Keen Cheyenne Clog--Beet Red--Review

FlashBack Friday

In 2009, Keen offered us a slipper-shoe-clog. I call them my “shlogs”. In my opinion, they are the melting pot of good but borrowed ideas from great slipper-clog-shoe brands like Halfinger and Birkenstock. Keen tapped the Haflinger look with a woolen exterior and nodded to Birkenstock with insoles made with cork. Keen added their signature toe bumper, some microfleece lining and a non-marking—non-skid outsole and voila!!!.....The Cheyenne Slipper Clog came to be.

I was drawn to the Beet Red color and soft looking texture and was surprised to discover this cozy little clog was made by Keen. Whenever anyone asks me about them they are also surprised that they are Keens. I tried them on and immediately loved the feel of the microfleece lining on top of my foot and the smooth lining of the insole on the bottom—the perfect marriage of shoe to slipper via an easy-on, easy-off clog design. The outsoles have great traction and they are NON-marking....I tested this out on some beautiful blonde bamboo flooring. They are noticeably quieter on hard surfaces than other footwear with such hearty soles, which is great when you want to sneak up on the family pet or loved one:)

I will say that my Cheyenne's did start falling apart a little sooner than I thought they would given that I mostly wore them as slippers in and around my home. Sure, I ran out to the mailbox every now and then but the thin layer of wool started pulling back from the toe bumper and heel cup mighty quick. In my recent research, I discovered many glowing reviews of these clogs that each included a short bit on disappointing durability but their comfort seems to woo everyone's feet into overall positive reviews. I admit that I still love and wear my pair even though they are falling apart. I would say that Keen has made many more durable styles but these little numbers are still my favorite.

Keen no longer makes this model but they have added some new “shlog” models that may entice you to head to your local Keen dealer. If you happen to have a foot smaller than size 7 you can still find the Cheyenne and enjoy closeout pricing at endless.com, onlineshoes.com and amazon.com which may offset your valid durability concerns.

Fitting Notes:

U.S. whole and half sizing. Many slippers and clogs only come in whole sizes so another advantage the Cheyenne offers is half sizing allowing for a better fit if you often find yourself between sizes in “shlogs”. They seem to run “true-to-size” and the 8 medium fits me just perfectly. They also seem to be a true medium width whereas many of the Keeen styles tend to run wide. The removable footbed allows for the use of custom and OTC orthoses and that is a rare find in a slipper and is a lifesaver for those suffering from heel pain. 

Well Heeled In Audley...

Flashback Friday

I know I keep saying that I am into comfort shoes and then show you yet another pair of high heeled shoes that are only comfortable relative to “other” high heeled shoes. What is it about the heeled silhouette that draws us in even at the demise of our feet?

With this particular pair, it was their whisper of Betty Boop-esque round-toe styling and peau de soie fabric that lends them an understated dressy look that drew me in. Peau de Soie is a medium to heavy, drapeable fabric with a satin weave and delustered finish. This is a traditional fabric for wedding dresses that is also used for bridesmaids gowns, mothers-of-the-bride dresses and footwear. The dull luster is more flattering to most body shapes and sizes than high luster satins. Also, this fabric does not stretch easily which means the fabric will hold its' shape with lots of wear so don't expect your shoes to stretch—buy a big enough size in the first place.

I was not familiar with the Audley brand but at that moment I was in the throws of a shoe craving that did not include rational thinking...other than “gee, I don't have this brand in my collection yet”--a favorite rationalization of mine when wanting to buy shoes.

I have since discovered that Audley is a small shoe producer out of Spain and began their efforts in 1988. Audley no longer makes this particular pair of heels (thus it appears here on Flash Back Friday) but their shoes continue to showcase architectural elements and edgy designs that appeal to the artistic eye. They do consider comfort to some degree with the materials they choose to use but they are first a fashion brand which is why their styles continue to evolve and once a style is sold out—they are GONE. If you are a fashion hound, I do recommend that you check out their line early every season especially if you like unique designs or simply wish to enjoy some shoe-eye-candy. Their recent fall/winter 11-12 collection includes a darling pair of booties called Emily that look quite tasty:)

As always, I urge you to wear heels sparingly and responsibly. Heels are the frosting of what we wear—don't O.D. on the butter cream dahlings!

