Too much politics gets me down, bellas. Time to lighten up with a shoe post!
I don’t know how the weather is where you’re living, but for me in Miami, it feels like summer already. It isn’t quite at the point where I feel like I’m melting as soon as I open the door to leave my house, but we’re just around the corner. Summer in Miami is hot, sticky, and almost unbearable. (Don’t get me started on hurricane season, I’m nervous about this year). To combat the humidity and oven-like temperatures, you’ve got to dress like a native. Think light, flowy fabrics — linen is great. And flip-flops and comfortable shoes that breathe are a must! Here’s some of the sweet summertime shoes I’ve been spying.
My shoes of the Summer? I adore these toe strap flip flops from Old Navy. You might look at these and wonder, are they as comfortable as regular flip flops? I say yes. Actually, for me they’re even more comfortable. I’ve had chic cloth flip flops that basically cut the thin and delicate skin between my toes before. These won’t do that. When I first got them it took some getting used to, but now I am definitely planning on purchasing a second pair. Why? Because they’re chic — I’ve gotten quite a few compliments and questions on them — comfy, and just $5!! Holla! I currently own a pair in basic gray, but my second pair will definitely be one of the multicolored pairs. Love those.
I’ve been a fan of mary janes for as long as I can remember. Don’t interpret that illegally — I’m talking about shoes here! I rock a pair of mary janes at least three times a week. I’m a flats-only lady (OK, maaaybe you might catch me in a kitten heel at a party). They’re cute, funky, sometimes clunky, and always in fashion, if you ask me. My current favorite mary jane shoes are Crocs. Yeah, you heard right. Crocs!
I resisted them for so long. I still think the big Crocs are crazy ugly — it’s one thing to see a cute little kid in bright orange or pink clunkers, but for a woman like me… not so much. I’m sure they’re comfortable, but they didn’t appeal to me. I actually didn’t get the appeal of Crocs until I laid my eyes on Alice. Now these, I could wear! The Alice crocs are low-key, comfortable as you can imagine, and come in a slim-fitting style that goes great with jeans, skirts, whatever your fancy.
I finally get the appeal of Crocs — they are perfect for beach, outdoors, an afternoon stroll… they’re just really easy slip-on shoes. One word to the wise — take your time to make sure they’re the perfect size for you. I thought the 10’s were too big, so I got a 9 instead… and they are definitely super snug. They’re meant to be a bit big, I think — to let your foot breathe to the max. So my next pair will be in the right size, and I won’t question the Crocmeisters. (My next pair might be those Adara cross front flip flops. Tres chic! And for my ladies who love heels, did you know Crocs cyprus are the first high heels made by the popular brand? They’re kinda cute, no? I don’t wear heels, but I’d love to hear from any of you bellas who have tried these. Are they as comfy as you’d hope they would be?)
I saw these on My Air Shoes and flipped out! I have loved Reeboks with the straps for years upon years. These are the Milkfed Reebok Freestyles, created in honor of the Reebok Freestyle’s 25th anniversary. I love the pastel brightness of these — they make me want to get outfits to match! Yes, I am a dork like that. These shoes are super fun, and take me back to being 9 years old and absolutely dying to have a pair of high top Reeboks to wear to school. These make me want to jump rope and play hopscotch again. I want these just for the retro value, but I haven’t found a price point just yet… so for now, I’ll admire from afar. Did any of you own Reebok freestyles back in the day? Reminisce with me!
Which will be your shoes of the summer? Do you have any sandals or flip flops you absolutely can’t do without? Share!
Bella…I am off to Old Navy to check those flips flops out. So cute!!!
Bella,those Old Navy’s look cute and comfy.Love the colors, plus I love bright and solid colors. I’ve also been eye’n the Havianas for a couple of summers now.Never purchased before. Thinking about trying those this summer, they will also be a perfect choice for my trip the Bahamas too. Excellent Blog.
Loved it.
