It's the dreaded wedge.....

...which we simply can't ignore anymore as they're everywhere.  Granted you may still think they are the most repugnant piece of footwear on the planet - and for you, I'm planning another blog on more mainstream wedge ankle boots which may float your boat. 

However personally I am still a massive fan.  I have two pairs of Ash wedges, black leather Madonna wedges with studs which I got 18 months ago and the Ash Thelma wedges in Clay which I bought earlier this year.  And I am all over them again for this season.

There are a plethora of them around - from the Isabel Marants which I say I find a bit too on the clunky side for my liking (I appreciate the rest of them are hardly delicate and ladylike so I'm completely splitting hairs here) 

My preference lies definitely in the Ash camp.  I have looked at so many pairs of wedge trainers - I'll admit - they're all starting to merge into one.  And I will confess, there are so many excellent tributes out there to the Ash ones that I'm not sure if I can justify spending the (significant) excess on the originals.  My one reticence would be that the majority of the wedges on the high street aren't leather.  But for, in some cases, £150 more (yup that much!) is it worth it? 

So the jury is still out here.  I'll throw the ball into your court and you let me know what you think.

Nearly top of my list is the Ash Bowie Trainer in dark tan  Love them. In fact bought the very similar Birdie in Camel last year but didn't keep them.  Fool. I'm struggling to tell the difference bar about £40.  They are a staggering £199.




However you could have the Linzi shoes Celine for the princely sum of £30.  I have actually seen these in real life and honestly, they're not leather, but they're really not that bad at all.  Definitely worth a look. I also like the darker sole as well.  Was the one reason I didn't keep the Birdies from last year although the lighter sole has grown on me.  On reflection they don't look that great in the pic (clearly the M&S photographer was moonlighting... but they did look much better instore.  Honest guv)



Another tan option which again I've seen and this time tried on and was really impressed with are the wedge high trainers from Next. 



Again, really good quality and fabulously comfortable.  I was impressed.  Enough to order a pair so that I can make a decision (this is going to be a long arduous process.  Be thankful, be very thankful that you don't know me in real life so I can't bore you to tears over the decision making)

The last tan ones that I have to throw into the mix are a leather pair from New Look, which I haven't seen but do look good online.  My reticence would be that they're suede (that argument falls flat on it's arse a couple of paragraphs down but let's gloss over that) and as I'm a lazy tyke when it comes to shoe maintenance, they'd be fit for the knacker's yard after one good rainfall.  And just to be super pedantic, I'm looking for ones that are slightly higher up the leg.  They *are* lower cut than the rest, of that I'm sure but they're the only ones I can find in leather that are a smidge of the Ash price. (in tan)




Stepping away from the tan and referring back yesterday to my mention of wine/plum/mulberry ie marooney red, I have to say I think these would fit very nicely into my A/W wardrobe.  As I mentioned previously, a really easy way to inject new life into a much loved set of clothes (and hopefully everyone has a core base of A/W stuff that they love) is to introduce a new seasonal colour that works well with what you already have.  I've chosen wine this year but teal and mustard could also work really well. 

So continuing on the wine thread - these beauties caught my eye 

These from Plumo - Ash again but with a dark sole


Probably prefer though these with the dual fabric - leather and suede. Again Ash. Again eye wateringly expensive. The Bea in plum.




But lo and behold, look what I've come across.  From Matalan, for £22.


Now personally I would like them a darker shade of plum but they've got to be worth ordering for £22!  They also have them in a beige/sand if anyone is after a lighter pair.  Lovely for Autumn and I'd certainly consider them if I didn't have Thelmas in Clay. 

Perhaps an easier colour to wear if you're a wedge trainer first timer is black.  Of course Ash do a whole host of black versions but there are plenty of more reasonable versions out there as well. 

