Hot or not? (Shoe version)
June 15th, 2007, 10:56 am · 19 Comments · posted by Sam Mittelsteadt
So while I was trolling around for items that would make Great Stuff fodder, I found these shoes on sale at Anthropologie, and I couldn’t decide whether I could actually recommend them. On first blush, I think they’re adorable, maybe paired with an empire-waist dress for a nice party. But on closer inspection, I started to wonder: Where do those ribbons fasten in the back? Do they have to be tied tightly, since they look like they’re the only thing that holds the T-strap up and apparently are also the only thing that keeps this shoe from being a glorified mule? And the overly practical side of me says those ribbons would drag on the ground and get dirty if they weren’t tied exactly right. (Also, in the photo below, I don’t like the vertical seam running up the inside of the heel.)So I sent the photo below to a few friends of mine whose opinions I trust, and the results were a mixed bag. One said: "I can’t decide if I love them or hate them. I think I hate them." Another said they were cute, "but in a Mariah Carey ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You" sort of way," and she’d wear them, but not to work. And while one friend said they weren’t impressed, my separated-at-birth soulmate Sharyn said: "I think they’re gorgeous." The mother of two then added: "Where I’d wear them, now that’s another story."So: What do you think? Until I can figure out a way to get a poll tool added to the blog, I’ll be happy to settle for your posted comments below. Also: When did Anthropologie begin selling $400 shoes?
June 15th, 2007 at 11:47 am
super cute shoes but i would trip on those ribbons!!! and then i’d have maroon skinned knees to match!
June 15th, 2007 at 11:53 am
There is a REASON these shoes are on Sale
June 15th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Not a fan.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I think they look fabulous and they are true fantasy shoes — now, do they fit my reality (i.e. dropping off son at preschool in Toyota Sienna)? No, unless I’m planning on reenacting “Little Children,” Texas-style. But I adore the idea of wearing them to a swank party with a very simple shift, or a nice art opening — preferably something other than a dinner, so that others could see my fantabulous shoes and covet them.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Cute shoes, but I’d worry that I might trip on the ribbon.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Oh, those are fugly. Cannot recommend.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
The front view is quite stunning; the side view okay. The back view looks like someone drunk tied the ribbon. So….does it have to be tied each time, and if so, then who has the time/talent/energy to do that each time you want to wear the shoes? The concept is good….but I’m not sure about the execution……
June 15th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
I agree with Sharyn - these are the kind of adorable shoes you wear when you want to be adorable, maybe a little artsy, and stand out. I think they are better from the front and side than the back. And to answer your question, Anthropologie sells $400 spoons these days! You’re getting off kind of cheaply if you buy these shoes.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
A good reason not to e-shop drunk …
June 15th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
These are the kind of shoes I think women like SJP and Chloe Sevigny could get away with…because they are both so quirky to me. Most of us could not get away with these shoes. They are so outfit specific and the d@mn Christmas ribbon wrapped around the ankles would do nothing to compliment the legs (can we say shorten/which is not hard to do when you are 5ft 4in)..thats for sure! Someone probably got fired over these shoes….if not then, maybe now.
June 15th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
No. Nope. No way. Never.
June 15th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Love them. But I would have to see them on, because tie-ups can look very strange depending on where the ties fall.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:07 am
YUCK!! The ribbon ruins the whole shoe!! I think the front is adorable and they would be fun to wear…but…YUCK!!
June 16th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
There has to be a reason these shoes are on sale… They are cute if you could do something with that ribbon.. The ribbon has got to go!!!
June 16th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
You go girl and take those tacky shoes with you!
June 17th, 2007 at 9:16 am
I can think of other shoes I rather spend $400 on…..
June 18th, 2007 at 11:15 am
These look like they were designed by somebody who spent the night binging on Christmas cake and hallucinogens.
June 21st, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Okay, I must admit they are cute and unique. But I’d never, ever wear them.