Ouch. My body aches just looking at these! But they do LOOK great. I’ve seen a few people wearing them and they do look amazing.

IMHO, shoes that go too far up the instep toward your ankle make your ankle/legs look terrible (especially the red ones in the top row) – heavy and shapeless. This look is definitely NOT for me.

I love these style shoes! My budget hasn’t allowed me to buy a pair yet, but maybe by August they will be on super clearance and I will be able to snag a pair.

I love the look, but my feet would probably not love the shoe. I could get tempted to try a slightly more doable version with a wedge heel like the ones in the middle top row, but am not sure how long will the style stick around. Maybe if they are still here next summer. And even then I would rarely get to wear them since they are hardly work-appropriate. Not sure if it’s worth getting a a that would be worn 5 times a year. But they are fierce!

Too painful for me to consider wearing and most of them don’t appeal to me visually. I do like a couple of shoes here interesting but again too impractical for my fussy feet and lifestyle which involves a lot of time on my feet each day.

I did not like them on Carrie Bradshaw at all. My first thought was “What ugly shoes!” And my second thought was “They look too heavy and bulky for her outfit.” I won’t be buying any.

I love the Chie Mihara pair (middle pair, second row). I would sport those if they were in my budget. But, alas, they aren’t.

Yes, these shoes are sort of designed to look a little grotesque in a way. I think they look cool and edgy on the right person, but I think I might pass.

I did see the middle top pair (in black patent instead of gold) on an attendee of a July 4th party I went to and they were an attention-getter, however you need to be dressed up to wear these properly, I think.

Anything this high up on the ankle tends to make my short legs look shorter. No thanks! Cute on ladies with long legs and the right outfit though.

These sandals are kind of like ankle boots or shoes with ankle straps. I’d wear them with long pants/jeans or long skirts/dresses, but not with anything knee length or shorter. My legs aren’t thin enough for that. The number of straps, however makes them totally impossible for me–my feet would be all blisters after a couple of hours!

I really like the silver snakeskin slingback pair, but my eye hasn’t adjusted to the top row styles. Anyway, my fussy feet will demand I pass on this style.

I prefer all three pairs on the bottom row to those on the top.
I would definitely wear a pair of these with my dark skinnies and a feminine top (kind of like your client, Angie).
But sadly, I don’t think my feet are as tough as hers, and so I would only wear them on occasion.
These have a more avant-garde feel than the flat gladiator sandals (even the metallic gladiators), and I actually enjoy the look of them (if not the feel of them)!

I saw these in the window at DSW yesterday and drooled. So so fun. But I won’t wear them, too high…
http://www.dsw.com/dsw_shoes/c.....amp;brand=

I might be tempted to try on #5 (grey and green) because it at least has a tiny bit of a vamp. But in general I agree with others that anything with an ankle strap makes legs look shorter, calves look bigger, etc. If you very slender lower limbs, maybe. For most of us, they are likely to be a mistake!

I love this look, and don’t mind wearing heels this high. But I would not know when and where to wear this look. I love those little dresses, but I don’t think they love me back.

Antje, the DSW pair you linked to is really something! Those are way out there.
Some of the shoes here on the blog I do like though. The red pair is a work of art and I would love to see ’someone else’ wear them. I think the silver snake pair your client chose, Angie, are very wearable and more mainstream if you have the lifestyle to dress up.

I like them. I tried the pair middle top and they did look good. I might look for a sale or something. I was in Nordstrom today and saw a flat pair of gladiators in teal snakeskin. I want them! — but I already bought a flat white pair.

On the right leg with the right ensemble, this look is great. Very avant-garde. I agree it’s a hard trend to pull off unless you have slim ankles and a shapely calf. Killer legs are a prerequisite. Most women look better in shoes with low vamps when they wear skirts and dresses. But I’m happy to hear that at least some of you appreciate the look as I do.

Now actually walking in these as effortlessly as Carrie Bradshaw does is a completely different kettle of fish. That’s the next prerequisite. You’ve got to make it look like you’re walking in comfy slippers. Otherwise your style quotient goes down. I saw a young lass sport a pair similar to the corked wedge style a few days ago. She hobbled around worse than I am on my crutches. That’s not stylish.

Patience, your Springs and Summers are long – treat yourself!

I’m with you, Angie – I appreciate this look on others, but it just doesn’t work for (or appeal to) me!

It’s just stupid!

I like the bottom right ones. I have small ankles and can get away with an ankle strap provided it is delicate, there is somewhat of a heel (no flats), somewhat of a vamp (like a maryjane style), and I wear a skirt that’s at least at the knee or higher. But most of these, nope; don’t think they would work; there’s too much going on, I think.

Am I the only one that thinks Carrie Bradshaw’s style is just plain silly? Loved the series and the movie… just not her fashion sense…. esp in the movie!!

I’m a shoe nut! I love them all. especially the silver Steve Madden “Maxxii” ones and the red L.A.M.B “Nayuta” one! If only I could them. (No shopping allowed for me) I have a nude stacked gladiator (Nine West) which was my summer trendy buy!

Those LAMBs look like a form of medieval punishment. Gah. My toes recoil at the sight of these.

Those DSW sandals are categorized under “Comfort”! In what universe…?

I missed out on the first two cheapie releases at Forever 21. I am definitely picking up a pair to go with skinnies in the early fall.

Interesting look–I sort of like the bottom row. My feet hurt just to look at them–I definitely couldn’t wear them. They have to have the right outfit to look right though. I agree with Shiny–too much going on for many of them.

When Stacy London started wearing them I thought they were SO UGLY. But I’m adjusting, I have to say. Looking for some great metallic high heels to wear with jeans when I’m going out. I might have to check out this style.

i love them. I have a pair similar to the 2nd pair, Steve Madden “Lilaac” ones that i’ve worn with skinnies and dresses.

i love, love, love the black gladiator heels Carrie worn in the SATC movie. Steve Madden also has a knockoff pair of those i think coming out in August?

Very cool! I haven’t gone shoe shopping in a while – I guess it’s about time!

I like those dark red ones.

I need to go shoe shopping. I haven’t had time lately. =(

I LOVE THEM ALL!!! The stacked heels and platforms should actually mean they are more comfy than usual high heels…and they are gorgeous!