In my mind, Proenza Schouler can almost never do any wrong. As a brand, Jack and Lazaro make clothes for the woman that I wish I was, and with a little more money, perhaps I could be. Alas, the Proenza Schouler Tasseled Leather Slingbacks are one of the brand’s rare misses.

The goal of this design seems clear: Create an unconventional sandal with materials and elements that would normally bring about images of the exact opposite. And really, I suppose that Proenza achieved its goal. I merely wish it had done it in a slightly different, and perhaps more literal, way.

Don’t get me wrong; I could easily imagine someone pulling off these sandals in a totally chic way, but the brogued strap and tasseled tongue look more like a missed opportunity than a great shoe to me. I wish they were a bit sharper, a bit more precise, and maybe a bit…less. Just, less. A note of minimalism goes a long way when turning menswear into women’s fashion, and this design got a bit heavy-handed with the different materials, textures and colors. Close but no cigar, Proenza. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $750.