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Thursday, December 10, 2009

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What Do You Think of the Embellished Shoes Trend?

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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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Related: weird fashion, style.com, shoes, givenchy, embellished shoes, acne

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Comments 11-20 of 41
  • MrsKlingonPasadena's Avatar
    Posted by MrsKlingonPasadena Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:00pm PDT

    I think they are unnecessary and you could really hurt yourself in those things. One of those danglies getting in your way in 6 inch heels can really mess you up.

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  • MzZ.NiQue's Avatar
    Posted by MzZ.NiQue Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:04pm PDT

    well it all goes back to your family tree if your families feet are big most likely your feet are going to be bigg but i small feet=]] ROCK ON!!!

    Report Abuse
  • Lucky's Avatar
    Posted by Lucky Fri Jun 26, 2009 4:15pm PDT

    In the picture it looks like a human with the feet of a koala bear...

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  • Julia's Avatar
    Posted by Julia Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:57pm PDT

    This trend isn't anything new though. I've seen shoes like that on sex and the city episodes from YEARS ago. Sometimes fashion doesn't make sense but I love it!!

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  • audi's Avatar
    Posted by audi Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:26pm PDT

    It's amusing. Lol.

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  • Jables's Avatar
    Posted by Jables Sat Jun 27, 2009 1:51am PDT

    I can't believe there's a designer called Acne

    Report Abuse
  • budwiseher1's Avatar
    Posted by budwiseher1 Sat Jun 27, 2009 7:36am PDT

    If I saw a woman wearing those shoes, I would point and laugh.

    Report Abuse
  • CEng's Avatar
    Posted by CEng Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:43am PDT

    We need this foo foo stuff why?

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  • Jackie's Avatar
    Posted by Jackie Sat Jun 27, 2009 9:00am PDT

    It looks like she kicked two chinchillas and they stuck to her feet. I don't mind a little extravagance on occasion, but shoes should be simple, elegant compliments to your ensemble. Not haute couture bunny slippers; just because it has a designer name on it doesn't make it any less tacky.

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  • Jeremiah J's Avatar
    Posted by Jeremiah J Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:59am PDT

    If You Ladies wanna see some nice shoes check out the shoes at WWW.Getitcheaperhere.net that site has some off the wall shoes for men and women that are hot!!!!

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Comments 11-20 of 41

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