The Dorothy shoe: Glitter pumps

There is nothing, and I mean nothing, that will make you feel more feminine, magical and happier than wearing a pair of high heels covered in glitter. This holiday season, and particularly for New Year’s Eve just around the corner, keep your wedges, neon, and suede shoes in your closet. Wear the brightest, sparkliest, tallest shoes you can find! Glitter shoes fell on the fashion scene in 1939 when Dorothy, the lead character in the Wizard of Oz, tapped her glitter ruby slippers to go home to Kansas. Those shoes, which are considered the most iconic women’s fashion shoe of all time, now sit in a glass case in the Smithsonian at Washington DC, visited by millions of people each year. Now, designers of all types are reworking the shoe to make it accessible to every fashionista. Italian fashion house Gucci created a conservative version of the glitter pump, with a black crystal encrusted sling back. The cut-out on the inner arch of the foot, coupled with the almond toe, make it a staple piece that will go beyond one season. American designer Kate Spade, originally known for her beautifully crafted handbags, created a rose gold glitter pump. The pointed toe features a crème tuff of feathers, giving it the romantic allure of a bedroom slipper. French shoe God Christian Louboutin combined the adventure of Dorothy with the magic of Cinderella. His crystal glitter pump features a transparent mold around the base of the foot, appearing like Cinderella’s glass slipper. The solid silver glitter heel gives it an edge, while the fashionista must make sure she’s not out past midnight! If you are interested in a slightly more edgy look, turn to Benjamin Adams. He created a gold glitter encrusted ankle peep-toe bootie. The varying size of the crystals give the shoe an unparalleled texture and depth. This shoe is not for the faint hearted – you’ve got to pull your inner-Gaga! As you can imagine, celebrity’s finest are wearing these beautiful shoes. Jennifer Lopez wore a pair of peep toe Louboutin’s to a recent award show. She paired with a silver glitter longsleeve mini dress. She kept her hair down and a bit messy for a more romantic, edgy look. Singing starlet Taylor Swift wore Jimmy Choo crystal pumps. She paired with a soft feminine crème full skirted dress with a large sculpted bow on the front. Proving that these glitter shoes are for anytime, anywhere, Beyoncé, who dropped an unprecedented visual artistic album December 13, wore highly platformed Christian Louboutin silver glitter heels to a basketball game with her producer, rapper husband Jay Z. Beyoncé paired her ensemble with ankle skinny trousers and a caramel chiffon blouse. This trend can be worn day or night. You can take it edgy with darker make-up and accessories, or keep it feminine with bows and silks. Whatever you do, stay away from red glitter. Dorothy can pull it off – but she’s the only one. That’s the fashion scoop for this week. Got a thought? Trend? Style you hate? Send it my way. Rachel Breaux is an American living in Rwanda