Shoe Hot or Not: Men’s WTF? edition
December 17th, 2007, 5:34 pm · 7 Comments · posted by Sam Mittelsteadt
So, in an apparent effort to make up for this, my friend Amy is now verifying her taste levels by sending me photos of shoes she can clearly label as NOT HOT, which was the subject line of her e-mail that included a link to the shoes above.
By the way, those are men’s shoes, which Manolo Blahnik will begin selling this spring. Vogue.com calls the leopard-print shoe “outrageously gorgeous,” a judgment call that makes me furrow my brow in a deep load of “huh?”
Along the same lines is this week’s Shoe Hot or Not, this “Hillard” loafer by Santoni.
I, personally, prefer the unadorned loafer — no tassels, no cap toes, no embroidery, no slots for pennies, no monk straps. So, although I can admire this as a beautiful men’s shoe, I would never plunk down the money to buy it. Especially because, in this week’s WTF? moment, this shoe costs … $1,050. I wasn’t aware you could even buy men’s shoes that cost that much off the shelf — mmmmmaybe if some Italian cobbler took a last and hand-fit your shoes to you, but straight off the shelf? That better be some amazing leather.
But, let’s pretend that you do have the sort of lifestyle where a grand isn’t too much to spend on a pair of shoes. Would these catch your eyes? If you saw a guy wearing these on the street, would you say, “Damn, great shoes!”?
Leave your comments below. Everyone who does by Friday, Dec. 28 — even if they disagree with me — is up for a chance to win this week’s prize: a full-size bottle of eau de parfum from an equally extravagant luxury line: The new Gucci by Gucci. Good luck! UPDATE: Congratulations to Lori, whose comment was chosen to win the fragrance.
P.S.: I secretly am aching to buy the “Athens” moccassin by Merrill (pictured below), which I also found on the Nordstrom web site. I have absolutely no idea why. They would go well with this coat and jeans and a rocky shoreline. Or with a really granola sweater and this car and the Rocky Mountains in mid-May.
Update: Congratulations to Lori, whose name was drawn as the winner of the Gucci by Gucci eau de parfum.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I almost threw up in my mouth from the first three pictures. As for the 1050 dollar mens shoe, they dont look that expensive. I dont know if any mens shoe could possibly look that expensive. They arent that bad looking, but for that much money….HA
December 18th, 2007 at 8:33 am
The shoe is hot. A good shoe will last so it actually might be worth the money.
As for the leopard sandal it is mine. Tacky but fun the perfect vegas summer shoe
December 18th, 2007 at 11:11 am
The Manolo shoes are fug, but the Hillard loafer is fab! Although I probably would never be attracted to a guy that spends so much on his shoes. I prefer to be the raging narcissist in the relationship.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
I made the bitter-beer face when I saw the first three. What do you wear those with? I mean the red ones maybe okay, but the sandals…*shiver* The color of the expensive shoe is nice, but the shoe looks like it is in a straight jacket and I don’t really like the toe.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
What was Manolo thinking?? Those shoes are simply WRONG. The Hillard loafer is a handsome shoe, but, I agree, overpriced.
December 19th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
That loafer is the only shoe in this entry that doesn’t make me want to cry. The Hillard loafer is gorgeous, the rest should be donated to charity immediately.