Ridiculous(ly Expensive) Shoes

I saw these shoes in a shop window a month or so ago, and they looked so cute. Then I saw them on the street, on a real person, and they were even cuter. So I went into the shop (Prada, a place where I don't remember ever going into before -- what would be the point?), took this surreptitious picture, and am now posting it. I would link to them but I can't find an online seller.

They caught my eye, of course, because they are RICK-RACK SANDALS, and as such, absolutely gorgeous. They're also $495, which puts them WAY out of my budget (that is, if my budget were at the Equator, this pair of shoes would be at Alpha Centauri) which is sad.

My hope is that I can outlast everyone else -- in six months, these shoes will be "so last-season," whereas my love for rick-rack knows no season. There will be pairs going begging, and I will snap them up, preferably on eBay. At least, that's my fantasy.

There's also a high-heel version, but I didn't bother taking a picture of those. (I was terrified of the salesladies, frankly.)

(If you look at the reflection in the chrome edging of the table, you can see my stripey seersucker dress. I'll try and post about that dress towards the end of the week.)

Comments

[Ladygrande (Texas Marie)]

Love the "rick-rack" shoes. Just wait a month or so, **Pay**Less** will have a version on their shelves. And you can have them next summer!

[Gladys]

I'd love to see the high heel version, because these are too cute! Good luck finding them at the right price!

[sarah]

I found the high heels online, but check these out: the two tone high heels! A little....eek! for me I think. Oh my gosh, the wavy pumps are so cute, though!!Google "prada wavy" and you can find every version out there, it looks like.

[Cel Petro]

ric rac seems to put itself in your path, have ya noticed?

[Nancy (nanflan)]

Wow, those are fabulous. I'd have to go with one of the heeled versions though (in my dreams! I couldn't think of buying shoes that expensive).

[christy]

wait a little, somebody will make a similar one and you can snap them up!

[Lisa @ the Vintage Fashion Library]

I love love love those wavy pumps! I'll bet those salesladies would freak me out too.

[Cookie]

Okay, since we're talking about shoes, perhaps this is a good day to come OUT OF THE CLOSET here and identify myself as a drag queen. Here's my real pic! (Well, somewhat retouched, and about 15 lbs. ago, but me nonetheless.) I wasn't sure how everyone here would react to a guy on a sewing site...but you all seem very cool, so this is me. But, as to shoes: I buy all my shoes in thrift shops, because I only wear vintage styles for drag. (I actually buy my boy loafers in thrift stores, too...someone always seems to have bought or been gifted with the wrong size and has donates them.) My favorite style is something that I think went out of production...Hi-Lifes? They might have been made by Payless (!) They were a 1940's style open-toed fabric shoe with a 3 inch heel that was good with practically everything! I have them in beige and black, though both pairs are now sadly falling apart, I wore them so much. A lot of the heels I buy I just have to wear to a photo shoot or an audition (2 hours max) so they don't really have to be my size. So most of my shoes are too small! Another pair of PERFECT heels I have were made by Ralph Lauren probably 10 years ago (at least) I wear a lot of simple black pumps with a stiletto heel (3 3/4" seems to be the perfect height) and there's always some pair of those lying around in a thrift store, somewhere. The most comfortable pair I ever bought were my first drag shoes, 15 years ago. They were cheaply made, but I got them resoled 3 times before they officially died. I love this site; hope you can all live with the real Cookie :)

[Anonymous]

Cookie, as far as I'm concerned, you're not only welcome, but bring a wonderful, unique perspective that I'm sure we all value. (Plus, that's a lovely photo!)-Sandra

[lorrwill]

I still love you Cookie. You are hecka funny and I love reading your posts. Besides I live about a wink from San Francisco. The whole cross dressing thing is a non-issue here.And lol: I am working on those sneaky 15 pounds that somehow ended up on me, too.As to the rick rack shoes and the Prada price tag...I sure wish I could make shoes and stuff like this is exactly why.

[Dr. Julie~ Grandma's Sewing Cabinet]

Cookie! Not want you around?! No way! I love drag queens. They are the ones who taught me how to be a lady (since my mother never did). I mean, who else has studied femininity as much as a drag queen??Please don't go away!Julie

[Renee]

Those shoes are so adorable.loriwill:I sure wish I could make shoes - likewise! I remember growing up reading in McCalls Needlework and Crafts magazines those ads in the back for You Can Make Your Own Shoes - back in the 60s 70s. Wonder if anyone ever had success with that?

