Loading...
Simply Chic Simply Chic Blog Home

Spring Shoes With Restraint

Feet that look imprisoned are just the thing

By Kathryn Wexler Apr 9, 2009 9:59PM

Belle by Sigerson Morrison, $265, at piperlime.com

Want to be on-trend this summer in the footwear department?

 

Forget the usual dribble about going boho, metallic or peeptoed. Start thinking confined spaces.

 

Shoe designers on the cutting edge have created a look this season that resembles a cage.

 

That's right, a cage.

 

Multiple straps straddle the arch and encase the sides of the foot. They can be flat or high, wedges or stilettos. Overall, they resemble some sort of isolation cell. Or maybe a
medieval torture machine.

 

And on the subject of torture, anyone have their home appraised lately? But we digress -- perhaps. Is there a coincidence here?

 

In any case, the question is whether these shoes, once affixed to the foot, ultimately make the wearer look assertive or aggrieved.

 

The best are busy, coupled with a strong heel, and have a certain heft and authority. The most sublime example of the genre that I've seen is by Yves Saint Laurent, part of their spring '09 collection. They're cage-like, yes, but with no suggestion of pain.

 

If you can't afford them, at a whopping $1,590, don't give up. Plenty of other purveyors are happy to entrap your credit card...err...feet, for much less.

 

Shown above: Belle by Sigerson Morrison, $265, on piperlime.com.

 

Email Kathryn at KathrynWexler@hotmail.com

 

 

9Comments
Report
Please help us to maintain a healthy and vibrant community by reporting any illegal or inappropriate behavior. If you believe a message violates theCode of Conductplease use this form to notify the moderators. They will investigate your report and take appropriate action. If necessary, they report all illegal activity to the proper authorities.
Categories
100 character limit
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

fashion: trends & must-haves for your wardrobe

  • Beauty products

    Special delivery! A guide to online beauty box clubs

    Let's say sampling beauty products isn't your full-time job—should you be denied eye-cream kismet or love at first spray just because you can't track every niche brand or really kinda hate asking for freebies at the cosmetics counter? Online subscription clubs that regularly send targeted samples to your home may be your new best friend—provided you know what all those boxes of goodies will actually cost and which sites suit your specific needs. InStyle editors signed up for a whole lotta packages to help you find out.

  • Block heels

    The ultimate shoe guide

    Browse the season’s hottest trends to find your perfect pair from InStyle’s Ultimate Shoe Guide.

  • Ballet bun hairstyle

    You can do: Ballet buns

    It's surprisingly easy to master the look. Just follow this insider advice from InStyle Beauty Director Amy Synnott-D'Annibale.

  • Dress

    Easy does it

    Slip into a soft, feminine dress with these no-sweat, all-in-one approaches to looking pulled together.

  • Aquabelle swimsuit

    The best slimming swimsuits of 2013

    Step away from the muu-muu. Whether your trouble spot is your stomach, hips, waist, or thighs, we've got you covered with the 10 best suits (out of 270 try-ons!) tested and photographed in our GHRI labs.

  • Connie Britton

    15 styles for thick hair

    Everyone wants lush, shampoo-commercial-worthy locks — and according to Goody, 40 percent of women are lucky enough to have supersized tresses. But all that extra hair means you have to make cut and care choices carefully. These celebrities show off your best options.

  • beach sandls

    Flat sandals for every occasion—because who needs heels?

    Unless you’re one of those people who doesn’t like your feet, you like sandals. (And if not, I’d like to know know why, because sandals are easy, comfy and ideal for showing off cool nail polish colors. I love them.) They’re great for every occasion—work, weekend, beach, parties—with only one catch: it’s hard to find a single pair that’s right for all of them.

  • Summer skin care

    20 brilliant summer skin tips

    The sunshiney season brings with it weird rashes, bumps, and bites-and a lot fewer clothes to cover them up. Wishing you had a dermatologist on call? Luckily, we have a phone full of top docs, so we got their clever remedies and tips for all your summer skin care woes (and saved you the copay).

  • Swimsuits for body type

    Your perfect suit finder

    Brave women of all body types did a mass try-on (we brought in over 1,000 swimsuits!) to find these flattering, flaw-erasing winners. Seriously—they're better than Photoshop. Browse, buy, and feel beautiful.

  • Beyonce

    You gotta get white jeans!

    White jeans are crisp, flattering, and summer's best unsung staple. And oh, would you look at that — we've found the perfect pair for your body. Here's how to wear them.

  • Sheath dress and strap heels

    Khloé Kardashian styles you

    Khloé Kardashian knows how to dress her curves. Here are her no-fail style tips for every body type.

  • Fitted blazer

    9 pieces you need and can afford

    Trends come and go, but these new must-haves will last a lifetime. Style expert and author of The Wow Factor: Insider Style Secrets for Every Body and Budget Jacqui Stafford's picks are here not just to stay, but also to flatter.

follow us
follow us follow us on facebook follow us on pinterest follow us on twitter
buzzing now on msn living
Loading...
about our blog contributors
Loading...
style videos
editor's picks
Loading...