Quality, Comfort, and Price

I'm looking for loafers. Around town shoes. Stylish, comfortable shoes. You know. 

I'm in the I-just-moved-to-Brooklyn-and-most-of-my-favorite-shoes-are-heels phase, and I need to find new footwear.

Here are my favorite flats:

The sienna loafers are about two years old, and despite the cobbler's new heel, they probably will not last the winter.

I found a possible replacement online:

 

Brooks Brothers Calf Skin Ballet Loafer, $118

I also thought a pair of this shoe might be a fun purchase:

 

 Lanvin Belgian Loafer, $650

I first saw the Lanvin flats on a girl standing beside me in the subway. I asked her where she bought them. In a beautiful French accent, she said, "Lanvin."

I went home, googled the shoes, and snorted at the price.

(My grey tassel loafers cost forty as DSW. Yankee thrift!)

I also checked eBay, and this is what I found:

These are so ugly. I love them!

...And then things got a little crazy:

...And then I went shopping for jewelry:

 

 

...And then I started searching for clothes by Zoran:

...and I found a skirt!

Apparently, my Yankee thrift disappears entirely when I shop for thigh-high boots. I really like this pair by Donna Karen:

I  really, really like these. Love these. Want these. But do not need these!

All that shopping did lead to a purchase. I'm still looking for a more versatile pair of flats, but I did purchase this pair:

They were made in Brazil from woven leather. Maybe it's my textile history class, but I really appreciate the braided leather included in the weave. I had also intended to buy the perforated leather flats by Elizabeth and James, but I didn't realize that the auction ended during one of my classes. I am sad to have missed such a bargain! 

I will probably still buy the Brooks Brothers loafers when they go on sale. (If you visit the site, you should also visit the jewelry section. The jewelry is consistently overpriced, but it is delicate yet modern and oh-so-stylish. You should check it out!)

In addition to the shoes, I also bought these pairs of earrings from eBay:

These are both sets of 12mm earrings. The first pair is tiger eye, and the second is sterling silver. And they were bargains! They are both practical and versatile, like that pair of loafers I was searching for...before I purchased everything else!