There's me saying the other day that I rarely shop in Debenhams (truth be told I honestly can't remember the last time I stepped into one) but here I am with a second posting from them.  I haven't seen any of these in real life but I did see them in a magazine - which says sweet diddly squit about the quality but if you're after black and near a Debenhams they may be worth a look.  I also think from looking at the website that there is 20% off some stock at the moment so maybe a chance to order.

The Henry Holland wedges in Black 



There are a number of other black ones that look good as well 

These Roeselare wedge heeled ankle boots  from Call it Spring (never heard of them so abdicate all responsibility for what they're actually like - we are verging on more clunky....) 




Still at Debenhams (which interestingly is a hugely irritating word to type), are these from Black Odeon. 


Finally from Debenhams, if you are after something a bit more Isabel Marant stylee, then these are a bargain and, in the navy and cream, I actually think quite wearable. (they're certainly RR1 aged 7's favourite one) Navy Triple Velcro Strap from Follow Me (again blank looks from here.  Never heard of them).  They also do them in a red and cream but that is just too "look at my feet" for me (she says appreciating that the wedge trainer in general is hardly a hide under a bushel item of footwear)


Leaving Debenhams and moving onto another shoe shop which I wouldn't normally go into (it has an interesting array of TOWIE style heels similar to Linzi which I mentioned above) but caught my eye as I walked past the other week is Garage (anyone?!)  I went in and had a look at their wedge trainers and was more impressed than I had expected to be.  They also sell online. 

The Luna in black 



and the Hudson


I could go on forever there are so many out there.  But they're all very much a variation on a theme - it just depends on which of the nuances are important to you - laces or velcro straps?  Or both?  Light sole or dark sole? All suede (fabric if we're going cheap!) or a combo of fabrics.  Colour?  And finally price. 

Normally, for something you're going to get a lot of wear out if, I advocate spending more money.  I'm a huge fan of the cost per wear analogy (and it makes it much easier to justify to The Husband as well) but I think for a lot of people these may be a suck it and see item, so perhaps it's better to start off with a much cheaper pair and see how you get on.  I can fully stand by the quality and comfort of Ash shoes so maybe try a cheaper pair first?

I know I love them and have already bought two pairs which I've worn a lot over the last 18 months.  And so by rights I could probably justify an Ash pair.  I have to say I do like that the Next ones are a bit different and not a direct copy.   And they're a lovely shade of dark tan and are very comfy.  The Plum Matalan ones - well, we'll see.  I'll reserve judgement till they're here. 

Having said all of that, these are my holy grail pair. I honestly (saddo alert) salivate every time I see them.  They're very difficult to get hold of (one supplier only I've found.....limited sizes.....I'm hoping they're just very new stock) and I am beyond tempted to get them but that would be my boot budget blown.  And I really could do with a pair of chestnut ankle boots and black heeled boots.

Oh decisions decisions - I need to do a complete wish list and see if I can truly justify them. 



So what do people think?  Yay or nay?  Have they grown on you or are they still grotesque, mutton and should have been left in the 80's?  Be honest - we can all take it!  Would be a very dull world if we all liked the same things. 

If they're not your thing at all - as I mentioned, I am planning on doing another blog on other wedge boots, which are far more mainstream and a lot easier to wear for most people. 

A quick piece of feedback on the Next pleather trousers - great quality pleather, very leather like.  But huge on the waist.  This is coming from someone who doesn't actually have a waist.  Think tree trunk.  And they were still massive on me.  Insane.  I may well order a size down but fear that will be far too clingy on my legs.  Be interested to hear what others think if they ordered them. 

What I wore yesterday 


Now it had been freezing when I got up yesterday - proper heating on weather!  But it did warm up significantly during the day and I ended up removing cardigan.  Lovely day spent with family. 

Orange & blush silk dress (clearly not dress length on me) - Zara
Distressed biker jeans - By Malene Birger
Clay Thelma Wedges - Ash
Vanilla Roxeanne - Mulberry
Gold bee necklace - Alex Monroe
Sunglasses - Tom Ford

RIght - off for more coffee.  Have a good Sunday everyone!