Why Sarah Jessica Parker's Shoe Line is a Total Disappointment
Thanks to her days on "Sex and the City," Sarah Jessica Parker became a style icon women everywhere admire. She's known for being a rule-breaker who takes fashion risks. Whether knocking them dead in a sexy red carpet dress, wearing an outrageous fascinator to a premiere, or dressing cool and casual in camo pants and sneakers, her sartorial choices are admirable. It's been a decade since her adored character Carrie Bradshaw left the small screen, and amidst countless confusing and frivolous celebrity fashion lines, I've always wondered why Sarah Jessica Parker never stamped her name on one. Sure, she's had successful fragrances and was the president of Halston Heritage for about a year. She even once helmed a budget-friendly line called Bitten at the now-closed chain Steve & Barry's. But a signature line of heels for the self-professed ShoeGal (Carrie Bradshaw's AOL screen name) was a no brainer. "I've been thinking of doing this for years but never found the right fit," Parker recently told Glamour.
Finally, her shoe line has come to fruition and will be available at Nordstrom on February 28. There's one big problem though. It's terrible.
Countless magazines and blogs are squealing with delight, as I wanted to. I love shoes, I love re-watching classic "Sex and the City" episodes, and I have much of the witty dialogue and over-the-top outfits committed to memory. (I may have even tried to recreate a few.) But even though I'm a fan, I refuse to blindly adore things merely because I'm supposed to. Here are the many reasons why I'll be passing on SJP's new shoe line.
1. The price tags. Parker told InStyle that her dream was to create shoes at a "reasonable price point." How many women would refer to shoes costing $485 as "reasonable"? Perhaps the woman who put Manolo Blahniks and Jimmy Choos on the map would, but definitely not me.
2. They're too safe. Parker told Glamour her $350 red Lady pumps (pictured left) were "polite and old fashioned." I suppose they are. But when spending $350 on shoes, I'd expect some sort of wow factor. Where are the eye-catching shoes she wore on HBO? Or the edgy footwear she wears in real life? Clearly not here.
3. They're very un-SJP. Carrie Bradshaw was the type to wear 5" heels around her apartment. As a lover of flats, I appreciate that she added a pair to her tiny collection for comfort, but these $185 aqua Billie ballet flat/espadrille hybrids (pictured left) look more like trusty TOMS than glam Manolos. At least TOMS are affordable!
4. They look like bridesmaid shoes. Parker says Carrie Bradshaw was her muse for the collection, and perhaps the flower adornment on the Etta heels (pictured at top) is a nod to the fabric corsages she wore on the early seasons of "Sex and the City." But let's be real. They're are boring, brown bridesmaid shoes you could find at David's Bridal. Only these cost $425.
5. They're dated. Have you ever noticed that the stars of "Beverly Hills, 90210" still wear floral dresses and other '90s trends? Or how Debbie Harry still looks very '80s? 2003 called and it wants its camel-colored lace-up booties back.
Now, to be fair, there is one great shoe in the line, called, of course, The Carrie (pictured below). It's sexy, it's stylish, it's versatile, it's on-trend with the pointy toe, and it looks expensive-because it is. If this $355 shoe were cheaper, I'd be all over it, and I bet other Sarah Jessica Parker fans would be, too.
Related links:
Carrie Bradshaw's Most Memorable Shoe Moments
Woman pays $175,000 to replicate Carrie Bradshaw's closet
The Sexiest Style Icons of All Time
