What To Look For Buying Sandals - A second look at my Mustafa Sandals - Senorita Style - Shoe Shopping Tips
Shop In Many Small Shops Or One Large Store?
I looked at the inexpensive and mostly plastic sandals in shops in Little India as we walked from the Little India MRT station. I could have stopped at a dozen shops. However, that would have taken up most of our time and energy. However, my focused husband was intent on sticking to our plan, which was to shop in Mustafa's department store for a large number of different items, starting with our food, ending with my shoes.
Department Store Success
So we continued to Mustafa's, which proved to be a great success. I was looking for sandals, which are adjustable across the toes as well as around the ankle. Why? To take on and off quickly, hurried in the morning, changing shoes and tired in the evening, changing for the swimming pool, and importantly, at security checks at airports.
Disappointing Display - Don't Be Disappointed
I looked around and saw a pair I liked, on display, but they were size 7. Far too large.
I could not see anything suitable in my size. I wear four and a half on one foot, five on the other. I can squash into a four and a half after they stretch. I can wear five in a boot with socks inside. I once bought a pair or sandals in a six because I loved the colour, two tone red. They looked big, although they felt ok. I wore them constantly, when alone in the house. Having discovered that I liked the colour and style, I kept looking for them again online, in my size, in the red or other colours, second hand or new. Meanwhile, in Mustafa's, nothing cheap, or even expensive, in my size. What to do?
Always Ask An Assistant
Before leaving, I saw an assistant nearby. My best decision was to ask her for help. My second best decision was to wear the type of shoes I was looking for, and to show her the sandals on my feet. I demonstrated the adjustable Velcro (brand name) or 'touch and close'. I asked, "Do you have anything like this?"
She had two styles.
Senorita With Elastic
The Senorita brand pair had elastic around the ankle. Not my favourite. They might feel too tight at first. Later they might fit. Bu eventually the elastic would work lose, or the elastic would fail completely.
As I tried them on, I was thinking: But at this price, I could afford to use them as a spare pair and just wear them at home. Or to take a chance. Wear them until I found something better. Meanwhile, how did they feel?
Solid underfoot. Not flexible. Looked good.
The sandals had to be worth that low price, just to walk around the house, or wear - even just once.
I opted for the silver colour, although I prefer gold to co-ordinate with my hair and spectacle frames. Why silver? Because I already have gold shoes. Gold looks very evening-y. Silver is more suitable for daytime.
I had bought just in time. When I got home, the sandals I was wearing came apart. I shall tell you about the repair in the next post.
My shoes, in both the UK and Singapore, fall apart faster than I can replace them.
Shoe Shopping Summary of Tips
1 Look in Little India for cheap shoes.
2 Look in Mustafa's 24 hour store.
3 Wear the kind of shoes you want to buy.
4 Ask an assistant.
5 Ask the assistant about the brand - is it still in business and will the shop have more?
6 Keep your receipts. Note the shop, brand, model name or number, and price for replacement. (Also for returning shoes, or repairing your favourites.)
Websites
Wiki mustafa
(About the Author of this blog, Author Angela Lansbury)
BIOGRAPHY
Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5
The Author of several books, including Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.
Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com
dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com
Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President
Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time
Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;
Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;
Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.
More details from Toastmasters International find a club.
Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.
Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.
Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.
Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.
Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.
Language and speech workshops in Singapore.
Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.
Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.
Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.
Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.
I also have a blog on comic poems.
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