Well, first of all, I don’t really buy the idea that the Givenchy PVC Band Cone-Heels Boots are actually boots at all. Why do designers and retailers want to call everything a boot these days, and what exactly are their criteria for making such a distinction? Sure, this shoe zips up the back, but so do my gladiator sandals, and other than the ankle strap, those are little more than glorified flip-flops. Read More…

At this point, it’s pretty much a given that Isabel Marant is going to create something that models, style bloggers and the people who hang out with models and style bloggers decide is an “it shoe.” It happened with the sneaker-wedge, it happened with the cowboy boot-stiletto, and now I’ve seen people call the Isabel Marant Carol Sandal an heir to that short-term legacy. Read More…

Tory Burch is not exactly the first designer to come to mind when you think of adventurous shoes. She practically built her empire on colorful ballet flats, and while useful and comfortable, a pair of Revas or Eddies isn’t exactly pushing the envelope when it comes to footwear design. I’m not entirely sure that the Tory Burch Ambrosia Runway Sandals are exactly “pushing the envelope,” either, but they’re certainly a bold departure for a preppy, polished American brand. Read More…

It occurred to me that we hadn’t played our Fill in the Blank reindeer games in a while, and today, the perfect opportunity happened to present itself by way of the Oscar de la Renta Embellished Canvas Slippers. Despite the name (and the shape), these shoes aren’t meant for padding around the house; instead, they’re like a very fancy flat mule, meant for wear during any casual mule activities you might encounter. Read More…

Not acceptable.

See, this is the type of thing that I get worried about when trends like hidden-wedge sneakers get really popular. Hidden heels are exactly the kind of element that some well-intentioned designer will likely re-appropriate to disastrous effect, and that’s exactly what we’ve got with the Giuseppe Zanotti Hidden Heel Cowboy Boots: a disaster.

It’s not hard to see what’s happened here. Read More…

Just kidding. This isn’t really even a game, is it? The only correct answer for this week’s Fill in the Blank is “an abomination against god and humanity,” so there’s not really any point in continuing here. Still, I’m sure that you guys will have some even more creative ways to describe the Marc by Marc Jacobs Cutout Sneaker Wedges, and I’m looking forward to reading them. Read More…

There’s nothing that strikes fear into the hearts of shoe lovers like white suede. Independently, suede shoes and white shoes are difficult enough to keep clean; shoes, after all, do spend an inordinate amount of time on the ground. When those two attributes combine, you’re simply a spilled glass of red wine away from disaster. With as much white space as you find on the Acne Suede Cowboy Boots, your problems increase exponentially. Read More…

Perfect.

Usually, our weekly game of Fill in the Blank is played with a pair of absolutely zany shoes, and I restrain myself from filling in the own answer. It’s a time for you guys to shine! Some shoes, though, are worth breaking the rules for, and the Givenchy Embellished Suede Sandals are definitely on that list of stunners. Hubba hubba. Read More…