Shoetopia! The Quest for Mens' Shoes....

Shoe shopping for men in SL is usually a brief and limited outing. The very nature of mens shoes means that a single black style can be usually be used for multiple purposes.  For most guys this is it... the equivalent of that grotty pair of sneakers that you have to leash to the cupboard or else it will try to escape.

I can hear the groans already... I know how it is looking for stuff at crowded fairs. You walk through molassses to a new booth. Wait ages for it to rez only to find you've been standing in the middle of a store called Pink Princess Parade surrounded by frilly underpants. So you wander on nonchalantly to the next booth and repeat the process again hoping that manly man store will rez for you.

With this in mind, I went to Shoetopia (Nov 15th-30th) - so anticipated by avatars of the female persuasion there was a veritable trumpeting when it opened and a virtual stampede. When I did finally get in (3 days later) I wasn't disappointed. Not only is it for a worthy cause - Soles4Souls - but it is possibly the finest collection of shoemakers in SL to be assembled in one place.

Look out for:
- Apple Fall Chuckers
- KOSH - Collider Shoes
- Monso My Hiker Boots (with rumpled socks)
- flow. Alpargata - GACHA
- Adjunct Penny Loafers
- Valient Journey boots
- Rachel Breaker's Doopy Boots
- / XIAJ x Tyler Park /Animal Sneakers

As you can see... already a great selection of different styles from some of the best creators in SL.

[Valiant] Journey - Union Boots

Monso - My Hiker Boots - Black

If you like gacha, you will not be disappointed. There are a couple of dedicated gacha sections with unisex items and stuff for guys. Of note, flow has a casual slip on shoe gacha with a nice selection of colours called Alpargata. 7 Emporium and Consignment offer an assortment of shoe related paraphernalia to collect. 

I was pleasantly surprised to see a gacha called Tamagacha pets. This had a selection of tiny cats, nagas, bears, dragons and deranged bunnies that sit on your shoulder and periodically animate.

                       
                                                       Tamagacha Lil Tabby Kitten (RARE)

Hope you have fun perusing the shoe fair. Follow my tips and I'm sure you will find something interesting. Then finally your partner can stop nagging you about the shoes you thought were so awesome that you found in the default SL folder. Yes... you know who you are...

                             (Thanks to Morbid for setting up the scene and snapping this screenshot)

From Shoetopia:
Morbid is wearing [Gos] Bordello - Dita - Black
Lucius is wearing Apple Fall - Chuck - Timber and DCNY Kiss an Angel Tee
In the background - 11th Hour: Planter Wellies - Red from 11th Hour: Planter Wellies GACHA

From Gachatopia Space Park:
-Marmelade- TeaCups & Pots - Candle Holder Cups & Pots

From the Water Lantern Festival: (Hurry ends on the 20th of November!!)
D R O P . Kokedama - B-1
D R O P . Kokedama - C-1
D R O P . Kokedama - A-1

From Past Arcades:
(Rosa) Pwnie Holding ~silentsparrow~ RARE
Tee*fy Bunny with Sheep Hat (RARE)
*MishMish* Chipmunk - With Butterfly
Full Oh Mai Animal Spice Jar collection
+Half-Deer+ Carved Woodland Animals (Fawn Squirrel) RARE
A.D.D.Andel! Seasons Snowglobe-Rainbow Sunshine RARE
(NO) Doll Head Vase - Cherry
[ARIA] Oolong Teacup Planter  Vanda Orchid- Cyan
!O: Teacup Piglet Gatcha [Cupid]
AF Potted Plant (Exotic)
Trompe Loeil - Mason Jar with Electric Candle
{vespertine- fabric bird-sleepy owl/teal} RARE

Other Gacha:
[W] Keep Calm and Hug Werewolf  Poster