Shoe blog

Manolo Blahnik Cuticula Booties: Too Cute

Manolo Blahnik Cuticula Booties

There’s nothing like a little Manolo Blahnik goodness in time for the holidays, you know what I’m saying?  I’ve been mooning around the shops, mentally adding items to my “I’d Die to Have This” list, and I have to tell you, Manolo Blahnik’s Cuticula Booties ($539 at Barneys) are at the top of that list right now.  It doesn’t hurt that Barneys has them on sale, marked down from $895.  Frankly, even if they were still at full price, I’d be just as mad for them.  “Cuticula” is an apt name: to make a little pun, they are just too, too cute.

Multi strapped shoes are so in right now, and I love seeing the Manolo take on the trend.  This shoe, especially, is seriously unique. I mean, it’s classified as a bootie, but I don’t think that definition does it justice.  Quite the contrary, it’s like a bootie meets a pump, with all kinds of straps and laces thrown into the mix.  Something like that could easily look extremely busy, cluttered, and overdone, but I definitely don’t think that’s the case here.

This is both elegant and innovative, a combination that’s rare and rarely done well.  Here, it’s done beautifully, it’s all class and subtle, eloquent flash.

The heel is thin, but not quite a stiletto, and measures out at about 4 inches, or 100 millimeters.  The instep laces up, the trim is perforated in an elegant design, and the leather is positively sumptuous.

What do you think of this little combo?  Do you think it works, or do you prefer shoes that are straitlaced, and clearly defined as one style or another?

Manolo Blahnik Cuticula Booties, $539 at Barneys