Just picked up these adorable satin, gingham wedges from Payless - for $38 bones! I’ve been in a little rut when it comes to Payless outside of New York. I sometimes wonder if people are even aware of how fantastic it is - and if the buyers out in Topeka, Kansas (yes I’m serious) would plan an assortment correctly for a city outside of NY - we might all spend a lot more money there. Here in Austin, there are about 5 Payless’, only 1 of which carries the designer collections - so when I was reading up on the new styles that were in the 34th street store in Manhattan, it was about 4:55 and I bounded out of the office on my way to pick up some serious spring shoes. Unfortunately, they had about 1/3 of what I was expecting, but I did manage to snag the Lela Rose wedges above - they had such a distinct 40’s feel to them, very romantic - like the Notebook! So, my beef with this story is that Payless needs to realize that Austin is not West Texas and give us a better assortment. There are fashion forward girls outside of NYC and perhaps they’d know that if they weren’t based in Kansas.
Shop Lela Rose “Caruth” check wedges $38 @ Payless.com
Definitely for the daring at heart. I know I can’t resist any pyramid stud, no matter what the capacity. These are very specific - but for that price it’s completely reasonable to have but not wear all the time. Sometimes I buy pieces I don’t wear for years - I just know that I need to have them and there will a perfect time for them in the future. And, if anything, these shoes are definitely futuristic.
Shoe $34.99 (orig $55) at Payless.com
I bought this pair last week - from Payless for $19.99! They are super comfortable, I didn’t have to buy a half size smaller like I usually do in heels, and they’re a great transition away from my much loved Balenciaga-esque gladiators (that I wore out completely this summer). I love having something going on over the top of the foot – that creates a little interest and flavor - rather than just what a pump evokes. I also love being able to still wear peep toes here in TX – it’s like the southern version of fall’s oxford heel.
And - either one of these shoes is a sweet deal. The thing about payless, though – is that they don’t replenish fashion styles like this, so when you find something good I am convinced you should always buy 2 pairs (which would still be less than the competition). Nine West’s may be a bit more structurally sound, but their ecomm site isn’t always the best in terms of size inventory, so now that it’s on sale they may not be able to accommodate.
I once had a mild freak out when trying to order above said gladiators - the site had them as unavailable until next month, so I ran to the closest Nine West on Lex across from Bloomie’s - and lo and behold they just got a new shipment in. Thank God the brick & mortar stores are well-oiled-shoe-addict-machines!
Shop Nine West $59.99 (on sale from $80) & Payless $19.99
Alice + Olivia have been a Go International-diffusion-type brand at Payless for over a year now, but this is the first collection that has registered with the fashion community. There were always just too many ballet flats and not enough oomph. The fire engine red, patent peep toe booties are the key piece, killer - and almost an exact replica (disregard color) to their runway Rivington shoe. The other grey sweater bootie is a close second, I LOVE wedge boots (height still absolutely necessary in winter) - and the handbags have a nonchalant, Coach-esque chic about them.
I actually went into a Payless yesterday to look for them (used to designer collections being in every NYC location) - so the lady tells me they don’t carry them because they start at $40 and that’s usually too $$$ for college kids (University of Texas). This is ridiculous! I lived in a squalor, 4th floor walk-up tenement, shoved against 2 other girls in New York as a student (in reality should cost 10x less than Manhattan market price lets it be) - and could afford to buy $40 shoes. I guess it’s about priorities - C’MON TEXAS!
Shop Alice + Olivia for Payless, above Rivington bootie $48.
Hudson bootie $48
Terry messenger $40
Park clutch $34
