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.   

Dan Post Milwaukee DP2111R Antique Tan Review

Must Have Monday!

During my travels south I got to visit a wonderful family friend we call Neighbor Mike who was rockin' a pair of Dan Post boots that were as sharp as his personality. In no time at all I had photos of the boots with their shiny silver Montana toe tips and had asked to check out his boot more thoroughly. He was amused and compliant. The leather on these boots is rich in quality and color consistent with what one might expect from a boot company practicing their craft since the early 60's. This particular pair called the Milwaukee DP2111R came out of the Clarksville, Tennessee facility and dazzled me with their Antique Tan color but of course I had to know if these boots were just “lookers” or if they actually have all day comfort. According to Neighbor Mike, “...they are sooo comfortable right out of the box” which echos the reviews other gents have given this boot on various websites. The Milwaukee boasts the “Dan Post Comfort Insole” that is cushioned and has a moisture-wicking cover to keep your feet cool. The boot is also lined with smooth leather that makes pulling them on easy. The leather would clearly soften and shape to your foot making these boots feel like old friends.

I also appreciate that Mike treated these boots with the added touch of silver toe tips that he procured from MontanaSilverSmiths.com to the tune of $30 and attached them himself. My admiration of his boots caused him to beam with the pride and a million dollar smile that matches the boots million dollar look. I could see in his eyes that he cherished his boots the way I cherish many of my shoes and that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!

Click this link to find your local Dan Post retailer because I am a fan of supporting the shoe stores in your hometown.

If you happen to prefer shopping online...you can find these boots at the following sites:langston's.com, bootbay.com (offered in black only) and zappos.com (on sale! offered in black only)

Fitting Notes:

U.S. Sizing. Neighbor Mike says they fit true but since we were guests at my Uncle's Chrismakah party I didn't get to explore their particular fit qualities the way I usually do with shoes that I review. This boots' shaft measures 13 inches and is offered in three widths equivalent to narrow, medium and wide increasing your odds of an excellent fit. Remember that when fitting boots you should expect the heel to slip some when they fit properly.  

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

Alegria Classic in Happy Sangria Rose!

Must Have Monday

Have you tried Danskos because all your friends love them but find them too firm and uncomfortable? Alegria to the rescue!!! These inspired clogs offer some similar features to the Dankso clogs...like rocker bottom, anti-slip soles and a healthy helping of arch support. What sets Alegria's apart is their extremely cushiony soft ride. They are chalk full of latex and memory foam bonded with cork for structure and a custom like fit. Even though they look a bit clunky they are far from heavy. You won't be lugging them around at all....in fact, the rocker bottom practically propels you through your day with ease. I started noticing these colorful clogs on medical professionals and teachers. I figured they must have some strong comfort merits and got my feet into a pair to check them out.

Alegria's made me smile instantly and my feet said “aahhh” as they settled into the footbed. Looking down at the toe-box I could clearly see these shoes were made with toe spread space in mind. The sueded footbed caught and pulled my socks a little tight but the suede will smooth out quickly enough with wear making them easier to slide on over time. I also noticed that the heel cup and thickness of the outsole creates a very level feeling. Dankso's have a bit of a forward pitch but the Alegria's pitch is neutral which is also helpful if your feet are having any grief at the forefoot where your feet naturally bend. I am particularly charmed by this color called Sangria Rose....perhaps it's the influence of the holidays that attracts me to the shiny patent R_E_D color but I have a feeling I will like them year round! As their brand grows I hope they will add a few styles in narrow widths to broaden the size range and introduce a few models for men.

Be sure to read the fitting notes if you can't find Alegria's to try on at your local shoe store.

Alegria's can be found at most comfort shoe retailers and online at zappos.com, alegriashoeshop.com, and amazon.com

Fitting Notes:

European sizing. Alegria's website has a conversion chart that I find to be inaccurate. I am an american size 8 in most shoes and as usual require a size 39 while their chart suggests that I would need a 38. Please use the conversion chart I have posted to best fit your foot. These shoes best fit medium to wide feet and are only offered in women's styles and sizes. Many of their clog styles fit folks with high insteps especially well. If you find you are between sizes I recommend going up in size if you are buying an enclosed model. If you really feel you need the smaller size opt for the open-back clog models so that your toes and arch are not pushed forward by the heel cup. If you have thick full length orthotics you will find that Alegria's accommodate them nicely. Most models have at least some adjustment making them friendly to many shapes of feet. If you have narrow feet you may need to wear fairly thick socks with them.

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