Shoe-String Shoe Shopping

As seems the yearly ritual, my pair of basic black flats have died on me. I'm rather disappointed, to say the least, in Dolce Vita's quality. The shoes are beautiful, but don't seem to have a quality build for the price (ask me about the $375 boots I returned three times!). I spent nearly $90+ on a pair of peep-toed, ankle-strapped black flats, and in less than a year the soles have huge holes and gashes in them. One could argue that this is the fault of an all-leather shoe, but shoes in the past have been made with the same material and withstood much more pressure and living.



Right now, my covetous and wishful replacement would be John Fluevog's Lately. I loved them before, and after trying on Miss Malaprop's red ones, I'm absolutely sold. But at $209, they're a bit spendy (especially right before the holidays!). How can I resist the in-person subtlety of the sparkle, along with the modernization of a classic t-strap?

Urban Outfitters has a similar t-strap (though not nearly so darling), the Fairytales are True Broadway T-Strap. For the girl who is more admiring of the Fluevog's sparkly nature, the Broadway T-Strap also comes in sequined Silver and Gold. At $34, they may be a good, cheap investment until I can afford my ideal John Fluevogs.