I own a lot of shoes. I haven’t counted in a long time, but it’s definitely more than 100 pairs. It might be reaching the 200 number. Despite my very large collection, there are always a few shoes each season that I wear over and over again. Usually they’re so worn, I toss them at the end of the season. There is one particular shoe, however, that I have taken in multiple times to  have them “saved” by Old Town Luggage and Shoe Repair at 824 King Street. They are literally the perfect shoe – so perfect that I subsequently purchased them in black and nude. The shoe is a flat slingback by Tibi. It has to be at least six years since I acquired them, possibly longer. And well, they look sad. Really really sad. I had to take a photo to prove it.

Last year when I walked into Franklin Showroom, which represents Freda, I almost started to tear up when I saw what I knew would be my replacement for these overly loved Tibi shoes.

The style is called the Marie Slingback and it’s just as perfect as the Tibi version. I actually like the black version a little better because the Freda version is an embossed croc, which adds some texture, which I have learned helps add depth and interest to any outfit. Oftentimes a black leather shoe can end up looking a little, well, flat.

I will admit I did have to break in the black shoe for a day. I put it on and it started to rub on the side of my foot. I started to get nervous that this in fact was not the perfect shoe. But a few hours later the rubbing stopped and I was once again confident in my choice. The nude version I didn’t even have to break in for a day. The leather is a little softer so the first wear went off without a hitch.

The fact that we all now tend to live in sneakers or Birkenstocks has us forgetting what it is like to break in a pair of shoes. If the leather is thicker you do need to wear them a time or two to let it soften before they’re ready for a full day.

If you are looking for a great shoe for fall that you can wear with everything, look no further. The point on this design makes it a little dressier so it can be worn with skirts or pants; the cut in the front is the perfect amount of skin for balance and the flat provides just the right amount of support. It sounds odd but sometimes a flat shoe can be too flat, but this one provides just enough support.

Lucky for us these shoes are part of our Freda Salvador Trunk Show this weekend. Shop online or in-store starting October 17 though October 20 and receive 20 percent off all Freda styles.

SEE ALSO: Freda Salvador Trunk Show at The Shoe Hive, Oct 17-20