Shopping for Shoes

I get a lot of questions through email or in the comments of my posts and I usually answer them individually but this one was going to be a long answer so I thought I’d post it and hope that it’s helpful for others as well!

Lo asks: where do you shop for shoes?. I’m in the south, so we have a few specialty stores where we can get Stuart Weitzman and the like but do you order online. If you do what your experience been?

Hi Lo! Although I’d rather purchase my shoes in a retail store as I love being pampered by my sales associates, I do shop for shoes online frequently. I rely heavily on customer reviews for online stores so I’m glad that you asked this question. I am happy to share!

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Here are the ones I frequent the most:
Endless – Although they don’t have the higher end shoes that I typically buy, they have great selection and you can’t beat FREE overnight shipping and returns. I also like the way they organize things and you can select by size, color, heel height, etc… I have yet to have a bad experience with them.

Zappos – Fantastic selection. I like that they have a Couture section now. They have a ton of brands that I usually only see a few styles at the store but Zappos has all the styles. I am particularly fond of Alexander McQueen shoes and they are the only place that I can see the collection. Free Shipping and Returns is also an added bonus. Oh and it says that shipping takes 4-5 days but I think almost every time I’ve ordered, they’ve upgraded me to overnight shipping. I only wish they would get in my staple brands like Jimmy Choo.

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Neiman Marcus and Saks – I’m grouping these together because I usually find the same styles here. If I’m looking for a pair of shoes and one doesn’t have my size, I can usually find it on the other site. This is where I buy my Jimmy Choo’s, Gucci’s, Louboutin’s etc… Shipping and Returns are meh-okay only. The wait time for shipping can be excruciating long sometimes but other times it ships quickly. I hate the waiting game of online ordering. Sometimes you can score great designer shoes on sale but you have to be quick because their sizes go out fast.

Eluxury – Great brands. They have a lot of styles that I never get to see in stores. Not a fan of the high shipping cost ($13.95 for most things). Return policy (60 days) is alright. I like places that just have automatic return labels that you just stick in the mail. They require you to go to USPS/FedEx, etc. to return it.

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For shopping in retail stores my best tip is to befriend the sales associates. They will do wonders for you. I rarely buy my designer shoes full price. The only ones I do are the ones like the Louboutins below that I know will never go on sale. I have specific sales associates at certain stores that will tell me when and what is going on sale. If I don’t have a sales associate that I always buy from then I just ask any sales associate if they know when the next sale is. If the sale is close my next question is if they know what is going to be on sale. Most of the time they do. I’ve had sales associates walk around the floor with me and told me to pick out which shoes I want and they’d check if they were going to be on sale or sometimes they just bring out all the shoes of the brands that I like in my size. I do most of my sale shopping this way as I don’t have to fight the crowds and I get first pick of my small shoe size. It is a win win situation for both me and the sales person!

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Hope my shoe shopping tips have helped! Now go out and buy some shoes! 😉
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  • Emily
    October 20, 2008 at 7:16 pm

    great tips! now if only the economy would start getting better…

  • Lo
    October 20, 2008 at 8:15 pm

    THANK YOU for the advise and the post!!!!! I’m going to head over to Endless right now and browse! You have a gorgeous selection of shoes! How much fun did you have purchasing the Louboutin’s. I would worn them upside down if I could so everyone could see the soles. Yeh, I’m a snob like that 😉

  • Savvy Mode SG
    October 20, 2008 at 9:10 pm

    for me, saks and nm and chanel and sergio rossi. i can’t buy shoes online as i want to try every pair out. i think i will try jimmy choo, i have tried on a pair today and ouch $600 so i am going to sit on it until the weekend to see if i really want them.

  • Songy
    October 21, 2008 at 8:32 am

    Oh wow you have quite a collection of shoes there. very impressive.

  • Mrs. S
    October 21, 2008 at 2:29 pm

    Something we have common: love of shoes!!

  • lookrichbitch
    October 21, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    can I be any more jealous of your shoe collection?? I feel like I need to catch up!

  • ...love Maegan
    October 21, 2008 at 5:02 pm

    awesome list. Although I don’t buy as many high-end shoes -because my feet are extremely wide and don’t fit…sadly …I do most of my shoe shopping and other shopping online …it’s just so easy and then you can try on all your purchases with your actual outfits and send back the ones that don’t work …Nordstrom is great for cheap shipping and returns …also I’ve had great luck with Bloomies online too. Great post and even greater shoes!

  • Caroline @ Absolutely Unique
    October 22, 2008 at 12:41 am

    Really impressive collection of shoes! I love shoes too but I’m afraid my list is not as large… Thanks for sharing these great tips!

  • kay*
    October 22, 2008 at 2:19 pm

    great post! i’ve been wanting to invest in a pair of classic black pumps for the longest time and think i’m going to do so…i was thinking jimmy choo or loubatin – what’s your pick for the best classic black pump (any desginer..but not a round toe please)? would love to get your opinion!

  • Pamela
    October 23, 2008 at 5:53 am

    You have got a nice collection of shoes…. well, I also got my one through Timberland.

  • Kimberley
    October 24, 2008 at 4:59 pm

    Oh my goodness! This is like shoe-porn LOL. I’m actually drooling as I type.
    I’m gradually easing myself back into heels after pregnancy – which made my poor feet only tolerate ballerina pumps..bah!!

    I think I love the Guccis best, hmm…or maybe the Jimmy Choos…but the loubous are a good staple too…grrrr….I’d just have to have them all :o) x

  • budget chic
    October 24, 2008 at 6:40 pm

    Wow, I love everything here!! Even though I’m trying to stay away from buying anymore black shoes.