Finding a balance with Irregular Choice

I have heard that Irregular Choice shoes can be very comfortable. But, I have never felt the urge to test whether this is true based on many of the past designs made by the brand.

After all, it’s with good cause that the extremely funky styles offered by Irregular Choice have more than once made their appearance in ‘Ugly shoe’ blog posts across  the interwebs.  Originality is a fantastic quality, particularly in shoe-land where runway copies run rampant most seasons. But,  there is such a thing as too much going on – and Irregular Choice often seems to let its exuberance and excitement take a front seat to good taste.

With any artistic endeavor – from painting to sculpture to wearable fashion and shoes – it helps if we understand that editing is key. Know when to stop and time to put down the pen, paintbrush, or fabric swatch.

Edit, edit, edit.

Finally, I am finding shoes from Irregular Choice that are benefiting from this basic concept. Someone, somewhere in the Irregular Choice hierarchy is learning how to edit;  the ‘less is more’ theory of design.

Have they lost their originality and funkiness?

No.

Have they perhaps mellowed to become to become accessible to a wider audience?

Well, ‘mellowed’ isn’t the right word.  But, there are currently a number of funky-yet-modern styles being offered by Irregular Choice; styles which, thankfully, lack any of the crafters-gone-wild excesses of past styles offered from this brand.

Let’s take a quick peek so that you can decide for yourselves.

Irregular Choice ‘Spit Spot’  boot $340.95 at Endless.com

I love these. They are still funky, but wearable for seasons to come. I know that I would make excuses to wear them.

Okay, less commentary, I promised you more shoes:

Irregular Choice ‘Aslan’ $295 at Irregular Choice

Irregular Choice  ‘Women’s Wicked’ side-laced boot $194.95 at Endless.com

Irregular Choice ‘Atomic Apple’ $190.95 at Endless.com

Irregular Choice ‘Brooklyn Beauty’ $149.95 at Endless.com

Irregular Choice ‘Pap Papps’ $130.95 at Endless.com

Irregular Choice ‘Flick Flack’ $103.96 at Endless.com & Spat Attack $146 at Irregular Choice

(Two more personal  faves; my obsession with mixing stripes and polka dots is evident here.)

Irregular Choice ‘Crystillina’ $125 at Irregular Choice

Irregular Choice ‘Shimmmmy’ $120.95 at Endless.com

Oh, and for those of you who liked Irregular Choice’s over-the-top tendencies of seasons past?  Never fear,  a trip to the Irregular Choice website still has the plenty of the funkiest styles for the more daring shoenistas:

I’ll admit, most of these last styles are too much for my taste. Although the embroidered bootie is quite a thing and I’d be tempted to get the kitty boots just for wearing at Halloween each year.

Related forum discussion thread located here.

Snowflakes and Snow Shoes.

The Irregular Choice brand is known for shoes that are eclectic (at best) to outright horrifying (at worst). Certainly ‘Boring’ is a word rarely applied to this brand.  Styles by Irregular Choice are not for the shy at heart. I just feel like many of them would fair better on stage rather than ‘life around town’.

Case in point.

Irregular Choice ‘Satine’ $74.75 $149  at 6pm.com. 

Dramatic?   Yes. 

Wearable by your average gal? …. Probably not. But, they definitely get the imagination going.

So, as winter continues to knock coldly on my door, I bring you a slightly less dramatic alternative from Irregular Choice.

These puffy ankle-boots used to be available in an ice-blue with white snowflakes, but that color combo seems to have sold out. Instead, take a peak at these cozy Red, White and Blue cuties that will make you feel like you are dressed up and ready for the Winter Olympic games.

Irregular Choice ‘Snowbunny’ in Red, White & Blue $51.75 $100  at 6pm.com

If you like the knit-snowflake detail of this boot, but are lucky enough to live in an area that is not currently dusted with snow, there is also a patterned pump available in RW&B, green or yellow:

Irregular Choice ‘Apres Ski’ $51.75 $100 at 6pm.com

They are definitely not subtle footwear choices. And, folks I’ve met who own some Irregular Choice shoes have told me that they are also pretty darned comfortable. So, if unique shoes are your thing, then grab a pair of these for stepping out during the cooler months. It’s one way to show Old Man Winter how much you love the season.

Sole Attraction

I can’t help it, I’m a sucker for all things pretty, romantic, retro, glam, goth; what I think of as fabulous but affordable luxuries. And one thing that I find truly fabulous on a shoe is a sensational sole.  The details and attention that show on the top of the shoe have historically received the primary artistic focus.  However, when the designer has thoughtfully added a bit of art to the underside of the shoe, well, that’s just a cool and unexpectedly delightful present for the wearer.  It’s a bit of a sweet little secret you can enjoy all by yourself.

Here is a look at some of the surprises that might await you should you peek at the underside of the shoes around you. 

Siren by Mark Nason:

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Shoes for Halloween

Don’t be confused.  These are not suggestions for costume shoes.  These are suggestions for shoes you can wear on October 31st, say, to the office or running your errands.  They’ll keep you festive and stylish all in one, which in this case means the classic All Hallow’s combo of orange and black.

If you’re heading to a business meeting, try these demure Kabou pumps from Robert Clergerie (now $272, 40% off the original price).  These are officially listed as being “tan” and “dark brown” but that looks a whole lot like orange and black to me.

 Want to run those errands in sleek athletic-inspired style?  Then snap up the super-soft Arche Galan on sale for $214.

When it comes to looking for shoes that are a bit out there with color and style, you know you don’t have to any further than Irregular Choice.  Sure, sometimes that “out there” becomes “across the entire universe,” but I think these Jezebel flats ($104) are snappy and cute.  And, of course, Halloween appropriate.

Need some more height to your Halloween heels?  Try this pretty leaf-printed Stacy Adams Tatum pump for $89.  Plus, this one makes a nice fall footwear addition.  Seasonal, a bit whimsical, but still classy and demure enough to go upscale.

If you want something more casual, and you happen to be somewhere where the weather’s actually getting cold, keep your feet warm in these cute (and highly affordable at only $63!) Blink Gail booties with the nice accent of orange laces.

And just to prove that there’s a Halloweeny shoe out there for EVERYONE, even you serious ice climbers can have festive holiday-appropriate Halloween boots if you try these Asolo Manaslu hardcore gear boots, although they’ll set you back a whopping $804!

Trick or treat, indeed!