Friday, April 3, 2009

But Style Spy Wouldn't

Yesterday I received the Hollywould sandals that I ordered to try to assuage the Want Monster wakened last weekend by the Chloé sandals I saw in a fashion show.

And they were met with a resounding, "Meh."





I'm just not in love with them, frankly. What it boils down to is that they're just not special enough. Let's look at the Chloés again:



Mmmmmmm, yummy and delicious. See, the Hollywoulds are just lacking all those little touches that make those so very edible -- the ankle straps, the buckle... They're fine as far as sandals go, and a person could get a lot of use from them, probably, but they just don't move me.

In the end, it didn't matter if they moved me or not because they were too small. I ordered the 9s and they were about a half-size too small for my foot. I'd say that was something to keep in mind if I ever ordered shoes by this brand again, but honestly, I'm not sure I will. I was pretty underwhelmed by the quality of this shoe, it wasn't nearly as well-made as a shoe whose original price point was probably between $400 - $500 should be, IMHO.



On both shoes, the seam in the wedge covering looked like it was already starting to come unglued. I have a pair of Nine West sandals with a patent-covered wedge that I've been wearing for four years or so and they still look better than that, and I paid less than 100 bucks for them.
I also think the quarter-strap on this shoe is too thin for its weight -- I don't like the way it looks and I don't think it's good engineering.

So, back they went. No harm, no foul, thanks to free shipping and returns from the nice people at Endless.com Shoes & Handbags. But the Want Monster is unsatisfied, which is always a dangerous state of affairs.

Have a great weekend, everyone!!!



Photos: Style Spy

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13 comments:

Susan B said...

You're right, they're just not a good substitute for the Chloe's. And the quality does seem shoddy for a shoe at that price point. But on the up side, the thrill of the hunt is still on!

dana said...

Shops of Austin and interwebs, beware! She's loose and has plastic!

Stephanie said...

I agree, the Chloe shoe is way better. I have a question for you. I struggle with this. When one sees a fabulous item like the Chloe shoe but it's expensive and out of my price range, but I really really want it - so I end up settling for something not so good and shell out dollars that could have gone toward what I really wanted. My question is this....is it better to save up for the more expensive pair even if they are ridiculously expensive, or try to find a substitute for less money? Is there a happy medium?

dana said...

Although the Kork Ease Bette comes in this nice gray color http://zapp.me/7338234 that's much closer to the Chloe taupe.

StyleSpy said...

Deja -- I've gotten so demanding about shoes, I'm a little hoist on my own petard sometimes...

Dana -- I'll keep an eye peeled, but the plastic needs to stay in he desk drawer where it's safe.

Madame -- my gut says wait & save for the perfect thing. I've never regretted it when I did this. What has often happened to me is that by the time I can afford it, it's on sale, so even better! I will say that I have occasionally lucked into substitutes that turned out to be even better than the original. The other thing that happens is that sometimes time & space lessens my desire and I wind up being able to happily live without whatever it is. But as a rule, no, don't settle. There's enough dissatisfaction in my life without looking at my shoes & thinking, "Eh. Not quite."

Duchesse said...

So now you are telling yourself you get what you pay for, right? Ah, Style Spy on the Slippery Slope (in platforms). Should be fun reading!

spell me said...

I knew the Hollywoulds wouldn't satisfy your monster, even if they had fit and been well-made, because they lack those honkingly fabulous BUCKLES!

Stephanie said...

Thanks for the input. I guess it's all about delaying instant gratification if what you really want is out of reach at the moment. There is nothing wrong with saving up for the right thing and like you said, hopefully finding it on sale.

Claudia said...

wow, yeah, they were nowhere near the same. Who knew?

Worth trying, though!

dana said...

Of course you can't get the Kork Ease. That is not your current aesthetic. But delayed gratification is the best kind, especially when it's on sale.

Belle de Ville said...

Oh...I just can't wear shoes with seams on the side, unless they are part of the specific design...I'd rather wear flip flops.

DS said...

I saw these while on the BR website and immediately thought of this post. They don't have an exciting buckle, and I don't have any BR shoes, so I'm not sure about quality, but I figured I'd point them out to you in case you haven't already seen them

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=38004&pid=644554

Anonymous said...

When something like this fells me I feel it is for a reason. In that wide a price range ,there is a shoe you have not seen yet , that will be amazing and wipe these out of your memory completely.A new fresh lookthe likes of what dreams are made of and in your size! I think you may just be bored from a winter(?) we have just survied and need a real pick me up. Wait for them ...they will find you LOL OX Katie