I truly don't mean to sound argumentative. I think the shoe quandry strikes a cord with me because on plenty of trips past I did not pack appropriately and ended up having to go shoe shopping (which is not the worst thing could happen to a person)... that trip to Hawaii I only took a pair of flip flops but had to walk a long way to the beach, to Mexico with just sandals and my apartment turned out to be located up an extremely steep cobblestone hill, etc. etc.

&quot;<i>there is a point where if i look down at my feet and if the look of the shoe just makes her sick to her stomach...she would rather sacrifice some comfort so that she would not have to look at them. </i>&quot;

OMG!

How can <u>anyone</u> get nauseous seeing the &quot;wrong&quot; shoes?? Maybe some people just have weird priorities?

Hi hckypris98,
I am fond of Zappo's for general shoe shopping but for prices, have you checked out Sierra Trading Post? They have a big range of shoes that are great for walking: Stonefly, Mephisto, Aquitalia, Merrell. The prices are often half off so it's worth looking at. www.sierratradingpost.com

I agree with other posters - make sure you have 2 good pairs of walking shoes and switch either every day or before dinner. No matter how comfortable or supportive the shoe, a fresh start is a huge relief.

I pack light but I do bring 3 or 4 pairs of shoes.

Hey Hckpris98,

This is a fun thread to read. Definitely, bring the black skirt. I was once unable to get into the casino at Monte Carlo because I didn't have a skirt - only black pants. I had to go buy one to get in. Now, I always pack a skirt when travelling.

Regarding shoes - I am a shoe fanatic. Here's my story. Like you, I am only 5' 1'' so I live in heels. Like you, for my first few trips to Europe, I would not compromise - I didn't wear heels, but I had to wear a pair of shoes/boots that were fashionable - that didn't make me feel like a loser everytime I looked at my feet.

There is something about the cobblestones,varying pavements (marble, stone, blacktop) in Europe that is killer on your feet. I remember wearing in Paris a pair of boots that I lived in at home. I had on many occasions easily walked more than five miles in Wash D.C. (where I lived) with these boots - no problem. In Europe, after a day of sightseeing, I was literally crying my feet hurt so bad.

Before my next trip, I bought the ugliest pair of Eccos that I had ever seen. I felt all the walking shoes were ugly, so I might as well by the cheapest (these were $90 off) that felt good on my feet since I would not be caught dead in these shoes at home. This was the best money I have ever spent. My feet feel great after a day of sightseeing, and my pants cover the shoes so it wasn't a big a deal as I thought it would be. I will NEVER travel to Europe without these shoes - it makes that much of a difference.

Although I wear walking shoes during the day, i wear stilettos out to dinner/clubs at night. I'm not walking as far and I can take the discomfort. I often hear people ask &quot;How do French women walk in heels on cobblestones?&quot; When I lived in Paris, I realize they don't. I've seen more women in Paris break off heels than I ever did in the States. So, wear your Jimmy Choos, but walk slowly and carefully.

A couple of random thoughts; Beginning of October 2005, it was freezing - I saw my breathe at the Eiffel Tower, so pack accordingly. Never saw capris in Paris last Oct., but saw alot of women wearing the knicker-trousers that hit above the knee with heels. (see this months In Style - pg. 186).

Have a great trip - C

Hi hckypris, regarding Ferragamo shoes, I always buy them in SF. I do not have very good luck buying shoes in Italy. A friend of mine in Italy that owns a Bruno Maglia store explained that the last in the Italian shoes that are exported to the US are made differently than the same brands that are sold in Italy. I have sort of a narrow foot (but not narrow enough for a narrow size) and a high arch. The medium size shoes in Italy are always to wide and the arch support does not hit my arch correctly.

A bummer, I wish I could buy shoes in Italy.

I have always been able to walk in high heels in Italy even on the cobblestones but I sure wouldn't suggest doing that while with a tour group.

