Bootie-licious

Ever since I saw Ms. SJP sport some grey/milk chocolate suede lace up oxfords last Spring, I’ve been obsessed with finding a pair to add to my shoe closet.  So after months and months, the search finally came to an end!  I found these delicious chocolate lace up booties by Coach at the superfab Nordstrom Rack a few weeks back.  The instant I tried these on, I knew these were meant for me.  *swoon*

The search for lace up oxfords was difficult not because I couldn’t find any, but because I couldn’t find a pair that were the right proportion for my body.  The wonderful thing about suede and velvet is that they deflect light and are very slimming.  How could that EVER be a bad thing you ask?  When it makes your foot look disproportionately small like a cartoon character.  Not really a good look for anyone, Ladies. :( I tried on some super cute pairs all over the place from Bloomingdale’s to Zara’s.  The oxford booties were all gorgeous and comfortable, but the sole edging that is one of the great details of an oxford along its perimeter was what made the shoe, and more importantly, my foot look crazy small.  And having a booty of my own, it made my body proportions totally exaggerated like one of those cartoon ladies that has a high booty and teeny little feet.  You want shoes to make you look more balanced not cartoony. :(

That’s why the proportions of this Coach lace up bootie were perfect for me.  The thicker and contracting “natural” rubber sole edging around the shoe gives the shoe the right amount of width to make my proportions balance out in a flattering way.  The fact that the soles are texturized rubber is just incredible to having traction on any kind of urban terrain.  You won’t have the faintest of wobbles with the grip that these babies give you.  The 4” tapered stacked heel is really about 3 ¼” because the rubber sole offers a platform of about ¾”.  The platform rubber sole is also your friend because it gives the ball of your foot an extra cushy layer of shock absorption letting run around town a little longer than you normally would in your heels.  And the little tassels on the laces just make these that much more endearing bringing out that back to school girl in you. ;)

Since these are suede, you do need to do a little TLC maintenance.  If you spray them with scotch guard spray before you wear them the first time and then about half an hour before your wear them each time, your suede should look good and last you a long time.  You may have to give it a little brush or two with a nailbrush on occasion but that’s about it.

I got these for a total steal at $87 at the Nordstrom Rack since they were originally priced at $178.  So whether you’re out voting or celebrating the Giants win, OR BOTH, you’ll be bootie-licious in these. ;)