Fashion + Beauty

Friday, December 11, 2009

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What Do You Think of the Embellished Shoes Trend?

I just spent the past two weeks in Los Angeles, and while I was there, I very coincidentally spent a lot of time thinking about shoes. I’m friends with these guys—”dudes,” if you know what I mean—and they work out of a storefront in West Hollywood that has frosted glass windows facing the street. Bear with me here, this gets back to shoes. About a foot of said windows is not frosted, the foot closest to the ground, and my friends spend a decent amount of their downtime making snap judgments about the people who walk by, based entirely on their footwear. One day, I came to the door in stiletto-heel Givenchy cage shoes, and it was clear they were expecting someone else. A supermodel, presumably. Anyway, it’s an interesting exercise. Spot a woman in practical brogues, and immediately, you comprehend a businesslike sensibility at work. Vintage moccasins say: I’m a hipster. Low-heeled brown pumps: Lawyer. FitFlops: Sucker. And so on. With all due respect to the several brands I love that are bringing out super-adorned shoes for Fall and now for Resort, the reasonable assumption I would draw, upon subjecting their footwear to the frosted-glass window test, is: I am nuts. Studs, spikes, chain, giant crystals, pearls, and God knows what else have embellished shoes and boots the past few seasons. Now, Givenchy is throwing hair into the mix, new brand Omelle is going with fur, and Acne is coming out with heels that are covered with multicolored pompoms. I mean, what’s next? Dead bugs? Nail tips? Maybe designers should just cover the vamps of their shoes for Spring in Velcro and see what sticks. I’m all for an artfully embellished shoe, but I feel like some kind of trend tipping point has been reached. Do you agree? Comments, please.

By Maya Singer

Photo: Courtesy of Acne

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Comments 1-10 of 41
  • just me's Avatar
    Posted by just me Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:12am PDT

    I'm 5'9" and have size 10-1/2 feet. My husband and I both agree that women's feet are not particularly attractive, and at my height and foot size I don't want to draw attention to them. I stay with simple, comfortable, flat shoes.

    Report Abuse
  • Jo's Avatar
    Posted by Jo Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:49am PDT

    The shoes she is wearing in this pic are UGLY!!!

    Report Abuse
  • Angel's Avatar
    Posted by Angel Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:50am PDT

    I agrees w/ WWJD on not wanting to make my feet look too much bigger than they are (I'm an 8) But I do like some "bling" on my shoes... Spikes, buckles & even chains... Not sure I hit up the pom-pom craze...

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  • Katie B's Avatar
    Posted by Katie B Fri Jun 26, 2009 11:27am PDT

    My feet are quite small (anywhere from a 5.5 - 7 depending on style, type, manufacturer) and sometime could use a bit of "volumizing"

    However, that just looks stupid... :/

    Report Abuse
  • Katie B's Avatar
    Posted by Katie B Fri Jun 26, 2009 11:28am PDT

    I just really want simple and functional yet still cute.

    Report Abuse
  • anonymous whatever's Avatar
    Posted by anonymous whatever Fri Jun 26, 2009 11:52am PDT

    Most of them look stupid, but it gives rich people a reason to spend more money on shoes instead of health care for employees..

    Report Abuse
  • springtime's Avatar
    Posted by springtime Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:35pm PDT

    Shoes should be fashionable, be comfortable, and not detract from the entire ensemble. Many women today are having foot problems and foot surgery because of the monsters worn in the 80's. If shoes cause blisters or red marks or calluses, toss them in the garbage no matter how hot they look.

    Report Abuse
  • FF's Avatar
    Posted by FF Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:46pm PDT

    I LOVEVEVEVEV themmmmm.

    I've calmed down the way I dress from my youth ALOT ( I used to dress very styled yet eccentric and eclectic.) I dress very fashionably but simply now, except my shoes.

    I have the craziest shoes, and I'm constantly noticed and remembered for them. They keep that eccentric side of me happy while adding a little more flair to my everyday outfits

    ps

    I WANT those furry shoes for next winter ^_^ like lil paws how cute!

    Report Abuse
  • mommaofsun's Avatar
    Posted by mommaofsun Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:00pm PDT

    I am with Katie B. I wear the same sizes of shoes. I don't like gaudy (sp) shoes, just simple, elegant shoes. And in recent years, I have become a shoe addict. I have find some REALLY good deals on Amazon. I bet I have over 50-75 pairs of shoes. When I moved, I threw out probably over 30 pairs of shoes, all of which were beyond their wearing point.

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  • G's Avatar
    Posted by G Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:38pm PDT

    I think they are so ugly. I also hate how high heels have gotten. I'm already 5ft.9" why would I need ant more height? It's great for shorter people but it stinks if you are tall. Designers are way off the mark . I want some thing elegant and timeless especially in this economy.

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Comments 1-10 of 41

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