Comments on: Franco Sarto for the Poor Girl

By: toad

toad — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 09:30:32 +0000

When you are poor it is always difficult to budget for the good stuff and the temptation to buy something to just get by can be nigh irresistable. There are passages in two books, one by Terry Pratchet called “Guards, Guards” and another by Peter Mayle, “A Year in Provence.” In the Pratchet book a poor guard comes to the belief that one reason the rich stay rich is that where he buys boots that wear out in six months the rich buy boots that last for years and can be resoled. Where as he has to ech the life out of his by stuffing in carboard to cover the hole. A good style while it may go out of style will still look good. And if the construction and materials are good it will be back in style sooner or later. I’m no saint on this matter and have had to go to the World of the Wally to get something on my feet when I was on my uppers.

By: Bijoux du Jour

Bijoux du Jour — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:50:48 +0000

I might recommend that you do a little browsing in the “discount” stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls (if you have them nearby). I’ve found many superfantastic high-end shoes (Lauren, Anne Klein, Via Spiga, etc.) for a mere pittance, say, a third of their retail price. Once your eye is trained, you can breeze through there in mere moments scooping up the really good shoes and handbags. They also have some amazing deals on mid-range shoes like the Ferragamo and Franco Sarto discussed. In fact I just bought a pair of Franco Sarto booties very much like the “Fleet” above, for just $25.00.
You can be superfantastic and eat, too!

By: CyndiF

CyndiF — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:46:55 +0000

My favorite pair of budget shoes were the new, unused Ferragamo pumps I found at the thrift store for $45. If only great shoes could always be so easy to acquire!

By: Toby Wollin

Toby Wollin — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:39:25 +0000

I happen to be a fan of Franco Sarto because he seems to use a slightly wider last than most women’s fashion shoe manufacturers do, so my 6 C-wide feet are much more comfy in his 6.5’s than in most others. Oh, yeah - and many times, the styles are really really nice.

By: lady coveted

lady coveted — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:25:37 +0000

like all budget shoes, it’s hit or miss, one of my favorites is a pair of bronze franco sartos i found on sale for $25. they are by far the most durable and walkable 4″ heels i have ever owned.

my experience is, if your trust fund hasn’t been handed over to you yet… and you want to be fabulous, er… you have to enjoy digging.

By: Jenzilla

Jenzilla — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:24:52 +0000

“Not excessively awful”?

That may be the most backhanded praise I’ve ever seen here!

By: Nikki

Nikki — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:46 +0000

Oh the plight of the poor. One day I too will be able to afford Monolos’s. But in the mean time…the Franco Sartos are HOT!

Great Blog…I love shoes!

By: serenitynow

serenitynow — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:43:02 +0000

I recently was looking for some shoes for a party at a Discount Retailer of Name-Brand Merchandise. I found some Franco Sarto peep toe pumps that were like buttah to the touch and very stylish on the feets! When I touched the leather I literally said “Manolo is right!!!” And they were quite reasonably priced for this poor graduate student.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:23:19 +0000

Ah, the Franco Sarto. My first pair of grown-up pumps were Franco Sarto, purchased to wear to my younger brother’s bar mitzvah when I was fifteen. Black leather, with a two inch heel, pointed toe, and black suede bow across the toe.

I also agree on the Nine West, as a college student on a budget. I own four or five pairs of Nine West shoes, ranging from dress flats to boots to casual shiny silver Mary Jane style flats. Always comfortable, and some of them have lasted for a few years now.

By: caligarius

caligarius — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:57:21 +0000

Great … Great Manolo!