Saw these at DSW today and thought they'd be great for Ren through the 18th century--"Roosevelt" ribbon tie Oxfords from Restricted (http://www.restrictedshoes.com/products/ROOSEVELT.html):
(http://bim.shopstyle.com/pim/26/96/26961bd7156c17053684b7dd5fde8948_best.jpg)
They're quite dainty (daintier than they look in this photo), and the faux leather upper is very thin and soft, and has that hand-stitched look. The slight heel and ribbon ties are nice period details. They also come in a tan color, although I only saw the black ones in person. DSW has them for $42, although the list price is $50.
***
I also found these, Arcopedico "Flower," (http://www.zappos.com/arcopedico-flower-indigo-leather) which have more of a Fairwear look about them--but raves for comfort (and the pricetag to match, alas--about $140). They come in gads of fun colors, and this photo shows the best detail:
(http://a3.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/3/8/9/2/1138928-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg)
Unfortunately, I am in the market for mundane shoes at the moment, although my feet hurt so badly today I am giving serious consideration to the Arcopedicos. ???
(I often see things like this and wonder who would wear them EXCEPT to Fair! LOL I *adore* my fair shoes--a pair of tan maryjanes--but for real life they're hideous.)
Oooh, those are fantastic! I may have to put the second pair on my "list" (I'm looking for comfy faire shoes for my horrible painful feet). The first pair would be great for a victorian look without a tall heel.
Those are excellent. I am saving up for these:
(http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/69320987/8_aug_2012_199.jpg) from http://www.fairysteps.co.uk/ (http://www.fairysteps.co.uk/)
I need something more folksy and whimsical than my current lot of shoes for my new LARP character. I have some very similar to your top ones, made by Clarks, for my February outing.
Those are adorable Kate!
Kate, any chance you know the name of your Clarks? I've had good luck with their shoes in the past, and I'm always on the lookout!
Years ago, Baroness Doune and I had *the exact same pair* of black Dexter maryjanes (well, I mean she had a pair, and I also had a pair! LOL We didn't share them. ;)). They were wonderful. But, of course, Dexter is now kaput, and Travelsmith doesn't make their packable maryjanes anymore, either (my current Fair shoe, and possibly the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn. When I have them on, I never, ever think about my feet!). :(
I caved and bought the Arcopedicos. In teal--not the most Fair-friendly color, but good for mundane life!
They don't do them this year, but these are very similar:
(http://assets.clarksmcr.com/products/2/0/3/20353797_A_p.jpg)
I like those for *real life!* LOL They're similar to some of my favorite mundane shoes, Clark's "Apple Jane:"
(http://ak.buy.com/PI/0/300/209116968.jpg)
Ok, back to your regularly scheduled Renaissance.... ;)
I have an update!
I received the Arcopedico Flowers today, and they are lovely! Much slimmer and more feminine than they appear in the photo. The teal is more of a dusty navy, still pretty. They would be WONDERFUL shoes for fair! (I thought they fit better without socks.) Alas, I am not looking for shoes for fair; I am looking for shoes for LIFE, and these aren't the winter, wear-everywhere loafers I was after... and for $140, I'm afraid they'll have to go back. Sigh. :-[
Quote from: Kate XXXXXX on January 27, 2013, 07:52:33 AM
Those are excellent. I am saving up for these:
(http://cache1.bigcartel.com/product_images/69320987/8_aug_2012_199.jpg) from http://www.fairysteps.co.uk/ (http://www.fairysteps.co.uk/)
I need something more folksy and whimsical than my current lot of shoes for my new LARP character. I have some very similar to your top ones, made by Clarks, for my February outing.
I loved, loved, loved all the shoes on this website. I understand they are handmade, and they are beautiful, but the price is beyond my budget. :-[
One thing I found kinda crazy. The last time we went to England in 2012, Steve and I went to an outlet mall where there was a Clarks outlet. Having worn Clarks before, I was so excited. Well, every pair of shoes in the store was in pounds what I would pay in dollars in the U.S. Considering they are made in the UK, I thought they would have been at least somewhat less expensive, especially at an outlet, not a regular shoe store or at Marks & Sparks. I ended up not buying a thing. Very disappointed I was.
What you have to remember is that we pay 20% VAT on top of the base price. You could probably have got that off if you'd told them you were about to export them to the USA. Things are a LOT more expensive her, all round. Think about it: we pay $2.18 per LITRE for diesel fuel. Road transport heavily influences prices...
(http://centuries-sewing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/naturalizertudorlikeshoe.jpg)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015DTSPO/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015DTSPO/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00)
I ordered these back in Aug. for real life/faire. So far they are pretty comfy. I'm going to removed the decorative button and may or may not hit them with a little polish to tone down the stitching.
They have an almost squared off Tudor toe , it is the first modern shoe I've seen that comes close-ish on that feature.