Extreme Shoes: Would You Wear These?

File Under: Shoes, Male Shoes, Female Shoes, Sandal Boot, Sandal Boot, Funky Heel, high sneaker heel, Sticky Sandals, Clear shoes, Sky High Wedges, Jelly Artistic Shoes, Biker Chic Shoes, Oxfords Shoes, Denim Shoes

I've seen some pretty outrageous shoes this season. The scary part is that I've seen them at department stores, shoe stores and sites we all shop at, so they are attainable ... if you so dare! Read on to see exactly what footwear I'm talking about and the places you can find them at. To me, these shoes are not very flattering and hardly practical, but you tell me, would you wear these?

Sandal Boot:
A sandal + a boot = a sandal boot. The math is right, but what you get ain't so pretty. Do we really need a merging of winter footwear and a summer shoe? I (and probably many of you) would answer no, but it's everywhere this season! There high-heel sandal boots, flat sandal versions, even ones made of stretchy materials. The last one makes me have to ask what do you get when you have a leotard, plus a leather sole?

Funky Heel:
There are plenty of heels this season that will you make you go "inteeeeresting", perhaps followed up by a "I wouldn't wear that" expression on your face. You get me? The heel will start chubby and then morph into a super-slim heel at the bottom (like on the shoes pictured here) or the heel will be part-wedge, like on these pumps. The architectural heel certainly belongs in this category. I'm sure you've seen shoes where the heels are cut-off.

high sneaker heel:
Let's look at what we have here. Canvas sneakers, studs, high-heels, shredded holes (you know distressed is in), lace-ups, and to top it off, fraying up top! It's a mash-up of EVERYTHING and while mash-ups may work on Glee, they don't here--no way! What occasion would you wear these to anyways? I also saw these peep-toe high top sneakers. Would you step your foot in these?


Sticky Sandals:
I was perusing online and I found these and did a double-take! Really, flip-flops without the straps and thong?! These sticky sandals have an adhesive, so they stick to your feet and apparently, they're re-usable! Just wash the sandals with soap and water when they get dirty and they attach to your feet again. Hey, I'm not a fan of tan lines, but I can't take these topless sandals seriously... no matter how many times I look at them!

Clear shoes:
Life in plastic, it's fantastic? Miuccia Prada seems to think so. Prada's 2010 Spring/Summer collection is replete with plastic, clear heels. The inspiration behind them according to the designer? Go from the work to the beach? Yea.... riiiight! And clear heels just look trashy, even if they are designer. But you know designers want to wow and Prada's getting a lot of attention for these in the blogosphere, especially these chandelier shoes pictured here. DSquared2 also has clear shoes--too bad they're even more expensive and more unsightly!

Sky High Wedges:
Wedges come back in style every year, but this year, they've reached unimaginable heights. These Joe Jean's wedges pictured here have a heel height of 5 1/2"! The brands you'd expect to have ultra-high kicks do, including Steve Madden, Jessica Simpson, Dollhouse and BP.



Jelly Artistic Shoes:
If you're already against jelly sandals, then you probably won't understand the jelly pumps that are coming out. The most out there are by Vivienne Westwood (of course!). She's created these heart-topped pumps and crystal-balled shoes--they seem more like art than anything! These shoes also have some whimsical accents: these Chinese Laundry jelly sandals are adorned with a huge, playful bow and these jelly flats are designed to look like corals.

Oxfords Shoes:
Oxfords are on trend this year, but I haven't found a pair that I find attractive in any sense. How are these even flattering? Oxford flats, oxford heels or oxford shoe boots... I can't decide which is the most offensive of them all. Should we leave the oxfords to prep-school girls and celebs?



Denim Shoes:
What's your take on denim shoes? Are they wearable? I'm more put-off by them. AndI really hope no one would think to match them with blue jeans or anything denim. There's a reason those days are gone. But regardless of what we think, they've made a comeback. You'll find denim boots, wedges, sandals, flats and sneaks.


Biker Chic Shoes:
Don't think you'll actually be riding a bike in these! This shoe style is identified by studs, chains, buckles, leather and most importantly, edge. I'd include the trendy cage sandals in this category as well.