleasant surprise and I love the sheen on these shoes!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living
Hello Marlene, thanks for the recommendation! These sandals look so good.. I can't wait to see an outfit with them!
ReplyDeleteI am like you when shopping for shoes.. I depend heavily on checking out other people's shoes. So far all that you have recommended have worked out amazingly well for me:)
You would never know! Don't you just love finding those cheaper treasures and these are definitely worthly of being mixed on the feet of the fashion elite. I have to say what an added bonus of being comfortable! How often are the expensive ones comfortable after all. Such a sweet lady giving you the inside scoop of them.
ReplyDeleteI loved the post on Vanisha's blog! She nailed it!
- Mandi
Find Me A Muse
Oooo la la. I'd never think to look for shoes at Clarks but after seeing this I definitely will. I love both pairs of shoes. So chic. xx
ReplyDeleteNever would have thought those sandals are Clarks. Great find and I can't wait to see you wearing them!
ReplyDeleteI loved those white sandals and almost fell off my chair when I read the brand name... Truly you just never know where the next treasure will be coming from! x
ReplyDeleteVanisha's post was so sweet. What a nice write up!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about Clarks. The quality is hit or miss, but you can find gems. I must say I have a childhood fear of white shoes. They just don't work for me. But the second pair look so fun!