There comes a time in every Goth Loli's life when the aesthetic benefits of wearing rocking horse shoes are obscured by the pain of multiple blisters. I listened to my feet and picked up a cheap pair of Bravo Browns sandals for everyday wear. They're black platforms with silver stud accents, but otherwise not very interesting. Most disconcertingly, they barely qualify as Gothic.
All it took to recify this problem were a few cell phone charms from Daiso, the Japanese 100-yen discount retailer (and another of my favorite places for DIY fashion inspiration). I sewed a silver crucifix and a fleur-de-lis to the side of one shoe. Safety pins and two crucifix dogtags mark the other. The HEAVEN marking on the tags might fool a casual observer into thinking these were customized by h.NAOTO!
Demonia, a UK line of alternative footwear, sells platform flip flops that are all Goth-ed up and ready to wear. Demonia's latest sandal offerings are marked with skulls and crossbones. (Perfect for a Pirate Lolita who's forced to sweep the deck.) On the company's website, you'll find combat boots, Mary Janes, irregular straps, giant skull buckles... everything but the blister that too frequently accompanies the bound-and-laced look.
