You’ll know by now that I love anything transparent (exhibit a), with transparent ankle cuff pumps being up there with the best of the best for me. If you’ve been keeping an eye out you’ll also be aware that more than just an obsession for me, it appears the fashion world has followed suit this season (see here, here and just about everywhere else), doling out transparent pieces like they’re going out of style (which hopefully they won’t). I pondered on the question of transparent ankle cuffs for a while, wondering how I could add them to some pumps without making an irreversible modification. It turned out to be pretty simple using a little bit of super sticky duct tape – not what I would usually do but perfect for a quick update. For those of you who want a more permanent style, you can punch a hole in the back edge of your shoe and attach the suede part of the anklets with another stud, but my Tony Bianco pumps were way too pretty to permanently maim!
You need:
- A pair of black heels (my Tony Bianco ones are perfection)
- Scissors
- PCV sheeting cut into rectangles to go around your ankle.
- Four gold button studs
- Four gold cone studs
- Two small strips of leather or suede
- A multi hole punch tool
- Super sticky duct tape or sports tape (I had some left over from this project)
How to:
1. Place the transparent cuff around your ankle and trim to the right size, making sure to leave some overlap where it will button shut. Then punch two holes into the plastic in line with where the leather attachment piece will sit at the back of your foot.
2. Punch holes in the leather in line with those in the plastic, and then attach by screwing the studs on.
3. Put the ankle cuff around your ankle and measure where the plastic will overlap, marking with a pen. Make two holes in the other end of the plastic where you marked with a pen.
4. And then punch more holes where you have marked the overlap, adding the button studs.
5. Create the other anklet ensuring you mirror the design so they both face outwards when worn.
6. To wear, as I mentioned above you can either punch more holes and use a stud to attach the cuffs to the back of the shoe, or do what I did and add a strip of duct tape to the ends of the suede.
7. And press well onto the inside of the shoe.
And voila! You’re done. In case you’re wondering, I partied all night long in these without the anklets coming free!
Ps. Ivania made a version of the clear ankle straps a while ago that are super easy too – no longer up at her site but you can see them here!
