7.28.2012

foundations: the essential heels


once upon a time, a young woman was looking for a simple, yet elegant pair of heels. no frills or unnecessary embellishments. appropriate for day or evening. an enduring design that she'd wear season after season.

after several disappointments, including an unfortunate dalliance with an ill-fitting pair of Louboutins, she finally found the Manolo Blahnik version that fit all the criteria.

some seasons of wardrobe planning, deliberation, and consideration later, she decided to get them. 

the shape of the heel is perfect – not too thin, just the perfect sleek stiletto. not too high, clocking in at a very walkable 2 3/4". black patent leather to go with everything, and a hint of shine for dressier occasions. a pointed – but not too pointy – toe as an elegant final touch.
exquisitely crafted, and fits beautifully true to size.
a happily ever after for all.

what do you think? do you have a pair, or are you still on the hunt for one?

47 comments:

  1. A pair of Louboutin Simple 70s with almond toe. They won't be in style forever, but long enough. Yours are lovely.

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    1. why not? i think the round-toe and simple shape is timeless enough! :)

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  2. These are beautiful. Can't think of an occasion or outfit that wouldn't work with them, congrats on this addition to your fabulous wardrobe!

    I have been wearing a (surprisingly) well-made matte black calf skin leather BCBG pointy toe 2" heels for the past several years now. I will need an upgrade in the near future but not sure what my investment purchase will be. Ideally, it would be great to have a high quality, classic, and comfortable heel in both black and nude. This would be one item I'd buy in doubles - if the price allows for it.

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  3. Wow.

    Those are some serious beautiful. All Hail Malono B.

    I haven't tried heels like that one since . . . I don't know. High school prom? Which (ahem) is over 20 years ago. I'm not sure if that type of shoe (classic heels) is my style, but if it ever is, I will absolutely be trying MB. And Prada--if they now design the Church's women's shoes, they have to making their own correctly, I figure.

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    1. thanks Catherine - would love to see a vintage high school prom pic of you on your blog! :)

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  4. Oh my goodness, they are beautiful. Congratulations!
    My perfect, comfortable heels are by Marc by Marc Jacobs and See by Chloe - a pair of black leather MbMJ 4-inch wedges and a pair of navy leather 4-inch peep-toe heels with white and mustard detailing by SbC. I wear them both constantly, at least once a week. Such good value for money.

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  5. I've gotten by by borrowing heels when I need them since I almost never do - wore heels just twice last year.

    But recently I did buy a pair as I am playing bridesmaid again for a wedding in Dec and I just don't have anything. I anticipate they'll fulfil all my wedding duty needs for the next years, since they just about go with all my existing "fancy" dresses.

    Lovely heels! I'm not willing to blow a lot of money on shoes because I think my lifestyle means they wear out really fast no matter what brand it is - my budget is in the mid-market range.

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    1. yeah i know what you mean!

      even though i wear flats quite often, a sleek black pump had been missing from my closet for ages.

      interestingly, these Manolos feel MUCH more substantial and solidly built than my last pair of Louboutins. not a delicate shoe by any means. that and the patent leather and my usual cobbler prep/maintenance will make these hardy go-to heels for many, many seasons.

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  6. I am inspired to comment for the first time, because this is a luxury item that I could never bring myself to purchase. Covet, yes but I would DESTROY these in one night. Just the knowledge that they were on my feet would inspire me to sink one of those beautiful heels into a great or trip up the stairs or... So I'm curious - how do you maintain delicate shoes for years? ??

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    1. hi! :) i understand the concerns – but short of rockclimbing, i actually think one doesn't need to be precious with well-made luxury shoes at all. i mean, shoes are made to be worn, especially expensive, truly well-made ones.

      i specifically chose this pair of MB because they're patent leather, and therefore more hardy and MUCH more low maint than regular leather. patent is pretty much waterproof and you just wipe down any dirt or get scuffs buffed at a quality cobbler's.

      for a wear-often and quality shoe like this, i always take it to my expert cobbler to add a rubber heel cap and a thin Vibram half-sole for traction and to protect the sole. then you're off to the races and it's just a matter of occasional maintenance!

