The secret of motherdaughter shopping
harlie Gowans- glinton, 31
My annual dalliance with boots is short-lived: as soon as the temperature rises above 6C I revert to shoes, and bare ankles. Even just a flash of ankle between trouser and shoe helps to balance out bulky winter layers, and hidden socklets keep my feet warm enough – though mum would disagree.
A much-loved (and oft resoled) pair of Balenciaga ballet pumps, slightly high at the front so they don’t flip off when I walk, and a pair of Weejuns loafers are in my heavy rotation at the moment, worn with high-waisted black jeans and a black knit (in my mind,
I’m Audrey Hepburn in
Funny Face). I braved bare toes last week, wearing a pair of Gucci’s classic black Marmont sandals out to dinner – and relying on low-lighting to cover my hastily painted nails.
For the most part, though, it’s not yet warm enough for sandals, so I’m eyeing up in-between-seasons slingbacks: Chanel’s classics are out of my price range, but this Miista pair is just the thing – and also comes in black, for those Rive Gauche moments.
eri owans, 62
In my garden, the honeysuckle is blooming and the wisteria is budding. I’m fantasising about bare legs and freed toes and searching for THAT shoe.
I remember the white strappy sandals I got as a 12-year-old and the yellow patent shoes I had at 14, the fabulous heels I wore at my wedding and the gorgeous flats I lived in though my pregnancies.
My feet love “hummus” shoes – I really should live in Dr
Scholl’s, but they don’t make my heart skip. I don’t want crushed or escaping toes; I’d love a heel but not a broken ankle. I want to glimpse a gorgeous shoe at the end of my legs as I stretch out in a deck chair at the park.
Charlie suggested (and by the way, I can’t believe you wore sandals mid-winter: you’ll catch your death!) these Uterqüe pumps. I’ve always loved basket-weave courts. Italian sexy, breathable, comfortable, and better on the tube. Nice solid stacked heel too. Yes please!
Introducing our new column: two generations, one problem solved