Seems as thou I’m the first to POst LOL
WEll Bella I’m really loving the New Old Navy Flip Flop Style. I made a huge purchase from them this weekend and I love my new flip flpos.
Oh my!
You are really taking me back with those Reeboks, Bella! I had a pair in bubblegum pink. I wore them from my freshman year of high school (late 80’s) well into college…I finally stopped because my friends talked about me, lol. That, and the shoes were starting to look kinda rough.
Don’t let them be in my price range. I’ma have to bring it back!
🙂
I can’t stand flops that go between my toes,and so i’ll be buying a pair of these asap!.I love the pretty colors of the Rees so i’ll be coppin the yellow.LOL@ Starchild,because mine was leanning to ha!ha!.
hey Bella, i see i have many posts to catch up on. understatement, yes? i poked my head in just in time, i found these cute slippers and have been telling everyone about them. the stripe cotton slipper is so cute and comfy.
http://www.hue.com/footwear.aspx
I am so glad I’m not the only one who is itching to have a pair of old school reeboks…I remember I had a red pair when I was young (not reeboks though because my momma couldn’t afford them), Now that I’m older and can do for myself, maybe i’ll get a pair of the real thing! Thanks for posting them!
I def have to purchase the color block flip flops from Old Navy. They’re very cute!
I am flats-only lady too!! I love the Alice crocs, I went to the website. I’m going to pick up at least two pairs when my tax break check comes in. Maybe you can do a post on cute flat shoes.
I will be shopping for some flip flops soon 4 more months before i hit the beaches in Barbados…
I’m a Fla girl so I wear my flipity flops all year long….
hairsmystory.com
Thanks for this post, Bella! Now that summer is on the way [it was chilly today here in Ohio…low 50s at the end of April…brrrr!], I was thinking about cute flip flops and sandals I want to buy! Those Old Navy flip flops look chic! They are definitely a classic update on the regular ones they usually have. Imma have to cop a few pairs! Do you know of any cute sandals! If so please post! 🙂
Those croc Mary Janes look great. I see they are redeeming themselves, because the normal crocs are absolutely hideous!
I wrote about this very thing! I love Havaianas!!!! They are truly the best flip-flop ever. A little pricey, but great if it rains. http://beautyfashionlife.wordpress.com/2008/03/09/things-i-like-havaianas/
I’m headed to Cancun in a few days and I gotta admit- Old Navy was the first place I went shopping!! I stocked up on their flip flops (which I do EVERY year) in about 5 colors! The new styles are pretty cool too.
My vote is for the Old Navy flip flp[s.
Did I? I definitely had the Reebok freestyles growing up. My parents weren’t into buying sneakers for fashion but my aunt was. Thankfully she had small feet and would always pass them on to me when she got a fresh pair (which was often- she was also about 20 when I was 9). I had them in black, white, pink, yellow and blue. I hated the blue ones, loved the black, white and yellow. I had acid washed jeans in a variety of colors to match too.
LOL at Ricasuave and the matching acid washed jeans. So these flip-flops from ON don’t hurt between the toes? I hate flip flops because of that and don’t wear them. I might have to check into these.
Bebroma — try them on for a couple of days… it felt kind of weird, having the toe strap. But when I got used to them, I fell in love! And because of the foot strap, they don’t “flop” as much as flip flops do, so they’re quieter and feel more secured to your foot once you’re wearing them. I love. Can you tell? LOL
I am a shoe fanatic, but I don’t like Crocs. You may convert me with the mary jane crocs, though. 🙂
Oh man! I’m having flashbacks over those Reeboks. LOL! I can’t believe it. I had a black pair that I absolutely loved. I usually wear alot of espadrilles/wedges. I love them during the Summer; casual and elegant at the same time.
