Tie on Mohop Shoes for a change

Tired of spending a fortune on shoes for every occasion? Check out Mohop shoes, handmade by Annie Mohaupt from Chicago. She came up with an ingenious design that can turn one pair of shoes into dozens of styles. One shoe base is available in low, mid, and high heels (from one to 3-inches). Switch out the colored and patterned ribbons (five are provided with your purchase), change the tie style (the shoes come with a booklet with 12 ways to tie the ribbons), and voila! You've got a pair of shoes to match every outfit.

The rubber soling - made from recycled tires - and contoured footbed provides comfort. The Finnish birch plywood and veneer footbeds are screen printed for that extra funkiness factor. Mohaupt has devised elastic loops that create a custom fit so the ribbon upper of the shoe moves with your foot. I have very tender tootsies and tromped around the store in them for several minutes. They are surprisingly comfy. At $150 they're worth the extra tying effort-especially if you become a pro at it. Available at Bouncing Wall.

Tip: For luxe and unusual ribbons, go next door to Nancy's Sewing Basket and visit the incomparable "Ribbon Room." Browse through hundreds of gorgeous ribbons to create the ultimate strappy sandals.

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