While reading a feature in a magazine on Christian Louboutin’s 20th anniversary of making beautiful shoes, I came across an interesting sound byte about the origin of Louboutin’s red sole. Essentially, he created a yellow pump with a pointed toe and a flower embellishment on it, and while lamenting its black, boring sole, he reached for his assistant’s red nail polish and transformed the sole into something that was just as important as the shoe, itself. Huh. Neat idea, right?

I was going to show you a picture of the yellow, vividly-1980s shoe, but it is virtually impossible to find a photo of it online… which kind of adds to the conversation I started to have with myself in my head:

Would Louboutins [or any high-end designer shoe] be as popular and coveted with a basic, boring, black sole?

Photo from InStyle Magazine

So… what would Christina Aguilera’s (and 75% of the rest of Hollywood/NYC) closet look like if Louboutin had never grabbed that nail polish? Would the shoes still sparkle enough for them to charge $2,000 for a pair of leather pumps?

Several celebrities have more variety in their wardrobes – with a little Chanel, Alexander Wang, and Dior thrown in for good measure… Every time they step out, they’re wearing the latest coveted piece of unattainable design history. This makes sense – they’re loaded, they have the ability to acquire foot art and mingle with the creators… but damn – hasn’t J.Lo ever seen a pair of Seychelles that blew her mind!? It happens to me like once per week!  I have to think about cost efficiency here: were I banking a cool 14 million per year, would I be snatching up every shoe from DSquared2′s latest collection? Or would I be buying 560 pairs of high-quality, durable, mid-range shoes and rocking them daily… just like I am now?

If you guessed the latter, great job – you’re on the right website.

We had a discussion on our Facebook page last week, where Poochie from Shoe Daydreams gave us some really good perspective (and who better to offer insight than Ms. Shoe Collection, herself?) on the price and marketing cocktail that is the designer shoe industry.

I think most designer shoes have gone up way too much in recent years. Personally I don’t care about the red sole (unless it looks particularly good with the overall design) to pay more for it. If anything, a better question is to ask would they be this expensive without SATC or Hollywood?

[Celebrities] were wearing [designer shoes] when shoes were $300 or so. Literally in the past 5 – 10 years I’ve seen the “average” designer price go from $300/$500 max to $1000+. The $1000 range was super rare. Now shoes that I used to pay $300-$500 for are now (for the exact same brand and style just different material version) are going for $700+.

For example, the Manolo Blahnik Sedaraby d’Orsay style. I have that in 4 versions. The first pair were around $500-ish. The ones I got recently (in a boucle fabric) were over $700. Yes, I bought them so I’m part of the problem too, but I’ve cut way back in what I’m buying. So while my total budget may be the same the number of shoes I am getting is way down.

What do you think?

Do you think designer shoes would be less popular if they were more attainable? Would Louboutins be as drool-worthy with basic, black soles?

“Recently, I’ve been on a “do everything that scares me” kick. I’ve been making cupcakes on a whim (I never have before now!), made all of my own Christmas gifts for my family, and bought really intense, bright, eye-catching shoes and actually wore them to a populated, public area without having an anxiety attack.

Proof:

They’re a big magical, aren’t they? Creative Recreation Dicoco Sneaker in Polka Dot – $35!”

 …and now I’m stealing it, because I can.  Also because I got ostentatious sneakers.  But mostly because I can.

Truthfully, Lindsay’s ostentatious sneaker purchase finally kicked my ass into gear. All of my sneakers, from the bright silver DCs to my green and orange Saucony’s, are old. Like, they might as well wear dentures and use a coupon for the weekly special at the buffet. They don’t look old – shoe Botox – but they’ve lost all support and (embarassingly) they kind of stink. (Don’t hate. I know you’ve been there.)  After Lindsay sent me an instant message with a link to her new purchase, I vowed to go on my own hunt.  After many frustrating online searches and disappointing trips to the mall, I found these:

My shoes are so cool that they don’t even need to be pointing at you.

