Through K's Eyes

 I wrote to Seychelles customer service to ask for a list of their "select" styles available in size 5 and 5.5. It's kind of a short list... what's even shorter is the list of retailers who actually carry the smallest sizes of these styles.

So, another thing that my mother and I did yesterday at the outlets was, out of curiosity, getting our feet sized at the Clarks Bostonian store. I've never been able to figure out the width-sizing on the metal foot-shaped thingy that shoe stores carry, so a sales associate explained it. However, I now have definitive proof that the sizing does NOT work.

Why? Because my mother and I measured as the exact same size: 5 length, C/D width. We do indeed have the same length foot; however, we have NEVER worn the same shoe size. As in, if she buys a pair of shoes that fit, it's guaranteed that those shoes will not fit me. (I still throw them on when running out to the garage, but they flop around and are clearly too big.)

And furthermore, neither of us wears a size 5 wide (thankfully!). I wear 5M and am sometimes able to size up to 5.5M; in narrow-cut shoes, my toes get squished, but wide sizes are universally too big for my instep. My mom wears 6/6.5W or 7M; she does fit wide sizes but often just buys a size up for convenience. In sneakers she can fit a 6.5M easily.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you have to try on shoes. And everything else that goes on your body.

I want to preface this post with a disclaimer: I don't normally fall in love with shoes. I admire their design, but the prettiest shoes are always unwearable high heels. I do have a problem with buying shoes just because they fit and not because I love them, but I blame that on the genetics that decided to gift me with tiny feet. (My mother's feet are the same length but significantly wider, so she can wear size 6-6.5. I'm a tiny bit wide in the front, but my heels are too narrow to stay in pumps that are too long.)

However, the new Anthropologie July catalog just came out... and I am in LOVE with these Bookbinder Heels.



The sad part is... these have an infinitesimally small chance of making it to sale in my size. Already--and these are practically a brand new release online--there's only 3 pairs left in stock online. And my local Anthro doesn't carry shoes unless they're returned, so unless I make a special trip, I can't even try these on.

Honestly, I'm also a little afraid to try these shoes on... I have a birthday discount to spend in July--my birthday was in May but I never got a coupon, turns out they had my mom's July birthday in the system instead--but these shoes cost $140 even with the discount. And I'd be afraid to wear them in any kind of not-perfect weather, for fear of ruining the heels.

EDIT: In EA comments, someone mentions that these shoes/this brand runs long in length and narrow in the toe box--exactly the opposite of what I need (I would love to find a 5.5 or even a 6 that runs short, because it's more common than a size 5, and my toes are slightly wide).

This is my fifth and last week in rural Canada before I return to civilization. Tonight I had to attend a 50's themed dance party, and I hadn't had the chance to go shopping (i.e. thrifting, because the closest mall is 30-45 minutes away and I don't have a car) for appropriate attire. At the last minute, I took off the tights I'd worn under a navy jersey dress and layered a cream ruffle skirt underneath the dress as a mini-crinoline. Topped with my charcoal gray peacoat and a quick tie of a scarf that I'd thrifted in a previous week to the amazing Frenchy's^, I was ready to go.

^Other things I've thrifted from Frenchy's since arriving in Canada include a J.Crew Costine sweater, Ralph Lauren polo, Banana Republic striped tank, NWT Express black satin tank, and a gorgeous seafoam-green vintage silk scarf. Everything is sold in giant bins and priced by item type, no markups for brand names. There are often premium brand jeans, too, although I'm hard to fit in pants so I didn't take a look.

Being on vacation with a limited wardrobe--that wasn't particularly well-packed, as I was in a hurry--and I didn't have a good sense of the finicky, rainy spring weather in Nova Scotia--means that I've had to be creative (and, at times, just repeat super-casual outfits) with my style. For instance, I paired a mustard yellow J.Crew Costine sweater, oversized and the first yellow clothing item I can remember purchasing, with navy Aeropostale sweats. And y'know, it worked.

This time around, I love the look of this skirt as a crinoline/slip, especially since I've wanted to own a slip for a while now. (It's on the same impractical-clothing-items wishlist as a corset.) It was a random NY&Co purchase while at school--my friend owns a twin--but has proven to be quite versatile. The matching self-belt is held on by real belt loops and easily detached; it looks great as a ribbon belt over this same solid jersey dress. Plus, the skirt is fun and flirty by itself, has snap buttons down the front for interest if I decide to tuck in my top, AND is machine-washable polyester that has held its shape. And now a modern crinoline. All for $20, originally intended as a trendy way to try out ruffles. This is why I continue to shop at New York and Company: I also own a colorblock jersey skirt from several years ago that I've worn to death fabric-wise but STILL get compliments on. I often walk through NY&Co without finding anything that I like, but when pieces work, they really work.

Specs (photo pending, but under terrible lighting):
* J.Crew Drift dress in Shadow
  - currently available in teal Agate, size L (popback)
  - I own it in size XS; I also got the XXS in the same online order for fitting purposes because I am often sized out of J.Crew non-petite tops (and everything else that doesn't involve an accurate waist measurement), but it was a teensy bit smaller in the waist and had the same slightly-too-long bust to shoulder length.
* New York & Company cream ruffle skirt, size 4
* White Mountain Outfitters black leather knee-high boots, size 6
  - ordered from Amazon
  - The leather on these boots is really soft and very easily scratched, but I'm OK with that look. They are super versatile and when they die in a few years--I bought them for pretty cheap, under $30--I am definitely going to pick up another pair of flat black leather knee-high boots. I'd like to find a similar type of pair in brown, too.
* London Fog charcoal gray wool peacoat, size PXS
  - purchased in-store from Macy's, on sale with coupon
  - sleeves actually fit!
* Jones New York silk crepe moss green floral scarf
  - thrifted from Frenchy's for $1

Not pictured:
* Citizen Eco-Drive stainless steel, diamond, and mother-of-pearl watch
  - ~$300, gift from relative, purchased at Kay Jewelers
  - from last year, similar to the Silhouette Diamond but with a rectangular face
  - I adore this watch and wear it every day (though I always wear a watch every day). My skin turns green in the presence of copper, including when mixed into base metals, so the stainless steel strap was a must. It doesn't overwhelm my frame, and since it's link-based, I got it shortened for free to actually fit my 6" wrist. The surface has some scratches because I wear it every day and don't baby it, but the diamonds are all still firmly set in place and so far the no-battery-replacement claim seems to be true.
* Pink floral hair clip holding bun together, gift from relative while visiting in China