[Angel - Having a Nemesis]

Cookie, how could I not love someone with a love for fabric, shoes, fashion.....etcetc....that runs as deep as mine?The only intolerance here is reserved for those who have no love for patent leather. Who do they think they are anyway?

[Julie The Vintage Goddess]

Crazy price, super cute shoes.

[Zoltar Panaflex]

All hail the trickle-down fashion theory.$495 is patently (sorry) ridiculous for sandals. I have paid close to that for a pair of unbelievably amazing loafers (leopard pony fur with a jeweled buckle), but that was an irresistible once-a-year compulsion.Look for the same shoe, but it's late in the season for a more affordable brand to come out with them.

[oonaballoona]

CRAIGSLIST, BABY. as you know from your tar-get purse, everything ends up on craigslist.or, discount shoes + michael's rickrack= pradaness. those prada peeps are horrifying. i once tried to exchange a gift, bought by a CBS executive (with signed freaking card and original packaging, godsakes), and they treated me like i just busted out of sing-sing, prada bag in hand.

[What-I-Found]

Just wanted to say You Go Cookie!

[Anonymous]

Ok these are expensive and the dollar low not to forget. But in general I am always astonished how lowpriced Prada shoes are in comparison to their competitors. Not cheap yes, but I have seen some for under 200 (full price), I was really tempted, since they where really cute.

[Fiona]

I just wanted to tell Erin that my children now say to me "Mummy, why are you obsessed with sewing" when we are out anywhere (I am known for my loathing of clothes shopping and see dressing as a necessary evil). I'm just back from Rome where I looked in every shop window and had to be dragged out of fabric shops. The advantage for people in places which have warm summers (ie not Scotland, a high of 73, once every three weeks if we're lucky!) is that you get to dress in just one layer, so it's possible to look chic without having a ruck-sack full of cardigans and waterproofs on your back. Lucky things! And I love the Prada shoes. Which is something, coz I never looked at shoes before either!

[Little Hunting Creek]

If I would ever pay that much for sandals I would so buy those. Rick Rack shoes! Who knew that they even made them? Perhaps rick rack is about to be a new Italian designer IT item? Erin, they are COPYING you!

[Leamonteach]

I think it's funny that someone else is intimidated by the saleswarriors in those ultra chic places! Nothing like walking into a place by mistake and then realizing, "I could afford maybe a KLEENEX in this store!" and trying to sneak out without attracting attention. . . There is much to regret about "Pretty Woman" but the revenge on the snotty salespeople part is priceless!

[La BellaDonna]

Cookie, it's just one more reason to be glad you sew!Erin, I think all you have to do is give it a couple of months. Steve Madden, and a few others, will probably be creating much more affordable versions. In the meantime, you can console yourself with a pair of more ordinary sandals, rickrack, and a hot glue gun!Fabricgirl, was that the Mary Loomis book, by any chance? I think it got left behind in a move, but it offered pretty easy instructions, as I recall.Oonaballoona, did you get to make your exchange, regardless? I'm always astonished by stories of haughty sales-help; in theory, at least, they're being paid to help.

[Theresa]

Cookie - I was SO CONVINCED you were a woman. I love your reall picture. I think you are funny, and creative and I wish I new you in the real world. Digging the rick rack shoes -- no so much the price.Looking forward to the seersucker dress post. Theresaaka Velvet Plaza (Sewing Conspiracy, Frock Republican Army, Drag Queen Name.) If I were a man I would be a drag queen.

[Erin]

Cookie, you're awesome! I'm so happy you're here with us (and I'm so proud of everyone else for being so welcoming)!

[Jen ~ MOMSPatterns]

Cookie! One more reason to love you.. Ive REALLY been enjoying your posts and glad *I* have been talking round here more often is BECAUSE I am lovin your banter. You are cooler than cool and drop dead gawgeous. Thank you for feeling comfortable enough with us all to share more of your world with us!OK NOTHING I put on my feet and walk the streets with is EVER going to cost me more than $10. I also love thrifting for shoes, much to my husbands chagrin (because my closet is getting very Imelda Marcos-ish). Id rather be seen in unusual and unique shoes that NOBODY else has than wear something everyone else in the world is wearing. Same for handbags. I just dont get the whole designer, huge suitcase looking bags (but I dont carry a lot around, either) nor the mega expensive shoes that youre going to just scuff dirty the bottoms of, and fret about because they were so expensive. Erin, you found your Yellow Bag Holy Grail on ebay.. I send you good vibes to find these shoes there soon, too! Fashion Season ins outs and dos and donts.. who needs em! hahaha