Stuart Weitzman Design Your Own Gladiator Sandal
If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect summer shoe, you know how tough it can be. High, low, heels, flats, leather or suede — the options are endless, but designers are making it easier for you get exactly what you’re looking for by providing their most popular styles as a blank canvas and letting you add custom finishes and more to craft exactly what you’re looking for. And instead of heading to a bespoke shoe brand, you can do all of this designing online. So play armchair designer with the best of Stuart Weitzman, Manolo Blahnik and more — it’s not only fun clicking and designing, you have the satisfaction of creating something that’s all yours.
Design Your Own Stuart Weitzman Wedge
Stuart Weitzman has been offering design your own services for some of his most popular styles for some time now, but usually that meant heading to a store for an event and looking through swatches and samples. And while that can be fun (and it is, we know from personal experience), sometimes you can’t make it to Nordstrom or Saks for the event. Weitzman has teamed with Neiman Marcus for a permanent, online custom shop where you can add the perfect details to some of his most popular styles.
For summer, you’ll get the chance to create your own knee-high Gladiator Sandals or lower Caesar Sandals in a multitude of different materials. While basic black seems like a safe choice, we wouldn’t overlook the statement-making (but still neutral) gold or even the eye-catching leopard options. Weitzman is also offering a duo of wedges, his popular Xray and Jean styles, where you can even customize the wedge material (cork or jute) while you decide between suddenly trendy floral or edgy snake patterns. The wedges will run you $385-395 and the gladiators start out at $385. After about 10 weeks, the custom creations will be delivered and be ready for all your summer getaways.
Design your own Manolo Blahnik BB
Manolo Blahnik Custom BB colors
But Weitzman isn’t the only label that lets you play designer. Neiman Marcus has also teamed with famed footwear designer Manolo Blahnik to let shoppers design their own versions of the now iconic BB Pump inside the virtual Made to Order Blahnik Boutique. A few clicks can get you a sensible, Michelle Obama-approved kitten heeled version of the BB and more daring designers can opt for up to a 4.5 inch heel. Named for film icon Brigitte Bardot, the BB pump is Blahnik’s wear everywhere shoe. You’ll find that they’re as ubiquitous on the red carpet as Guiliana Rancic and whether you opt for classic neutrals in leather, bright suede options or fun printed patent, each and every creation is a timeless classic (not to mention that they’re actually comfortable, which is more than you can say about some other designer pumps). Whichever details you opt for, the BB will are about $595 and arrive at your doorstep in about 8-10 weeks after you place your order with Neimans.
My Havaianas
But it’s not just designers that are letting you craft custom shoes. Havaianas hosts customization events around the country all the time, but the service is also available online, letting you choose everything from the rubber bottoms to the straps and even add extra pins onto your custom designs. And for the impatient, this might be the best option, since there’s no 10 week wait — your custom creations will ship in just a few days and be ready for poolside sunning and summertime getaways alike. Girls and guys can choose from Havaianas classic flip-flops as well as the more feminine slim strapped version. With an entire rainbow’s worth of colors and different strap options, you might not be able to stop at just one. But at just $35 a pop, you can afford to snag a few pairs without having to consign your entire winter wardrobe.
For more information and to create your own sandals, visit us.havaianas.com.
Images courtesy Havaianas and Neiman Marcus