There are very few brick and mortar shops in the U.S. that carry Audley but you can always buy them directly from their site audleyshoes.com and a myriad of styles can be found through polyvore.com.

Fitting Notes:

 European whole sizing. By fluke I actually got a 38 ½ but it appears that they no longer make half sizes. I have found that their shoes run a touch long but every season brings new lasts that are bound to fit different from previous styles which makes it a bit tricky when trying to buy online. I recommend that you order 2-3 sizes close to your size so that you can be sure you find the best fit and then return what doesn't work. These shoes are not offered in widths nor do they have removable footbeds which makes them a “they work or they don't work” type of shoe. If you have a hard-to-fit foot avoid“ pump styles and opt for shoes with straps or boots. Refer to my European size chart for best size conversions.

Happy Camper's Again!

FlashBack Friday

I am glad to be back in the Great Northwest after my work stint in Vegas. I do prefer a mellow pace and open spaces....but Vegas did remind me that I do love a punch of color and shine when it comes to shoes. I pulled out these 'ol Campers of mine when I got home; knowing they would brighten up the rainy fog bound days ahead of me.

I picked up these lil' gems at the Camper store on Madison Ave in New York. I was on a fun girls trip and it was well understood that I would be hitting the shoe stores. My girlfriends nodded knowingly when my eyes twinkled upon seeing the Campers sign. I was already a fan of their comfort and sassy styling. The pop of magenta patent leather had me from the moment I walked in the door. Wouldn't you know it...the display pair was my size! They were meant for me! A little toe cleavage here—a little lattice work up the heel there, flexibility galore, room for my toes to wiggle with glee and polyurethane outsoles to keep me from slip slidin' away! Brilliant! At first, I thought they were black and magenta but the dark color proved to be dark brown...as dark as a 72% cocao chocolate bar...yum! This particular model also held my narrow-ish foot nicely with its' trim ankle strap. Needless to say I bought them on the spot and wore them right out onto the street looking for my girlfriends. Half the fun of buying shoes is sharing your find with friends. After the appropriate amount of ooo-ing and aaaah-ing my friend Miss S asked if she could borrow them to wear to Restaurant Tao that evening. Of course, I let her borrow them even though I usually can't take new shoes off of my feet for at least a week or two...but she was paying them the highest compliment by wanting to borrow them.

I am sorry to say that I can't even tell you the style name of these cute Campers. I left the box at the store...not wanting to schlep around with extra stuff to pack home. They have long since been discontinued so borrowing them is about the only way you are likely to get your feet into them. You might get lucky and find someone selling theirs on ebay but I am holding onto mine....unless Miss S wishes to borrow them again (I miss you Miss S!) Of course, Camper's continues to make awesome shoes and I bet you can easily find a style that speaks to your soles. Visit the Camper's site as well as Zappos.com for the latest and greatest styles. If you are lucky enough to live near a Camper retailer get yer toots in there and try on every pair stat!!!

Fitting Notes:

European sizing. I required a size 39 as usual. Camper styles vary greatly in terms of comfort. Typically the styles that have removable footbeds are more comfortable than those without. They fit great on medium width feet with generous space for your toes. If you have a narrower foot consider styles with adjustable features like buckles, velcro or laces. The amount of cushioning and arch support is varied enough that you should aim to try on several styles to feel what suits your feet best.   

Johansen-Packard-Rellin's From Virginia via Vancouver!

FlashBack Friday

It is only fitting that a Flashback Friday post written on the brink of a new year be packed with nostalgia. I found these gems at one of my favorite vintage shops in the Gas Town district of Vancouver, B.C.. When it comes to the rare occasion that I want to wear heels I am most often drawn to vintage styling. This pair of 1940's “Heavenly Heights Packard Rellin Salon Shoes-Milwaukee” were on display among charming gloves and elegant clutches. I was taken by their tiny peep toes, swirly stitch details and saucy ankle straps. The smooth low-nap suede hadn't a flaw even though the leather soles clearly had quite a bit of wear. Obviously, the woman or women who had these shoes before me must have adored them and cared for them...and probably never wore them during inclement weather. I like to imagine them at swanky gatherings garnering admiring glances and receiving shoe compliments as I do now when I wear them out on New Years Eve.

