If you own expensive/designer shoes...

[VeniceBeach]

... how long do they tend to last you?

I’m considering buying my first pair of expensive shoes but I’m wondering if they’re worth it and how well they will wear?

For example something like the Gucci Jordaan loafer I could wear very regularly however they might then wear out quickly, or the Aquazzura Deneuve heels would be worn less often but are made of suede so might get ruined.

And open to any recommendations

Thanks!

I should add that I do want shoes to treasure and last really well which is why I’m asking, but I don’t know how realistic that is?

I wear a mix of louboutin/jimmy choo/sergio rossi/rupert sanderson. I'd say that the minimum a pair has lasted is about 5 years and i wear them to work so they get beaten up by escalators and pavements. Mine are heels so they tend to die due to an irreparable heel issue or the toes being scuffed on stairs.

A well looked after pair of loafers should last a decent time - i have a few trusted cobblers!

That’s good to know, thank you Spinjitzu! Which heels do you find the most comfortable?

Slightly piggy-backing here - sorry, VB - but I've always wondered if designer heels really are more comfortable.
I often read interviews in which people (eg Sarah Jessica Parker talking about Manolos) say they're easier to walk in and wear for longer, but I'm dubious... 🤔

Don't suppose I'll get the chance to find out so if posters replying to the OP could mention comfort (or lack of), I'd be very interested.

I know what you mean, @LaMarschallin – I was watching a shoe video on YouTube earlier and the person said a certain designer’s heels felt like walking on clouds which seemed so unlikely to me! Maybe she just meant as far as heels go they’re the most comfortable?

I have a pair of Jimmy Choos that have had easily 100+ outings and still look as good as new. I’m of the belief that gorgeous shoes shouldn’t sit in a wardrobe all their lives, so I just wear them everywhere 🤷🏼‍♀️

Maybe she just meant as far as heels go they’re the most comfortable?

That's probably it. I've read about celebrities having silicone injected into the balls of their feet to help with standing in heels for a long time, so wearing the posh shoes can't be exactly like having your feet licked by kittens

Ooh! You will let us know the truth about them here if you get some, won't you?

And possibly post a photograph...?

I used to always wear Prada shoes (heels usually) to work but the daily use took its toll and I spent a fortune getting my heels re-heeled. My lovely cobbler told me that Prada had a bad reputation for their heels not being very robust and he was right. The uppers lasted beautifully but the heels cost me a fortune. In the end I stopped wearing them for work.

But I have lots of expensive shoes and most last well as long as you look after them. And don't wear the same pair every day!

Inhave some rxpensive shoes

Never worn to work not practical .
They are Sunday best sorry to say so are worn when going somewhere special.
They are not particularly comfortable if worn for a long time .

It depends on the fit
Valentino fit me well but jimmy choo are not comfortable on me at all
I don’t wear very high heels often so a designer pair in a classic non date style will last me years as they might only get worn once every few weeks
Flats I soon wreck so tend to buy cheaply - just got some gorgeous ones on eBay for £75 - look like they’ve only been worn once or twice

My designer shoes last me ages but I always wear trainers to and from work and change into my shoes when I arrive. It keeps them looking brand new and it's more practical for me as I'm usually in a hurry so can walk faster to work!

Valentino shoes are the comfiest I have ever had! It’s the only ones I’ll buy now!

I wear Saint Laurent, Hermes, Gucci, Valentino, Isabel Marant and Jimmy Choo shoes (heels and flats), sandals and boots as everyday wear. They last as long at least as long as non-designer shoes but I always ensure they have a good quality sole and heel from my reputable cobbler and are cleaned and stored correctly. Of these Saint Laurent's are probably the most comfortable, but I think that's due to the shape of my feet. Valentino heels come a close second.

At the end of the day, they're just shoes. If you're going to worry about the cost, you probably shouldn't be buying them.

I've got two pairs of Gucci heels that I've had for over 15 years. Admittedly I don't wear them every day, but they still look good. I have them soled and heeled properly and put a nourishing leather cream on them regularly. I've also got D & G evening sandals which I've had for a similar time and again they look good as new. They've certainly outlasted cheaper shoes/sandals that I've bought.

Chanel, gianvito Rossi, Hermes are the comfiest and long lasting shoes I own, they are timeless too, Gucci jordaans are very comfortable and worth buying they go with everything.

The most uncomfortable shoes I've ever had are Louboutin simple pumps, which is a shame as they look lovely on. A close second are Balenciaga pumps. I've got a couple of pairs of Louboutin almond toed flats and they are really comfortable. Also I bought a pair of Nicholas Kirkwood heels at Christmas and they are a dream to wear.

If you want quality, long lasting shoes, then I’d go with Russell and Bromley. I find them sturdier than designer shoes.

I’d also say that not all designer shoes are equal anyway. I’m pretty sure I could wreck a pair of Chanel lambskin flats in a week, for example.

Out of designer stuff, Ferragamo tend to be very solid.

I am fairly obsessed with shoes and own quite a few. Mostly heels. I find some designers just work better with your feet than others - Jimmy Choos, for example, are not comfy for me, but Louboutins are. They all generally last as I don’t wear any specific pair that often! And I usually walk to work in flats and save my heels for the office as Edinburgh pavements are ruinous for heels, lol.

Prada heels come up big so go down half a size (agree they can be iffy - have had a couple of pairs repaired by prada for free, one a buckle sheared and one the entire heel came off - both came back like new, and having said that still look like new many years on with not her problems). I find Prada feel as close to slippers as a heel is ever going to, I quite like a Jimmy Choo (but the heel taps come off really easily and mine have had a few repairs) and a Louboutin (although not keen on the scuffed red sole and too lazy to get redone ). I find they last much longer than high street heels (apart from Reiss - have had some excellent shoes and boots from Reiss in the past). I found LK Bennett would last me 18 months before looking shabby, my expensive ones still look great.

I’ve had some pretty indestructible shoes from Prada so I’m surprised to hear the negative experiences. I wonder if the quality has gone downhill more recently as I haven’t been impressed with the wear and tear on one of their handbags last year.

I always ensure they have a good quality sole and heel from my reputable cobbler and are cleaned and stored correctly

TBH I think all shoes should be cared for this way whatever the cost, and am shocked at how few people don't even wipe dirt off, let alone get some polish on them. Or chuck away shoes that just need a reheel or resole with a cobbler.

But I think you are more likely to do this for pricey shoes and this is probably more the answer to your question rather than whether the quality of £££ shoes are any better, because in lots of cases it's not.

I have two pairs of designer shoes, Louboutin platform heels and Sophia Webster stilleto heels.

Both are an absolute dream for me to wear and I can rock them for hours. They've definitely taken a beating over the years and still look great.

The designs are not everyday wear though (spikes/angel wings) so very much occasion heels. I do wear the spiked Loubs for meetings if I'm feeling particularly snazzy that day.

Manolos are comfortable for people who are used to wearing heels.
CL are bloody uncomfortable . I have a few pairs of heels and I don’t wear them