The weirdly long-toed shoes put me in mind of my old biochemistry and genetics days -- in some species the male will express non-adaptive (read useless) features to attract the female. In some cases this leads to a bizarre evolutionary cascade resulting in ridiculous displays of these traits at all odds with the normal functioning of the males (think of the peacock's otherwise useless display).
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:MJOzVlnBR88J:faculty.washington.edu/beecher/new%2520sexual%2520selection.ppt+genetics+driving+non-adaptive+male+display+characteristics&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&source=www.google.ca
^ Can I match my pocket square to my ugly puke shoes? Yes I can!
My socks were covered by my trousers. Oh, and they're FUCKING GUNBOATS.
I mean, you can put lipstick on a pig and all…
Ronald McArthur:
http://www.styleforum.net/t/168002/shoe-damage-report-shoe-porn-central-part-ii/7365#post_4905844
That combined with the size of the welt just makes it look like someone glued a double monk onto a combat boot sole. I know it's supposed to be a sharp contrast, but ugh.
So who are the braniacs who put trial shoes for custom footwear in that thread, lol?