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  7. I like the idea of owning the ultimate pair of high heels, but I inevitably hurt myself when I wear any heel higher than 2 inches. At 41, I've officially hit my old-lady stride because I'm coveting your Worishofers more than the Manolos. That makes me very sad! But a girl must walk...

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    1. i hear ya. i've been living in my worishofers lately, but i'd recommend that you try on the Manolos, particularly this style. it's the ultimate heel for the anti-heel woman!

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  8. Very nice. I, too, have a pair of Blahnik black pumps, for which I saved for months to purchase. I'd planned to get unadorned black pumps, but on me, they were lacking a certain somethin' somethin'. This pair caught my eye, so that's what I got (and love!!). Mine are black suede with a merlot rosette.

    http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/Manolo-Blahnik-Lisa-Suede-Flower-Pump-Pumps/prod133610005/

    Take them to the cobbler to be resoled or when they need a little sprucing up, and you'll have those shoes forever.

    Marsi

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    1. Marsi - yours are quite lovely! and yep, i always get my shoes properly 'prepped' at the cobbler's before wearing, and then maintain periodically.

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  9. Oh wow! They're gorgeous- CONGRATULATIONS!

    As you know, I'm a big, big Manolo fan. No one does patents like Manolo and always so comfy.

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    1. thanks Lindsay! your earlier posts on your MBs were very helpful! i was very impressed by the quality as soon as i saw these in the store. i think i finally understand what all the fuss is about. :)

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  10. Never having purchased such an expensive pair of shoes before, I'm curious about whether you had considered any lower cost labels before making your purchase? I don't wear heels often, but for the occasions where I need a pair of black pumps, picked up a suede Donald Pliner pair at Nordstrom Rack. I suppose the question is whether the pricy option is always the best?

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    1. this is a matter of personal preference, but i really wanted to just have one pair of black all-purpose heels that would last and be worth maintaining for years. i've bought many pairs of shoes at varying price points over the years, but i'd not found the perfect black heels until now. in this case it just came down to integrity of style and craftsmanship, and these Manolos are the quintessential embodiment of that.

      there are a lot of very expensive shoes out there that aren't worth the price, so i believe in choosing your pricey splurges carefully.

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  11. These are really lovely and they look so wearable! I'd love to incorporate a pair of pumps into my wardrobe (I'd especially like a pair of nude, patent Christian Louboutins), but I probably wear heels two or three times a year, so it seems impractical at the moment. Right now, I have two pairs of ridiculously high heels in black (a patent one by Chanel, a ponyhair one by Margiela), but they're only for dressy occasions.

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    1. would love to see you do a post on your Margiela and Chanel heels on your blog!

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  12. I bought the exact same pair of shoes, but in black suede! The heel height is perfect. They are at the cobbler as we speak getting the soles reinforced before I take them out for a spin :-)

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    1. oooh - did you get your regular size in yours? this style seems to be in short supply - surprising, since i think it's the essential MB for so many reasons.

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    2. I actually sized down 1/2. For patent I probably would have taken my regular size though. I love them!

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  13. I love the shape of the vamp on these shoes. They're very flattering and I like the fact that there's no toe cleavage which makes it so much more sophisticated. I don't wear a lot of heels (but do wear the occasional wedge) - they only come out on the odd occasion and it feels like such a big thing when I have to wear heels now.

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  14. Just perfect: I almost dream of the day when working from home in my pajamas should make them a necessity! It ought to be part of my dress code, my semi fantasy lifestyle becoming manifest as I terrify the kitty by clippity clopping to and fro across the hardwood floors on my way to put the kettle on.

    They are just the right height, too.
    Oh why am I so excited by this??? I actually do believe they are quite magical!

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    1. given how difficult it is to actually find the right heels, magical isn't too much of an exaggeration! i must say these Manolos aren't the obnoxiously noisy kind on wood floors. funny how even how a shoe 'sounds' can speak to its quality... :)

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  15. The Christian Louboutin Pigalle is one that I covet...nude...4 3/4" heel ;-).

    xoxo,
    http://lapetitegigi.blogspot.com/2010/09/monday-magic-vintage-christian-dior.html

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  16. I agree that a pair of black patent pumps are indispensible. I am mostly in flats but when an event calls for something more formal, I am missing a classic black heel. We have a local store called Heatwave where I bought a nude patent pair more than 10 years ago that is still going strong. Last month, I was at the store and picked up a black pair too. The height is about 2 inches, which I like. And they cost less than USD30.

