What to Wear When You Don’t Wear Sneakers.
The lovely Violet Le Beaux and Valerie of Dweam, have recently been writing a series of Sunday posts called Sneaker Sunday. The idea is that once a week we should give our feet the treat they so badly deserve and spend at least one of the seven days in sneakers. Given that we three are known for wearing elaborate and often sky high heels, this seems like a most sensible plan, however, unless I’m on a treadmill or climbing a mountain, I don’t wear sneakers. Generally I wear ballet flats for running around the house, but these don’t offer much in the way of support and often leave my legs aching worse than when I wear heels. I was determined to find a suitably SKM style solution, so I went on a quest.
A quick street snap of Violet Le Beaux and I on Sneaker Sunday heading out for clay pot lunch. Yum!
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Before I hit the shops wallet in hand, I decided I needed a plan of attack. I needed a rough idea of the sort of shoe that would work with my vintage-y outfits, the level of quality and support they would need to have, the sort of activities I wanted to do in them and just how much I was prepared to spend.
Firstly, what was I going to be doing in these shoes? Well I figured that I needed something I could walk in for hours on weekend shopping excursions, something I could dance in (I’m told that learning Swing Dancing in heels is not usually the thing and I’m a bit of a freak like that), and something that still looked good while doing all this. The trick about flat shoes and me is that while they may *feel* comfortable on, they also make me feel like I’m a three foot tall lump. So to pass the psych test, they would have to be pretty special.
I knew that looking in sports stores was out of the question so I decided to look somewhere totally unattainable first. My 1940′s Sear’s footwear catalogue! Yep, totally unachievable because they don’t even make them anymore. But, what this did do was give me a strong mental image of the sort of shoes I wanted, the silhouette, the colours, the support style. It also told me that in order to find anything remotely like this in stores I needed to resort to my previous summer sandal hunting technique and target stores that catered for a much older (read retirement home) market. Here’s where I went…
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I headed to the Kumfs store at Westfield Doncaster. Kumfs are a New Zealand brand known for their comfort shoes and quality construction. They are also known for not being particularly high trend but more classic, so perfect really.
And here are the those that have won the title of my “sneakers”. The “Bromley” from Kumfs.
These are without a doubt, the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. They have amazing support and cushioning, good width, and a nice lower cut around the ankle which is more flattering on me. A few of you who saw the photo of Violet and I on the weekend asked for details on the soles and their suitability for dancing. For me these are perfect. They have no grip to speak of, but also aren’t as slippery as dancing on suede soles. It also means I don’t have to change shoes when I get to a dance as I do hate carrying shoes around. They didn’t come cheap and from memory were about $240 AUD, but I am told they are currently on sale in store so there may be bargains to be had. The thing that totally sold me on these though was that Kumfs has a 30 day,money back comfort guarantee! Who does that? Wear them for one month and if you don’t like them, they take them back and refund your money. The shoes also have a 12 month warranty, so spending good money on shoes I know I’ll wear for years to come seems like a very good investment to me.
While I was in store I was also on the hunt for another pair of shoes that could take the place of heels on days out where I have lots of walking to do, but still look good when I’m quite dressed up. And then I found them there too! I came across these faux skin, wedge heels that have a distinctly 1940′s ‘cockroach stomper’ feel about them. Once again these have a comfort factor of 100 and still look fantastic with my seamed stockings.
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Even though I have been wearing these with almost alarming regularity this last month, I don’t have a single outfit photo on file to show them to you in action! (Must remedy that this week) they are called “Krista” and were also found in store at Westfield Doncaster. Sadly, I haven’t found either of these models online to link you to, but it might be a case of calling your local store to see if they have them if you’re on the look out.
So there you go. Now each week I can participate in Sneaker Sunday, even if I don’t have a huge variety of ‘sneakers’ to showcase. Check out Violet Le Beaux and Dweam’s blog for more on Sneaker Sunday.
It’s just perfect. Dark, spiced and a...
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Candice DeVille. Candice DeVille said: My first #SneakerSunday post! http://bit.ly/9cbr9H ( I know it is Monday here but what the hey?!) [...]
The black and white ones are sooooo beautiful… lucky!
I love this! What a stylish solution
I love sneaker sundays!
Great find. I have spent ages looking for shoes that I can walk in – I like walking to work when I can but it’s a decent hike, and would prefer not to lug a change of shoes around. While $240 is not cheap, it’s comparable to a decent pair of runners (and probably a lot cheaper than the physio bills etc from cheap shoes).
Super Kawaii Mama…I am LOVING your blog! So inspirational, so glamorous and unique! And so I would like to pass on to you the Versatile Blogger Award!
Just follow the link below:
http://ourparklife.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-monday-vba.html
And participate if you wish…it is a great way to connect!
Nic: Thank you so much! That means a lot. I do my best to keep the blog as ‘me’ as possible.
Ohhh, I’m saving up for those in the brown/cream colourway! They’re so pretty! I often find myself shopping in the ‘nanna shoe’ sections of department stores, but that’s mostly because they’re some of the only lines which stock shoes small enough for me
bonus that they are super comfortable though!
Oh! I’m loving your alternative to plain ol’ sneakers! I have lately been drooling over similar styles (namely, the Muffy brand saddle shoes) because I really don’t have a practical pair of flat, comfortable lace-ups that aren’t sneakers. And those don’t go with many outfits.
lol. Love these ones that you found!!
? Casey
blog | elegantmusings.com
i love spectator shoes, though i have to admit i don’t have a pair of regular ones… heels ballet flats, but no laceup shoes. i have to get a pair now!
