Irregular Choice: My Top 12 Of 2017

I don't think I've ever done a post like this before, but at the start of the year (these photos were taken on a very grey January), I thought it would be fun to put together my favourite Irregular Choice shoes and boots of 2017. I get asked for favourites a lot and I never really have an answer as I find it far too difficult to choose. I've tailored my collection over the years to those I really love and am lucky I can collect anything rather than having to buy specifics, like "black shoes" or "mid heels" etc.  So it's quite hard to pick one over the other, when you collect for passion rather than necessity. There are of course some you like that little bit more and that can be for a variety of reasons, not just aesthetics, but Irregular Choice make such interesting and innovative styles, that it made my job very difficult to select just 12. Actually it began as a Top 10 before I realised that was impossible. Look at it as one a month instead! I haven't included bags and accessories as I was already struggling to whittle it down, but I bought (and loved) a lot of those in 2017 too. I'm going to reveal them in a random order, because rating these 1-12 would've been excruciating for me, although I do kinda have a top 5.

September 2017 saw the release of a brand new character heel, the caged bird. The concept is insane. A feathered bird, sitting on a swing in a colourful cage with embellishments all around. You just couldn't make it up! I actually own a couple of decorative birdcages because I love their whimsical shape, so I was really intrigued by these pre-release. The shoes were all beautiful, but whenever I saw the Maya boots (fit review and full review), I was smitten. I did buy the blue Ava's Aviary too, but I always crave character boots and these are spectacular.
The floral fabric used on the uppers is far more beautiful in the flesh than I imagined and the colour(s) of glitter on the platform is stunning. The thick velvet ribbon laces, although a pain in the butt to lace (thankfully they have a zip, so you don't need to undo them every time, but to begin with you might need to adjust them), are striking and feel super luxurious. Then you have the return of the beautiful layered, embroidered flower (well, multiples) similar to the Rows Garden ankle boots and it's just heavenly. My eye is always drawn to that detail. The heel is pretty bonkers, it unfortunately squeaks like mad when you're walking, so I'm always thankful to be sitting down. The fact it's a bird that squeaks though is pretty appropriate.  These boots would've made it into my top 12, heck my top 5, even without that heel, they are just beautiful.
I can't believe Mickey & Friends was just (May) last year, it feels like a lifetime ago. From the outset I thought my favourite shoe was the Ice Cream Sherbet with Minnie Mouse heel, but when I saw more detailed photos of Oh Boy (fit review and full review), I really fell for them. They are very simple, not unlike other regular styles IC have produced and I think this is why I initially dismissed them. I thought I *might* get them, but wasn't totally sure, I'm so, so glad I did, because I love them.
You know I always champion that heel-less wedge and the red glitter unfortunately never photographs true to colour, but it's the most beautiful shade in real life. I think what I love most though is the weird toe. An applique, multi-dimensional Mickey face complete with big ears and his nose turning into a really exaggerated upturned toe. Looking from above they probably look quite reserved, but turn to the side and it's like "what is she wearing?"! They are fun and a bit silly without going too gimmicky.
2017 started with the gorgeous Ruby Envelope celebrating Chinese New Year and then the return of Rosie! You might remember the Irregular Choice and London College Of Fashion collaboration back in 2010, when So Yeon Sarah and Rosanna Gault had their designs made into a very limited collection. Rosanna's designs featured an island platform and chunky, cut-out heart heel and there was a whole new range for 2017. I really had to check and re-check that this just happened last year, because I was convinced I'd had these for much longer.  The one I've selected as my favourite is Rosie Cheeks (fit review and full review).
You knew I also got the boot, Rosie With Love, but I've since bought the black glitter heart Ring O Rosie and the monochrome, polka dot Rosie with removable cuff. The floral boots from the original collection will forever be the ones that got away, but you can't have them all! I chose the Rosie Cheeks as my favourite because I loved the pom pom. A little bit of fluff and you've got me. They have a rose gold heel and platform and a chevron sequin upper in muted colours, both of which I thought quite unusual for Irregular Choice. They feel very boudoir-esque and very feminine.
