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Votes, please, to help me choose smart casual summer flat

20 replies

polyhymnia · 19/04/2015 18:44

Was all geared up to get these today from L K Bennett for summer smartish casual wear:

  1. www.lkbennett.com/Shoes/Flats/Elsa-Broderie-Anglaise-Espadrille/p/5050923392190?nv=

Then just happened to see these in a shop window and also like the look of them

  1. www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Ash+ILLUSION+flower+lace+trainers/215480110,default,pd.html

and, when I got home and looked online, saw there's a variation on 2:
3. www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Ash+JUNGLE+BIS+flower+lace+leather+trainers/216084048,default,pd.html

Please give me votes and views to help me decide.
My DH's view would of course be that I don't need any of them.

TIA.

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LondonHuffyPuffy · 19/04/2015 18:53

I'm really sorry, but I'm not mad keen on any of them. I think they are all quite spenny for espadrilles, especially the LKB ones.

Hopefully this will at least bump your thread so that others with better taste than me can comment more helpfully!

FrugalFashionista · 19/04/2015 18:55

I impulse-bought a pair of soft white broderie espadrilles in the US a month ago and have worn them every day ever since. They go so well with pale denim and khaki, and look so fresh! The only downside is that they cannot be worn on wet days. I also bought a pair of skate shoes (a bit like your pairs #2&3) last summer, they are gorgeous in theory but I have worn them only two or three times in total and am planning on donating them. The white soles make my feet look enormous and they are also incredibly sweaty.

FrugalFashionista · 19/04/2015 18:57

Oh and my espadrilles look very similar but they cost $25! So you might find a better deal somewhere else.

DelphiniumBlue · 19/04/2015 18:59

Over £100 for a pair of espadrilles?? that are very casual, not smart casual, and you can't wear if there's a hint of rain? Why??
The trainers are OK, but again, not really smart casual.

polyhymnia · 19/04/2015 22:12

Thanks for comments so far. Do see that those espadrilles are pricy for shoes which can only be worn in fine weather. Any other views?

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nilbyname · 19/04/2015 22:15

You could a pair of espadrilles like that from one of the supermarket clothing sections. Not keen at all.

Love the last pari of the ash ones though.

RoadRunner123 · 19/04/2015 22:16

I like them in the order you posted them and love the first one, but they are waaaaay out of my price range!

Follyfoot · 19/04/2015 22:19

Shock at the price of those espadrilles. These or these are similar.

polyhymnia · 20/04/2015 12:40

Sorry, accept the wise comments but do still love the designs of both of these and think they're really pretty - but can't decide which to try on, let alone buy. I do already have a couple of pairs of skate-type shoes, which I do wear a lot and really like (silvery ones by Geox and a German make). However, don't know whether that means I'd like the Ash better or that I should have a change from the style!

On smart casual, used the wrong phrase - I meant the sort of thing you'd wear to a summer barbecue, which isn't necessarily what most people mean by the term I guess.

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FrugalFashionista · 20/04/2015 12:43

I think you should just order them and try them on. Then you will know!

polyhymnia · 20/04/2015 13:01

Yup good thinking!

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mirpuppet · 20/04/2015 13:23

Cost aside. I also like them in the order you have listed them.

Talisin · 20/04/2015 13:35

The LKB ones are by far the nicest. At least there's a 25% off via Grazia at the moment!

ElizabethHoover · 20/04/2015 13:47

those ' skate shoe' ( son would roll his eyes massively here) are ugly and SWEATY looking.

so the espadrilles I suppose but they are a bit coach trip

FluffyTheEvilOne · 20/04/2015 13:51

Not taking into account cost, I prefer the LKBs. I would not pay that for them though!

polyhymnia · 20/04/2015 13:55

Oh dear, what sort of coach trip???

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TheCowThatLaughs · 20/04/2015 14:18

I love the espadrilles but you could find them a lot cheaper on somewhere like asos. Think they had packs of 2 pairs for £20!

WipsGlitter · 20/04/2015 14:35

They're a bit granny...

But i agree it's hard to find a casual summer shoe!

herbaceous · 20/04/2015 14:41

Sainsbury's has a pair of navy broderie anglais espadrilles for £12.

polyhymnia · 20/04/2015 22:51

Well I went in to LKB and tried them.Quite nicely made in fact with the flowers in the motif made of navy leather, not just fabric.

However after all that they were too narrow for my feet - not a problem I've ever had with their shoes before.

So I've been saved from my own extravagance!
May check out the Ash when I'm near one of their shops or they come into a local independent shop as promised.

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