Fur on Shoes: Fuzzy Logic

Good or bad (and sometimes downright bizarre), the fur-adorned shoe is this season’s big story. While it used to be reserved for cozy moccasins and severe-weather linings, fur is now a decorative flourish seen on every style of fall shoe. In some cases, the tuft makes sense – as a warming rabbit cuff, as exhibited on Yves Saint Laurent’s smooth and curvy platform, and a soft flourish of embellishment, a la Alexander Wang’s boudoir-meets-street shoe. But as it goes with all trends, some designers have taken the concept a bit too far.

A fur-doused sneaker is a definite no-no, especially when the juxtaposition is this intense. It looks like someone shoved a little critter into Dioniso’s distressed Converse-style shoe. Diego Dolcini’s and Gucci’s booties are even more exaggerated – when the fur, whether it’s fox or alpaca, consumes the entire shoe and sends the message that you stomped a small animal, you know something has gone astray.

I appreciate Manolo‘s attempt at making the shoe look like a fur-trimmed coat or wraparound stole, but the oddity of the snakelike shape outweighs the novelty. Misplaced embellishments, as seen on Rene Caovilla’s Swarovski-bedazzled sandal, turn fur into an arbitrary and unnecessary addition. There is enough going on without it, even for the flashiest of showgirls.

You can see which side of the fence I’m on here – I’m all for a lovely garnish of fur when the purpose and proportions are well-conceived. But this trend is so persnickety there are definitely more misses than winners.

Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Leather and Rabbit Fur Platform Ankle Boots at Saks Fifth Avenue for $1,995.

Alexander Wang Simona Fox High Heel Sandals on ShopBop for $895.

Dioniso Painted Canvas Rabbit-Fur Cuff Sneakers on Luisa Via Roma for $445.

Diego Dolcini Suede and Fox-Fur Boots on Luisa Via Roma for $1,107.

Gucci Alyona Fur-Trimmed Ankle Boots at Saks Fifth Avenue for $1,590.

Manolo Blahnik Suede and Rabbit-Fur Ankle Boots at Saks Fifth Avenue for $1,295.

Rene Caovilla Swarovski and Fox-Fur Sandals on Luisa Via Roma for $1,681.