Charlotte Olympia: Birthday Shoes

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I started a birthday custom a few years back of buying myself a pair of designer shoes. A bit indulgent, gifting yourself something, but I suppose that was the point.  I guess because I buy Irregular Choice all year round, it didn't feel out of the ordinary to do that, but this felt a little special. Last year, I bought Vivienne Westwood boots. Well actually, I bought myself 2 pairs of shoes, but sadly these Moschino Couture heels were too big, so I'm selling those. I'd lusted after something in that traffic cone and floral print for so long, so it was really disappointing, though the boots softened the blow.

I narrowly missed out on the VW boots years ago, so I wasn't hanging about when I saw them again. They are grey suede, knee high, actually super knee-high (they sit just in my knee crease) and mega skinny. Like if I put on weight I might struggle to zip them up kinda skinny! The heel and bow across the front are grey animal print in a patent finish, but otherwise they are pretty tame, especially for Vivienne Westwood. I know I can manage this chunkier heel as I have a pair of shoes in the same shape, but the thinner version, no way! I bought nude courts years ago and could barely stand up in them, they were crippling and you know how well I can usually handle a heel. Anyway this year, I bought a pair of Charlotte Olympia shoes for my birthday, which were love at first sight.
They are from the Autumn/Winter 2018 collection which was circus themed. I have this thing about the circus, I just love that aesthetic on clothing and accessories, but I don't know why as I've never been and my Mum hates clowns and circus themed things. I don't think I necessarily want to go to the circus, I just like that vibe when it comes to fashion.  You might recall me posting the 12 1/2" platforms from this range on my Facebook last year, well these are the more wearable alternative!  I'll add I also have a bit of a weakness for t-bars, probably from my favourite childhood school shoes! I really didn't expect to find these or anything from that collection discounted, but I got lucky.  
They are my first pair of single soles from CO, she is very much known for that floating platform, so they are a lot different to my other pairs.  There's a little cut-out section across the toes, so if you aren't keen on toe-cleavage that might put you off, though I have to say the design of the shoe distracts very well, for me anyway! They fit like a dream and I'm totally in love with them. I'm envisaging these with fishnets, I think they're going to look awesome together or plain coloured tights actually.  I can't wait to wear them, though they also look super cool on my shoe shelves in the meantime (they keep catching my eye as I walk past)!  I've been trying to think what I bought the year before last, but it's not coming to me at all.  It may have been Miu Miu's, but I'm not sure.  Is it bad I'm already excited to see what I can buy next year?  It's a big birthday too, so I suppose it would need to be extra special?!  We'll see.  Do you have any weird or not weird birthday traditions within your family or that you've made up for yourself?