Wednesday 22 July 2020

Irregular Choice: Paint A Friend (unicorn heels)

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dark green sequins shoe with plain unicorn heel against lancome chrysalis advert
I thought I'd write a quick post on my new shoes that arrived on Monday (you get no blogs for weeks, then loads at once)! Irregular Choice surprised us all with the latest in their "paint your own heels" collection last Tuesday. Earlier in the year I'd bought the bunny heeled Paint A Flopsy, which I know how I want to decorate, but haven't mustered up the courage to do so yet (not really sure I have decent paint to be honest). The new release is the unicorn heel called Paint A Friend (after Eternal Friend). I was having a bit of a stressy day when these were released and for once wasn't online, so I almost missed them, but thanks to Tomi, got them in time! They sold out in every size about 10 or 15 minutes after I bought mine, so I was dreading getting an 'order can't be fulfilled' email, but thankfully they are here.
green sequins unicorn shoes on Lancome Chrysalis Spring 1998 advert backgroundpaint your own unicorn heeled shoes against blue and green background of woman wearing lancome makeup
The heels have a more glazed finish than the unicorns usually do, at this point I have no idea what I want to do to them. Or any idea I've had, I'm not really sure it would translate well onto the heel. close up of paint your own unicorn shaped heel on shoe
They come with the 'iconic' floral/bee sole print and box. That sole tends to be used on already existing styles that are launched in new colourways (and placed into the Iconic line), so I was surprised when the bunnies had this sole, especially when they had a new name, but I guess because they are the same heel and/or similar style to previous bunny/unicorns that's why. We do however get a new lining. I really love it in theory, but it's going to be one of those ones that looks really ragged right from the get-go (green SS11 I'm looking at you). It's fraying before even trying them on, but I do love the cosy feel and the mermaid-ish metallic trim.  I might need to have a little snip tidy-up like I did with the ankle strap on Eros, which also frayed badly.  pink gingham lining inside shoe with metallic rainbow trim
The uppers, like the bunnies, are all sequins. This sequins is the most beautiful colour(s), mostly a rich green that turns deep blue or vivid purple in the light. The sequins flip over to reveal a matte black with a subtle bronze metallic sheen, which my camera didn't quite capture.  I definitely prefer the colourful side, whereas I loved the holographic, silver reverse on the bunny pair. close up of green sequins uppers of shoes with purple and blue flashessequins uppers of shoes close up reversed in black matte
The colours are very "dark mermaid", I just love them. You can really see the bright purple in this photo on the shoe to the left. shoe showing vivid purple sequins in light
The style of shoe is a slip on court, similar to Trixy (unicorn) or Bunnykins (bunny) with that split at the front and very rounded toe. There's a contrast spotty bow across the front which I wasn't that keen on in the stock photos, but I like a lot more in person. Size wise I ordered a 5/38 without thinking that I used to size up in characters like the bunnies or unicorn heels, but my Paint A Flopsy were a 38 and fitted fine and these do too. They do feel a little more snug I'd say, to the bunnies, though I haven't tried them on for a while so it could just be swollen summer feet! They make my feet look tiny, the toe is so short, they're really dinky. close up of purple polka dot bow on toe of shoe
I have the Who In The World Am I? Alice boots in a similar upper, so thought I'd pull them out and photograph them both together. green sequins Alice In Wonderland boots with unicorn heeled shoesgreen sequins unicorn heeled shoes and alice heeled ankle bootscomparison of sequins uppers on unicorn heeled shoes and alice bootside by side comparison of alice heeled boot and unicorn heel shoe with green sequins uppers on blue green background
The only difference I can see is that the new version doesn't seem to have the lighter gold sheen the Alice pair have, which you can see in the photo below.  Generally the unicorn pair feel darker/more vivid in colour than Alice.  The Alice pair also have the matte black/bronze reverse.    close up of gold sequins in amongst green on alice ankle boots
This style, like the bunnies was exclusive to Irregular Choice, so if you didn't manage to snag a pair last week, then I'm afraid you'll just have to use the stock notification for your size online and hope a pair get returned or they're restocked at some point.  I think because the price-point is a little lower than character heels would usually be, they are more appealing/accessible and this is why they are going so fast.  Though rightly so, because you could potentially ruin them (!) by painting your own heel, the heel isn't already shaded or coloured in any way and also the shoe style is kept quite basic, so they are able to be priced slightly cheaper than what we've seen lately.  I actually had a birthday voucher (got so many vouchers from different people, that I've been using one with each order), so that saved me a bit!  Anyway, what do you think, any bright ideas for how to decorate the heel? I want something quite dark and mystical, but I don't know if it'll look a bit flat against such a vibrant upper. 

2 comments :

  1. I have never typed so quickly before!! I am not sure I can paint mine either and I am waaayyyyyy less artistic than you are!!

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    Replies
    1. It's my aim to do it this year...I know how I want to do the bunnies, I just don't think I have suitable tools! I've been thinking about the unicorns and I might have an idea for them too.

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