They’re by Call It Spring, they’re called “Sumlar“, and they were $50.  Brand new.  In season.  $50.  Yessssss.

Last night, Lindsay and I both wore our ostentatious sneakers at the same time, and that obviously meant we had to take photos of them…

…while sitting on the sidewalk, in ass-freezing weather…

…snapping photos with my phone while passersby gave us funny looks.

I think we may have accidentally transitioned from Broke-Ass Babes to Hobos With Great Shoes.

Lindsay is still a little perturbed by the “wow” factor that is bright white sneakers with polka dots on them, but eventually those sneakers won’t be so white…which means I’ll probably want to take a toothbrush to them because white snearkers are fucking sexy.

Ditto furry sneakers. Are they boots? Are the skate shoes? NO ONE KNOWS.

Tell me all about your last “wild shoes” purchase.

Ahhh, the Vivienne West Pirate Boot.

This is the object of affection for many a boot-loving, stylish gal. (This gal, included.) But ringing in at $400-$980 – not possible.

Because of the style’s popularity, however, other designers took notes from the creative genius behind the Westwood brand, and learned that buckles are great and they should use them always. Their delicious slouch, their relaxed hardware… It’s everything you’d want in an everyday shoe. So, if you love the Vivienne West Pirate Boot, you can still get the feel of the classic – but these will be quite a bit easier on your bank account.

Nine West Cornflower: $76.99

Nine West Fango: $69.90

Big Buddha Casi: $64.99

Type Z Roland: $70.99

Frida J. on Lookbook.nu

I’ve never really been a huge fan of bright colors or patterns in my clothing. On the occasion that I do feel a little bit louder than usual and particularly glitzy, I rarely go to jewelry or makeup – I go to shoes. As one of my favorite parts of an outfit, my shoe collection is not only the most voluminous portion of my wardrobe, but also the brightest and most unique.

New Year’s Eve is only of my favorite Shoe-Opportunity Holidays (SOH). That means, essentially, that it’s a holiday where I can bust out a crazy pair of shoes and it’s not completely strange or, God forbid, gauche…. (Frederick!?)

Fortunately, if you’re not in a place to drop serious cash on a pair of shimmering, wild shoes – fear not. Here are some killer heels under $50!

Dollhouse Brinn Wedge: $34.95

LC Lauren Conrad Peep Toe Platforms: $48.99

ASOS Leather Croc Effect Mary Jane: $30

Charlotte Russe Glittery Platform: $35.50

Nine West Knotted Pump: $49.50

Sam Edelman Wesley Wedge: $48 (marked down from $160!)

Which would you wear on New Year’s Eve?

This season, I am boot-obsessed. Even my sneakers are boots. (Oh no, you’re not seeing them. Not yet. Not until I wear them, gloriously, on Christmas day.) But boots are expensive – even the faux leather, faux fur kind. There are a very great online shoe shopping sites, including DSW and 6pm, but they can get kind of overwhelming. So many shoes, so many of them horrible, so much to sift through.

For me, Alloy.com is concentrated shoe-spiration. I always have at least one pair of their shoes on my wish list, including…

Torry Boot: $49.90

I keep seeing boots like this, pretty much everywhere I go, and for good reason. They’re so, so good. So good.

Blowfish Valentino Bootie: $69.90

Here’s another pair. You know, in case you like black more. These are $20 more, but still under $75 for a pair of furry booties by a well-known brand.

Zoey Riding Boot: $49.90

This is what I’m talking about: four-star knee-high riding boots for under $50. The reviews say they are “expensive-looking.”

Terrain Bootie: $54.90

They’re like hiking boots, but not really. I like the teeny tiny wedges, which add just a little femininity.

Sophie Bootie: $49.90

I love the zipper in the back.

Marley Boot: $54.90

Warning: these heels are high and the material is not as epic as some of the other boots posted here.