Would You Wear… Rocker-Chick Footwear?

For this week’s edition of Would You Wear, let’s focus on one of the more daring, statement-making fashion trends of the moment: Rocker chick footwear. This trend has been everywhere lately – from the runways and streets of New York to the feet of celebrities like Mary-Kate Olsen, Gwyneth Paltrow and Nicole Richie. Also called “fetish footwear” by some fashion experts, it’s truly a hot trend that’s not going away anytime soon.
What do I mean by rocker chick footwear? Simple – it’s all about super high heels, leather, studs, buckles, zippers, and looking like a badass. It’s an envelope-pushing fashion statement that takes guts to pull off.
My thoughts? This is one trend that I personally love. I think it’s for lack of a better word, fierce. My favorite way to wear these is paired with an otherwise demure outfit, because it makes these badass shoes really pop. No need to go overboard – these shoes speak for themselves. Obviously it’s not a trend you’d want to wear to your 10AM math class, but it would be so much fun to rock for a night out.
So what do you think? Would you wear shoes like the ones above, or do you stick to more subdued footwear? Are you loving the rocker chick trend or is this one that you’re planning to skip? Leave a comment and debate.
Posted on on February 26, 2009 / Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: Fetish Footwear, Gladiator Heels, Rocker Chick Footwear, Shoes, Spring 2009, Would You Wear?
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La Christian
I absolutely love rocker footwear. I own a few pairs, but my favorite pair is the Givenchy Gladiator sandals with the buckle on the back. I can’t wait to purchase more! THe studded boots on the right are from Bakers…they will be my next purchase. Could you tell us where all the shoes are from???
Shining Trends
I agree with you! Studs and zippers have never been cooler. I used to think that chunky footwear makes you look rough and nasty :)) But I tried on some gladiator platforms and they really changed the way I looked at these shoes. They are easy to wear, they look good with neutrals and nudes.
Roxy
i also love this trend!! and these shoes are soo hot!! i really want a pair!!! i love the Christian Louboutin studded heel platforms…unfortunately they’re a little out of my price range :( well i can always dream :P
Else
I love it! High heels are cute anyhow, and adding zippers or studs to them gives them an extra dimension.. Though I must say I have a hard time combining them with my daily wear. Like you say, it’s more for a night out, but does anyone have an idea for how to wear them during daytime?
Brittany
I love this look. But I am 5′6″ and if I wear heels to class I feel like I am towering over everyone else. It’s not so bad if I am going out because a lot more people wear them then, but maybe I just have short friends or does anyone else feel that way too!
Michelle
YES! I’m short and I love heels of any kind! But this is by far my favorite trend. I’m in love w/ the high heel sandals w/ studs. There’s no picture of them up there, but there all over the place. My next paycheck is going to towards a pair of them!
Caitlyn
This trend I think is a lot of fun. It’s got a lot of zest and flavor and is a fun way to punk up your wardrobe without going overboard. Although, I absolutely despise those new Yves Saint Laurent cage-looking shoes that are shown in the middle on the picture! I have seen those in so many magazines lately and just don’t find them cute, attractive, or really even punk. They’re just kind of weird and not in a good way!
La Christian
ELSE:
I feel that these rocker heels work better with casual wear! I pair my rocker heels with some skinny blue or black jeans and a cute top. I’ve worn them with some plaid shirts (from Forever 21) or black racerback sequenced top. Also, I really enjoy wearing big loose t-shits (vintage) with jeans and my rocker heels. It works perfectly. I’m in Los Angeles so the weather works pretty well with heels throughout the year!
nagham
these are amazing and i need them….i have been wanting heels like this for so long!!
Anna
I’d wear the sandals but I think the boots are a little too rocker for me!
la petite fashionista
i love the look! it’s a great way to add a little edginess to an outfit without taking things over the top. I love the heels with the zipper down the front in the corner (looks like jimmy choo!) :)
xoxo
Katrina
I absolouteyl love my favorite pair of black rocker heels. They go with EVERY outift I would usually wear out except to class or my workplace. My boots are from Marshalls. I LOVE Marshalls becuase they is a SHOE MEGA SHOE. My parents warn me about going in there with my debit card. Because I go CRAZY. Rocker boots, like the pair you have pistured, are freaking ADORABLE with darkwash skinnies, and a tee, scarf, and DUH! my huge boho bag. I remeber your article on wristlets. But my bag is my life….
