I, on the other hand, prefer to work far, far beyond my level of competence

Oh, New York Times Style Magazine, thank you so much for this:

For those who run with the wolves, Bob Basset ... has created a dazzling prototype. In addition to their conspicuous claws, his "leather paw shoes" have foot pads on the underside ... so users can feel lycanthropic to their very soles. Basset's Web site, bobbasset.com, shows lace-up, claw-bearing mittens, too. But it's his skill ... that spirits his footwear out of fantasy and into fashion. "I like to work on the edge of competence," he says, "to realize complicated ideas."

And they're $1,000. (Really.)

Never too early to start your Christmas shopping.