Jennine: Totally. Perfect if you have to run for a cab, wait in long cues or beat a crazy woman at a door buster sale.
My solution for non-sneaker walking shoes has been Bass Saddle Shoes. They weigh next to nothing and are very comfy. As my style tends more towards the 50′s, they fit right in with most of my wardrobe.
They come in many [neutral] color combos beside the classic black and white and they recently released a high-heel version, for those who still aren’t convinced they need a flat walking shoe. 
zyzzyva: I love the look of saddle shoes but I just can’t seem to get into them. Perhaps because they were generally worn by teenagers I feel the look is too young for me.. that or because I don’t wear ankle socks. It is hard to find that blend of comfort, style and chic sometimes. I haven’t seen the heeled version, do you have a link?
Hi SKM,
I too love kumfs and as you said they can be pricey for “just around the house”. So I have found an alternitive, the old footrest brand of “granny” shoes with a nice low heel under an inch or so, these I found at an op shop for approx $5. They usually come in a c fitting and are supportive for doing housework. Ok the colour range is not that great I have only found biege ones so far.
Keep up the lovely posts I really look forward to when there is a new post.
Love
Jayne
I love the black and white ones! I bought a simular pair for work in black and looove them – As I work in IT i walk around all day and they offer awesome support and are super comfy
OMG – I was just about to enbark on a flat oxford/brogues search and here you are one “step” ahead of me
Gorgeous!
Elise: Didn’t you know I am a fashion psychic?
Love the first pair, like the second pair…I, too, have a problem with finding something that I can walk about in for extended periods of time, and am actually willing to purchase…as a nurse, my whole life (it feels) is in sneakers, so when I am dressing for real life, I want to wear pretty, pretty shoes. Have been looking for about a year to make this purchase and always come home with yet another pair of high heels. Your post renews my hope, let the search (re)commence!
Maravonda: It’s funny cause I actually favour the second pair, but I think they have to be seen in context. The other really pretty comfortable and well made shoes I have are by Le Pommier. The only problem is they don’t have a webstore and so far I’ve only been able to find them in stores in Japan and Singapore.
I love those brogues!! I have a pair of ankle boots that are almost the same, but go higher up the leg. I wear them to work most days
Trashtastika: Oh that sounds very neo-victorian. Yum!
I was looking online for these exact shoes yesterday! I remember seeing them in the Richmond store a while back. I was in the shoe shop in Croydon yesterday that stocks Kumfs, but they didn’t have these, only some gorgeous purple and teal suede ones (which although I coveted, I need B/W for a themed birthday party on the weekend.)
Do you remember if they had many of this colourway left? Or the high heeled versions? I must try to get to Doncaster tomorrow.
It’s funny, I was contemplating sending you a message on your blog as I figured you would know where to get cute retro inspired shoes closer to the Eastern suburbs (I saw the article in the local paper). I was right!
Cheers,
Joy
Joy: Yes, get into doncaster, they have the best range and also more of the stylish items that probably wouldn’t sell as well to a Croydon market… althought the purple and teal ones are lovely too if I recall. the other place I try for shoes on occassion is Gilmores in Ringwood. Sometimes you can jag a great pair. I get my summer 40′s style sandals from there.
Love this post! the black and white shoes are just gorgeous.
Another brand i find very comfortable are hushpuppies, this year they have a great black mary jane wedge called vanity @ $120. They are great for when i know i’ll be doing lots of walking.
Being a podiatry student i really appreciate this post. It’s great to see your feet can be comfortable and stylish at the same time.
Juliette: Ha ha. Please don’t look at the rest of my shoes then! It is likely I’ll have to wear a fabulous wheelchair by the time I’m 70 at this rate
But seriously, there is a happy medium to be found and I’mso pleased that shoe companies are actually starting to pay attention to style and not just comfort. There is still a way to go though, but I think part of the struggle is that people have now been conditioned to accept either cheap rubbish or even expensive rubbish too!
[...] Super Kawaii Mama [...]
[...] Super Kawaii Mama [...]
J’adore les chaussures bicolores.
Lilou
I saw you walking in to Shopping Town this day! That was before I knew of this blog! Somebody passed on your blog to me yesterday knowing how much I love vintage style, and I knew I had seen you somewhere before. Of course, it popped in to my head at about 3am – that was you! You were with a tall blonde friend and a gorgeous little girl.
Small world!
Happy shopping!
[...] a box of pain killers. Yes, I have been told to wear sensible shoes, but really… unless it is Sneaker Sunday I just don’t often go there. I am adding to my collection of more flat-ish shoes, but [...]
[...] I haven’t been brave enough to count how many shoes now live in my wardrobe. I know that there are quite a number that should really never been worn outside of a photo studio for fear of permanent injury… yet I do. After weeks and weeks on my feet and suffering from the most hideous swollen legs and crippling foot pain, I called an end to stupidity. Could I find cute and comfortable shoes? [...]
Oh my goodness, I love them all! I don’t do sneakers, either, and when you’re doing a lot of walking, and it rains (it does, a lot in the UK!) ballet pumps will only get you so far. There are a couple of ‘older lady’ shops I shop in. Ecco and Clark’s are the two main ones. Here I’ll find well made, sturdy, comfortable shoes, often in traditional designs, which work brilliantly with wide leg 4os style trousers or giant circle skirts. Glad I’m not the only one, and it perks up the staff to see a young ‘un in there, too! X