Ozma linen slip dress (purchased with credits at Garmentory*) | medium
Elizabeth Suzann structured mules | onyx, size 39 – I wear a US size 8
Black Crane square shirt in eggshell
Well, I did it. I have always wanted a pair of Elizabeth Suzann (made by Sevilla Smith) shoes and every.single.time I’ve tried, they sell right out from underneath me, or sell out so fast I never had a chance. This time, I intended to not even try (although I was still interested), so when I went to the site and my size was still available, I hurried up and checked out, not giving myself a whole lot of time to think.
My rationale was that if I didn’t love them, I’d have the $$ to spend at Elizabeth Suzann clothes, and how bad could that be??
I love mules, and wear them quite often; I have a pair by Emerson Fry that is quite old, but still in very good shape, and a pair by Robert Clergerie in a lovely rose suede I bought last summer. These are a welcome addition – I’m 98% sure I’m keeping them.
I didn’t have high hopes for these, because I knew they’d come up too high on my foot, a look I usually try to avoid because of my thicker calves. And they do. But I’m okay with that.
Once I put these on, I didn’t want to take them off. They are beautiful (I LOVE the matte leather) and they fit like a glove. I do wonder if the leather will stretch very much more though…especially there at the top of the foot…that might be too much.
Those voices in my head though. They still try to tell me that my calves are too thick and my legs too big to wear shoes like this. I’ve listened to those voices my whole life, thinking they were real, and then dressed in a way to de-emphasize my calves, or my hips. The voices tell me I am SUPPOSED to look a certain way – NORMAL, with actual ankles – and I most certainly do not: I have strong, muscular legs. So?
Ugh. Why is this still a thing? (h/t John Oliver) Why are those voices still there? They’ll always be there, we all have them – it’s my monkey brain – the part of my brain that has evolved to keep me on edge – in survival mode. Although what kind of shoes go with my calves is far from crucial to my survival. All I can do now is recognize that the voices aren’t me, and give them no purchase.
Done, and done.
Who else got a pair of these mules? What do you think? Have you had experience with Elizabeth Suzann/Sevilla Smith shoes before?
*When you use my referral link to Garmentory and sign up for an account you’ll get a $20 credit and so will I
I love them! I live in NYC and with all the walking I do, I just don’t think I can pull off the mule trend.
Also – whenever you mention your calves, it just reminds me that everybody has “that” body part. I have a very high forehead (a particularly rude high school boyfriend called it a “fivehead”.) Most of my life, I kept it covered under bangs. Then, 6 years ago I got a short pixie cut. My fivehead is on display, and every time I get a trim I think “Ahhh it’s too much! My face looks huge!!” But I LOVE having short hair! So screw it!
I’m so in love with those mules. I keep debating them for when she does the restocks but I have too many similar pairs already. I LOVE how they hug the curve of your arch in that photo, really pretty. I heard some of the ladies in the @selltradeES group saying that they were able to have a cobbler tighten the leather on some other their older ES mules once they stretched out a bit, so it sounds like it’s not a deal breaker.
I’m in the same boat. I have muscular calves and rather thick ankles so any photos of my legs look really big – but they aren’t in actuality. It’s hard to stop caring about it and just go with what you like, but if you realize that no one else will give a damn, then why should you?
I like the shoes. I REALLY love that Black Crane shirt! It looks so comfortable!
Hi, Grechen! I’m so glad you reviewed those mules. I too have been wanting them for two summers only to have my size sell out literally from underneath my computer mouse, but I’m still really interested in how they fit. I have very similar legs to yours (just one part of why I love your blog so much 🙂 I actually think the mules look really cool on you. Yes they go up high, but I think that accentuates the indent of your ankles and makes them look really stylish. Try not to listen to those voices in your head. I should talk, though. One of the reasons I want those mules so much is because they have a 1.5 inch heel and at 5’2″, I’m always telling myself I’m too short and shouldn’t wear flats. We’re all nuts and way too critical of our bodies. I love your style so much because you don’t conform to all those fashion ‘rules’ we all grew up hearing. And you always look so comfortable and chic!
I’m between an 8 and an 8.5 depending on the shoe, and I have a really narrow foot, so I don’t know if I ought to size down to a 38 which might be too short for my foot (moot point, I know, because they’re sold out in both sizes, but a girl can dream). I remember reading comments on last year’s softer suede mules that recommended sizing down, but I know the leather is different this year. I have trouble buying most mules because they’re always too loose in my size and I was hoping these would be on the really snug side. What do you think?
I have the Suzi boots; they’re fantastic! I find them incredibly comfortable… the leather has softened a bit with wear, and the toe of both boots has developed sort of a “dent.” I prefer a lived in look, so that’s ideal for me. But, I understand that those imperfections might turn off some buyers.
Not that it’s a good reason to buy/keep shoes, but I get a lot of compliments on the Suzi boots. A lot of women ask me if they’re custom made, where to buy a pair, etc.
I’m really excited to see the onyx color; I hope that ES stocks the Suzi boot in onyx at a later time. Or maybe I can locate another similar pair from Sevilla Smith. The pair you have on Slower right now is gorgeous!!
