I visited two local J.Crews over the weekend and to my {delighted} surprise, I saw the Salina Flats back on the shelves for sale!At first, I thought the shoes were returns and mistakenly placed on the regular shoe shelves. Upon closer inspection, I realized they were the newest additions to the J.Crew footwear collection.
The new flats are priced similarly and come in similar shades (of course the names of the colors are slightly changed): a *slightly* lighter metallic guava, iridescent grey, and black.
The original Salina Patent-Leather Ballet Flats (Item 95898 ; was $138.00, select colors $49.99) & Salina Iridescent Patent-Leather Ballet Flats (Item 95899; was $138.00 select colors $49.99) had a wonderful "high-gloss shine—a goes-everywhere (with everything) flat in the most incredible colors". I own the black, red, and metallic guava flats- and I love them all! They ended up being my "go-to" shoes for rainy days as they are easy to clean/ wipe off dirt.
While we are discussing women's shoes, the Elsbeth Leather Oxfords (Item 17476; $225.00) are now being offered by J.Crew. According to the item detail page: "These classic oxfords are bench-made in Italy, which means that each pair is individually pieced together and hand sewn (they're the closest thing to custom-made there is). Leather upper. Waxed-cotton laces. Leather lining and sole. Stacked heel. Part of the J.Crew Collection. Made in Italy. Catalog/jcrew.com only."I think these shoes will divide the JCAs into two camps: love 'em or leave 'em. As for me, there is something very pretty about them. It's something a chic French girl would wear. I am just bummed out that (1) they are catalog/J.Crew.com only, because I would love to see and try them on in person; and (2) the price tag- $225 is a bit pricey for the shoes.
What are your thoughts about the Salina Flats return to stores? Are you a fan of the flats? Do you like the Elsbeth Leather Oxfords? Are you a fan of the classic oxford look?
I'm a big fan of flats in general but have gravitated towards heels more recently to add a little more height...ahem...
ReplyDeleteBut can I just say that I can't wait to get me a pair of those oxfords! I had a pair back in the day, black from Kickers (anyone remember that brand?), and I wore them 'til the sole gave way and physically separated from the actual shoe. LOL! 'That said...I agree with you, Alexis, they are a bit pricey. :(
Cute but way to expensive for the quality. JCrew shoes are WAY over priced for what you get. There are much nicer and very similar styled shoes for less. I even have cute flats that the leather is waterproof and sealed so no worries:) (and yes they are fashionable:) I have not had good luck with the two pairs of JCrew shos I bought so I never look twice at them online unless there is a post here!
ReplyDeleteI love flats and pretty much wear them all the time. I'm looking forward to getting some new metallic ones this fall if they still have it in stock that is...
ReplyDeleteThe thing about J. Crew is their sizing on shoes are at times different just as they are inconsistent with their apparel sizing... especially hate it if it's on Final Sale!
I really love those patent leather flats! I think I am swooning over the light pink color. I totally agree with you that they are actually great shoes for not-so-great weather since they are easy to clean.
ReplyDeleteAs for the oxfords, my curiousity is peaked. I don't know if they are something I can personally pull off, but I like the idea of them :)
I think the oxfords are pretty cute too, but $225? For that price, I'll stick with the also-cute cordovan wingtip oxfords I snagged circa 2001. I used to like their shoes better anyway when they cut them a little wider in the top - they've gotten narrower..
ReplyDeleteI have the city suede ballet flats and they are a nice cut, a little lower at the sides than the average ballet flat. I may have to try the Salinas this season.
ReplyDeleteThe oxfords are cute but I would get a lot more wear out of a black pair. I have a pair of navy suede wing-tips from J.Crew circa 2003, I think. I also have a couple pairs of similarly-styled shoes from Fluevog and they are great (one pair is almost 10 years old and I still wear it regularly). Very comfortable, leather uppers and linings with a thick rubber sole. I've got about a dozen pair of Fluevogs in different styles and they are stylish, well-made shoes for the money and always garner plenty of compliments, especially from men.
Being the ShuLvr that I am, I would love to try the J.Crew oxfords and may have to order them just to see. Of course, once I have them home, if they are nice they won't be going back.
I like the oxfords. From what I can tell, the inflated price point comes from the fact that they're hand sewn and lined in leather, not man-made materials. (Man-made materials, fake leather, tend to make your feet sweat. And then, if you're like me, your feet get cold and your day is ruined.)
ReplyDeleteAs much as I like them and as well-made as they seem to be, I'm conflicted over them. It's more than I've ever spent on a pair of shoes, and you can get good quality for less.
In comparison, I bought a pair of Bass saddle shoes in brown leather on brown suede and I don't think they were even a hundred. Maybe not even fifty. I did have to buy them from the boys' section though, as they don't make them for women anymore. But they're high quality, built to last, and incredibly cute, with the upside being that no one else has anything like them.
