Dream Shoes

[Reinefine]

Cons: Not as sexy. Less leather. A bit too Nazi looking ​

I have to agree, I think it’s something about the laces that just don’t look right? The Loubs are definitely sexier and I also like that they’re more discreet since you can barely see the logo on the side of the shoe unlike Prada (minus the red bottoms obv but I much prefer that to a visible logo).

Hope you have a lovely birthday, you deserve it!

 

[FashionThin]

The Loubs. They read as a lot more classy to me and the plain design of the boot coupled with the red sole will make it easy to dress it up or dress down. Heels by nature will never be that utilitarian so I would choose the shoe that at least looks nicer and won't be too taxing on the toes.

Maybe I'm biased but I find most of the Prada items outside of the heels to be super ugly, in a nouveau riche, Eurotrash kind of way. Sort of like the trashy nylon bag they have.

OMG thank you SO SO much, this was actually more helpful than you even know... for much more than my latest shoe choice! Because it really got me thinking about my personal tastes and how they have and have not changed. I catch myself sometimes getting sucked into liking wardrobe pieces that are pricey but uselessly showy and borderline tacky / nouveau-riche. All my time in the industry and I still have a hard time with it. I think it has made it worse to be honest. I blame my family because one side is one way and one side is the other.

Whenever I go back home I have to think so carefully about what to bring because for one thing it's not NYC anymore but also because my mom sneers at some of my choices. If I ask her why she won't say anything until she is through her first bottle of wine for the day, then she will say they are "signally" and "gauche". Nobody asked but my mom is old money and my dad is new money and their families are so, so different. Like my dad is the first generation in his family to have money and you can tell. He wears stuff that is.. idk know how to explain it, but like, stuff that is "recognizably fancy" to the average person. My mom's family wears (and has) stuff that is nice but very subtle, the average person would not think it looked fancy at all. It's totally different from the things I am exposed to in NY fashion, even HF. It's almost average looking? But then when you have it explained to you, you are blown away.

"OMG I love your sweater, what is it?"
"Oh it's just a sweater, dear. I got it through a friend of mine."
"Where could I get one?"
"Oh, um, I'm not sure you could."
"What why not?"
"(sigh) Fine, it's grassbutter-fed alpaca hand-woven by an old Scottish man who only makes 10 a year and last I heard he has a 15 year waiting list. I could maybe ask for you. I'm sorry honey, I didn't want to say anything, but you kept asking."

ANYWAY thank you for the mini therapy session

 

[FashionThin]

Heels by nature will never be that utilitarian

My biggest problem, I have almost no utilitarian shoes. Then I feel stupid when I need to go anywhere in the snow or rain. So usually I risk it and am in my Uber neurotically wiping them down until I get out and get them wet again.

I have to agree, I think it’s something about the laces that just don’t look right? The Loubs are definitely sexier and I also like that they’re more discreet since you can barely see the logo on the side of the shoe unlike Prada (minus the red bottoms obv but I much prefer that to a visible logo).

Sometimes I worry the Loubs look tacky because they are so much more common now, but I fucking love Loubs, I'm #sorrynotsorry.

So, the Loubs it is!

Hope you have a lovely birthday, you deserve it!

It's still a few weeks away but thank you I appreciate it!

 

[proseccoprincess]

My biggest problem, I have almost no utilitarian shoes.

Not related to your original question but I think a good pair of platform Oxfords are as close to utilitarian-chic as one can get. I recently bought these from Phillip Lim, they're very flattering but obviously still comfortable and walkable. They're also the best Oxfords I found in terms of not being "coquette-daddy-issues-core" (i.e. Dollskill) but also not too Bushwick (i.e. Doc Martens)

 

[gala_apple!!!]

I'm obsessing over these rose kitten heel pumps from Jimmy Shoo! I love everything about them, literally my dream pair!

 

[gala_apple!!!]

I'm obsessing over these rose kitten heel pumps from Jimmy Shoo! I love everything about them, literally my dream pair!
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*Choo

 

[proseccoprincess]

I almost bought these McQueen heels at a consignment shop a while ago for $400, now I can only find them online in my size for 600+ (not that I have extra money to spend on shoes rn anyway as I'm moving to Paris next month )

 

[FashionThin]

I almost bought these McQueen heels at a consignment shop a while ago for $400, now I can only find them online in my size for 600+ (not that I have extra money to spend on shoes rn anyway as I'm moving to Paris next month )

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I was just looking at these a few days ago:

Condora Spikes

The Condora Spikes pump has a pointed toe like a bird's beak. This sophisticated style in black nappa leather has a daring low-cut vamp revealing the foot. It has an 85 mm slanted heel and signature metal spikes showcasing Maison Christian Louboutin's innovative creativity.

us.christianlouboutin.com

Can't decide if they're too spiky though. My style is sometimes quite chic-punk (leather jacket, steel/chrome accessories, etc) so they might work for me but it's a lot of spikes.

