Remember when I wrote about my frustration with online shoe shopping last summer? Well, I’ve come to another mini-fashion crisis with something many women dread experiencing, shopping for the perfect pair of jeans – dum dum dum!

I’m not looking for any regular pair of low-rise boot cut jeans because, god forbid, that would be too easy!

Over the past eight months I’ve been hunting for the perfect pair of high-rise skinny jeans. I have a very specific style, cut and wash in mind; they have to be in a dark blue wash with brown/golden stitching, made from real denim (not jegging-like but some stretch would be ok) and have a rise of over 10.5 inches – I’m talking belly button height or above.

It’s been a frustrating and exhausting search to find the perfect high-rise skinny jean. I’ve scoured online websites and pretty much called the best denim stores in Toronto: Holt Renfrew, Jonathan & Olivia, Net-a-Porter, Over the Rainbow, Shopbop, SSENSE – everywhere!  

I’ve also gone straight to the popular denim brands themselves such as 7 For All Mankind, Citizen of Humanity, Paige Demin and Levis in hopes they would have something in stock = outlook not so good.

Everyone I’ve spoken to at these stores have been super helpful answering my questions, but when my search turns up with zero success I can’t help but feel despondent; it’s like I’m Indiana Jones searching for the holy grail, but there’s no holy grail.

Throughout my search I’ve discovered that the majority of jeans in stock were either a low or mid-rise. And can I tell you that I’m sick of low rise jeans! Unofficially it’s become the new standard for jeans.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I have a few pairs of low rise jeans but as the times change so do I. Call it old age if you will or that I’m foreseeing that the jean trend will be moving towards a higher rise within the next few seasons; however, I’m an impatient person and I don’t want to wait several seasons to find the perfect pair of high-rise skinny jeans.

I’ve lost count on how many jeans I’ve tried on and the feelings of frustration that comes with it, it’s literally become a pain in the ass; getting blue dye all over my hands, squeezing and contorting to get into a pair of jeans, having to go up two sizes and going down two sizes – can’t denim makers just stick with a standard sizing?

And that’s just getting the pants on then the fun part comes, when you look at yourself in the mirror and scientifically analyze the jeans you’re wearing; the material was too stretchy, rise isn’t high enough, the wash looks horrible and the cut flattened my bum. Who wants a flat ass?

There are only three pairs of jeans which have come close to meeting my criteria. They are (pictured in order above):

• J Brand’s Maria jean – I’ve tried the Maria, the rise isn’t high enough and it’s basically made out of a jegging material
• ACNE’s Needle Soft Raw jean – none to be found in Toronto and I don’t want to chance dropping $200 on these jeans without trying them on first
• Notify’s Tulipa high-rise skinny jean – none to be found in Toronto and I don’t want to chance dropping $200 on these jeans without trying them on first

So there you have my rant to start off the New Year – I know it’s been long one but desperate times call for desperate measures. I’m not completely giving up hope, I’ve been told to keep my eyes out for new stock coming into stores at the end of January/beginning of February; however, this means I have to make another dozen calls and search online to find what I’m looking for – ugh!

I know I can’t be the only one looking for the perfect pair of high-rise skinny jeans. If you know of any dark, high-rise (10.5+ inches) skinny jeans please let me know – will love you forever!

Remember this blog post I published last week touting my struggles with online shoe shopping? Well my friends, the ray of light I’ve been praying for finally appeared and I bought a pair of Camilla Skovgaard sandals from Net-a-Porter. YEAH!

This is the first pair of shoes I’ve bought online, as well as my first pair of Camilla Skovgaard heels. I chose these sandals because I don’t own a black pair in this style, a cut-out heel that’s designed to look like a cross between sandal and ankle bootie.

I placed my order on Wednesday and my shoes arrived on the Thursday – super fast service from Net-a-Porter!

When trying on these shoes, I was incredibly happy to discover that my agonizing analysis of online sizing charts for shoes paid off; for these sandals I fit an Italian size 38 perfectly. The leather is incredibly smooth and soft, and the sole is well padded.

