This is a big week for my Never Is the Next New Thing™ fashion theory: I’ve posted on high/low hemlines (aka mullets), gold teeth, and now toe shoes.
In 2008, I looked askance at “cameltoe” shoes by Martin Margiela. I thought that I’d never wear anything so ugly.
Click for the 2008 post.
Within a couple of weeks, I felt hate turning to like, if not love, as it often does. Over the years, the shoes stayed in the back of my mind. They moved to the forefront in the past couple of months when I started seeing people wearing Vibram sneakers on the street.
Click to shop for Vibram FiveFingers shoes.
I was turned off by the Vibrams, but, as I’ve said, the eye adjusts. So, when I saw crazy-toed shoes in Vivienne Westwood’s London store this week, I had to try them on. As soon as those shoes were on my feet, like turned to love and, to my surprise, MrB felt the same way. When I was torn between two styles, he was the one who insisted I get both, as long as neither was boring black. Here are my crazy-toed shoes in silver …
They look like paws, right?
Side view.
Another shot.
… and here are my crazy-toed shoes in red. These have a lower heel and differently shaped toes, as well as the Mary Jane strap.
I was pleased to see these were made in England.
Considering the popularity of the Vibram, maybe a toe-emphasizing look will become mainstream. You know what that means? The return of the rainbow toe sock!
Click to shop.
Me likey! AND, gasp, they look comfortable!
They are!
I don’t ~get~ those toe sneaker things. In Seattle, all the hipster hippie kids wear them – I’m boggled.
Your heels look like paws! I’m… not… sure how I feel, but I like how they look in red! What’t the comfort factor?
Hate the sneakers and I don’t see how it’s good for your feet to exercise with no support.
Comfort factor of the Westwood shoes seems promising so far! I’ve only worn the silver shoes as of now and they were great.
Okay, I’m actually really creeped out by those Vibrams things…but I have to say, I love the Westwoods. They’re maybe not my thing for me, but of anyone, you can carry them off, Wendy. I just can’t handle anything between my toes.
I love toe socks too, but I didn’t own them in the 70s and I’m not going there now! 🙂
I find the Vibrams to be disgusting but I think seeing them softened me up for liking the paw shoes!
I think your silver shoes are actually the craziest of them all 🙂 Definitely the craziest-toed shoes I’ve seen so far – they look sooo unusual! Wow! Are they comfortable?
I’ve only worn them once but so far so good!
Hi my dear-both pairs are fabulous, Mr B was right to suggest buying both pairs, I’m sure you’ll wear them a lot!! xx
I have some Vivienne Westwood Melissa shoes with those toes, adore them. x
They’re so damn cute! Do your toes each settle into the compartments? I’m just curious. But not as curious as the third picture of your Westwood heels… hmmm… great ermm.. position?
Actually the Vibrams are supposed to be very comfortable and are an evolution of barefoot running. It’s said that it’s actually better to run that way because all the padding elevates your foot making you less grounded and increases the risk of ankle injuries because you are more wobbly. Personally I’d like to get a pair to have for running but they dont make my size and they need to
fit really well.
PS. I love the silver!
Oh, absolutely SUPERB! I love them both, but the red ones are my favorites. How cool!
Many of the Marines I train with wear those Vibrams, but they call them “five fingers.” LOL. All I can ever think of when I hear that is “five finger discount!”
Enjoy your new shoes.
On you, I like! My eyes have to get used to them. Of course Mary Janes rule, even with paws.
Louboutin has a lion paw heel, the “Alex” pump for F/W 2011. It has the toes as well. I don’t have the ovarian fortitude required to wear them, but they were perfect for the HP7 post I have scheduled for tomorrow. +10 Gryffindor.
I love your Vivienne Westwood shoes but those camel ones are just creepy
You know… I have some Melissa shoes that have toe ridging like the red ones, and now I can’t remember if they were Vivienne Westwood for Melissa or not. It would make a lot of sense if they were though… I like that they add a little more wiggle room on the toes!
(Also, my word is hobbit. Seems appropriate.)
I love the ones you got! Little paw feet are soooo cute but I cannot get down with the Vibrams. I just heard something about a study done that ancient people who walked barefoot had healthier feet than we do now. I get that being the point of the Vibrams but sweet lord I find them to be hideous!
Ancient people probably died at 20, so they didn’t have time for their feet to get bad!
😉
Your silver and red shoes are amazing. Unique and interesting to the eye, creating a new visual adventure.
I had to return my VW shoes, they didn’t fit my feet correctly. I hope yours do!
XXX
Suzanne
haha,I´ve no way be using one of these,remember me that crocs,ugliee
I want the Vibrams, but not for any fashionable reason! They stretch your toes and are super comfy.
Haha, you wear them well, Wendy! I don’t dare to say ‘never’ anymore – because I ALWAYS change my mind later.
The upside down shot is best! Reminds me of my kitty’s paws.
I typically hate ‘toe stuff’ but this one is amazingly ingenious! x
i really like the silver ones because the two is so subtle..but I’ll be honest, I absolutely hate every single other pair. I don’t know, I don’t think I’ll be able to get on board (especially with the sneakers)
but I am liking the silver pair..more and more as I stare at them actually
The Vibrams look gross — if you’re climbing around on slippery rocks and need the extra grip then they make sense, but on the streets of SF I give them a giant, resounding NO. My eye could definitely adjust to your crazy-toed Westwoods, though.
Oh no! Those camel toe shoes are awful!
I have never seen shoes like these before! I have seen the sneaker version, but never in a high heel. I actually really like the red mary janes. Are they comfortable? I hate the toe socks, so I imagine they would fit like that?
i remember getting my first pair of rainbow toe socks in high school back in the late 70\’s thought i was the coolest thing on the block
my niece and nephew have those sneakers
i tried them on and they are way to comfortable.
brett
I will take your silver paws under advisement, but those shoes that look like tabi, no thanks. And having worn the rainbow toe socks the first time round, I believe that I am now exempt. (At least I certainly hope so.)
I like the camel toe shoes and your new “paws,” 🙂 but the Vibrams are too Ann Margrock for me, as I noted chez moi a bit ago. London has the best new shooz!
They showed a very similar pair to your Westwoods in the accessories room at the Met McQueen exhibit — have you seen it? I forget who did those though…
No! I still haven’t gone. Shame on me!!!
but are they comfortable? My toes are oddly shaped–the second toe longer than the big toe. Need a pair of those knee sock this month at Rags.
They showcase your cute little piggies!
I love “Never Is The Next New Thing!!”
That first picture looks a little familiar!
That’s right, lady!
I <3 Westwood shoes so much I have a few pairs, but I also have the exact same red ones and the court shoes in black suede. My red ones are about 6 years old, I wear them all the time they are so comfy.
I love the stripy socks too I wear them with my wellies in winter. x