Have you ever looked at a shoe and really loved parts of it while not being wild about others? That’s how I feel about the Charlotte Olympia Avalon Sandals. Just look at that incredible, intricate, artistic heel! Why don’t more designers make such things? But then I look at the front of the shoe, and I’m a bit confused. It seems as though one end of this design doesn’t go with the other, unless the heel is supposed to mimic some kind of garden trellis.

Even then, Charlotte Olympia’s endless creativity should yield more than a mere leaf print. The patterned canvas seems incredibly casual for such a fancy heel, which is what makes the ideas in this design feel a tad ill-matched. Still, though, I love the heel enough for this shoe to get my seal of approval. What say you? Buy through Neiman Marcus for $2395.