Tuesday, June 1, 2010

The Happiest Feet in Texas

Happy feet. I haz 'em.

Because of these babies right here:
Cole Haan FLX Air Vernonia

(All photos in this post are links -- click to see details about the shoes.)


This past Saturday, I was doing a little shopping. (Actually, I was doing a little returning, so theoretically I went up to the Domain to make some money. Best laid plans & all that.) As I strode purposefully past the Cole Haan store, I did a double-take/pull-up-short maneuver worthy of Charlie Chaplin when I saw the sign for these sandals in the window of the store. I marched in, I tried them on, I bought them, and I left with them on my hooves, all within the space of about 20 minutes.

Because they are jee-nee-uss. Light as air, comfortably padded, and constructed with no seams. The soles are completely flexible and grippy. I've worn them pretty close to non-stop for a few days now and I am completely besotted. If you go here, you can see a little video from Cole Haan about the line and its "technology." As I've mentioned before, Nike bought Cole Haan several years ago and it was one of the happiest things to happen to my feet in the history of the shoe business. It so happens that I had been girding my shoe-shopping loins in anticipation of looking for some good, comfy summer shoes. I'm going to Boston at the end of August and there will be quite a bit of stomping around on the cobblestones & sidewalks, I imagine, so I've been thinking about shoes to take with me. Problem solved.

The company calls the color silver, but it really seems more like an antiqued gold to me -- I never wear silver, and I have no problem with these. If it's silver, it's a warm silver, if such a thing exists. This shoe also comes in black, but I think the metallic is a great summer neutral.

I almost walked out of the store with two pairs -- the only reason I didn't was because they didn't have the other pair in my size/color combination, so Cole Haan is very kindly shipping them to me free of charge. What's on its way? These right here:

Cole Haan FLX Women's Air Veneta T-Strap Sandal

A slightly-less gladiatorial sandal, but still with a good t-strap so that it comfortably stays on my foot. This one is also available in Ivory and Black.

There was yet another one in the line that I tried but didn't buy -- these:

Cole Haan FLX Women's Air Gearhart Aysmetrical Sandal
It's another great-looking sandal, but I didn't like it as much on my foot. When I was browsing the shoes on the shelf, my lovely SA Emily (Hi, Emily!) came over to demonstrate for me that these guys have a reversible insole. You can pop the insole out and flip it over -- one side is brown and the other is black. My slightly-baffled response was, "Um, why?" Apparently the company thinks this makes the shoe more versatile. What I think it actually does is make the shoe more rigid, because the footbed of the shoe has to provide a slot for that insole to pop in & out of, so it's less flexible that the other models. Which is not to say it's uncomfortable, just not as bedroom-slipper bendy as the other ones.

The other great thing about these shoes is the price. They are very reasonable, even for Cole Haan, which I have said many times is a brand that I think already gives outstanding quality for the price. I can confidently say at this point I have more Cole Haan shoes in my wardrobe than any other brand, and I have no regrets about any of them.

So. Looking for good summer sandals? Here's some. Two big thumbs up from Style Spy. Go getcha some.

But first, just a small interjection to head off a few things at the pass. Whenever I tout a pair of shoes as comfortable, I get all kinds of questions about arch support and podiatric needs. Now let's just think about this for a moment, shall we? "How's the arch suppport in these shoes?" you ask. Well, pretty good for a pair of mass-produced, flat sandals. But. If you are a person who absolutely needs an orthotic arch support, do you really think these shoes are going to provide it for you? Take a look at those shoes. Do you really think it's possible that they are going to provide the sort of support you might find in, say, a good running shoe? Of course not. It's not possible. Let us please be realistic, people. Looking at a sandal like any of the above and bitching that they don't cradle your delicate little footsies in exquisite, perfectly-designed orthopedic comfort is like bitching that your cat doesn't bark when strangers come to the door. It's a totally different animal. It's not going to do that, it's not supposed to do that, it's not capable of doing that. So, please. Realistic expectations. That being said, I think these are a fantastic solution for the chic-yet-comfy dilemma, and I proclaim my summer shoe shopping finished and complete. If anyone takes me up on this recommendation, please let me know how they work out for you.

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12 comments:

Belle de Ville said...

I need happy feet too so I'm going to try these.

Susan B said...

Ooh, those are cute! I've had really good luck with Cole Haan shoes this last year.

Claudia said...

Wow, I really want these (or the UK equivalent). Do you have a professional view on whether the high ankle is possible on those of us with, ummmm, less than generously lengthed legs? Am worried I would look stumpy, so haven't ever tried any on. But now I want some.

spell me said...

Those are so cute! But would look wrong on me. The second pair, the one that is coming your way by mail, MAYBE I could pull off, I think I will head to the mall this weekend to see. I am a huge fan of Cole-Haan, such great quality shoes--they've overtaken the other brands in my shoe collection. I have a certain favorite pair of casual CH mules that I have worn frequently during the last 10 years and they still look new, even the bottoms of them! The leather uppers are still supple and shiny, and the leather inner sole is so cool and comfy!

jill said...

oh Amy they're gorgeous!! I'd wear them with everything. Thanks for the tip (shimmy shimmy) if you check the post there's a p.s. now ; )

Sorry I haven't commented for a while - I love your darker longer hair. Wish you could have come to London this spring, hope you get here soon & are staying cool in Texas. jCx

The Photodiarist said...

I like them!

Karen Minturn Brown said...

style spy, you have been very quiet. All OK?

perfume said...

I could not refrain from commenting on this post since most of my shoes are Cole Haan.

Steph Mac said...

I bought a pair of the second ones. I have spent the last 10 days 'stomping on cobblestones' in them in Holland. They are comfy and look amazing, but the toes do catch a bit on the stones, so beware and walk with a high step!My toe part is a teensy bit scuffed and it makes me sad. Lovely though; thanks for the recommendation!

stayce said...

Style Spy,
I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog, and that if you are inclined and able to begin posting again any time soon, I would appreciate your opinion on something: what sort of capsule wardrobe would you recommend for a female grad student who is moving from casual Los Angeles to North Carolina? I'll likely be TA'ing undergraduate classes, and I'm having trouble thinking of an appropriate outfit I can wear from office hours to my own classes. Also, I'd like to leave my shabby collection of jeans and flip-flops here. Thanks again for all your thoughtful posts.

Frances said...

Dearest Style Spy,

I swear I will not be one of those people who demand you blog.

But...

I miss your blog like crazy and eagerly await your return to active blogging. Yours is still my absolute favourite blog around :-)

Hope all is well in your life and love and cupcakes to you and Shine

xx

Sneaky little post-script: If you felt like doing a post on French style, I wouldn't object ;-)

kaye said...

It so unique but ilove the leather brown better.