Sequins have been having an extended moment over the past few seasons, and the more people who churn out sequin products, the more obvious it is that it’s actually quite difficult to make a sequined object of any sort look high-end and expensive. Sequins are usually plastic or foil, after all, and those aren’t usually materials with which you associate high-dollar clothing. These sequins, though? They’re metallic leather.

Dare I say, though, that the Maison Martin Margiela Leather Paillette Slouch Booties have done it? They’ve taken a slouchy leather bootie that has been very successful for Margiela in the past and covered it with tonal, subtly shiny leather “sequins,” and the end result is a shoe that could be worn as a pump in reasonable weather. Also, it must be mentioned, part of this shoe’s success comes from using the classy “paillettes” in stead of the crass “sequins.” It’s all psychological, people.

The rest of the design’s success comes from the fact that Margiela chose a color that’s interesting but still neutral and sequins that aren’t sporting a full-on foil shine. Dampening the gleam a bit by using leather helps maintain a high-end look, not to mention helping with wearability, and the effect is done so well that’s it’s basically impossible to tell that the sequins aren’t actually sequins from anything but a close-up shot. Visual trickery is one of Margiela’s fortes, and he does it here with considerable success. Buy through ShopBop for $1295.