You knew this post was coming! I got the Astoria samples in the mail today and am absolutely beside myself with how awesome they look.
The toes are pointed. The straps are strappy. They fit perfectly, the way dress shoes should fit, and they look stunning on, from all angles.
Ebony looks just as great as ivory, too. You Titanic Centennial seamstresses, and Downton Abbey addicts, here you go.
The particulars:
- Name: “Astoria”
- Available in ebony or dyeable ivory
- 1.75″ heel (4.4 cm)
- 100% leather uppers, leather soles, leather-covered buttons
- Pre-Order – January 16 – February 3
- $110 pre-order price (20% off retail) / $135 retail
- Delivery by early April – International orders, we recommend you use Priority shipping if you need yours in time for April 14th.
- Pre-Order Goals: 120 pairs sold. Please share on your blogs, facebooks, and twitters!
- Order on Monday: www.American-Duchess.com
So … pictures! :
28 Comments
Beth
January 13, 2012 at 5:05 PMI didn't think I wanted black, but I think they look even nicer than the white!
Carly
January 13, 2012 at 5:12 PMWow, I'm liking these more than I thought I would. Especially the black! I agree with Beth, I didn't think I'd want black but now…
Mademoiselle Parapluie
January 13, 2012 at 6:24 PMOh my god I must have these!
Debi
January 13, 2012 at 6:34 PMahhhhhh…I so want these. argh. I can't wear leather (unless of course these aren't tanned with chromium???? oh please???)
M'lady
January 13, 2012 at 6:52 PMThey are the perfect shoe pretty *and* sensible. I like the black coloured shoes the best.
Stephanie Lynn
January 13, 2012 at 7:10 PMI'm so buying a black pair! Wish I could afford to buy a white pair too.
Mikey
January 13, 2012 at 7:25 PM*DROOL* like I said before I don't need these but they are so awesome!
Tell me I don't need them… (Boyfriend says I don't need them).. But I really want them, especially if they come in black!!
Better start thinking about this edwardian dress argh I don't need them, but so cool! Btw, I think they also look great to go with a more modern stylish dress…
Would this work with my high arched feet? How high are the sides? I don't like looking at my arched feet from the sides…
Anonymous
January 13, 2012 at 7:50 PMWow, Lauren…you really nailed it! I knew the black would be great because I have an original pair in black leather with beading. I agree with Mikey, they could easily be worn today.
Connie
American Duchess
January 13, 2012 at 10:37 PMDebi, to answer your question, it is very likely that they are tanned with chromium. 🙁
Thank you for your comments, everyone. I hope you really love these shoes, because I absolutely adore them and know you will too.
Mikey – how should I measure the sides? Do you need the measurement at the top of the shoe?
So who is getting black and who is getting white? 😀
Terese
January 13, 2012 at 11:21 PMI probably missed it somewhere in the description…are those buttons? snaps? decorative bits? They are really, really cool but I fear my practically instep-less feet would look like boats in them. *sigh* You need to start selling in a local store so I can try them on and better decide on a color 😉
American Duchess
January 14, 2012 at 3:56 AMHi Terese – the buttons are functional, and they are attached with little bits of elastic, so they give slightly (yay!). I was able to slip these on with a little work, and they stretch out nicely as you wear them. You can work the buttons through the holes with some fenagling, and the more you work them the easier it will become, of course.
Sandra Brake
January 13, 2012 at 11:22 PMI do like the black! Very classy. But I'm waiting with bated breath for the Pompadour! In fact, I'm nearly out cold with anticipation. Oh and can we have more flair on the heel of the Pompadour?? Please please please!
American Duchess
January 14, 2012 at 3:57 AMTravs, I've moved Pompadour up in the schedule to follow Astoria. This is dependent, of course, on if Astoria does well, and how well Pompadour does in pre-order. They are expensive for us to manufacture because we have to create custom heel molds, but that answers your next question, yes, very "statement" heels on the Pompadours, very Louis 🙂
Caroline
January 14, 2012 at 3:49 AMOoo they look beautiful! I can't wait!
Marika
January 14, 2012 at 8:19 AMI can't decide if I like the black or ivory better now… I am hopefully going to make the "Swim Dress" from the Titanic and I think the ivory would look better with dress, but I think I would wear the black more often. What to do, what to do… They look amazing by the way 😀
Mikey
January 14, 2012 at 10:09 AMHI Lauren,
ehm, maybe you could measure up from the sole on one side, along the first crossing of straps, to the other sid if the sole? Same for the second crossing of straps…
And I wanted to know how high the side is, from the sole, to where the shoes sides end on the inside of the foot, I guess inbetween steps. I think i've got a size 8,5 If they are comparable in size with the last devonshires you had made…
I hope this is not to much trouble, but I need to know If they would fit me reasonably…. Sending it back from abroad is very much a hassle…
Glad there's some elastic with the buttons! But will it be enough for my high arched feet…
Lauren R
January 18, 2012 at 2:31 AMMikey, I'm not sure the measurements I could take would be accurate, because my samples are size 7.5, and of course the 8.5 is larger.
About the straps – they stretch a little, and attach to buttons that are on elastic, so that will stretch too. The buttonholes can be extended with a little slicing, to allow for a higher arch across the top of the foot. If all else fails, a shoe repair should be able to move the buttons higher up so that the straps are looser.
Mikey
January 14, 2012 at 10:15 AMow and maybe I should know how far the strap crossings are from the toe or heel… otherwise I won't know where to measure my foot…
I would definetly go for the black ones!
M'lady
January 14, 2012 at 7:21 PMI'm very tempted to buy a pair as you do half sizes (I'm a UK size 4.5 which is so hard to find) and I like edwardian styling. If the postage & import charges are small enough I may just treat myself.
Allison
January 14, 2012 at 9:04 PMI think I may have to get a pair hmm…. I second (third? fourth?) the requests for lots of measurements on length and width so I can get the correct size.
Tinkerbellee
January 15, 2012 at 2:01 PMThis comment has been removed by the author.
Tinkerbellee
January 15, 2012 at 2:03 PMOmigosh – I MUST have these! If I order tomorrow do I get the pre-order price?
Lauren R
January 18, 2012 at 2:32 AMThe pre-order price goes all the way until February 3rd. Plenty of time 🙂
Gwen in L.A.
January 15, 2012 at 8:25 PMHelp on the width, please? "B" or?
Are these available in wide width?
They are gorgeous!!
Lauren R
January 18, 2012 at 2:33 AMHi Gwen – width is "B" dance shoe. They fit closely, like your typical high heeled dress shoe.
Kelly
January 15, 2012 at 10:36 PMThese are amazing. I see an Edwardian in my near future. Is it possible to request 1870s evening shoes? They are impossible to find and your shoes are so lovely I know I would order a pair in a heartbeat.
Anonymous
January 15, 2012 at 11:19 PMOh my goodness. I'm in love!!!!!!!
These would go PERFECTLY with my wedding dress.
But I'm getting married on the 31st of March D:
Oh no :S
x
Lauren R
January 18, 2012 at 2:32 AMErin, there is a good possibility these might reach you by March 31st if you are in the US, especially if you use Priority or Express shipping.