Mexico's 'insane' pointy boot craze
A mystery man's extreme, elf-like footwear sparks a head-turning fashion trend south of the border
The video: A mysterious Mexican man — known only as "Cesar of Huizache" — has sparked a fashion craze that may fall into a beyond-Gaga realm of oddity: Sequined boots with 35-inch foam extensions that curl up at the end. (Watch a video below.) In rural northeastern Mexico, home to farmers and cattle ranchers, the mystery man, who has become something of a legend, sported "insane" pointy-toed shoes that stood out among more conservative cowboy boots. Quickly, the younger generation took note, and the style spread like wildfire. Young men and teens across the country now flaunt the "half-Aladdin, all-Vegas" boots — some fashioned out of garden hoses — at discos to attract girls. It's even won some Mexicans a measure of celebrity: All-male dance troops sporting these shoes are being hired for weddings, rodeos, and TV appearances.
The reaction: "Did we miss something, or has the North Pole up and relocated to Mexico?" asks Sophie Schillaci at Zap2It. This odd elfin footwear is certainly a surprising trend, but hey, those dance crews are undeniably "fashion forward." Oh no, says Heather Chaeit at The Stir. "The Gods of Decent Footwear must be on vacation." Sadly, it's only a matter of time before those bedazzled "elf shoes on steroids" make their way to the runway, causing Rachel Zoe to go "bananas over her pointy boots." See for yourself:
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.