You all already know that I grew up as a lover of fine grain leather in my family’s shoe stores. I think leather is the only thing that unites my love of all things black, street, tough and rockergirl with my seemingly opposite love of all things classic, equestrienne and tailored. Had I my way, I would hit the road clad in leather on a Harley and never look back!
Alas … I’m a bit too small to hop on a Chopper, much less hold one up, and so I’ll have to settle for being driven around in these vehicles that look like they should be motorized.
Aren’t they va-va-va-voom!? These babies are called the Jumpstart, and they’re part of Fergie’s new line, specifically the Glitterati Collection. I consider them a jumpstart for your legs to run the race to Destination: Hotness.
If I do say so myself, they make my fairly average legs look pretty sexy (that’s why I’m such a heel devotee!) and the three inch heel really emphasizes my calf muscles. I wore them around all day (with the exception of my morning run, of course!) to get a good feel for what they would be like as a day shoe. The result: success. They carried me through errands, up and down the street and up and down stairs easily. I’m glad Fergie didn’t make them a three and a half inch heel. Here I am trying them out in the grass, walking around a garden.
Don’t try that at home! That contrast of grass and leather looked commercial-cool but was an ill-advised idea as the stilettos kept sinking into the dirt. I suggest you stick to pavement or at the very least a path. Not for a picnic, these motors.
Here we are from a side view. When standing, you won’t have as much of a gap in your heel area. One downside is that with a fully covered heel cap like this, you’re going to feel a little funny if it doesn’t fit perfectly, and it’s not like our heels are all uniformly shaped. This one fit my heel fine and the leather cap was decently flexible when I stood up. I have pretty thin, if long, feet.
I can’t say that they make the full grain leather cut, but it’s a pretty decent quality and it’s real leather (the website says goat leather, which is fairly new and experimental in fashion; my research turned up some articles saying that goat leather can be more expensive because goats are often bred in the city near to where the leather will be tanned, etc.). Don’t expect buttery soft pebble grain leather. That doesn’t work in a shoe like this because it’s too soft to maintain a tough shape and support your foot with so little material. If you want to condition the insides of the leather straps to make them a little softer on your skin (though they’re already a different softer grain, I like to do this on strappy shoes since the strap is supporting your entire weight and can really chafe), you can use a leather lotion by Coach, Wilson’s, Kiwi or any number of other companies, though time will also soften the straps a bit.
Here’s a look at the detailing and the sole.
SURVEY SAYS:
Innovation: 6. I like the cutouts, but this is a pretty basic shoe following a pretty traditional pattern. What I do really like are the subtle cutouts on the ankle strap and the extra skinny ankle strap for support and style. I also REALLY like the stretchy elastic goring on the ankle straps that allows for a more perfect fit. Good thinking, designers. The elastic could stretch after a while but they made it pretty tight so you’ll stretch it out to your natural ankle size, and if they stretch too much, a good shoe store can repair that (my favorite is the shoe store that services Vogue, Shoe Service Plus, which is pricy but excellent as long as you are very specific).
Style: 7. They’re still very au courant and rocker chic will be constantly classic for the fast forward future. They’re simple, but they get the job done in keeping you in mode. They’re actually pretty dignified because they’re so simple and Fergie’s team kept the studs to a limit and made the accenting zipper and studs silver instead of a flashier gold. I think if there had been a platform it would’ve looked too chunky and not streamlined enough.
Sex factor: 9. Holla! These kittens are HOT in the “Don’t Mess with Me Unless You’re Tough and then DO Mess with Me Cause You’re My Kinda Man” sort of way. Just don’t overdo the outfit. Let the attention be the shoes.
Comfort: 6. I’m used to wearing very high heels, so this is relative, but shoes that look like this are usually SO uncomfortable. There’s no platform and it’s a three inch heel, so I can’t give them a 7.
Practicality: 5. Wear them beneath your long work pants and they’re practical for work. Bring a pair of shorts or a skirt to change into for the evening out. If you’re a tough city chick who doesn’t work corporate, these will blend seamlessly into your wardrobe. Otherwise, they’re practical only for nights and weekends.
Price: 6. I think $99 is an acceptable price for what they are and for being a full leather upper. Steve Madden charges more for shoes that are probably of an equivalent quality, with less leather and more fabric. Sometimes Nine West and Aldo charge more for non-leather.
Overall score: 6.5. This is a sexy urban girl shoe. It’d work in LA or New York or Detroit or Atlanta or Chicago, or in the trendiest venues of smaller towns. Keep the outfit relatively contrasting, like a silky top and not overly short shorts, and I think you’ve got a weekend warrior. Get your style fight on by buying them here or enter the ShoeBlog Fergie Shoe Giveaway where 3 pairs of Fergies’ shoes are being given away.
Now I’m going to go be glamorous, flossy and Fergalicious in my Jumpstarts, even if it’s just to hit the drive thru at Taco Bell (or In-N-Out for their animal style burger, as is usually the case for yours truly).
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