Go rocker shoes!
I
m not a rocker but this trend has me doing the
l l
ll
…try it with your hand…
ilovefashion
I love these shoes!! On WhoWhatWear.com they have some more that I saw that are super cute. They also have some of these ones! Check it out!!
e
yeah i like this trend. i don’t know if i could pull it off well, but these boots are definitely a cool trend. it reminds me of what georgina from gossip girl’s season 1 would wear! you might hate her but you gotta love her style(:
douchegirl
You don’t understand how much I LOVE this trend! I think it’s my favorite shoe trend ever.
Out of all the shoes in your picture, my absolute faves are the Jimmy Choo’s and the Guess ones.
Peggy
I think we can all say that there’s a consensus on those YSL heels: wicked hot.
But I wouldn’t say they’re Rocker-Chic, necessarily. They have a different, mooe architectural feel to them, whereas rocker chic usually comes off as leather and metal (studs, zippers, chains, what name you).
I’m not so into the rocker chic style, because it doesn’t suit me, but I do appreciate a shoe that’s got edge and flavor – but it doesn’t have to come in a necessarily cliche form and label of a rocker style. I just think the stud ones come off a little too blatant.
Jenny
Hell yeah, these are the bomb.
…Although the cage-y ones are a little strange.
Chelsey
this is by far my favorite trend. i have the first pair of shoes on the left and i feel so confident when I wear those shoes. I think the wired ankle boots and the studded peep toe booties are a bit much, but I’d love to own the rest
mikee.loves
LOVE IT!!!! the more extreme, the better! :D
Leia
I guess I’m one of the only ones who is not a fan of this trend!
Sherin
I love those shoes. I think they’d look great on a night out. Whether I’d be able to walk in them is different story, but I can’t wait to get a pair and try them out.
Truffle
I would absolutely wear thoose, all of them. I love rock chich shoes.
pdM
Yes absolutely this trend is fab !!
Ana
The only ones I liked were the Black Christian Louboutin Zipper Sandals… But I don’t see myself in this trend… I’m a more romantic kinda girl. But I liked those high boots though… Knee boots are totally not-flattering to me :( …
Molly
I can’t actually wear heels because I’m over six feet tall, but I do love these on other people (except the birdcage YSL boots… not a fan lol).
Luna
Oh yes! I love these!
Helvet
I LOVE THEM!!! i just bought a pair from Aldo that have about 4.5 inch heels. i always thought i couldn’t wear them because i am 5 ft. 10 and these ones make me over 6 ft tall but who cares!!! they are absolutely awesome!
amber
i think it hurts. and comfort always comes first for me, esp in footwear, so unless there is going to be a version that looks like it doesnt cut thru my feet the whole day, otherwise you wont catch me in this
Suraiya
Absolutely love these shoes except for yes, the birdcage YSL boots. I think you can mix these rocker shoes with other styles of clothing, especially pair it with black leather tights and a over size shirts. :)
Alex
I LOVE THIS TREND! Those YSL one is just fierce!
Shelby
I <3 this trend!
I saw some more of these kick-ass boots at Steve Madden the other day… check out Nordstroms, they are carrying a bunch of them.
Miss Naomi Sarah
I love this style but I find a lot of these are rather expensive, even at places like Urban Outfitters. Where are some less expensive places to get shoes like these?
Jenn
I saw the Jimmy Choos w/ the zipper today in Saks && have to say they look even better in person! I WISH I could afford them! Would I wear them? Definitely. I also love the Guess pair.
Rohaina
i love this! i actually have some
people honestly underestimate it
but i’m not diggin the cage shoes though!
Renee
YEAH why not? they r so gorgeous !