Skimmer shoes are probably one of my favourite doesn't-serve-much-of-a-practical-purpose-but-still-looks-nice-so-what-the-hell items.
To clarify, they fall into the same kind of pool as vests, capes, fingerless gloves, detachable collars and feather hair extensions.
Oh wow:
That is impressive.
Anyway, let's face it, none of the aformentioned accessories have any real purpose besides being aesthetically pleasing.
And feather hair extensions don't even that one going for them.
It really does sadden me to admit that Skimmer Shoes are also a little impractical. Blisters often arise, they expand (a lot) and I most certainly wouldn't wear them after it's been raining as their low sides make is so you feel like you're traipsing around in mini-portable ponds. If they even exist.
BUT, I suppose I should give a little more credit to Skimmer Shoes.
After all, they are a form of footwear (which is generally accepted as a norm when going out, unless you're some kind of non-comformist and in that case I may have already offended you with the feather hair extensions comment, my apologies).
And... they are quite useful for those awkward situations where you don't know whether to wear sandals or shoes. These are nice slip on in-betweeny alternative. Oh the perils of our lives...
As Jes would know, they're also pretty great for when you get bored and you can examine your feet and then proceed to tell everyone around you (namely me) that you can see your toes through your shoes. All the time.
MOST importantly, they look nice. They come in heaps of different colours, prints and materials and you can get them flat-like, or with straps (for those of us who love to pattern our feet with funky tan lines). And they generally aren't too expensive, which is always a plus.
So Urban Outfitters have a GREAT range of Skimmer Shoes on their site at the moment.
Here are a few from Cooperative:
Those ones are a really cool cross between shoes and sandals... Shandals?? Hmmmm....
And Kimchi Blue:
(I really really love that one!)
(And that one!)
All of them really...
These ones from Kimchi Blue also caught my attention:
Not really sure when I would ever wear them but they are super duper cute!
Now this last pair that I'm going to show you could probably be defined as cute as well. Just not by me because I have a fear/hatred of all things feline-related.
Yes, that is a... cheetah? I think.
Yes, I'm pretty sure.
So the verdict in this case is that pro's outweigh the cons, and we love Skimmer Shoes. Just don't wear them for hours and hours. Or if you're going to be walking heaps. Or if it's been raining.
Or, just suck it up. :P
- Varsh