One of the most difficult fashion items to encounter handmade is footwear. It’s not easily assembled with a sewing machine or jeweler’s tools, and ensuring a proper fit takes a level of precision well beyond the means of most small businesses. Happily, upcycling is in full swing on Etsy, where plain pumps are given new life with handpainted patterns and dollops of froof. And, of course, a few sellers are stepping out with unbridled artistic showboating.
I’m not sure if this seller’s works are intended for actual wear, but it’s amazing that you’re technically supposed to slip a foot somewhere into this. From Sole Sensations, whose utterly insane brisket flip-flop also deserves a mention.
Behold, the platform shoes of Marie Antoinette. Dig the gold beads draping over the back of the heel. And they’re 100% vegan! From Shake It Doll Shoes.
Patent wedges get an update of Wonder Woman comics on the heels. A subtle and chic form of fandom that would look fab with a cocktail dress. From Pachainka Pink.
These steampunk clock parts look almost tribal in their descent down the back of the heel. The rest of the shoe plays innocent and unadorned, saving the surprise for rear views. From Steampunk Fortune.
If you’ve ever lusted after a high heel boudoir chair but wanted something a bit more hardy than leopard plush, not only is this seat covered in bits of mirror, it’s designed to be left outdoors year-round. From Lyons Mosaics.
A Miami Beach “fine art shoe store” that gives bright pop makeovers to footwear and handbags. Ballet flats, platform mules, and ankle-strapped pumps are meticulously handpainted with 80’s-style vamps reminiscent of Patrick Nagel and Roy Lichtenstein, and if you’ve got your eye on a clutch, grab it while you can because it looks like they sell out quickly. And if you’d rather display the ladies on your walls rather than your feet, they also do digital prints.
The Bundy household’s invasion by thrash is such an encapsulating snapshot of life in 1992. Charlie Benante’s haircut foreshadowing The Great Metallica Chop that was to come in a few years, Bud’s “Grandmaster B” alter ego straight out of Yo MTV Raps, Kelly’s pop-metal mall-trash outfits. (Years ago I was browsing through a website that sold costume clothes direct from TV show wardrobes. The prestige of Christina Applegate jacked one of Contempo Casuals’ tight pink dresses up into the realm of $400.)
Unfortunately the episode in its entirety comes with commercials, a weird lack of Sinatra in the theme song, and disabled embedding. But it does have Marcy Darcy gleefully frisking a worried-looking Frankie Bello. The whole thing’s here.
A substore of Pendragon Clothing that specializes in steampunk fashion. Men’s doublets, vests, and jackets decorated with distressed straps, tooling, and zippers, outfitting highwaymen and pirates and anybody thrilled by the prospect of concho snaps. The Women’s page is a bodice-fest of earth tones and industrial clasps and includes a bustled coat that pairs well with the corsetry. Accessories look to be on the way. Thanks, Miko!
…so here’s another pic of the queen on her throne right before the move.
Speaking of The Lady Crabcake – I have a goth Barbie whose wardrobe is in the midst of a badly needed update, little black flares and platform sneakers and stuff, I just meant to get her some clothes until I ran across this ebay seller who specializes in Halloweeny doll furnishings and HAD to get her a companion – look, it’s Barbie Pollywog!
This shop promises to “uplift a woman’s spirits like jewelry does” through an exhaustive array of fancy underwear. Sheers! Crotchlesses! Microthongs! Silk! A Butterfly collection that actually riffs around quite prettily on tattoo art! There are pages of bustier tops, open-front playsuits and fluttery little nighties if you wish to build things into a full bedroom outfit, they do plus sizes, and of course a site like this wouldn’t be complete without a Panty of the Month club.
Romantic clothiers Gypsy Moon are currently stocking a very clever little accessory by Parisian designer Delphine Murat: pretty little half-socks that hide within plain, ordinary shoes to wind their ribbons ballet-style around the ankles. A great way to upgrade comfy practical flats and unadorned heels into dressier outfits (while avoiding the need to buy yet another new pair of shoes), the socks come in shiny and lacy options.
I’m not sure if this seller’s works are intended for actual wear, but it’s amazing that you’re technically supposed to slip a foot somewhere into this. From Sole Sensations, whose utterly insane brisket flip-flop also deserves a mention.
Behold, the platform shoes of Marie Antoinette. Dig the gold beads draping over the back of the heel. And they’re 100% vegan! From Shake It Doll Shoes.
Patent wedges get an update of Wonder Woman comics on the heels. A subtle and chic form of fandom that would look fab with a cocktail dress. From Pachainka Pink.
These steampunk clock parts look almost tribal in their descent down the back of the heel. The rest of the shoe plays innocent and unadorned, saving the surprise for rear views. From Steampunk Fortune.
If you’ve ever lusted after a high heel boudoir chair but wanted something a bit more hardy than leopard plush, not only is this seat covered in bits of mirror, it’s designed to be left outdoors year-round. From Lyons Mosaics.
A Miami Beach “fine art shoe store” that gives bright pop makeovers to footwear and handbags. Ballet flats, platform mules, and ankle-strapped pumps are meticulously handpainted with 80’s-style vamps reminiscent of Patrick Nagel and Roy Lichtenstein, and if you’ve got your eye on a clutch, grab it while you can because it looks like they sell out quickly. And if you’d rather display the ladies on your walls rather than your feet, they also do digital prints.
A substore of 
…so here’s another pic of the queen on her throne right before the move.
This shop promises to “uplift a woman’s spirits like jewelry does” through an exhaustive array of fancy underwear. Sheers! Crotchlesses! Microthongs! Silk! A Butterfly collection that actually riffs around quite prettily on tattoo art! There are pages of bustier tops, open-front playsuits and fluttery little nighties if you wish to build things into a full bedroom outfit, they do plus sizes, and of course a site like this wouldn’t be complete without a Panty of the Month club.
Romantic clothiers 
