A week ago, I asked you whether or not you would consider wearing a pair of shoes large made out of PVC. The majority of those who responded said no, and truthfully, I’m on your side. When I see a pair I like, even a pair I love, I’m always too afraid of the results of plastic-on-foot violence to give them a try. Particularly if the shoes in question are expensive – who wants to spend that much money for something that’s non-leather and likely painful?

Leave it to the Christian Louboutin Un Bout Transparant Pumps to convert me. It seems as though everyone in the world loves these shoe’s, from budding pop star Rita Ora to one of my favorite bloggers Gabifresh, and even a friend’s physical therapist. Yep, if a PT will wear them, I’ll get on the bandwagon.

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We told you on Monday that the sneaker trend appears to be going nowhere fast, and indeed, pumped-up kicks seem to be extending themselves well into pre-fall and fall, popping up in the collections of designers both low-end and high. Even some brands who have never previously explored any shoe that could be called vaguely athletic are getting in on the act, most recently with the Mulberry Sneaker. Yep, it’s the first one, so it doesn’t even require a special moniker to distinguish itself from the rest of the line.

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Now this is a serious shoe.

Giuseppe Zanotti has been playing with the structure of shoes for several seasons now, preferring a weighted platform sole at the front of the shoe instead of the traditional toe-heel dual pressure points that we all know and love. I’ve never tried to stand or walk in one of these designs, but a few of you have chimed in to say that they’re not half bad if you’re already used to stilettos with a similar pitch. For that group, and anyone else who is feeling particularly bold, I present the Giuseppe Zanotti Crystal Heelless Bootie, brand new for Pre-Fall 2012.

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The ankle-snapping, vertigo-inducing Christian Louboutin superplatforms are back for yet another season of high-flying adventures, and with that brings a whole host of Louboutin’s signature kooky embellishments. Once one of his shoes has done a couple of tours of duty as a regular pump and the public still wants more, Louboutin generally uses his magic to spin the basic shape into increasingly ridiculous (and we mean that in a loving way) versions of its former self, sometimes ad infinitum.

Thus, we bring you the Christian Louboutin Lady Daf Tartan Mary Janes, which are the kind of shoe that likely only the Kardashians will have an occasion to wear. (Maybe Scott and Kourtney will get married and have a Scottish-themed wedding, if only because it goes nicely with his name? Who knows.) They sure are fun to contemplate, though.

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A few utterly awful pairs of sneaker-wedges notwithstanding, I still adore the fact that a good pair of kicks is finally something that more fashionable women might be tempted to try. It’s about time a shoe trend tempted us with designs that are not only comfortable, but also not hazardous to the health of our ankles. These trends don’t come along every season, so I’m going to celebrate this one as long as I can. Perhaps I’ll do it with the Giuseppe Zanotti Python Print Sneakers on my feet!

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Prada has been the talk of the fashion world this week, what with her exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Ms. Prada herself co-chairing the star-studded gala that opened it. We already brought you one pair of interesting Prada sandals a few days ago, but now I’d like to talk about another that will probably be more controversial: the Prada Smoking Lips Sandals. Naturally, that makes them perfect for this week’s edition of Fill in the Blank.

This design is particularly appropriate because lips were such a beloved motif of Elsa Schiaparelli, the other subject of the Met’s seasonal exhibit. In my mind, this is a very cool, post-modern piece that will likely be a proud collector’s item some day, just like Prada’s flame shoes, but I’m not sure I’d part with any money to buy it now. What say you? If you want a pair of your own, they can be had via Neiman Marcus for $890.

The problem with fashion is that I have rules for myself that I think are a good guide for what I should and should not buy, and then when I see something I love that violates one of them, I’m thrown into an existential crisis. What happens if I violate one of my personal rules, get myself into a situation where I can’t return something that I end up hating, and then feel a tiny bit of rage every time I see them. Not only because I wasted my money, but because I knew better and bought them anyway.

That’s the problem I have with non-leather, and specifically PVC, shoes. I know I’ll hate them once I get them on my feet, at least after a little walking, and yet styles like the Marc Jacobs Wooden Heeled Sandals and Sergio Rossi Plexy T-Straps always tickle my fancy. I really love the look of translucent PVC – it’s something that can’t be replicated by leather, sadly. How it feels is often a different issue. Take a closer look at these two shoes after the jump and then weigh in in the comments.

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If you’re a lady with big feet, I feel your pain. I also tip the footwear scales at a 9-10, depending on the designer, and we have to deal with a whole host of issues that our smaller-footed friends don’t have to consider. Two problems in particular spring to mind: first, that we have to think long and hard about how ski-like our feet will look in any given pair of shoes. Second, our sale racks are downright sparse. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve mistakenly wandered into the 7-7.5 section at a shoe sale and been utterly gobsmacked by how many great choices there are. Once I realize that none of them fit me, the options in my own section pale in comparison.

I can only imagine that the pressure intensifies when you’re on the larger end of the size continuum and looking for chic wedding shoes. Not only will they likely be the most memorable footwear you ever wear, but they’ll probably be photographed and part of your wedding album forever. On top of that, most wedding budgets don’t have room for a pair of $2,000 fantasy shoes. So what’s a bride to do? Shop the OutNet, that’s what. All of these shoes have availability only in larger sizes, and with prices starting at $200, you can’t go wrong. Check out our picks after the jump.

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There are certain advantages to being a celebrity of any type, but there are even more advantages to being a celebrity like Dita Von Teese. Von Teese is known for being constantly and perfectly coiffed, no matter the situation (seriously, I don’t think the woman has ever dripped a bead of sweat in her life), so for designers whose clothes and accessories fit her midcentury, nipped-waist look, lending to her is practically free advertisement. The clothes will always look perfect, there is virtually no question.

And then there are the shoes. Like any self-respecting burlesque performer, Dita can work a pair of heels. But what if a performance calls for something a little more…delicate? Well, you just call up the fine folks at Christian Louboutin and have them throw together a half dozen or so pairs of pointe shoes for you, of course.

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I wasn’t sure whether to go with the side view or top view to showcase the Roberto Cavalli Acetate Flower Sandals, but since the party is on top when it comes to these flat summer stunners, the top view seemed most appropriate. Despite my sometimes-unfortunate penchant for leopard print, I tend to be a bit of a hater when it comes to all things Cavalli, but I can’t help but enjoy these shoes. Check out the side view after the jump.

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