Back from the fashion graveyard. Fringed Mocassin Boots.

[Shomore]

Recently, Shoesense quite neatly <a href="http://www.shoeblog.com/blog/when-good-designers-go-wrong/" title="good designers go bad">beat me to the punch</a> regarding fringed footwear. I can't help but shudder when I see many of the fringe-bedecked styles that are coming out.

Be warned. Its use is everywhere and seems to growing. As proof I offer <a href="http://www.piperlime.com/browse/category.do?cid=37836" target="_blank" title="Piperlime moccasin">Rachel Zoe's</a> picks of fringed moccasins a la <a href="http://www.minnetonkamoccasinshop.com/" target="_blank" title="minnetonka home">Minnetonka</a> at as a major trend for Fall 2008. Gulp.

I should have seen it coming. Once Skinny Jeans came back into fashion, causing a whole new generation of gals to look for the perfect tuck-in boot, it was only a matter of time before Minnetonka once again rose to ascendancy.

Think of a young Kurt Russell<em> (Not an altogether unpleasant image, I'll happily admit.)</em> in <em>Big Trouble in Little China</em>.

Sleeveless T-shirt and blue jeans, tucked into <a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2321118-10273958?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shoes.com%2FShop%2Fp roductdetails.aspx%3Fcatalog%255Fname%3Dweb%26pg%3 D5072392%26p%3DEC1108247&amp;cjsku=EC1108247" target="_blank" title="minnetonka shoes.com">these</a>:

<img src="http://www.piperlime.com/Asset_Archive/PLWeb/Assets/Product/583/583855/big/pl583855-00vliv01.jpg" border="0" height="520" width="520" />

Actually, I just had to stop and watch the movie, just to be sure. Sigh, the sacrifices I am willing to make. Jack Burton's boots laced up the side and were closer to<a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-2321118-10367535?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shoebuy.com%2Fsb%2Fs .jsp%3FStyle%3D42376%26Substyle%3D42376&amp;cjsku= 42376" target="_blank" title="shoebuy minetonka"> these babies</a>:

<img src="http://www.shoebuy.com/pi/minne/minne42376_34195_jb.jpg" border="0" height="400" width="450" />

I know there are gonna be both guys and gals who love these. And, if they didn't live through it the first time around, this is probably a fine time for them to do so. However, I've never regretted that I didn't own any back in the 80's when these were last in fashion. I hardly think I would, could, or even should attempt to take part in the trend this second time that I'm around to witness it.

As for the overall fringe trend, I have seen a few styles that I find that I <em>almost</em> like.
<ul>
<li>First, from <a href="http://www.pleaserusa.com/showcase/Funtasma_new_styles_2008.asphttp://" target="_blank" title="Pleaser home">Pleaser</a>, spe******ts in lingerie for your feet, a flirty, fringed high-heel suede sandal (<a href="http://www.6pm.com/n/p/p/7374777/c/20.html" target="_blank" title="pleaser">At 6pm.com</a>):</li>
</ul>
<img src="http://www.6pm.com/images/737/7374777/8246-537472-p.jpg" border="0" height="360" width="480" />
<ul>
<li>Next, is the Steven "<a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-2321118-10273706?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fn%2Fred irect.cgi%3Fq%3Dvz348008065z2%26zcj%3D1&amp;cjsku= 74117324971" target="_blank" title="BIJOUX">Bijoux</a>":</li>
</ul>
<img src="http://www.shoes.com/ProductImages/shoes_iaec1126786.jpg" border="0" height="350" width="350" />
<ul>
<li>And my personal favorites from Betsey Johnson, Shoe goddess extraordinaire:</li>
</ul>
The <a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2321118-10273706?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fn%2Fred irect.cgi%3Fq%3Dvz347938403z2%26zcj%3D1&amp;cjsku= 7462538423" target="_blank" title="Tisha">Tisha</a>:

<img src="http://www.zappos.com/images/746/7462538/8521-738929-p.jpg" border="0" height="360" width="480" />

And the <a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2321118-10273706?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zappos.com%2Fn%2Fred irect.cgi%3Fq%3Dvz347589204z2%26zcj%3D1&amp;cjsku= 7462499423" target="_blank" title="Taylor">Taylor</a>:

<img src="http://www.zappos.com/images/746/7462499/10757-738852-p.jpg" border="0" height="360" width="480" />

<img src="http://www.zappos.com/images/746/7462499/10757-738851-p.jpg" border="0" height="360" width="480" />

<img src="http://www.zappos.com/images/746/7462499/10757-738853-p.jpg" border="0" height="360" width="480" />

In 3 colors, the purple almost has me won over.

I do love a glam, over-the-top shoe as much as the next shoe addict. Unfortunately, I am uncertain that I am the right personality to successfully rock this shoe trend.

Maybe you are?