Getting ahead of the game

If you are a parent, you will be acutely aware that if you don't buy your child summer shoes in March, they will be forced to wear Uggs (from TkMaxx..) or snow boots come the warmer months as that is all that will be left to choose.  I mean, god forbid you should wait until it's actually warm to buy sandals...

Well, I hate to break it to you, but it's now the same for us.  Gone are the days when product was launched in the Spring and the same product, having been replenished, is still on our shelves until the latter days of Summer.  Oh gone are those days of easy shopping. 

Nope these days, product - in this instance we're talking shoes, will be for sale in March.  For two weeks.  Once it's sold out, it's gone, stocks no longer replenished a plenty like the good old days.  Now there are different sandals for the following two weeks, ditto above and repeat until mid June, huge sales and then straight into A/W stock. 

We are forced to play Shopping Chicken.  Will the sandals you see now be the perfect ones..... or will there be a better pair in a month?  Of course, the obvious answer is that the ideal pair of sandals will hit the shops one day after the returns period on your previously favourite pair runs out.  Along with Shopping Chicken, we are now also faced with Shopping Sod's Law.

Last year, there were the Isabel Marant lookeylikeys in Dune that were totally sold out by the end of March.  (maybe not the exact date but very early....).  They came back into stock in about November.  Chocolate teapot springs to mind. 

So this year, as ridiculous as it sounds, I am going a sandal hunting.  The sun has been out for a week now, I am getting carried away.  (nothing new there then) 

Armed with inspiration from yesterday and still confused as a dog with a plastic bone about which direction I should jump with regards to S/S styles, I am starting from the ground upwards. 

Starting with proving my point and wanting to sob at the same time.  The smugness I feel at being right with my "it's never too early to buy sandals" theory, is minimal compared to the devastation (slight overreaction) at my size already being OUT OF STOCK.  What was I saying about that Sod's Law?  I saw these a week or so ago and thought, ooh they're going on my wish list definitely.  When will I ever learn?  

Somerset by Alice Temperley Lacey leather flat sandals £95

Suede lace up cuff sandals from M&S £39.50.  These are gorgeous - love the colour and the simplicity of them but ever so slightly confused by "this item only comes in one size".  Really M&S??  Not sure if they've changed it by now online but I simply cannot believe they make a pair of shoes only in a size 6?  As you can see, the sandal shopping, going really well already.



Or the rust.... again £39.50 and apparently only available in one size as well. 



Extra interest in the form of snakeskin now.  I love these - very Aquazzura for a fraction of the cost.  My very old (about 6yrs old...) tan gladiators are from Aldo and they have lasted really really well. 

Aldo Wares Brown Gladiator Flat Sandals £50




Slightly more simple style in a suede leopard print from ASOS £20 - Foozle Leather  



Gladiators with a bit of oomph now.  These aren't going to be everyone's cup of tea but these have grown on me and I'm definitely going to try them on. 

H by Hudson Newton Black Strap Gladiator Sandal £90




Pure minimalist at Hunter (who knew they did sandals...but I love these).  I have to be careful though with sandals like these - I can't have too much toe on show at the front as I suffer from Toes like Fingers syndrome and it looks like my feet are trying to claw their bony way out of the front of the sandal.  Tis a beautiful look.  

Hunger Original Moustache Slide leather sandals £50



Staying with clean lines, these look very like a pair of Ancient Greek sandals which would be 3 times the cost. 

Steve Madden Ainsto £55




Buckles wise, these were also out last year and I loved them then but I think I may love them even more this year. 

Carvela Kall Flat leather £75




And there I must stop otherwise this will be the longest blog in the history of blogs.  Doesn't mean I'm stopping looking though.  It also doesn't mean that I am anywhere nearer nailing down which is my favourite.  Handily though, the weather looks like it's not warming up this weekend which means my feet can stay firmly housed in boots.  

So which way are you going to be hopping sandal wise?  Have you made a purchase or are you hanging out for something super special..... playing sandal chicken?   Will you go gladiators, buckles or minimalist?  And you may notice that I haven't mentioned anything Birkie related.  Well that's not because they're not back with a vengeance and it's certainly not because I've gone off the style - it's just that there are so many variations on the theme, I'm putting together a little blog all of its own. 

Finishing with outfit from yesterday.  Had friends over for dinner last night, lovely and casual and not too late although I'm not sure 6 adults should be able to drink that much wine and feel fine the next day....