They are not terribly comfortable but they do feel secure with their ankle straps which is a good thing because I am not very practiced at gliding about in 4 inch heels. I also love that they feel so solid under my feet without giving up any stylishness. I find that now-a-days elegant shoes feel rather flimsy. These “Packard Rellin's” have stood the test of time both in durability and design.

With a little research, I discovered that these beautiful pumps were made by Johansen Shoe Company as a private label for a shoe store called Packard-Rellin Women's Shoes on Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee. While the Packard-Rellin store no longer exists; the Johansen shoe company continues to make quality shoes in the state of Virginia and have been doing so since 1876. Contracting with manufacturers to make a private label for your own store was and still is a common practice among retailers wanting their name on the product(s) they sell. Nordstrom's, for instance, has contracted with many shoe brands/manufacturers to make their “Nordstrom line” of shoes. Costco's well-known Kirkland brand is created this way by working with companies that produce everything from wine to toilet paper.

My little peep-toe show-stoppers exude nostalgia and every year when I pull them out I reminisce about my trip to Vancouver and the years that pass ever more quickly. I wonder about the journey these shoes took from Milwaukee to Vancouver and the feet they embellished along the way. I step into each New Year with a bit of shoe history, a ton of style and just enough pinch to remind me why I wear comfortable shoes the rest of the year.

Happy New Year and Happy Soles to You All,

abigail dagmar

Migliorini Is All Italian To Me!

FlashBack Friday

I am usually particular when it comes to buying shoes but that does not mean I am not prone to buy shoes on a whim once in a while...especially when I am on vacation. As you know, I love to buy shoes as a souvenir. Several moons ago I visited my sweet and saucy friend Cari (ummm hello...long time no see) when she was living in Los Angeles. We sold shoes together in college and became fast friends. Naturally, we went shopping...shoe shopping! Cari parked us on a street lined with shoe boutiques, coffee houses, bars on windows and a slew of fashionable people casually making their way about their day. The “GIANT SHOE SALE” sign got my attention! I grinned and nodded vigorously at Cari. She urged me to go on ahead...she had to get her caffeine fix.

This shoe store obviously specialized in all things Italian and was hosted by a saleswoman who eyed each customer up and down thoroughly deciding if they were worth her effort. If she approved of you she was exceedingly pushy, if not, you were ignored. As luck would have it, she ignored me and I got to comfortably peruse the selection of Italian leather goods surrounding me. Just before becoming overwhelmed by the dizzying selection of shoes, I spotted the racing stripes! At least, racing stripes were what came to mind when I laid eyes on these casual-chic Migliorini kicks. They called to mind Mini Coopers and Vespas (have since had a Mini and own a scooter). I slipped them on right away. All the stock was on the showroom floor so I didn't need to bother Miss Persnickety. As soon as my feet were in 'em, I wanted to go fast! Walk fast, drive fast, dance fast, live fast and guess what? I bought them fast—as fast as I could get to the register with them still on my feet. Miss P squeezed out a thank you and I zoomed out the door to find Cari or trouble whichever came first.

Cari spied the gleam in my eye and Italian leather on my feet from a block away. As we reached each other, I pushed my foot out, toe to the ground and turned my leg this way and that allowing a good look at my new treasure.

Cari asked--how much?

Way to take the wind out of my sails! In my haste and fear of Italian leather prices I just kept my head down to avoid seeing how much they set me back. They were on sale I rationalized. Yikes! With some hesitancy I pulled the receipt out, braced myself and we looked...and we blinked...and Cari nearly fell over in laughter. I realized I was holding my breath and finally took a breath and let it out with a sigh of relief and disbelief.

$23.48.

Yep, that's it! That was quite a “giant” sale and left me feeling a bit suspicious of my Italian shoes. At least I wouldn't feel the need to try to explain my flippant behavior to anyone. Besides, I had a thrill and a new pair of shoes.

The Migliorini brand has very little online presence and I haven't run across them again in my shoe store travels. It seems as though they are in fact made in Italy but that is about all I could find out about them. I can tell you that they are not comfortable nor are they uncomfortable. They are indifferent much like the saleswoman who rung them up for me. I mostly wear them when I think of Cari or want to feel one with the word fast!

Ready, set, go,

abigail dagmar