Style Over Stub Stance

While we are on the subject of ballet flats, let’s take a moment to assess this Miu Miu shoe in this month’s issue of Australian Vogue.

Firstly, the styling of the shot is very eye-catching, so kudos to Vogue’s team for that.

Secondly, while the actual design of the shoe at first seems cute with its charming soft-core punk influence (except for the twee unicorn or whatever it is dangling off the gingham tie), at second and at third thought one realises that:

a) this shoe is excessively trendy and the look of it will wear out long before the soles do – if it really is ‘the flat of the season’ as stated, it will become utterly ubiquitous and be thereby rendered common;

b) they are made from satin, and satin ballet flats – necessarily lined for protection of the foot against stubs and such – are notoriously hard and unforgiving*, while the fabric also stains extremely easily, and tears;

this shoe is excessively trendy and the look of it will wear out long before the soles do …

c) there are very unsavoury connotations of foot-binding in the design; and

d) taking into account points a, b, and c, the $1,200 designer price tag is ludicrous. (It makes my $165 Sambag flats seem cheap – and the actual $30 I paid for them a mere pittance.)

In fact already, the longer I look at this shoe, the uglier it seems. The image’s styling is deceptive. Is it in fact a case of style over substance?

*I will concede that as I have not walked in these particular satin flats, I cannot state with utmost veracity that they are uncomfortable. Perhaps that’s where that extra $1000 comes in?