March was a very good month for new IC's. A classic character heel reinvented, a brand new character and the animal eared, fluffy heels (Cream Puff, Teddy Toes & Kitty Paws, the former two I have).  The latter trio sadly didn't make it into my top. The other two did though and the new character heel that month was a mermaid. I ask for these things in my dreams and Irregular Choice tune in and make them for me. It's a very cool and smooth process that's worked for years!
Joking aside, I picked Aquata (fit review and full review) in pale blue from the four choices on launch day. There's so, so much detail in this shoe and heel. Unusually it's a proper wedge and the design details continue down both sides and all the way around to the platform at the front. There's really not a millimetre of this shoe that doesn't have something on it. I like the net-like, woven details and the gorgeous, big embroidered corsage. It all feels very thematic and there's something intriguing but quite sad about the actual mermaid. I think it's very well done.
The original bunny heel has been revived many times since it's launch in 2013. In 2017, it took on another new form, in a jelly-effect perspex. You know I love my see-through heels, but really, Rainbunny (fit review and full review) were all about the uppers for me.
An oil-slick finished pink with embroidered flowers, applique clouds, organza bows, tiny, multi-coloured pom poms and a large glitter rainbow across the toe. They really have to be seen up-close to appreciate all that detail. I think the simplicity and colour choice for the heel perfectly complimented this design.
A real surprise choice for me and how much I fell for them, was Eros (fit review). I've said it multiple times, but white, satin shoes scream bridal and I really have no need for that in my wardrobe. Most styles had plain wings, it was only Eros and Icarus in the white colourways that came with the glitter wings and I loved the pearl details on Eros, so my choice was made for me.  
The details I adore are the feathers beneath the wings and the pearls. I'm a big pearl fan and IC went crazy for them last year. There's a large heart shape across the front made up of pearls, but the most darling thing was the introduction of the pearl bracelet. A single string of pearls, like a strap, that fastens at both sides at the back and drapes across the foot, below the ankle strap. It's completely removable if you so wish (don't do it!) and I've actually lost count of the amount of styles I've bought with this feature now. One of my absolute favourite photos of last year was when I styled these for Shoesday Tuesday with black fishnets. This is exactly how you take a formal, ethereal looking bridal shoe and give it some sass. There's something about the dumpy, dinky little shape of the court I love too. I think these would make my top 5 of the year.
I've been vocal of my love for Tiny Ted and the Pretty Poodle styles that followed (another one snatched from my dreams) and the love continued with the pretty Barnacle Betty. Betty, if you don't know is the beautifully illustrated IC mermaid, who graced soles and boxes many years ago and is also on my massive shoe storage chest. Obviously I adore her, so I snapped these up straight away (followed by the scarf and matching ring).
They come in that beautiful pearlised soft lilac, with a blue perspex heel, small pink bow at the back and pearls and flower embellishments on the front. One foot features Betty on the T-bar, the other her seahorse buddy. This style just goes with everything and the heel is so comfortable that I never tire of it.
For Christmas we were treated to another Santa character heel release. I'd already told myself I didn't need another pair, already owning 3 styles with that heel. Then I saw the preview for Mr & Mrs Clause (fit review and full review) and I was like "there's no way, I'm not getting them"! I really, really find it difficult to pick a favourite out of all my Santa heels, but of my top 12 here, I think they would make my top 5.
The applique Mr & Mrs Claus across the toes have the sweetest faces and I love all the little fur, holly and pom pom trims. The uppers are easily the most decorative of all the Christmas releases in large metallic, polka dots with green glitter scalloped trim. The finishing touch though is the super dazzling lights that flash down the outer side of the shoe when you walk. For once, they are multi-coloured rather than just white and it really is spectacular to see. It's funny, in the summer I was in Debenhams in Dundee for their summer beauty event and had three separate people come up to tell me they remembered me from the Christmas event last November because I'd been wearing these shoes.  I do remember every second person stopping to ask about them and me so desperately wanting to point out the heel and that they flashed too.  My legs were aching from flashing on demand!
