So, first off, my kudos go out to Prada for using Linda Evangelista in some of this season’s ads. (Right-click the photo above to see it larger.) Quite a few designers have drawn from the ’80s superwell lately, and it’s nice to see some recognizable, individual faces, as opposed to a blob of interchangable Eastern European child blondes.

But points off for taking the skinny, infantilizing trend and applying it to the guys instead, like the poor waif at left. (Again, left-click to see it larger.) When your rib cage is bigger than your pectoral muscles, that’s scary. And, in a “how it affects me” way, this means that should I ever become flush with cash, I would probably have to buy a large instead of medium. And even though you always read, “Shop by fit! Don’t shop by size!” I can tell you that when I tried on a pair of 32-waist pants in Ted Baker and couldn’t even get them closed, let alone just feeling tight, I left the store rather than try for a 33 or, god forbid, 34. (Especially because the Diesel jeans I was wearing that day were a 31.)

Anyway, back to Linda’s shoes up there. I’ll start with the obvious: The women who wear these shoes do not drive; they have drivers. Because any contact with an accelerator would crush or otherwise sully the backs of those pumps.

The consumer version of the shoes, being pre-ordered now at Saks Fifth Avenue, are made of suede and called “ruffled” (see above), but the runway/ad shoes like Linda’s and the one at left have a decidedly harder feel. In fact, Linda’s are so shiny they look like patent leather. While the consumer suede versions look more ruffly/floral (perhaps continuing the trend of these floral shoes), the backs of the others remind me more of sail-backed dinosaurs like dimetrodons.

So it’s up to you: Which style is the hottest — the soft suede, or stiffer others? Cast your vote by clicking the appropriate spot in the poll below — or make your own answer! — and hitting “Vote.” You can vote once — but there’s no time limit. (Yes, I go back and check to see how each contender is faring, even months later.)

Plus, if you’ve got the time and opinion, leave a comment at the bottom – everyone who does so by Friday, Aug. 29, will be entered into a drawing to win a jar of Fat Girl Sleep, the anticellulite night cream by Bliss designed to diminish body skin dimples . Good luck!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Priscilla, whose comment was chosen as the winner.

ammit

mm

WHAT SAM WORE: 8/12/08
The shirt: Novelty print tee by Utility (clearance at Target)
The pants: Low-rise boot-cut cords by Lucky (Last Chance): SIZE 32, dammit!
The shoes: Sneakers by Nike (Sports Authority)
The scent: Cannibis Rose eau de parfum by Fresh (San Francisco)
Listening to: “Puppy Toy” by Tricky — live version on YouTube here (he also does a cover of Kylie Minogue’s “Slow” on his new album, “Knowle West Boy”)

sammit

Posted in: Shoe Hot Or Not? |

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