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Endless has some great sales going on right now, including a fair amount of Taryn Rose shoes. We like these simple black patent loafers — we particularly like the teeny heel and the very slight point to the toe. They were $395, now $225; still available in sizes 6.5-9.5. Taryn Rose Women's Sirena Patent Loafer
constructlawgirl
These shoes are perfect! Honestly, I could really use them with my current outfit. Too bad they start at size 6.5. I’m having one of those days where around noon-ish, you wonder ‘What was I thinking when I put this outfit together???’. Ugghhh…..
MJ
Does anybody ever feel like Corporette falls for the “was X” now “Y% of X” fallacy of shopping. Just because something started out exorbitant does not mean it’s a value merely because it was discounted later….
I’m all for a good sale, but….
J
The original price is usually a pretty good indicator of quality when it comes to shoes.
Of course, that’s not always true. Everyone can make their own judgment about what something is “worth” in terms of intrinsic value. Personally I appreciate when C points out something that’s on sale.
MJ
Agree, but sometimes I think that entire brand/lines are overpriced (Cole Haan, Brooks Brothers, Tory Burch, Kate Spade, J. Crew of late), so then when they go on sale, they are more “reasonably” priced, but still not a bargain, since they started (unnecessarily) high in the first instance. Many of the above-mentioned brands have a merchandising habit (whether intentional or not) of high prices followed by deep discounts, with a lot of their merchandise reaching the discount phase.
So, yes, I love when C posts things on sale, and I appreciate it, but I am saying that different retailers really offer different “value”, even if their stuff is high quality to begin with, as you point out.
Not sure if I am making any sense….
3L
They are ridiculously overpriced/overvalued, even with the discount. ‘Nuff said.
AIMS
I’m not a fan of the shoes (or loafers generally), but I think that as value goes it’s really a matter of what you would normally spend on an item. Some people would not spend more than, say, $100 on a pair of shoes, and so a shoe that’s on sale for $200 still feels ridiculous, no matter what its original price was. In contrast, if you normally buy shoes around $300, a $200 pair of shoes will seem like a great deal. It’s a matter of perception, and not necessarily a guidepost re: value.
I think that pointing out something is on sale, and listing its previous price, is no different from saying that a sweater is cashmere or that a pair of pants is lined or unlined — it’s just information that some people might find helpful before purchasing.
All that said, Taryn Rose is not a brand that one sees discounted all that frequently, so for its fans (or those wanting to try it to see if it lives up to the hype) this may be a great deal. I think I understand the original poster’s general point, but honestly that really bothers me only with brands like 9 West, Aerosoles, etc. which sell their shoes for 70-100$ (??) in stores, but then I always see them in TJ Maxx for $29.99 — that does bother me. But when something is well-made and is sold at a discount later on, I feel like it makes more sense — you can buy an item when you have a choice of sizes & colors, or you can wait for JCrew to really discount that sweater but it’s only available in lime and persimmon.
Sharon
I think the difference between Cole-Haan and Tory Burch in your example is that Cole-Haan is a high quality shoe … Tory Burch is a cute (very cute!) line, but quality-wise it’s not superior to anything, you’re paying for the logo and name.
Sharon
Nice pick, C.
Anonymous
Would be nice if Corporette would post a reasonably priced low heel or flat every now and again…
anon - chi
Isn’t “reasonably priced” in the eye of the beholder? Some Corporette readers might find $225 insane for a pair of shoes; for others that is about par for the course or even on the low side. I don’t like these particular shoes but I find $225 to be what I would call “reasonably priced.”
Sharon
She does and then we yell at her and tell her it’s dumpy :-)
em
I guess I’m in the minority, but these look like the tap shoes I wore to dance class when I was a child. Not a fan, especially for $225.
KLo
Nobody else said these remind them of dressing up like a pilgrim in Kindergarten … maybe I’m alone on that one. But I do agree with Sharon.
AIMS
You’re not alone :)
AC
I just bought a pair of Tayrn Rose shoes from my favorite consignment store and I have found that the quality is far superior to the shoes that I would normally buy ($100-150 range). I am a total cheapskate and have sworn in the past that I would never spend $300-500 on a pair of shoes, but I may be a convert. I may not be able to buy as many shoes, but I think that I would rather have the quality. (Before you think that consignment shoes are gross, they had obviously never been worn before as the soles were not scuffed. I can’t imagine who would spend that much on a pair of shoes and not wear them, but my gain.)
housecounsel
I found a pair of Taryn Rose pumps for $99 at Nordstrom Rack. The original price was $475. They’re black croc-print with a squarish toe and maybe a 2.5 inch heel. I was one of those who wanted to see if they were worth all the hype comfort-wise, and these were cute enough.
Let me tell you without question that they’re worth the hype, and I wouldn’t hesitate to pay two or three times what I paid for the super-sale pair at Rack. I am also thrilled to find Cole Haan air anythings on sale, but if you can find Taryn Rose that aren’t frumpy-looking for a similar price, do NOT pass them up.
RoadWarriorette
I think these are very cute. Thanks for showing some flats!
Erin M.
I think these are very cute. Thanks for showing some flats!
Erin M.
That’s online at naturalizer.com, I should add.
Liz
MJ, I agree with you. Eventhough C tells us these shoes are deeply discounted (now), I still find the $225 price tag difficult to swallow.
Sharon
I’ve never worn Taryn Rose myself, but friends who do have problems finding comfortable shoes really swear by them, and I think that makes it worth the price.
SUCL 3L
As a 3L I cannot afford most of the things that C posts, but I know that there are many people who do read Corporette that can.
Maybe I’m in the minority in doing this, but when I see something really expensive posted that I like and can’t afford, I make a mental note to see if I can find something similar in a price I can afford.
As for these shoes, I love a good flat!
K
SUCL 3L, I totally agree. I am an attorney but not in biglaw and while my price point for shoes and clothes has increased a lot since I’ve been working, I grew up on “hand me ups” from my taller younger sister. If I see shoes I like that I’m not willing to pay for, I generally make a mental note to hit up DSW over the weekend to see if I can find something similar at a price I’m willing to pay.
That’s actually a technique I use to decide if I really want to buy something. Before looking at the price tag, I always assess what I would be willing to pay (“I love this top $80 worth” “I will eat ramen for a month to afford this dress”) for it. If my assessment is equal to or higher than the actual price, I buy it. If not, it goes back on the rack because clearly I don’t want it that badly since I wasn’t willing to pay what it costs.
michelle
I must be the minority here; I swear by comfortable shoes and I have bought and returned several pairs from Taryn Rose; they were OK at best on comfort and style and in my opinion not worth the cost – and while they’re not cheap, I don’t hesitate to spend that range for shoes I find comfortable and stylish, just not worth it for so-so.
Selia
I am with you! I have a pair of Taryn Rose pumps with about a 2.5 inch heel. They are fine, but certainly not the absolute most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. I can wear them and not kill my feet, but my Ann Taylor pumps are every bit as comfortable (or even more so…)