Jimmy Choo Clue Red Suede Platform Sandal

I never thought I would say this, but Jimmy Choo is boring me. It’s been a while since I featured anything from JC on the blog. When I first wrote about the Jimmy Choo Clue in a gorgeous python option, I was really excited about the shoe. I mean, look at it. Go ahead, I’ll wait. Gorgeous, right? Yeah. Being a fan of fashion is sort of like being promiscuous, only without the bad reputation, the morning after regrets, and all the nasty diseases. You can flit from designer to designer, sampling a little of each, without feeling the need to be faithful to just one. Yet, there’s still always one, maybe two, that you fall in love with and always end up going back to. I did that with Jimmy Choo. Loved the shoes, then went off to see what everyone else had to offer. But when I was ready to come back, excited about it even, I was disappointed. My former fashion love has let itself go while I was away. Instead of coming back to something new and exciting that gets my heart racing and makes me start pondering credit limits, I found a collection of dull, lackluster, plain ol’ shoes I could probably find anywhere. It’s like seeing your old high school flame at the ten-year reunion, and finding he’s already going bald and has developed a belly that could double as an armrest. He ain’t what he used to be, and neither is Jimmy Choo. Out of the entire current collection, the only shoe that even remotely interests me is once again the Clue, this time in red suede.

The Jimmy Choo Clue is a staple of the line that just changes skins, colors, and materials. The red suede platform sandal is the latest incarnation of it. And yeah, it’s pretty. I love red shoes, especially high heels like this. They are the ultimate in sexy. And I do love the combination of materials here. The upper is soft suede, with a sexy peep toe to show off a bit of your pedi, and a dainty slingback strap that delicately buckles at the ankle. The .75-inch platform and 4.5-inch heel are covered with elaphe snake skin in an almost sinister black and red pattern. And then…that’s it. Sure, sometimes I like a simple, classic look. But that’s why Kate Spade is the designer I always run back to. Jimmy Choo used to be the one I went to for a little excitement, to do the things Kate is a little too prude to do. I’ll keep an eye on Jimmy Choo and hope the line regains some of its former self, but for now, I’m going to have to cross the name out of my little black book. The red suede Clue goes for $695 at JimmyChoo.com.

Budget Saving Alternative 1

Now, this is what I’m talking about! Want a little excitement? A little flash? A little shoe you may not want to bring home to your mother, but only because you’re afraid she’ll want to borrow it? Then check out this BCBGeneration Lisa sandal. The upper, including the front T-strap and ankle strap, toe bed, and top of the 3.75-inch heel, are all beautiful red suede. The lining is synthetic, and the footbed is a little padded, which is good since it doesn’t have a platform. I have to admit, I’m not crazy about the metallic heel. I think the shoe would be much prettier, and classier, if the entire heel were covered in that red suede. With so much embellishment on the vamp, the metallic heel is just over the top. Which brings me to my favorite part—the vamp! How fitting. It’s adorned with multicolored jewel accents in deep red, yellow, violet, and teal. They look like the shoes of a Persian princess. They’re also available in black with clear jewels and a silver metallic heel, and an animal print with black jewels, which I think is just hideous. No, I’ll stick with the hot red, thanks. The Lisa is just $117.95 at Zappos.com.

Budget Saving Alternative 2

What was I just saying about red high heels being sexy? The Charles by Charles David Marvel Platform Slingback Sandal just oozes sex appeal, from its .75-inch platform, to its 4.5-inch heel, to its strappy upper that comes with as many curves as it does cutouts. While the straps are shiny, satiny fabric, the platform, heel, and footbed edging are covered in fabric made to look like snakeskin. The slingback is a dainty strap that buckles for an adjustable, custom fit. And I love how the peep toe is a little more open, so you won’t have toe squish, and can show off a little more of that great pedi. Just make sure your polish is a complementary color. Blue or yellow polish would clash and take the shoe from celebrity sexy to trailer park chic. And just because it has the word “chic” in it does not make that a good thing. The best thing? The Marvel is on sale! It’s usually $124.95, but you can get it right now for only $109.90 at Endless.com.