BTW hckypris, the Clarkes flipflops, they are great for throwing on when going down to a cafe for early morning coffee!! And they are extremely comfortable. The model name is Indigo, but I purchased them a year or so ago so I don't know if they are still available.

You asked for some cute shoes:

http://www.clarkscanada.com/product/...1&amp;Level2=2

http://www.clarkscanada.com/product/...1&amp;Level2=1

http://indigo.zappos.com/n/p/dp/7441382/c/72.html

I think you'll be singing a different tune about having to have &quot;cute&quot; shoes while travelling after you come back. If you manage to find a pair of cute, comfy shoes that don't hurt your feet, more power to you!

okay gang...i am gonna say this one more time...I HAVE A PAIR OF SENSIBLE WALKING SHOES!!!! they are just not as cute as i'd like them to be so i am searching for something cuter. if i don't find a pair...no sweat...i have those and tennis shoes to take with me. enough said about the shoes!!!!

Hey ParisEscapes,

Do they allow you into clubs with jeans in Europe in general? Any countries where this is not allowed. I will definitely put the skirt back on the list for the casino in Monaco.

Thanks!

With Seven jeans, a cute top, and wedgies/heels, you'll be fine at the clubs/bars. Designer Jeans are everywhere in Paris - I've even seen jeans in upscale restaurants, which was not the case a few years ago.

The key is to look &quot;put together.&quot; You would not be able to get away with casual, baggy &quot;Mommy Pleated Jeans&quot;, plain t-shirt, and clunky white tennis shoes &quot;look.&quot;

I was in Monaco about 10 years ago, so the casinos now may be much less formal. At the time I was there, the casinos were VERY dressy with a strict dress code of no pants on women.

Hope this helps - C

ParisEscapes &amp; TravelBug &amp; MadameX...it seems that the three of you are on the same page as me...thank you!

I might leave the wedges at home and complete the outfit u mentioned with my ballet flats. I think I may have found a pair of shoes that will replace my Danskos...what do you think about them? I figure since my jeans are mostly hemmed for high shoes...most of the boot will be covered and I like the square toe.

here they are...what do you think?

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/7537268/c/72.html

Okay...got those boots from Zappos...they do free shipping both ways. Had to get them...they said they had only one pair left and the sale ends on friday. Hopefully this crap shoot won't end in craps. These are Privo...which are made by Clarks(which everyone swears are sooooo comfy) and they were recommended on another forum. Some of you are contributors to the info!

hckypris --
Do the Nordstroms near you have any American Munros? What about this one, on sale at Nordstroms right now: http://tinyurl.com/zksor

I used this one as a walking shoe in Italy and it was very comfortable:
http://tinyurl.com/zow56

HckyPris98

I love the boots you bought, sensible yet still stylish. I am not a &quot;sneaker' girl much myself. But when I was in Seoul, I bought a pair of bright blue Asics (with velcro straps...very hip hop I know)but they were everywhere in Asia, and b/c my jeans are also hemmed to wear with higher heels, I rolled up my jeans (slightly) and wore these sneakers. The trendy Korean women would stop me and compliment my shoes. They are super comfy but very trendy. I get compliments on them whenever I wear them, which is usually when I have to walk all day.

I think you and I would have fun shopping together.

My friend has a pair of boots similar to the pair you bought from Zappos and she wears them everywhere and swears by them!! She and I walked around all day in Siem Reap and no complaints.

I think you are all set. I am heading to Italy and Paris at the end of September to mid/October, so I am having my own issues trying to put together outfits and I want to get new shoes as well. Your boots gave me a great idea. They are perfect.

I just found these online....I think they are kind of funky and look comfy. Birkenstock's are always a good bet.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/6...For-Women.html

I know you already bought yours, but what do you think of them? Price is right as well. i need to buy a pair for my trip. Lots of great ideas on this thread.

Those are cute boots. I have a pair of shoes by Privo and they're comfortable.

Don't forget to break them in at home before taking them on the trip. Your feet will thank you!

