Geeky Custom Shoes Are Ridiculously Underrated

I have a longstanding love affair with shoes. While women’s’ inconsistent sizing has failed me nearly all my life, I have never experienced that same pain and heartbreak with shoes, and thus, this lifelong obsession began. As a geek fashion veteran, I am aware that there are options out there for anyone who wants to add a bit of geek flair to their feet. In fact, the idea has become pretty mainstream in the past few years, with geeky collaborations from brands ranging from Vans to Rag and Bone to, yes, Christian Louboutin. But, even with those options, I still firmly believe that geeky custom shoes and their amazing artists are still the unsung heroes of nerdy fashion.

Yes: they’re going to cost a little more than, say, a pair of sneakers from ThinkGeek. Yes, you may have to give them a little extra TLC despite obsessively using weatherproof spray on them. So why in the world opt for a hand-painted piece rather than those easily mass-produced shoes?

Well, for starters, who doesn’t love owning a one-of-a-kind piece? Even if one artist paints the same design twenty times, no two will ever be exactly the same. How often can you say that for something you’re wearing?

Two, you’re almost always supporting a small business or independent artist when buying a pair of hand-painted shoes. You do something good by supporting them, they get business, and you leave with a pair of awesome shoes. Everyone wins!

If you want to finally shop for a pair of geeky custom shoes for yourself, check out some of these awesome options!

Harry Potter Painted Slip Ons, $45.00

Slip-ons are arguably the best kind of shoes to invest in if you’re going the hand-painted route, as caring for them is pretty painless and they’re so versatile. These are inspired by The One and Only Boy Who Lived and are perfect whether you’re hitting the convention center or Wizarding World theme park. You can also customize them to match your own house!