Slightly Less Slutty

Yeah, that title got your attention on a Monday morning, didn't it? HAH!

A week or so ago, the English Rose sent me a link to these bad boys



with the following commentary: An inch lower and I'd love them. At this height they just say "hooker shoes."

I have to say, I see what she's getting at. So I decided to see if I couldn't find something along the same lines that weren't quite so... world's oldest profession-al. (Click for links.)

It took me a while to come around to the shootie. I don't know if I'm ever going to make friends with the open-toed shootie.

The sparkly ornament might be overkill, but if worn with something really simple they might be fabulous.

These are actually pretty good -- the lace looks substantial and they are a great price for a shoe you could wear for many years.

I have to say, I didn't expect to find this many lace shoes.

Platform, shootie, lace-up, AND peep-toe. While I'm sure that with the right thing they'd be marvelous, this is not an everyday shoe. This is not even an every-evening shoe...

Hard to go wrong with Stuart Weitzman. Also can't go wrong with a d'Orsay pump. It's always elegant, and they look good on everyone.

These are Paciotti and they are crazy on sale, but in very limited sizes. A great deal for someone with a teensy foot. Poochie?

No surprise, I love the patent.

And see, this is how inconsistent I am -- I might be able to get over the peep-toe in this instance because I like that laser-cut leather so much. Although I would prefer they were closed-toe, definitely. If I didn't already have a couple of good pairs of high-heeled lace-up oxfords like these, I'd be seriously putting these on The List.

These are embossed rather than actual lace, which is interesting. I like the way it looks, it's subtle. There is, however, a multi-color version of these that is oooooooh, so not subtle -- truly hideous, you should click the link & check it out.

These are from the first collection of shoes from Elizabeth & James, which is one of the Olsen twins' lines. I don't particularly love them, but I bet you see them all over the place soon. I know I put my Fashionista cred at risk by admitting it, but I like this line overall. Yes, they're former TV child stars, but I think they do a pretty good job with it. It skews young, but they have a definite sensibility, and it's far more successful in design terms than a lot of other celebrity stuff. Don't much care for this shoe, though.

These are actually lovely -- this guipure lace is really interesting, and the only thing possibly better than a d'Orsay is one that you can secure on your foot with a buckle. I'm picturing these with a big twirly skirt on a dance floor, worn by a woman being spun in the arms of the man she loves. There is a giant mirror ball twinkling above them.


The winner:

Oooooooh, my gosh, those are good. Let's take a closer look:








Dang. My company line on Givenchy is generally "I'm agin' it," but I would definitely make an exception for these.

So there you have it! Some light & lacy things you could wear without embarrassment. Whaddya think?