I think the boots are gorgeous and practical, but I'd still take along the Dansko mary janes as well.

Okay gang...I am gonna try to respond to all of you in this one reply

TravelBug...thanks...I think we would have a great time shopping together...God help me if i come home with an Hermes bag...then again...the fact that bag cost more than a mortgage payment...that should be enough to deter me. The Birketstock boots...not loving them...they look okay in all black...if you are going to get a flat boot...I would suggest Born. I have a pair of really preppy looking mules from years ago that i used to wear all the time but since I have ditched the conservative POLO look...i don't wear them anymore. They are totally comfy!

http://www.shoeline.com/asp/dcpItem.asp?style=DW3242 (Sorry...Zappos doesn't have this one. They do free shipping both ways. I liked these but i really wanted more a of a tailored square toe look. )

Pavfec...thanks...I like them too...I hope they look as goon in person as they do online.

Suze...the whole purpose of getting the shoes was to leave the Dansko at home. Besides, there is a bike ride on my trip...need a sneaker type shoe for that...WILL NOT wear a tailored type shoe for that. If I get my Diesels all gross...I can throw them in the washer when I get home.

5alive...not loving those shoes at all. The first pair...absolutely don't like...just not my style...sorry! The second pair is better but if I were to do a flat shoe like that...I would get BORN. Can you tell that I like BORN? The Nordys out here is phasing them out of the BP shoes and moving them down to Ladies Shoes.

These are the closest option to the ones that you picked:

http://www.bornshoes.com/asp/shoepag...CategoryID=128

The ones that i really like:

http://www.bornshoes.com/asp/shoepag...CategoryID=135

The bow and print just makes it that much cuter.

hckypris98 --

First, your BORN shoes look like what I mean re: snazzy sport shoes that would look quite stylish with slacks. I've seen many stylish European women with this type of footwear. they also look lie they would be fine is the weather gets a little wet.

(I find that my rubber-sole, lug-sole loafer-style Ferragamos, or the variations onthe theme, do well enough in the rain, and they are comfortable. Since the G series is also rubber-soled, I'll use those, too.)

I'm admitting YET ANOTHER one of my quirks, re: responding to your request about the boots some suggested -- I tend to avoid boots unless it's cool or cold out. I know there are some fabulous boots out there, but they are often too heavy to want to deal with, especially when I travel. To me, Paris in October isn't cold enough, and I find boots too warm when I'm inside (museums, shopping, etc.) FOR ME, if it's cool, I'd rather wear slacks/jeans and comfortable, stylish shoes rather than boots, or skirts with tights and flats. Or: if the season gets cooler, I'll wear boots, but still fairly lightweight, e.g. supple suedes or calf, whether with skirts (usually knee-high) or pants (ankle-high.)

Also, re: boots: I don't pack for a deluge -- takes up too much space to pack for unlikely weather extremes. So: anything that looks like it will serve this (read: large and heavy) gets left behind. Exception: New York City in January.


Again the caveat, just to give you perspective: I've never felt great when wearing heavy, clunky-looking shoes, including many of the big platforms they've shown in recent seasons. I'm a smaller person, and the proportions don't suit me. *Yes, I own versions of Wellies, but they are reserved for downpours at home and truly mucky activites -- not Paris.

Hckypris98:

After I looked at the birkenstocks again I realized I didn't like them as much. Oh, and I didn't like them with the brown detailing, only in black.

Secondly, I have been spending forever trying to find boots to buy in CANADA! What is wrong with this place, I can't find any good online shopping stores to buy comfortable yet stylish boots. Or the ones I do find don't even ship here! I tried finding the Privo ones that deliver to Canada, no luck!

Any help HckyPris98 or anyone else who has some insight would be helpful.

By the way, last time I went to Paris, I came home with a Louis Vuitton bag. I couldn't resist. This was 5 years ago before I had responsibilities, but still. Crazy amount of money!