Urban Outfitters has some similar looking shoes for less - Even these ones from Frye are cheaper than J.Crew and they're a steadfast brand.
wish the oxfords had a higher heel
ReplyDeleteI liked the oxfords as soon as I saw them in the lookbook. There so cute with skirts--very old school. Wearing a pair of masculine-looking shoes is my favorite way of mixing boy-girl things. But, as many have already said, they're way too expensive. The Frye oxfords are a great alternative. I just ordered a pair of Sam Edelman's from UO and got an extra 25% off. I think they'll fit the bill for under $100.
ReplyDeleteI don't like them for women - too masculine for me. I'll stick with the ballet flats and driving loafers.
ReplyDeleteAlexis, where did you see the Salinas flats? In Manhattan?
Yellow Lux,
ReplyDeleteYou are my kind of gal...those Bass shoes sound like the best!
I can't do the oxfords. I also had a pair when they were in style in the 1990s (and a pair of wingtips in the late 80s) and I can't go back. I loved the feminine trend in clothing of the past few seasons (except the chiffon and ruffles, which I can do without). I'm having trouble with the boyfriend trend, which again takes me back to my late 80s/early 90s college days of wearing men's cardigans and suiting jackets from the Salvation Army. Yes, that was my 15 minutes of cool!
ReplyDeleteOT but I'd like to hear opinions on the following: do you think a (petite) woman in her (very) late 30s can get away with the pixie pants? I think they are just adorable but I fear that I will again be reliving the late 80s and early 90s, since a long cardi or jacket to cover the butt would be necessary. Do you think it would look like I was trying too hard or having a mid-life crisis? TIA for any thoughts.
Everyone: Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I agree that the oxfords are pricey. It will be interesting to see if they sell out quickly. :)
ReplyDeleteShuLvr: I totally know what you meant about the city suede flats cut being lower & loving it- because so did I! :)
JC: I saw the black pair of Salinas at the Greenwich, CT store and the Grey & lighter Metallic Guava and the New Canaan, CT store. :)
Corry, try them and see how they feel. If they make you feel uncomfortable, you won't wear them. If they make you feel fabulous, you will. But I think that late 30's isn't too late to wear them!
ReplyDeleteI love the oxfords - but too pricey. I may try the Frye ones.
I love the patent flats! I will definitely be looking for those. I'm not loving the oxfords, not really my style. I'd have to try them on with stuff to see... too bad they aren't in stores. I'd only try them with a free shipping code.
ReplyDeleteI love those oxfords!
ReplyDeleteHas anyone in/around Berkeley had any luck with J.Crew shoes at Jeremy's?
I love flats, but I like them to have the ribbon trim and little bow. Otherwise they are a bit plain for my tastes!
ReplyDeleteQuite honestly, I HATE those oxford shoes. They are hideous and manly looking. I suppose some high fashion menswear inspired outfit would be appropriate with them, but I am not trying to make a fashion statement, just look nice!!
fluevog makes awesome girly and boyish shoes and i have both kinds. i'm fond of their tennyson laureates oxfords. i like the way jcrew's shoes look but they rarely fit me (always a smidge too small or too big)
ReplyDeleteAlso not a fan of the Oxfords--they should be masculine-inspired, not directly taken from a men's closet. Perhaps a higher, feminine-looking heel.
ReplyDeleteI tried on the metallic Salinas yesterday in our B & M and they are so cute! However, I felt like I was in between sizes. My right foot needs an 8.5 and my left an 8. What to do!!
ReplyDeleteI saw a pair of peacock patent salina flats in the final sale section just this week! They were marked down to $49.99...so keep your eyes peeled for popbacks :)
ReplyDeleteThought this might be interesting too:
ReplyDeleteAccessory Report: Unisex Shoes
I love the look, myself. But then again, I hate wearing heels.
i personally hate the oxfords. i generally like oxfords for women (and have a pair of jcrew heels like are oxford-like). but, the new ones seem oddly shaped and frumpy.
ReplyDeletelove their flats. have several pairs.... i agree though that their shoes generally have very little support and seem to break down a little faster than my other shoes. but, they're so darn cute that i get them if they go on sale...
Not feeling the oxfords at all. They appear to be more masculine. I had to check the J. Crew website just to make sure which category they were featured in (Men or Women). The only appeal for me, if any is the fact that they are hand made. The look of the shoes remind me of a period piece actors would wear for a play. I am sure the shoes are beautiful, but not for the price and ho hum style! I'll save the $225 for a nice J. Crew jacket/coat.
ReplyDeleteI love love love these oxfords. Currently shopping ebay in hopes to find a cheaper version.
ReplyDeleteAdorable shoes,
ReplyDeletei really like it,.
Oxford Heels
I think the oxfords are pretty cute too, but $225? For that price, I'll stick with the also-cute cordovan wingtip oxfords I snagged circa 2001. I used to like their shoes better anyway when they cut them a little wider in the top - they've gotten narrower..
ReplyDeletewomens ballet flats