Sanita's Catalina Wave (Part Une)
Okay, you guys... this review is waaaay long over due! I was obsessed with the Wave this entire weekend. I had a ton of fun with my one woman photoshoot on Saturday (I was the set designer, the clothes editor, the model, the photographer, the director, the graphic designer, and now -- the blogger) . It's too bad that my homework eventually got in the way though. But even as I programmed late Saturday night, I only longed to blog about the double buckle half back Mary Jane clog... which is why I'm happy to finally have some free time, even if only for a few moments!
Have any of you ever heard of aniline leather? Well, I learned that aniline leather is leather prized for its softness. It's the type of leather that undergoes the least amount of processing. What this means is that it will develop a rich luster (or patina) over time. What this also means, though, is that it will fade with prolonged exposure to the sun.
Well, I learned that the Catalina Wave is made of aniline leather. The pair that I received had a few scratches and at first, I thought that this was a flaw, but later learned that scratches are characteristic of aniline leather -- it's not processed to conceal such blemishes. As noted by the Wikipedia, this type of leather has often been called *naked* leather since it "allows the leather to breathe better, making the leather more comfortable in both hot and cold weather". So if you see scratches on a pair, don't be alarmed -- celebrate them instead.
Okay, enough about leather. You may be curious about colors! The sample I received came in Blue. The Wave also comes in Red, Black, and Cognac. When I requested a sample, I had asked for either Blue or Red.
Alright, already, so they're cute -- yada yada -- but are they comfortable? You know, when I got the package last Tuesday, after I recorded my "Hear My Nasally Voice" shot, I gently placed my camera on my kitchen table before violently ripping the package open. I paraded around the kitchen and loved the lightness that embraced my feet. I almost felt like I was wearing my Scutes!
When I first saw the Catalina Wave on OnlineShoes.com, though I immediately fell in love with its shape, there were two areas which I noted with yellow flags, or Sensitivity Factors, as I've called them. The first area was between the straps and the arch. I've had a couple of Mary Jane disasters, at least with shoes I've bought from Payless Shoe Source. The other Sensitivity Factor was located at the heel which protrudes up by less than half an inch. Depending on the fit of the shoe, I was afraid that my heel would bang against the protrusion, potentially irritating my poor feet.
It was time to put these babies to the test -- with a nice long dog walk. So Chico and I walked about for half an hour that late afternoon and you know, the two Sensitivity Factors I mentioned earlier never surfaced. I had a great walk wearing brand new shoes -- with no socks! How cool is that!?!
I had mentioned a photoshoot earlier -- I tried on a bunch of skirts and pants last Saturday. I wanted to see how compatible the Wave would be with a variety of outfits. The Wave fit them all, ladies -- Clothes love the Wave.
Where can you get the Catalina Wave? You can get them directly from SanitaClogs.com for $135.00 or OnlineShoes.com for $134.95. The size availability ranges from Sizes 35 - 42 and fits true to size.
The Catalina Wave is highly recommended by PuglyFeet. But, if your feet are very sensitive, given the opportunity, try them on first and make sure that the Sensitivity Factors aren't an issue with your lovely feet.
Stay tuned for:
Sanita's Catalina Wave (Part Deux) ~ The Gallery of Bottoms!
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