Ever since Sex and the City and a gaggle of women's magazines conditioned the names of every 'It-Bag' into our consciousness', designer handbag hire has been available, meaning just about anyone can drape a Paddington or a Motorcyle proudly over their forearm.
Hot on the heels of the bag-for-a-day trend is new website Cinderella Me, who are lending out a massive selection of designer shoes, from Choos to Louboutins, for £9.95 a month, plus the hire of the shoe, allowing the average shoe lover to wear the best in designer footwear without having to compromise on 'rent or being able to eat' as their press release boasts. Because, you know, food, home and shoes are most people's top priorities.
While it is all very well to use a handbag that has been clutched by a multitude of mits, the idea of donning a pair of shoes that others have sweated into is somewhat less appealing. Cinderella Me assure their customers that shoes go through a rigorous hygiene procedure between each hire (99.9% effective!), and I suppose it is only the same as going bowling, but then bowling alleys do always have that slight foot smell...
Of course the shoes are gorgeous, but how much do you have to want a Louboutin peep-toe to bother paying £80 on top of your membership to wear it for just a week? That's the price of a pair of Office shoes, or around a third of the cost of the Loubs themselves, which you could wear FOREVER. Is it really good to care about the name on your feet that much?
Cinderella Me eagerly proclaims that even Keira Knightley, a bonafide Hollywood film star, who we surely all long to be, hires her shoes. This is probably because she couldn't give a shit about who designed her shoes, but must play the game for events. Personally, I think we'd all be better off not giving a shit about a red sole unless we can actually afford them, and revel in the multitude of goodies the humble high-street has to offer.