In June, Irregular Choice teamed up with US stockist Ashbury Skies for an exclusive USA Road Trip collection. Although small, I thought this collection was really strong and loved all four styles. I bought New York and Miami (fit review) and it's the latter that made my top 12. I feel like these are wild and reserved at the same time. Simple t-bar sandals, unusually sleek for IC, but with so much detail and colour and bonkers bits that only IC would do. So, the T-bar is a palm tree, the beaded leaves are multi-dimensional, sticking out from the foot. The base of the tree sits in the sand with the waves across the toe. There's banana print fabric under the toes and a large pink glitter flamingo across the counter incorporating the heel, with "Miami" embroidered.
Now at this point I knew there was a similar style going to be released in the Muppets line (Original Diva) later in the year and I really swithered with whether or not they were too similar to buy both. I bought Miami anyway and when they arrived, I loved them so much, I knew I'd want OD too. These just pipped OD to make it into my top 12. Also if I had to pick my favourite soles of the season it would be the entire USA Road Trip line. They were absolutely stunning, glossy photographs representing each city, rather than the usual illustrations.
Speaking of The Muppets collection in October, wow, what a choice of styles. Out of all the Disney collaborations thus far, this was definitely my favourite. It felt old-school, crazy IC with all the feathers and fur and bright colours and animal print. All About Moi (fit review and short review) was my absolute favourite shoe and they might even be my number 1 of all the styles shown here. They encompass just about everything I could hope for in a shoe. They are so unapologetic in their girliness, sickeningly sweet actually and downright glorious. Although the pale pink satin upper blends beautifully with the rest of the shoe, I don't care for it much on it's own, but the trims and details absolutely make this shoe.
There's a fabulous heart and arrow on the toe with pearls and marabou feathers, more feathers around the embroidered slogan, ankle strap and that lovely pearl bracelet feature is back. I'm not usually a big lilac fan, but the shade of glitter on the platform and heel is just beautiful and yeah, the Miss Piggy heel is amazing. I've long wished for clothes for character heels, so I was extremely excited to finally get that (shown here with both options; the glitter tulle and pleated shimmer). I think the marabou trim is the bit that makes me most giddy.  It's so prominent when you're wearing them and has twice the impact being around the ankle strap and across the toe.  I adore them.  
Another top 3 pair, would be these Kir Royal (fit review). The cut-out heels launched in September (it was an expensive few months!) and although I also bought the Tatsu boot, this mint pair are my favourite. Mint has been my favourite colour since I was a child and this shade was spot-on, it's beautiful. The uppers are entirely furry, there's the most beautiful lace and bow detail at the back of the shoe and of course the statement heel (in mint glitter!). Add to that the pearl bracelet, double row this time and I'm in my element.
My only gripe with these is, I wished I'd tried the size down as they are a little roomy in my usual size. I loved them so much, I later bought the black, but the mint will always be my fave.
The final pair to make it into my Top 12, are Bee Delicious (fit review and full review), another new concept heel for 2017. I first spied these by accident in the background of a photo on Instagram and was desperate to see them up-close. I could just make out a furry heart, lots of glitter and some sort of interesting heel.
Again, they just had lots of elements I like. Tonnes of pearls and the stacked doughnuts, macaron and cake look delicious. This is the only style to make it into my top, with the new rubber sole. I was a bit unsure at first, but once you've worn them you see how comfortable and non-slip they are and it really appealed to me after that.

As for linings this year, we got the utterly adorable cat half insole.  I've said before, but I love this, it's so, so pretty.  The accompanying lilac heart lining was really soft and lovely too.  The cat and lamb box was absolutely adorable, as was the striped bunny box.  My sister is crazy about the bunnies, so that's her favourite ever sole/box design.  The winking cat was beautiful as a sole design and as I said the USA pairs were favourites of mine too.  The Muppets also featured the half insole concept and both Disney releases that year had lovely sole designs.  What do you think of my choices, what were your favourites from 2017?  Would you like to see more 'random' posts like this in the future?