Irregular Choice: Star Wars R2D2

It's been a hectic couple of days with the launch of the Irregular Choice collection of Star Wars shoes. As always I wanted to bring you the photos as soon as possible (the shoes arrived yesterday), but I didn't want to rush the post last night and as midnight loomed, I instead opted for a good sleep (my neighbours throwing a Halloween party had other ideas)! I've been so busy with the blog and bloggy things lately, that I've been going to bed an hour later and getting up an hour earlier, so I've been feeling a bit frazzled. I spoke about the excitement and anticipation of this launch in my last post, which had been building for some time. On the day that turned to worry and stress that I perhaps wouldn't get the shoes I liked and it was also really sad for me, because I'd been invited to the VIP pre-launch, but couldn't go. Day to day I cope pretty well, but there are occasions when I'm reminded of how much being ill totally sucks and of the past 13 years this was definitely one of the hardest things to turn down! The atmosphere that day and also the opportunity to meet many of the lovely friends I've made blogging and sharing our love of shoes, is something you really need to experience in person and not through a computer screen, so I was hugely disappointed (actually gutted) that I couldn't be there and really sorry I had to miss it. That said, it's been lovely to see all the photos from the day and the bag-fulls of goodies you've bought, but hopefully one day we shall meet! Ok so onto the shoes, there was a lot of dithering, but I always knew if I could only get one style, R2D2 were probably the pair for me.  A lot of people agreed and these were one of the first styles to sell out everywhere (just a size 3 left on that link, though keep checking to see if they get returns).   

Regardless of the heel, the shoe shape, colours and materials are just beautiful. I know I'm becoming renowned for my elaborate settings for the special releases/character heels, but as you know, I'm no Star Wars buff, so was a little unsure how I was going to present them. My sister came home with this wrapping paper the other day and I immediately asked to borrow it for a backdrop (my blogging head doesn't ever switch off!) if I were to get some Star Wars. So it's more simple this time, but I actually think it's pretty perfect and hope you agree.
The uppers are a crackled looking, textured floral leather with gold threading overlay, accented with blue suedette trim. The front has two large eyelets and a big, sumptuous velvet ribbon tied in a bow. There's a small concealed platform and the toe is rounded.
The heel measures 5" and I've got comparison photos with other character heels, which I might just put up on my new Facebook page (you can follow me now). My priority was to get these photos out first. I thought pre-purchase, they looked really high, but once I saw them in real life, I changed my mind. I put them on and changed my mind once more! Maybe it's just because I haven't worn shoes regularly for a couple of years now, but your weight is really thrust forward and they do feel pretty high.  I bought both a 5/38 (my usual size) and a 6/39.  As I pulled the 5 out of the box to try on, it was like they were shrinking before my eyes and I knew they'd be too small.  I couldn't even get my foot in.  I tried the 6 and they felt better, though my heel was slipping out even when sitting.  Later, I decided to try them with tights and the 5 slipped on no problem.  Actually I can even lift my heel out of them!  I tried the 6 barefoot with the 5 in tights at the same time and they felt very similar.  Story of my life recently, I need a half size!!  However I'm keeping the 5's.  I reckon, I can stretch them a bit and certainly with wear they will stretch (and therefore the 6 would end up way too big).   
The heel, unlike many of the characters we've seen over the years, is not wedge like. More like the gnomes or Santa. The base is really wide though (as you can see above) so you don't wobble. I've taken photos from every possible angle and you'll see the mould is detailed and painted the whole way round. Unusually the soles are different on the right and left shoes, we're accustomed to seeing the same print on both. The colours perfectly compliment the uppers of the shoes (and my backdrop). I spoke about the sparkling insoles and embroidered logos in my preview, but here's a closer look.
It's Irregular Choice, so the box is totally cool too!  It's in the ICED style with the window in the lid, which lifts open rather than the traditional 'drawer' style we usually see from IC. It reminds me of old-school Sindy doll boxes or something, which makes me very nostalgic.  Even the tissue paper is specially made with Darth Vader and C3PO faces.   
I think I've covered everything! What do you think? I'm really pleased with them and how the shoot went despite the weather and lighting trying to ruin things!  Did you manage to get any on the day, did you go to the launch?  Let me know below and yes, take a look at my new Facebook page where I'll put up those comparison photos tonight.

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