Shakespeare @ 450

This April, William Shakespeare turns 450 years old.  (Or he would, I guess, if he was still alive.)  This is a big birthday for a big playwright, and the Free Library is celebrating properly with a year’s worth of events.  Movies, crafts, reading groups, Shakespearean insults, live performances… there’s so much to do!  To honor the bard, I present shoes inspired by some of his most enduring ladies.

Juliet: lovesick teen defying her family’s feud in Romeo and Juliet.

The (what else?) Juliet by Breckelles is a simple round-toe ballet flat (helpful for escaping!) covered in rhinestones (helpful for balls!).  Also available in a very sunny yellow, but only if you’re a 6 or 6.5.  Yours for $24 from Amazon.

Cleopatra: queen of Egypt, lover of Antony, and, er, snake handler in Antony and Cleopatra. 

The Fuell is a gold sandal fit for a queen, made out of faux snakeskin.  (Take that, asps!)  The snake covers the toe straps, T strap, ankle straps (two!), and 5.5-inch heel—the 1.5-inch platform is covered in a more subtle light gold snake.  Also available in all black; your choice for $110 from Steve Madden.

Viola: shipwreck survivor, page, and cross-dresser in Twelfth Night.

So they might still guess you’re a woman in these, but the Delancy by Sperry Top Sider is definitely menswear-inspired!  This classic oxford is made of tan leather with panels of gold glitter—simple and special at the same time.  Also available in solid tan, rose, or light green, or zebra!  And the zebra has touches of red, which are really cool.  Find them at 6pm for $22.  (Down from $110!  $110!  Go buy these!)

And my favorite, Lady Macbeth: schemer, sleepwalker, and wife of Macbeth.

I hate to tell you, Lady Macbeth: these spots aren’t coming out.  This round-toe pump has a four-inch heel, half-inch hidden platform, and round toe.  They would be downright adorable, if it wasn’t for the blood!  Also available as blood-on-white; find them at Costumes4Less for $37.

Whoever your favorite is, I bet they’ll make an appearance at the Free Library this year.  Happy birthday, Bill Shakespeare!