While bouncing around Palermo Soho last winter, a chic neighborhood
in Buenos Aires, I stumbled upon a shoe store called Mandarin. We had
been on a three-day shopping spree, delightfully gobbling up
handcrafted shoes, bags, belts (they're big big big on leather) for
teeny tiny prices.
We did other things in Argentina (namely
eating), but the shopping was an absolute thrill. I don't typically
shop in binges, in fact I usually carry a detailed list of specifics I
need to round out the wardrobe or prepare for whatever season is coming
on (you might say times have changed as I spent the better part of my
teens walking around in Birkenstocks and flannel shorts).
Anyhoo,
Mandarin presented me with the most fantastic pair of spectator T-strap
pumps in in black and white (very Hudsucker Proxy) with a block heel
and I tried them on. I imagined they would look amazing with a grey
wool wide-leg trouser and a well-cut silk blouse for fall. Very "sexy
librarian" which at that point was my style muse for the third straight
year. Hair in a tight bun, red lips, that sort of thing. Back to the
shoes.. I adored them immediately, caressed them, and then spend twenty
minutes looking through all the "sale" shoes while lovingly glancing
back at them. We had been shopping like gangbusters and I was feeling a
bit gluttonous, so we left.
I have been thinking about those damned shoes ever since.
Sigh.
Here's a cool (non-spectator) version of them from Capezio ($160)
These are by Report Footwear ($84)