Just got my first pair of true mules (not clogs) – similar to these, but mine are Vince (Oren is the style name, I think). Wearing them for the first time today – like wearing slippers to work. Thank you for the ongoing mule inspiration.
on sizing: i always wear an 8 US, 38.5 in Robert Clergerie and 38 in most other european brands. i went with the 39 on advice at sevilla smith’s site and i think they’re the right size. the length is PERFECT and while the leather isn’t SNUG, it fits well and is very comfortable. i think sizing down wouldn’t be a big issue; there’s not a significant length difference between half sizes…
so funny you mentioned the “wearing flats while short” issue – i have NO PROBLEM at all wearing flats, and i’m just 5’3″!! i guess when i was much younger i wore heels quite often, but lately, give me FLAT FLATS and i’m happy lol – i do like this heel though, it’s like you’re not on a heel, but it’s enough of a heel for a little boost.
i’ve taken all of the sevilla smith shoes i’ve received for slowre to be “freshened” up a bit to my favorite shoe lady and she always exclaims at how beautiful they are, and how well-made. they are truly amazing shoes 🙂
yes, screw it 🙂
the differences we all have are what make us beautiful.
how boring the world would be if we were all the same…
thanks laura 🙂
my cobbler is a genius, and she LOVES sevilla smith shoes, so she would be happy to help me maintain them haha. although one of these days i’m afraid she might abscond with a pair (I take all the sevilla smith shoes i receive for slowre.com to her to freshen up and she loves them!)
thanks jen – the shirt is super-comfortable, but soooo big!
yes! they are like wearing slippers!! BONUS haha. i love to slip my feet into a nice, broken in pair of mules. heaven 😉
I think they look great on you. The heel is a little low for me and my foot pain (I need strong arch support and a bit more of a heel).
I’m still sad that I took too long to jump on her Japanese knot bag (seriously, the price was quite decent too, what was I waiting for).
I got to try on my new mules tonight in the same color as you bought Grechen. I have kinda skinny calves and narrowish medium feet and I love the fit and comfort. I wear a 39 in most shoes where that sizing is available…mostly an 8.5 otherwise. I got these in a 39 and they are perfect. If the leather stretches out I will bring them to my cobbler to fix for me.
I have really sensitive bones on my big and pinky toes and was concerned about the shape of the toe box…the leather is so soft that my toes are happy!!
These must be magic shoes as they look wonderful on you, on me, on the models in the photos on the ES website. There go the plans for spending our credit at ES when we returned the mules…KEEPERS for sure!!
I think they look fine on you! But I understand. I broke my left ankle – twice. And even though it is as healed as it will be, it is larger than it used to be. So my ankles aren’t even symmetrical. I bought these, but I bought the lighter shade – closer to my skin tone. That’s what I like to do – blend it all t together into one large ankle! LOL.
Haha! I loved that lighter color too- I like to wear skin tone colored shoes also. Sometimes.
Definitely magic shoes!! And haha. Yes there go plans for return credit…
I hesitate to buy shoes that ride up that high too but for me, it’s because of my long feet… that style tends to make my feet look even longer. I’m trying to embrace it but haven’t gotten there yet.
Sevilla Smith makes so many other beautiful styles, there is surely something you would love. Her shoes are magic and I now own three pairs! Check out her site.
My magic mules tried to kill me this morning. I put them on to wear for work, and promptly slid/fell down half of my staircase. My right shoulder is wrenched, my left arm, and left hip is bruised up and missing skin. Big bruise on wrist and on lower left leg.
I dropped the mules off at the cobbler for him to add non-slip layer to bottom of shoes. He commented that the soles were really slick…hah, if he wasn’t a man, I would have showed him my bruises.
Folks…be careful going down carpeted stairs in these shoes!!
Talk about an “Oh sh*t!” moment! I’m just glad you’re [relatively] OK. My daughter fell down the subway stairs in the rain last spring and I could’ve cried when I thought about how scary it feels and the potential for serious injury. Luckily, a kind man stopped and helped her. Thanks for the reminder about slippery shoes!
I love the mules!
Thanks for the concern…I’m sure your daughter was terrified.
My husband couldn’t believe I didn’t send the shoes back…nope, I love them too mamavalveeta!!
The things we endure for fashion! 😉
OH NO!!!!!!
actually, i noticed how slick the bottoms are while i was trying them on upstairs on the carpet.
man, i’m sorry that happened to you! i will take mine to the cobbler post haste !
Better safe than sorry Grechen!!
Late to the party in but in case anyone is still monitoring this thread, just wanted to post briefly about my experience with Sevilla Smith shoes. I have the bootie that looks like the Suzi in all respects except it has two little brass peg closures on the side. (The style is called the Karina.) I have them in the black veg tanned leather, which Faye advised would keep its structure better than the other choices she had avalable at the time. They stretched to conform to my feet on the first wear. (I am a US 8.5 an i got the 39.) They are lovely and beautfully made – and of course the leather is fab – but I don’t wear them that often because I’m not confident walking in them. My feet need more stability. I may try to get the heels cut down and see if that works out. I chose the higher of the two heel options (3 cm) when I think the 2 cm would have worked better for me. I do recommend getting a non-slip layer added to the soles. Faye used to use a rubber inset herself (you can see this in some older photos of her own label and ES branded shoes) but I guess she decided to give customers the option to have one added instead.
Grechen, I think the mules look great on you and they work really well with that outfit. 🙂