Faded Blue Jeans: Sitting Shoes

Over the course of my many moves - 7 in 5 years - I have taken the time to sort through my collection of shoes and have noticed a trend. The heels have gotten higher. What used to be the highest of the bunch are now my demure pairs reserved for more modest occasions. Even a pair that used to feel so high that it had me tipping forward when attempting to walk, was worn to a wedding last summer that had me walking and standing in grass all night and I was fine. High heels just take getting used to, I guess.

I had been eying a pair of heels for months on Aldo's website, just waiting for the price to drop. Finally (finally!) it got down to a number that I just couldn't resist anymore. Besides, it was Black Friday, which just begs for shopping. I snagged the Aldo Urtado:

Aldo Urtado - Originally $135, bought for $45.49. Now on sale for $34.99 in size 7 only

After I had already set my sights on this shoe and declared it mine, I saw a few pairs of Yves Saint Laurent shoes that were pretty similar in style. I swoon for YSL, so to find a shoe much more in my price range, but still evoke the same feeling (well, probably not exactly the same, there must be something special about $800 leather), was a win in my book.

YSL Mary Jane in Suede - $795

YSL Trib Too High Heel in Suede and Patent Leather - $795

YSL Palais High Heel in Suede - $795

The first (and second and third) feeling that these evoked when I put them on my feet and took a stroll around the apartment? Holy shit I'm going to fall flat on my face.

These are what I like to call "sitting shoes". The pair of shoes that you put on knowing that you don't have to walk anywhere, or dance, or navigate cobblestone parking lots and grassy wedding receptions. In fact, if you had a palanquin to carry you to and fro, these would be perfect. Between the 5.75" heel and 1.5" angled platform (to help with a smoother gait, I am assuming), gravity gladly wants to give you a big fat helping hand in biting some asphalt.

But just like the pair I wore to the wedding a year ago, I seem to have gotten slightly more used to these. Even after only putting them on a handful of times, I wore them out to dinner last night at Capital Grille in Los Angeles. I've been dying to wear them, but did not want to actually die from wearing them. But as long as I remained mindful of keeping the weight in my heels instead of on my toes, I was able to keep myself up right (and quite steady if I do say so myself). But this was still a calculated decision, as the only walking I had to do was from the apartment to my car (and back again after forgetting our gift card), valet to restaurant, table to bathroom, restaurant to valet, car to apartment.

And once I got used to having to be mindful of each step, I realized that they are actually quite comfortable, surprisingly enough. The straps help to keep the foot firmly in the heel, so you don't have to hang on for dear life with your toes just to keep the dang shoe on.