    The Manolos look gorgeous and sturdy! Something to bear in mind if I have money to splurge. I have tried Louboutins and the ysl tribute pumps and have not found them comfortable enough.

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    1. that's amazing that you have your go-tos at such a nice price! the Manolos are indeed VERY comfy and sturdy - feels very different from the louboutins i had a while ago and subsequently sold due to the misfit and discomfort.

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  17. What's it like wearing a pointy toe? Does it squeeze your foot more than a round toe?

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    1. not at all - this all has to do with the design of the vamp. these Manolos don't show any toe cleavage, which means they're cut just generously enough to fit your toes comfortably. actually my ex-louboutins were a round toe and squeezed my foot way more!

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  18. Do you mind either sharing your cobbler if it's in NY or writing a post re recommendations on how to find a good one?

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    1. sorry for the belated reply - yes, definitely! stay tuned...:)

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    2. Hi Anon - in light of recent events, i'm going to have to delay this post until my Manolos fiasco is resolved...

      http://www.lesantimodernes.com/2012/08/review-leather-spa-nyc-and-how-they.html

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  19. They seem perfect. The perfect shape, the perfect heel height. Apparently comfortable (am I right?)...
    I only own a pair of black shoes like these. They were very cheap (from UK shoe shop Office) and even though they "work" for me (I don't wear stilettos very often), they ovbiously are nothing like your shoes in terms of craftmanship.

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    1. indeed, very comfortable. i was dubious about luxury brand heels after the louboutins failed to impress, but then i finally tried on a pair of Manolos and yeah, they're the real deal.

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  20. These Manolos have been on my mind since LindsayK mentioned in her blog. 2.75 inch heel is a bit more doable. I've tried and tried Louboutins but for some reason, I always end up in agonizing pain after an hour. Would you say these are true to size?

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    1. ah yes, that sounds exactly like my experience with louboutins! yes, these run true. unless you have very wide feet, in which case you may need to size up. but the fit on these is excquisite.

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  21. I just bought my perfect black pumps. The Bally "Clea" .. pretty similar to your MBs, Semi pointed toe, great heel height.. takng them to the cobbler tomorrow.. :)

    I am considering a red pair.. Bally makes such wonderful quality goods, I think their styling and quality is highly underated in the US market.

    http://www.bally.com/

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  22. These are gorgeous!

    My current essential is a 100mm Louboutin in nappa black, but I'm thinking of coming down to a more comfortable 85mm. Will have to check Manolo out... haven't bought a shoe from him in a long while.

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    1. yeah let me know if you get some Manolos - i just can't really do 4" for day, as much as i'd like to in an alternate leggy universe...

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  23. I have finally met my best heel friend in a pair of ferragamo pumps. Perfection in shoe form for me as I can not walk in anything over 2" or pointy toed. I know how amazing the feeling is, having that perfect pair of day to night all season pumps. Congratulations!

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  24. Hi Sophie, I think I'll have to admit that Louboutins are painful... I own two pairs: pair of pointy-toe decoltissimo black leather (100 mm, quite comfortable) and the nude patent Pigalles (100 mm) which are probably the least comfortable pair of shoes that I ever owned. I'm even thinking of selling them. It's a pity but they are extremely uncomfortable if I wear them for more than 10 min. They look perfect but feel awful. If your Manolos are as comfortable as they look good, I think I need to check them out in real life one of these days. Thanks for the tip ;) xx

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    1. hey Marta - thanks for the comment! i would encourage you to sell any shoes that are splurgey but painful. they'll just make you feel bad sitting unworn! the Manolos are fantastic - they've already molded to my feet even after light wearing around the apartment. i highly recommend them! :)

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  25. These are lovely! I think you'll be able to wear them in a variety of ways - I also love the classic Manolo BBs. I know a lot of people say they are uncomfortable but I love my Louboutin Simples in 85mm, they are very comfortable for me.

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    1. hi Katherine - thanks! i love the BBs too for a night out. but for now this major splurge will definitely suffice for all my day-to-night needs :)

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