Mission 2: The Mule
Is it really the “must- have” shoe to transition from summer into fall?
I live in the Southeast so preparing my closet for fall isn’t always so cut and dried. Mornings are cold and fall like while afternoons are warm so light layers and transitional pieces are my go to’s. That’s easier to pull off with clothes but shoes? In the summer I wear lots of sandals of all types and when it’s cold boots. This is first time I put thought into what footwear could serve as a bridge by providing the functionality I need and the style I crave.
And that brings to the next piece… THE MULE.
What do my style consultants say?
"Nina says...." Not a damn thing. This is not a must have item for a stylish woman in her book.
"Lloyd says..." a mule is a must have. The mule is “lazy-cum-luxurious”= effortlessly chic
Ok, so Lloyd loves the mule and here are some of his suggested ways to wear and not and wear them:
With suiting as way to add feminine flare to a masculine look (this is right on time because suits are on trend.)
Not with hosiery of any kind, footless are the exception
Cropped and capri pants
Skirts at or above the knee
But before we go any further let’s dive into the history of this shoe. At its core the mule is shoe with a closed toe and open back. It dates back to 1000 BC in Greece or Rome and were worn by both men and women. Eventually the style would fall out of favor with men and would exclusively be worn by women in France by the 18th century. The mule would become particularly popular in the 50’s when worn by Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn.
Prior to this summer I had never owned a mule. I remember a pair particularly cute pair of high-heeled mules catching my attention back in the 90’s when worn by Jasmine Guy on the sit-com “A Different World” but for some strange reason I had an aversion to a shoe that wasn’t secured to your foot when I was younger. Somehow they felt impractical since they are impossible to run. I know a silly reason not to like a shoe.
Fast forward to 2018 or 2019 when every fashion influencer was recommending the Gucci Princetown Leather Slipper as a luxury shoe workhorse guaranteed to get your “cost per wear” since they could be worn with everything. I almost pulled the trigger and bought a Sam Edelman dupe but I didn’t like the shoe and most flats make my already large feet look even bigger. It’s crazy to think I was seriously considering buying a shoe I didn’t really like because someone told me I should. But hey we all evolve and although I’m susceptible to being influenced still I have learned that personal style is all about finding pieces that work for you.
A mule is simply a closed toe backless shoe that ranges from a medium heel to a flat. Not practical but high posh factor when you still want to look effortlessly styled. It’s a dressy slipper that signals success. A woman wearing this does not look pedestrian “basic” or like she is in a hurry.- Lloyd Boston
Let’s Analyze What’s in My Closet
I have the Vince Camuto Trexanta Mule in Black in my closet. I bought these back in June because I needed a summer shoe that I could take into fall. I wanted an alternative to my summer sandals and the closed toe is perfect for concealing when I’m overdue for a pedicure. Initially I was unsure about getting these. However I’ll admit I thought they were cute and I have never had a shoe with a toe this pointy but I thought these were super stylish and fun. The heel is 3.25’’ which is not too high to me and they have with a leather upper, faceted heel which is definitely different, synthetic lining and sole. I paid $64.99. Which is an awesome price.
When they arrived I started wearing them immediately and haven’t stopped. The problem in doing that is that I have worn these shoes to death. This drove me back to the Vince Camuto website to buy another pair and guess what? They were sold out in black. I was devastated!
What I Learned
I learned from this pair of mules that are a must have. Lloyd Boston was so right! They don’t slip or slide or feel like flip flops on my feet which was a concern. These are super comfortable and easy to wear. So yes I will be taking on this mission because I wore out my current pair and need a new pair.
My thought process going into purchase another pair or mules is to go in a totally different direction than the vibe of what I have. So instead of the easy casual simplicity of the Trexanto mule I decided that my new mules would be a little more dressy, structured and have an architectural heel. I decided to stick with the high-heeled version and kept the color black.
What I Bought
Enter Arezzo’s Avery Sculpted Heel Mules. These mules visually fit exactly what I was looking for a “more formal” mule for dressier outfits. The retail price on the Arezzo website was $109.00. I bought mine on the Macy’s website for $76.30. A $32.70 discount?! I love when that happens.
So when they arrived I opened the box and was impressed. These shoes came with a dust bag and a pamphlet that provides you with information about the brand. What a nice touch for the price point. They are 50 year old Brazilian brand with a brand ethos of making shoes that have great design, are attainable, high-quality and long lasting. I can get with a brand that wants to provide high quality shoes that are affordable.
My Thoughts on What I Bought After Wearing Them
My initial thoughts about the shoes were substantiated when I wore this shoe. It feels like you’re wearing a pump when you slip it on your foot. It is very structured. I became accustomed to the relaxed, accommodate your foot feel of the Vince Camuto Trexanto mule and this ain’t that. This shoe holds your foot and does not give. Will it stretch or break in over time? I’m not so sure but I will update this post after a few more wears. They are super slippery on carpets and non carpeted surfaces but just fine on asphalt or concrete so watch yourself while wearing these around the house. I will be taking them to the shoe repair shop to explore my options for keeping the pointy toe from scuffing and showing wear and tear too soon which is something I wished I had done with the Trexanto mule. Before I wrap this up here are the details about the Avery Mule. The heel is a block heel that flares and the height is 4.4’, the sole is synthetic, the upper is leather, they come in black and a caramel brown.
All in all I really like these shoes and I am happy they are in my closet. If you like a cool, edgy yet chic and modern shoe you may want to check these or even the Trexanto mule out.
And with that I consider this mission ACCOMPLISHED! I love my mules and I am so happy I opened my mind to a shoe style I have never really paid a lot of attention to because they give me even more options and really round out my shoe collection.
How do you feel about mules? Do love them? Do you hate them? Share your favorite mule.
Sounce: Boston, L. (2010 p.145). The style checklist: The Ultimate Wardrobe Essentials for You. Atria Books.