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Help. Tell me these aren’t ugly AF

51 replies

GenuineKlatchianPottery · 16/09/2019 20:13

In the last year to 18 months I put on 5 stone. I’ve managed to drop 1 of them but I’m still really self conscious about my size and appearance.
I’ve got bad arthritis in my joints and plantar fasciitis.
Now that the weather is getting cooler I’ve decided to get my finger out and make more of an effort with how I look. I’m 53 so want to look more elegant and put together but don’t mind a bit quirky.
Anyway, shoes have been a problem for me as top priority is comfort, yesterday my DD recommended these and they’ll be here tomorrow. I do like them, I think I’ll be able to wear them with pretty much all of my Autumn stuff.
Have I made a mistake?
www.marksandspencer.com/leather-wide-fit-tassel-loafers/p/p60188297?prevPage=srp
I’ve got them in the berry colour

OP posts:
notso · 17/09/2019 16:36

Those Russell and Bromley ones are positively elderly.

The M&S ones are okish but I can't imagine they'd be good for PF unless you use insoles.

Ninkaninus · 17/09/2019 18:55

I expect they will be comfortable (I wear M&S shoes a fair bit and find them lovely for my feet), but pp is right, they will not help to ease or heal the PF. If your current insoles are not custom fitted I strongly urge you to try them. They will also help a lot with cushioning for the arthritis and taking the pressure off your joints.

R&B shoes linked are more elderly looking and not trendy...nothing wrong with that per se....but saying that they’re less hideous and that M&S ones are a poor effort in terms of style isn’t correct in my view - they are closer to what is trendy right now and ‘younger’ looking (although I agree with pp that M&S aren’t usually quite on the button as far as achingly cool is concerned, but I imagine that’s not your prime concern here). R&B do beautiful shoes of great quality but with a cost to match, and more expensive doesn’t always mean more fashionable, trendy or stylish.

Anyway this is all so subjective.

These shoes will look good and you will pull them off perfectly fine, and to be honest your feet and your joints need comfort right now whether or not some people will hate the look. What’s important is you liked them enough to buy them (or were desperate enough to try them which is just as valid).

Wear them with pride and take the attitude that you look good and that will come through in how you carry yourself, which will make them look good.

I hope you get some relief soon.

EdWinchester · 17/09/2019 18:59

M&S always get it ^slightly* wrong.

But they could look ok with ankle grazer trousers. Just don't wear them with opaque tights.

Atlasta · 17/09/2019 19:02

You'll look great!

katseyes7 · 17/09/2019 19:19

l'm with Ninkaninus - l've worn virtually nothing but Fitflops for 20 years since l broke my ankle. They're the most comfortable shoes/boots l've ever had. The only time l diverge from them is a pair of Vionics sandals.

Anotherdayanothernight · 17/09/2019 20:24

Inoffensive

CountFosco · 17/09/2019 21:10

Perfect for work, a nod to fashion and I like the chunky soles. Alternative? The GH Bass ones are very comfortable.

CakeInMyFace · 18/09/2019 06:39

Rude post @walkintheparc - the mention if a sad goth teenager too which is completely unnecessary. Lots of people read these posts and the upset words can cause are huge. Watch the Odd One Out.

OP shoes are great. I work in a young trendy office and most of the girls are wearing that style. And dont listen to anyone else anyway. Wear what you like if you like it!!

CmdrCressidaDuck · 18/09/2019 07:45

Particularly when walk is completely wrong and the R&B loafers say "well-off horsey 60yo with no fashion sense".

Ninkaninus · 18/09/2019 07:56

Yes quite. I don’t expect she follows fashion closely because the M&S ones are miles better from that perspective.

Ninkaninus · 18/09/2019 07:57

Anyway, OP your shoes are great and I hope they cushion your feet nicely!

Aramox · 18/09/2019 08:02

I have wide feet too and the choice is tiny so anyone saying they’re gopping should shut up! They’re a great find and I hope they’re comfortable plus I am very grateful to know M and S do wide fit.

dudsville · 18/09/2019 08:03

I love loafers, but I do go in for merino jumpers and cords and i wear thick glasses, so pretty much these are the shoes of my people.

Moominfan · 18/09/2019 08:07

I really like them. Well done on the weight loss op

Ninkaninus · 18/09/2019 08:09

@Aramox M&S are very good for wider feet. Even their usual styles comes up on the big side (I usually have to size down by a half size or sometimes even a whole one). You may not even need their wide feet styles.

They do good quality (and many of them are good looking) shoes for reasonable prices. I am known for being a shoes and footwear lover and I get loads of compliments whenever I wear each of several pairs of shoes from there. People are always amazed that they are from M&S.

Idontneeditatall · 18/09/2019 08:13

Totally agree that theMS ones are way more fashionable than the RB ones. Quite surprising that the rude poster was so firm about the RB ones being spot on when most agree they’re really not!

Ninkaninus · 18/09/2019 08:17

As if they were a look go aspire to...

Apologies to anyone who has those shoes Wink but I’m entitled to say that because I wear something very similar to drive in.

AgathaF · 18/09/2019 08:27

I think the M&S ones could look great with the right outfit, although I can't see them helping with PF. The RB ones are just horrible, absolutely nothing nice or fashionable about them.

NiteFlights · 18/09/2019 09:47

Yes, the R&B ones are extremely classic. M&S much more ‘now’. I agree with pp - it all depends what you wear them with. Maybe get on Pinterest for some ideas. Loafers can easily go ‘wrong’ for some reason.

CmdrCressidaDuck · 18/09/2019 13:09

I dream of a pair of Grenson Claras. The right size and colour have yet to come up on eBay though...

Ifonlyiweretaller · 18/09/2019 17:46

I have them in navy - and consider myself to be quite trendy! I wear with slightly rolled up jeans and bare ankles. Have had compliments too.

BarrenFieldofFucks · 18/09/2019 22:40

Christ there are some arseholes around, I'm looking at you in particular @walkintheparc

I like them OP. And I'm considered fairly interested in fashion tbh.

Ninkaninus · 19/09/2019 08:07

Agreed.

I hope you’re wearing them OP and feeling confident and most of all comfortable.

Some people just don’t get the loafers et al thing, which is fine. But those of us who like them and also like to be fairly current and modern in our dress can assure you that they’re absolutely fine, they look good and you can safely wear them and know you’re looking classic with a modern twist.

BusySittingDown · 19/09/2019 08:09

A lot of high school girls are wearing shoes like those at the moment.

I think they're nice.

CountFosco · 23/09/2019 17:24

Some people just don’t get the loafers et al thing, which is fine. But those of us who like them and also like to be fairly current and modern in our dress can assure you that they’re absolutely fine, they look good and you can safely wear them and know you’re looking classic with a modern twist.

This is so true. For years I despised them and now I have several pairs. How did I live my life without them? I'm sure in another 10 years they will be unacceptable to me again but at the moment I'm loving them.