Two-Tone, Always Two-Tone

This is such a great dress (from Out of the Ashes). I don't know what it is about two-tone patterns, but I love them. Maybe it's the buy one, get one free fabric mentality, or maybe I am not-so-subconsciously looking for an excuse to buy one yard cuts of fancy fabrics, but put a border or a shoulder piece or a whatever on a dress that justifies hours of agonizing fabric matching, and you can be sure it'll get my seal of approval (should I work one of those up, by the way?).

I love the slim sheath on the right -- not that the border print with the happy hat is not lovely, but the sheath seems more season-appropriate to me right now. I'd love to make it in brown with a deep pumpkin orange for the top contrast, or even brown and cream.

Of course the problem with my new fixation on brown is that I'm having the crankiest time trying to find the right shoes-that-go-with-brown. Why is it so hard to find brown shoes that don't have stupid metal details, horrible rubber bike-tire soles, or are pinchy? Anything that's even passable has three-and-a-half-inch heels, which, sorry, can't do (well, can't do for more than an hour). Why doesn't someone hire me to design shoes, I ask? (The fact that I cannot draw anything but amoebas shouldn't factor into it -- I'm sure I could have one of those Identikit artists help me out.) These are the closest I've found to the "right shoe" so far ...

Comments

[Ju]

I'm curious what makes those shoes not quite right. I'm not sure that these are more in the right direction, but they are comfy.Or maybe these are a little more grown-up looking.

[k.]

I, too, am always on the lookout for decent brown shoes. Specifically, comfortable and feminine brown dress shoes that are not dowdy-matronly (clunky and unironic orthodics) or suburb-punk (zippers, chains, stitching, grommets--all on one shoe),May I recommend the Dansko heels at http://www.dansko.com/Our_Products/Women's/Shoes.aspx?PageID=All ? I am particularly fond of the Regina and the Rose myself, though I notice the Nelly has that wedge heel. It also has, I must say, two metal grommets for decoration.The Rose comes in "paprika." Just sayin'.

[Andrea]

Monro American ShoesNot available at Zappo's but there is a store locater on their site.The Isabel http://www.munroshoes.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=107and the Lacey http://www.munroshoes.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=113are vintage friendly, come in lovely warm browns and both have a 1&1/4 inch heel.I'm buying a pair (haven't decided which style yet) when I'm a little closer to finished with my fall/winter work swap.

[Kristen]

trying very hard not to buy all of forementioned shoes. *eating brownies for breakfast to control urge*

[sara jane]

Have you checked out the shoes at JJill.com? Many retro-esque, yummy brown shoes - I haven't quite decided on which ones to buy yet?Danskos are also fabulous.

[Wendy]

Whew! Those Munro shoes sure are gorgeous, but they're expensive, too. I've never spent more than $100 on a pair of shoes in my life, but they sure make me want to start. ;)

[Andrea]

Wendy, the Monros are spendy, but I don't buy very many shoes--the last pair I bought was a pair of Danskos almost two year ago.So, $100 and up is cheap when you don't buy shoes very often. I say, buy good shoes, occasionally, and spend the rest on fabric. :)

[Anonymous]

I am always looking for a nice pair of brown shoes. I have several dresses I haven't worn because I don't have the right brown shoe. I will check out those links left by commenters.I love the dress pattern. I would make the full skirt in a two tone blue.

[jinnan-tonnyx]

I would ask the Manolo! I don't think he's written about brown shoes before .

[smonster]

To file under "expensive but gorgeous" I found these Fluevogs:http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w%5B0%5D=attribute%3AWomens&w%5B1%5D=order%3Afresh&p=7&pp=1&view=detail&colourID=2097

[Julie The Vintage Goddess]

~gah~I have the hardest time finding cute, but comfy shoes (with a vintage look if possible) that will fit my horribly wide feet and not cause me to spend all the weeks "grochery" money.

[julia]

Check out Cidel's fabulous two-tone: http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=23604, if you haven't already had the pleasure.

[Christina]

Has anybody tried Sofft? They have lots of brown low to mid-heeled shoes that are reasonably priced. I just bought a pair of black partly patent ones (Gayle, also in brown) and they are very comfortable and walkable. Good luck in your search.

[Laura]

I found this shoe, which I think you will love!!Laura (Bill Shunn's wife)http://tinyurl.com/26frt2

[Anonymous]

I think the initial dilemma was "shoes that go with brown" not brown shoes. Don't be so matchy-matchy and green, orange, gold, blue, even the right shade of tomato-y red will go with brown. I prefer the brown/blue combo myself.

[La BellaDonna]

Erin, Aldo's Cutlera would seem to me to be low-heeled, comfortable and fashionable enough to wear with your choice in dresses - and it's available in black or brown.And I totally want the Isabel AND the Lacey, but I wasn't able to find the prices for them on the website. :(

[Wendy]

la belladonna,I googled around for the Munro shoes a bit, and found that the Isabel and Lacey are generally around $158. There are lots of online retailers that the "Where to Buy" tab on the official website doesn't list.And andrea,It's less about buying shoes often/not often and more about being a poor, poor college student! Maybe some day. :)

[Anonymous]

I'm voting for brown and cream (although also voting for the full skirt..)

[tea]

k., I was going to make almost the same comment as you. I'm wearing my paprika Rose right now! They go very well with brown. And I, too, was thinking the Nelly in brown is wonderful, though it does have the grommets (which don't bother me). If I had those shoes, I would wear them every day. They're versatile and this newest last is quite comfortable.

[tea]

p.s.What I meant to add was that if you're more into coordinating with brown than matching it, these shoeshttp://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7189429.htmlare incredible.There's also a peep-toe version for spring http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7229625.html

[Anonymous]

My first thought was multi toned shoes, not just brown shoeshttp://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/28392532/c/401.htmlKenneth Cole Oh BellI have these and love em. They look great great with very plain looks. Yes, a heel but doable cone shape.

[Nora]

I really like those Report shoes, but in the dark red.I love brown shoes, but a) most shades are hard to wear with black and b) browns are hard to match! There's your warm light luggage brown, your cooler dark chocolate brown, and everything in-between...If you're looking for a low wedge, Miz Mooz makes some cute ones (at Infinity Shoes website) that aren't TOO expensive, nor too cheaply made, in really fun colors, most styles in brown (some with orange lining!) They make some butt ugly shoes but their "collection" shoes are lovely.Oh, and love the dress pattern, and the whole two-tone thing.Good luck!

[Meg]

I like the shoes, they are cute but not overdone...

[Christine]

I know these cost a fortune, but you could walk a marathon in them, and they are so cute on. I am lusting as we speak...http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/common/Product.aspx?ProductID=2875&pagetag=women_dress_comfort&source=category

[well rounded dresser]

My favorite shoes are Munros. http://www.munroshoes.com/Collection.aspxThey are excessively comfortable and I love how they look.