A Black Shoe Redo

Every good fashionista knows that a basic black shoe is a wardrobe must-have for male and females, but for those of you who just can’t bear to do anything basic, have I got a shoe for you. Or rather, Prada has a shoe for you.

If you’re looking for a basic black shoe that’s not so basic, check out Prada’s line of rubber-tipped oxfords and Mary Janes. Prada has several very cool shoes this season, but this one especially caught my eye, first because it’s obviously unusual-looking, and also because one style comes in versions for both men and women.

I haven’t found an official name for this shoe, but the women’s Mary Janes and oxfords for both sexes feature brushed calfskin leather uppers with a rubber midsole and sole in colors like red, purple, and white. For those of you slightly less outgoing trendsetters, the rubber also comes in black and brown.

What’s interesting is the label chose two of the more classic shoe styles on which to use this particular embellishment. This shoe reminds me of the old school rubbers some people still might wear when it rains. This actually makes this less than practical-looking shoe quite practical. You might not want to, but these shoes look like they could hold their own in the rain, and maybe even the snow. The brighter colors on the “tips” also remind me of Dairy Queen ice cream cones with that syrup that turns into a hard candy shell.

As much as I love Prada, I am a little on the fence with the women’s Mary Jane. it’s an unusual shape, and the heel is a little too high for my tastes. I guess it really doesn’t matter if I can’t walk in them, since this is one of my dream shoes. I probably won’t have to make a painful choice, but if anyone cares, I would be perfectly happy with a pair of the oxfords. Just to be safe, I want to publicly thank Prada now for making them in women’s sizes.

Like most of their line, these shoes may not be for everyone, but if you indulge, this shoe would be worth every penny.