Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Put It in Neutral

by

I don’t usually go for neutral-colored shoes, but I got two pairs this spring.

First, I got inexpensive canvas and pleather sandals from Old Navy.

The pleather initially had a strong chemical smell, but it has subsided. At least I didn’t have to hang the shoes out the window like I did with a cheap, smelly bag a few years ago. These shoes are no longer on Old Navy’s site, but maybe these will give you a similar vibe, appearance-wise. I can’t make any promises about the aroma.

I also got these Dolce & Gabbana peep-toe booties at Bergdorf Goodman.

I just noticed this style is called “Beatles Vernice.”
I smell a lawsuit.

I was originally looking at them in black but decided to be daring because (a) the shoes were on sale and (b) I was able to use a gift card that I received for my birthday (thanks, Aunt Sue and Uncle David!). I haven’t figured out what to wear these with, but I think they have potential. Here is the black version on Bluefly.

Remember when the peep-toe bootie style first appeared and everyone was aghast? Now they seem quite ordinary to me. What is the world coming to? Next we’ll all be wearing cages and no one will bat an eyelash.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. i love how you snag cheap buys at places like Old Navy and then fab D&G peeptoes! wise shopper indeed. they are both gorgeous!!!!

  2. those Dolce are damn beautiful! I’m never a fan of what these two have to offer for shoes but here i have to admit, i’m in love.
    in regards of bad smell in new shoes… yes indeed, i actually made myself the promise of not buying “cheap” shoes (aka, plastic etc) anymore. let’s see how long i will keep my promise on…

  3. I have a pair of really cheap asian mary janes. You know the kind. They smell like gasoline.

    I’m kind of afraid to wear them.

    Luv
    Poochie

  5. Both pairs are gorgeous, but the D&G pair are awesome-I love the colour, the style, everything!!

  6. you’re right. peep-toe booties were so new/ daring/ wtf when they first came out. we’ve been desensitized!

  7. Love the peep toe booties. I quite like the neutral colours of both pair as well, good to wear with fun tights or socks..

  10. Both shoes are lovely but I often avoid shoes at Old Bavy et al because of the smell. I once bought a pair of flats at some joint on Broadway and they smelled so strongly of bacon I had to throw them out.

  12. oh, i can here those peep toes screaming my name! need. them. now. gorgeous, wendy!

  17. The D&Gs are so stunning! There’s a UK brand called All Saints with a veeerrry similar pair, but the heel on yours is so much more fabulous.

    When I was little I had some D&G Junior suede boots with fur trimming which I was practically surgically attached to. Every adult I saw was super-jealous of them. I was a stylish kid.

  18. old navy, surprising with their shoes these days. and those dolces are a hot, hot pair of kicks – can’t you wear them w/black?

  19. i love that last sentence because it’s so damn true. give people enough time, and (almost) anything will become normal/acceptable.

    GREAT purchases!

  20. Love the D&G shoes completely gorgeous! More striking than the black.

  21. Those Old Navy shoes are gorgeous! I haven’t been able to find them anywhere for ages. Those D&G booties are beauttiful as well.

  22. Those Old Navy shoes are gorgeous! I haven’t been able to find them anywhere for ages. Those D&G booties are beauttiful as well.

  23. I must say ,the Old Navy shoes aren’t holding up that well. I wore them for the second time and my foot was sliding out of one of them in a weird way, which didn’t happen the first time. Did they stretch a lot after one wear? Not sure. I doubt I’ll get shoes from them again though. They’re too disposable for me. I don’t like a one-season-then-it-falls-apart shoe.

  24. Okay, I love both pairs! So much that I might have to make a run to Old Navy! I can afford those.

  25. wow, they are great shoes! i wouldn’t worry about the smell, i have had a similar dilemma with my bags (i have an obsession with plastic like bags…) but the smell always fades… 🙂

  26. i love going to places to buy cheaper things that still look stylish :] im sorry to hear that the old navy shoes arent holding up! only one foot was sliding out weirdly? umm thats weird

  27. Miss Janey will only wear a cage if it a rib cage from the body of her sworn enemy.

  28. I’m glad folks are reporting back on their Old Navy shoe purchases. Their styles this season are SO CUTE and I’ve seen lots of blogger plugs for them … but I worried about stink factor (as you pointed out), quality, and durability. Thanks for being a guinea pig, Wendy, and sorry yours ended up sucking. Boo.

    Not generally a fan of the peep-toe bootie, but those are HOTT.

    P.S. If you LOL-ify my cats, I will END you. I must protect their collective dignity. Even if we did just find out Simon has feline acne.

  29. Oh my goodness!! I absolutely love your shoes!!! The old navy is so chic and the D&G peeptoes left me breathless! I love how neutral shades complement spring colors!

    Awesome blog!!!! Will add you in my blogroll!!

  30. Sal and Hauttte, my toes actually slithered off the edge of the left shoe and TOUCHED THE SIDEWALK. Ew! And the first time I wore the shoes, they felt fine! But they’re not terrible if you’re okay with that type of one-season shoe…I’m sure they will hold up till the end of the summer…I just have to watch out for the sidewalk.

    Miss Janey, that is SO the type of mood I’m in today.

    Catwalk,thanks!

  31. Love those Old Navy shoes – can’t believe they’re from ON – they look so spendy!

  32. Yea, smelly shoes are never a good thing… plastic or other smell!
    I am also getting some peeptoe booties… on ebay though… Expect a post on my blog if I win them… The auction is ending tonight. Wish me luck!
    – Market Publique

  33. You definitely did right with the peachy colored shoes. They’ve got that awesome laquery opaque look, like you’re wearing a French manicure on your feet or something.

  35. Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that the Old Navy shoes aren’t holding up. I know they’re cheap, but you’d think they could last for one season!

    Great purchases!

  37. Oh, boy, do those shoes bring back memories of shoes we used to call bone-colored, Sunday-go-to-meeting shoes. I was uptown when I had them own, too. Thanks, WendyB.

  38. Now that you mention it, Lynette, I remember those too! My heels were a lot lower then.

  40. I love those first ones! They look a lot like the turquoise Serio Rossi I love!

    xx

  42. YESSSS!!!! I won my very own lace-up peeptoes! I posted them on my blog. Let me know what you think!
    – Market Publique

  43. i was horrified by peeptoes just 6 months ago and now i yearn for them. ugh. i am a sheep apparently.

    loving the beige.