Casadei Cutout Platform Sandals, $1320 via Neiman Marcus

Every now and then, a shoe comes around that makes me bemoan the lack of cutouts in current footwear. Sometimes it’s because the shoe is dearly in need of one in order to provide any kind of visual interest, other times it’s because a shoe has them and reminds me of what an awesome design element a cutout can be. Obviously, the Casadei Cutout Platform Sandal falls into the latter category.

Okay, okay, I know this skews a tad eurotrash (and I say that with love – Diana Vreeland was right about needing a pinch of bad taste and maybe even a little vulgarity every now and then), and I can almost envision Donatella Versace wearing it while “lounging” in a zillion-dollar beach cabana in St. Barth’s. But when a shoe brings up that specific of a fashion image, when its purpose is so clear, you can’t say it’s unsuccessful. It may not be your style, and it’s not mine, but it’s still great.

The greatness, of course, comes chiefly because of the cutouts, rimmed in bright tangerine. The shoe touches on the crucial brights-and-neutrals trend, and it also gives a little relief to those who are already feeling bored with this spring’s spate of wooden wedges. Whether or not you want to wear these sandals yourself, they sure are a lot of fun. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $1320.