Shoe specifications:

• Outer, leather and patent leather
• Colour, black
• Heel height, 11.5 cm

I’ve overcome this hurdle of shopping for shoes online, but I’m not completely free from this trepidation; after all each shoe is different and no two styles are alike.

For those of you who still have a few reservations of online shopping, my suggestion is to take your time and do a lot of research. Check out the shoes/clothes in your closet and do a few comparisons with the sizing. Good luck and happy shopping!

Image gallery #1 from Net-a-Porter

I want to let you in on a little secret... I’ve never bought a pair of shoes online before – ever.

I’m only writing about this now because there’s currently a plethora of end of season sales taking place over the Internet and I’ve come away empty handed after perusing websites for hours, feeling totally deflated and defeated.

Practically every online store I have bookmarked in my browser is having a sale, because it’s the time of year when retailers make way for new stock for the fall/winter season. Net-a-Porter, Far Fetch, Shopbop and SSense – just to name a few – have designer footwear going for up to 50% off the original retail price. As a result, shoes are being listed as “sold out” faster than you can say Miu Miu.

I visit all of my favourite online sites religiously everyday and sometimes several times a day. It’s becoming a silent obsession I try to hide at work, but I’m continually going back in the hopes of finding something in my size and that will fit within my budget.

When it comes to clothes I have no qualms of selecting pants, shirts or dresses from an online store. Clothes allow for more leeway and room for alterations (if needed). Secondly, sizes in certain articles of clothing remain standard for the most part.

On the other hand, shoes are a completely different territory and for me it’s necessary to try them on before committing to the purchase. I need to be able to put shoes on my feet, walk around in them and determine how they feel and look.

Below are a few shoes I’ve miss out on buying.

1. Ralph Lauren, Net-a-Porter
2. Camilla Skovgaard, Net-a-Porter
3. Charlotte Olympia, Far Fetch
4. Nicholas Kirkwood, LUISAVIAROMA

Online I procrastinate and agonizingly analyse buying a pair of shoes, so much so that by the time I muster up the courage to make a purchase the item is no longer available = fail.

Online return and exchange policies at many retailers are really good, some have free collection services. This allows for customers who have the guts and credit limit to buy items in multiple sizes should one not fit properly and then they return the rest. However, I’m not that type person willing to triple charge my credit card.

I have a feeling my shoe shopping escapades will not change anytime soon, but I’m holding out for a slim ray of hope.

Is anyone else feeling my pain? Have you come up with a few solutions to your online footwear fear? Advice and words of wisdom is definitely welcomed.

Images from Net-a-Porter, Far Fetch and LUISAVIAROMA

Here’s my rule of thumb when it comes to flat shoes – whenever you see a really good pair NEVER hesitate to buy them because a good pair of flats are VERY hard to find.

This week’s shoe of the moment are the Kazler Ballerina Flat, by Steve Madden which can be purchased through multiple websites such as Amazon, Endless or if you live in Canada it can be bought at Town Shoes’ retail stores.

Shoe specifications:

• Black leather upper covered in gold studs and sequins
• Rubber sole
• Heel measures approximately 12.7 mm
• Colour: black, pewter, purple, etc.
• Product description, “Its ultra-low profile is glammed up by the shiny studs and sequins all over the upper. Pair it with your favourite faded jeans for a casual look that's high in style.”

Why I chose these shoes: I first discovered these shoes after reading a blog post on Wearability back in July and instantly become enraptured with the gold studs and sequins covering the entire shoe, reminding me of the exotic East combined with Bohemian flare.

By pure chance I was passing through the Toronto Eaton Centre last week and came across them at Town Shoes. Can you imagine my luck? I was obsessing over these shoes several months ago and thought I’d never see them in Toronto, because all the online retailers for these shoes were based in the U.S. I tell you the Kazler Ballerina Flats and I are meant to be together. The shoes can be worn anytime and anywhere, easily going from day to evening and the best thing is your feet won’t be throbbing with pain from running around in them all day. Score!