If you have an eye–and photographic memory–for fashion and design, you will come across amazing finds in unusual places….
Take, for instance, my local mall (Holyoke Mall off Rt. 91). We’re not a fashion bastion out here in the Pioneer Valley, so imagine my surprise when I spotted the Worthington ‘Atessa’ sandal at JC Penney. It has the look of an expensive designer “cage” sandal for the fashionably frugal price of $39.99. Here’s a quick pic I took wearing the shoes this afternoon:
So similar to what I’ve seen in Alexander McQueen, BCBG, and other collections!
They sport a 4- inch heel (ok, 3 5/16-inches. close enough to 4) with a nice padded footbed. All stitching is trimmed nicely so there is nothing poking on the inside. Beautifully finished, man-made embossed snake-skin that feels and (so far) wears like leather.
Would I wear these out to an important event? Yes, indeed. The heel is the right height to be contemporary and non-”menopausal”, and as long as I don’t beat them to death (I can be tough on shoes) they should maintain their shape and shine.
That is, unless everyone at the event will be wearing high-end labels. Then I might have to break the budget for a pair of Jimmy Choos.
A quick note on buying good budget-conscious fashion: materials in budget fashions don’t need to last forever. A good budget fashion piece should last at least to the end of the season. Sometimes, depending on how many times it’s worn, a piece might last longer. If stored properly, it can even be used into the beginning of the season of the following year. Unless you are buying “fast fashion.” In that case, you definitely get what you don’t pay for. If it lasts through one washing, you’re lucky.