 

[FashionThin]

Have any of you seen any new collections that use "exotics" like python or alligator? The last few years it seems like everyone is just stamping exotic patterns onto regular calfskin. For example Louboutin is doing Kates in fake alligator this season. I love the look but wish they were genuine.

I have a couple older pairs of exotics - Fendi platforms in python and a pair of Hermes pumps in alligator (gifted not bought tbh) but they're getting old (and the Hermes pumps are not as high as I prefer) and I get bored of shoes very easy. I'm open to other skins too but I don't want to be too controversial.

My whore sister has a pair of red platform boots that are genuine sea snake and they'd be hot AF if they were not on her. She got them overseas though. Did the laws change recently?

 

[thinmints]

Have any of you seen any new collections that use "exotics" like python or alligator? The last few years it seems like everyone is just stamping exotic patterns onto regular calfskin. For example Louboutin is doing Kates in fake alligator this season. I love the look but wish they were genuine.

I have a couple older pairs of exotics - Fendi platforms in python and a pair of Hermes pumps in alligator (gifted not bought tbh) but they're getting old (and the Hermes pumps are not as high as I prefer) and I get bored of shoes very easy. I'm open to other skins too but I don't want to be too controversial.

My whore sister has a pair of red platform boots that are genuine sea snake and they'd be hot AF if they were not on her. She got them overseas though. Did the laws change recently?

This is a mildly late response so I apologise. I think we're getting to the stage now where we're very unlikely to find leather goods in exotic skins, mainly because of wider animals rights activism.

I'm not too sure about other places but the trade of exotic skins is very heavily regulated in the UK and the EU, with some member states needing you to have import permits for crocodile skin. It makes sense because the illegal exotic skin trade is difficult to regulate and there is definitely the ethical question of using the skins of endangered animals.

This regulation has sort of spread to even legal skins. I remember eyeing an ostrich skin bag from Longchamp, but the bag had to have been at least 20 years old. Even Saks Potts, who blew up a few years bag for their fur trim coats, stopped using fox fur in 2021 in favour for shearling fur. Virtually all of my mink, sable, and ostrich items are vintage because of how difficult they are to find brand new.

They're definitely out there in the realms of Vestiaire, Poshmark and even Vinted. It might be also worth shopping around in the Asian market, since their regulations on exotic skins might not be so tight. But it does take a bit of due diligence, and it seems like most fashion houses are quickly phasing them out.


Update: I found a pair of Roberto Cavalli shoes in snake skin. I don't know if this is your style but definitely worth checking out.

 

[FashionThin]

This is a mildly late response so I apologise. I think we're getting to the stage now where we're very unlikely to find leather goods in exotic skins, mainly because of wider animals rights activism.

I'm not too sure about other places but the trade of exotic skins is very heavily regulated in the UK and the EU, with some member states needing you to have import permits for crocodile skin. It makes sense because the illegal exotic skin trade is difficult to regulate and there is definitely the ethical question of using the skins of endangered animals.

This regulation has sort of spread to even legal skins. I remember eyeing an ostrich skin bag from Longchamp, but the bag had to have been at least 20 years old. Even Saks Potts, who blew up a few years bag for their fur trim coats, stopped using fox fur in 2021 in favour for shearling fur. Virtually all of my mink, sable, and ostrich items are vintage because of how difficult they are to find brand new.

They're definitely out there in the realms of Vestiaire, Poshmark and even Vinted. It might be also worth shopping around in the Asian market, since their regulations on exotic skins might not be so tight. But it does take a bit of due diligence, and it seems like most fashion houses are quickly phasing them out.

Thank you for the info, I'm definitely not looking for endangered or illegal skins!! But I think it's probably what you said, the laws getting more strict, and houses moving away from all exotics because it's too much work and risk to figure out which are legit. Disappointing tbh but I understand why it's been happening.

 

[proseccoprincess]

I'm open to other skins too but I don't want to be too controversial.

I’m literally a vegan- an ethical vegan too, definitely not for health reasons, my diet consists of mostly aspartame and protein bars- and 95% of my wardrobe is leather or fur (literally was just gifted a vintage rabbit/raccoon fur scarf from a seller.) I buy all of my clothing vintage/secondhand though, for the ethical/environmental reasons but also I feel like it’s more interesting to hunt for a piece no one else has. I see no issue with wearing any kind of animal skin as long as it’s not contributing to ongoing production of it, and I think most vegans are on the same page

 

[proseccoprincess]

Also, a tribute to the beautiful Vanity and her favorite 100 year old Gorilla fur coat: