Salvatore Ferragamo

Most people who know me knows that I am fairly simple when it comes to fashion. Even though I have a basic understanding of haute couture, able to differentiate styles of many fashion designers, and can recognize a real from a fake designer handbag at a glance, my style is basic.  

My closet is full of blacks, whites, grays, and many shades of neutral. The materials of my clothing are made from natural fibers such as wool, cashmere, linen, cotton and silk. I won't hesitate to purchase a Pucci dress, Dolce and Gabbana pants, Giorgio Armani skirt or Balenciaga jacket. But most of the purchases were carefully thought out. Can I wear it for awhile? Will the shape and material hold up? Does it match more than several items that I already have? All in all, you can say that I am quite meticulous with my purchases. 

So where does Salvatore Ferragamo fit in? Well, it is my one weakness. The one brand of shoes that I am willing to purchase before a sale. How did a conscientious person like me arrived at where I am with Ferragamo? It all started with one innocent splurge:

It was the day after a hectic busy season, of working 80 hour weeks, for weeks on end. I went to Nordstrom Rack and saw a pair of brown sueded Ferragamo pumps for $99.99. "Who buy shoes this expensive?" I thought to myself; but proceeded to slip on the shoes anyway, just to know the feeling of wearing something with the original price tag of $395. "Oh wow," I thought, "these are so comfortable!" I rationalized myself into purchasing the shoes.  I talked myself into believing that it is justified,  "One pair. These are returnable within' 30 days. I wear pumps almost everyday for work." That was the moment I caved in and purchased my first pair of Ferragamos, known as "Ferries" to my hubs.

After a week of walking around in my new "Ferries", I dreamed of owning a more fashion forward pair. Take notice that it is "owning" and not "buying". I wanted a pair of black patent leather vara bow pumps.  The day came when I deserved a new pair.  It was the day I turned in my laptop to HR after quitting Ernst & Young to start a new life in San Francisco. I walked into the Santana Row store and brought home a gift for myself. 

Today, a couple years after that Santana Row visit, I now own double digits of Ferragamos. As I am blogging this, wearing those black patent vara bow pumps, all I can think about is my vacation to Florence, Italy!!! The homeland of Mr. Salvatore Ferragamo.