I've been craving some cap toe goodness ever since Marc Jacobs decided to have his models strut off the merry-go-round in super sweet/dreamy mules & pumps at the Louis Vuitton show back in October. Since I don't have a limitless AmEx card & sadly, didn't win the $640M jackpot over the weekend, I decided to dust off a pair of old black patent pumps & custom make my own cap toes. Not gonna lie, I'm obsessed with these babies. It's like a mini party on my feet!
More detailed instructions here on Chictopia's EIU.
Overview
Items needed:
- a pair of shoes (preferably ones that are inexpensive or old)
- spray paint (color of your choosing)
- painter’s tape
- nail polish, acetone or nail polish remover (to remove excess paint or fix missed areas)
- newspapers, plastic bags
- gloves, a mask (both should be available at local drugstores or hardware stores)
- lots of patience!
Note: Since I chose patent leather pumps, I used spray paint made specifically for vinyl surfaces. Different leathers need different types of spray paint. Test the spray paint in a small area (where it won’t be noticeable) to see how the paint will react to the leather surface.
How:
1. Set up spray painting area in a well-ventilated space & cover the floor with the newspapers. Wear gloves & a mask for protection.
2. Shoes should have a clean surface. Place the painter’s tape where you’d like the cap toe to end.
3. Tape the soles under the cap toe area & cover the rest of the shoe with a plastic bag (starting from the end of the cap toe).
4. Spray by using light strokes until the cap toe is completely covered. Spraying too much will cause drip marks.
5. Once dry, check to see if the coverage was enough. Spray paint again if needed.
6. For an ombre effect - do quick, very light sprays from the side (plastic bag needs to be removed for this).
7. Carefully peel off the tape when completely dry.
The result: Cap toe pumps ready to take on Spring 2012. Best of all, once I get tired of staring at my minty hued tips, I can spray paint a different color on & even create a pattern. Working on a gingham version à la Miu Miu. :)
