One of my favorite reasons for shopping at TJ Maxx is you really never know what you’re going to find. Since Covid I haven’t been out shopping as much, but still occasionally stop by my local TJ Maxx every once and a while, and when I went in last weekend I couldn’t believe what I found. The store near me has a “Runway” section that is mostly made up of brand name clothing, a few designer bags, and maybe a few pairs of shoes. When I went they had a TON of amazing bags and shoes, and in so many sizes (I usually only come across really small or really large sizes for items I want).
When I looked closer at the shoes because I just couldn’t resist, I found two that I just couldn’t pass up. The first pair I got was the Gucci classic black leather Princetown leather slippers. These shoes are not new, and can be found allll over instagram over the past few years. So many brands have made knock off versions of this shoe. But it’s beauty and craftsmanship still make it stand out from the cheaper version, and I can see myself wearing this shoe for seasons and years to come. They also just seem to fit my feet perfectly, the knock off versions always seem to have an odd fit. I’ve been wanting these shoes for over 4 years but could never justify the price, but for almost 50% off the original price for the exact color and material I wanted I couldn’t pass them up.
The second pair of shoes I got were the Gianvito Rossi Martis leather combat boots. They’re a beautiful dark brown, and are much more stunning in person than any picture can detail. I have narrow feet, so finding boots that fit well is always a struggle for me. These fit like glove from the foot to the ankle, and are sooo comfortable. Combat and chunky boots are trendy right now, but I think they’re a look that can stand the test of time when styled correctly. I always love a chunky boot paired with skinny jeans and sweaters, or even with a white t shirt and a blazer. These were over 60% retail price, and a deal like this was just another one I couldn’t pass up.
Even though I saved almost $1200 off full price between the two pairs of shoes, they were still a splurge. I would rather spend the extra money to get great quality shoes to last for years rather than buy cheaper shoes that last a season. I take care of my shoes and get them cleaned/resoled after each season, so I know that they will be worth the investment. Because better made shoes tend to cost more, budget wise it means buying less pairs of, so neutral and class styles are always a must for me. These two shoes were RARE finds, and both came in excellent condition with the box and dust bags included, which is always hard to find at off price stores.
Pro tip from being a former retail sales associate: When buying shoes ALWAYS look at the bottom of both pairs of shoes for scuff marks, if a shoe was ever a floor sample or tried on a lot, or worn and returned, it will be scuffed at the bottom. Also always compare both feet! If one was a display and was left in store lighting for a while, you will notice discoloration in one pair versus the other.
Shades and Stripes 
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