We used to call them 54.11’s in Harlem!! I remember when I first moved to Harlem from BK and I was in culture shock! (circa 1985-that took a lot of counting!! WHEW!) I was a girly girl wearing lipgloss, skirts and kitten heels (Yes – as a tween I was fabulous!!) But there was something about the way the tight jeans (a prerequisite) and the 54.11’s looked together that lured me in!! I was hooked! I had them in Black, Red and White!! Then there were the Lottos!! With the the little velcro tabs you could switch up!! OMG!! Anybody remember those?? Man we where so hot you couldn’t tell us anything!! My girlfriend who is still in Harlem told me that she sees this group of kids walking around trying to dress like we did in the 80’s – She said “Girl they got the gear but they just ain’t got the look!”
YESSSSS 54.11’S!!! (have to say it fiftyfourelevenz). Why you may ask did we call them that in Harlem back in the day??? Because they were 49.99 but with tax totaled $54.11, so when you were old enough to just ask for money from your parents to go with your friends to buy sneakers on 125th Street you knew EXACTLY how much to tell them to give you! hahahahahahahahahaha
Oh Bella you are taking me back with these!!!! I had them in red, black, pink and white. I remember my grandmother tried to buy me the knockoffs in pink and I was MORTIFIED (I think that was my first case of label whoredom…LOL). I took them with me to girl scout camp so when I got back they went STRAIGHT to the trash can!!! hahahahahahahahahaha
And yes I see the kids in Harlem with them on all the time (boys too…just weird) but it doesn’t feel authentic, like the pink knockoffs from grandma. 😉
Tanefa Shohonia: I had Lotto’s with the velcro patches annnnnd LA Gear with the coordinating laces, remember those???
By the way, I’m looking for cute inexpensive flip flops, preferrably with more of a leather sole, harder bottom than the ON flip flops. Any suggestions???
I’m going to Old Navy TODAY to get some of those flip flops! I wear flip flops every day, and the space between my big toe and 2nd toe is raw.
I used to make fun of my old stylist because she had those Reeboks (we call them 54-11’s) in every color and texture- leather, cloth, suede, patent leather, etc.! lol!
Tanefa I feel you on the Lottos!! You took me back! We lived in Texas, but spent summers in NYC with my grandma (where i did all my ‘school shopping’). When I got back to Texas rocking my Lotto’s with the matching velcro logo…everybody was like what kind of shoes are those?…where did you get them? I was loving it!! Thanks for taking me back in the day! 🙂
I love love love my Havaianas. I have more pairs than should be legal. And my favorites are bar none the Gold colored slims. So hot against my tan.
But I have them in tons of colors, styles, even some with Cartoons on them. And they last so much longer than the Old Navy ones. And you can hook them up with Crystals to make them even more customized.
Girl yes! I had a pair of high top Reeboks black w/ white accent and my best friend in middle school (late 1980s) had the black w/ pink accent. We would wear ours on the same day and swop one shoe out each so that we could mix the accent. I am so about to buy a pair of those Reeboks. You took me WAY back!
Brandi – That’s why I love my Havaianas. I brought 5 pairs two years ago. I haven’t had to replace them at all. The Old Navy flip flops don’t even last a summer.
Bella,
I wish you had included gladiator-inspired sandals. They’re really bold, daring, and funky!
Wow a pair of crocs I might actually wear.. thanks for that info!!! Now those reeboks took me way back.. LOL I had them in every color! Now its funny to see my daughter wear them!
Last summer, I bought a pair of the Crocs Sassari, a style thats similar to the ones you linked above. Theyre very comfortable, and dont hurt as much as other high heels. I did notice that they did have a tendancy to “squish” on the outer corners of the heels, partly due to the way I walk, they way I drive (which is why I took them off to do so, lol), and the fact that I wiegh 200 lbs. But I think theyre a comfy, fun look for summer and would reccommend them to any and everyone!
L
the reebok freestyles make me nostalgic…i wouldn’t even really know what to wear them with now without looking like a teenager 🙂
and yes, the crocs really did surprise me.
Oh My! YES! I was looking to purchase some of the reeboks I was telling my daughter about them. I used to wear those with the matching colored Levis 501 jeans. I am gonna sport them again! I bet my daughter would appreciate the old school style as well.