What Shoe Are You?

A wise woman once said,"You can learn everything about a woman just by looking at her shoes." I'm not sure if that was actually said, or if I just made it up, but I do believe it is one of life's truths. Like many millions of women, I am and always will be shoe obsessed. I have always believed that a kickass pair of shoes can make or break an entire outfit. Even when I was little, my mom said I always looked at people's shoes, and that's how I remembered them.

As I look back at my shoe collection, I realize you can really tell a lot about what was going on in my life by what shoes I was wearing. I don't really hold sentimental attachments to my shoes; I have no problems separating from ones that I haven't worn in a couple of years. Hell, you have to make room for the new ones somehow!

I did stash a few pairs away with the hopes that I would someday have a daughter and we could share some laughs (and perhaps, I could convince her I was indeed cool at one point in time) over them. Some I wish I had never given away... like my black strappy clear heeled numbers that cost me $19.99 but got me through tons of hot nights out at the gay bars of Philly. Or lace-up the leg platform Steve Maddens that I wore only once. Or my houndstooth chuck taylors. *sigh* Some people reminisce over songs and pictures. I go through the shoe collection kept neatly boxed and labeled in my mind.

Yes, those are jellies. They are not the exact ones I wore, IN COLLEGE, but they give off the vibe I was going for. Mine were HEELED, thank you very much, and a bit sassier, less I'm 8 years old and I like my little ponies. It was a carefree time for me. I thought I was really "different" and "cool." I paired them with this silver tank and cut off jean shorts. Ah, those were the days.

Then I went through a manly phase. I had gained some weight and I was feeling like crapy about myself. I wore men's shirts, big jeans, and these boots. Yes, it's a total tragedy, I know. BUT, I still believe I pulled it off pretty well. I will say I had no trouble giving up these bad johnnies.

Didn't we all have a pair of these? Mine were directly from a factory in England. I bought them off the assembly line for CHEAP and they were SO COOL. In fact, I still have them. I wore them on and off for years. I was coming into my own at the time - and I was going for a grunge chic kind of thing. It was also a time where I was angry and always on the offense. Hence the steel toes, I guess.

My favorite life phase - the platforms. I have always had self-worth issues, and I think being 6' 2" (I'm 5'11") made me feel literally ON TOP OF THE WORLD. I would tower over most people and I guess that made me feel more confident. Thing is with platforms - they are pretty comfy...

So, here I am now. I'm on the run chasing after my daughter and married to a short man. I'm not against the whole TC/NK now Katie Holmes deal, but the heels and heavy clunkers are hard on the bod.  I'm always a fan of a cute sneaker (I have about 4 pairs), and the handy zipper pouch holds my speed.(Just kidding there)... and well, flats can go a long way (except I still feel like they make my feet look like skis).

As I look down at my current shoe collection and the shoes that I wear most, I realize that they represent my LIFE and my attempts to adapt to my surroundings. Maybe I'm in a bit of denial to think that a pair of flats and glam sneaks is who I have become. BUT, I know deep down inside, somewhere, is the girl wearing the sexy leopard print manolos. And even if they only get to come out once a year... it's still good that I have them. I know they are there and I don't let them get dusty or forgotten. Just like me. The old me. The me I've put on hold for a little while.

So, my question for you today has to do with where you are in your life? What shoe are YOU?

Comments

[Rachel]

Where did you get your leopard converse from????

I have been looking 4 ages!!~~
Tootles...Rach

[Isabel (Izzy)]

I think if I had to identify with a pair of shoes, which I did not do in my previous post, it would have to be a pair of suede Puma Clydes. These shoes represent my youth (like 5th grade) and my older youth (like 7-8 yrs ago. It's weird to see things from when I was a kid coming back over and over. Somewhere in my closet are both a pair of black Puma Clydes and a pair of purple low-top Chucks. I only wear them to garden or do scut work. I don't like anything I can't put on while holding a baby. That would explain my love for sandals and other shoes that I can just slide on and kick off. Lazy...

[knq]

*sigh* I love chucks... I saw that on the website. I just bought a pair of white with a black and pink stripe pumas.

We have this designer discount place in town and they have great deals on "fancy" merchandise. Anyhoo, they had some chucks - but they were all hi-tops - I can only really do the low tops.

[Mama! Mama!]

I am a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars. They alone make up my shoe fetish. I own around 20 pairs. Pink and chocolate brown, faux leopard fur and black leather, flames, I am eyeing a velvet pair next. Now the converse site lets you design your own. Ack!

[Chichimama]

I used to love shoes. Still do but realized a while back that I can't wear a 2 and 1/2 inch heel anymore. I cried in the shoe store. Scouts honor.

In my mommy life I am a clog. An expensive heeled clog, but a clog. I never ever thought I would be a clog...sigh.

[Isabel (Izzy)]

I like strappy high heels. They're so pretty! But I hate wearing heels. Period. I don't care how hot I might possibly be able to look in them. They're uncomfortable. I think platforms and shoes with chunky heels were my favorite of recent trends. In college, I lived in those black Chinese slippers (without the straps) and now, I mostly wear sandals of one kind or another. I'm just really boring when it comes to shoes which is sad because I do have nice feet :-(

[roo]

Hey, I have a pair of Roos too! (Go figure!)

Mine are red, though.

I think right now I'm a pair of Dansko mary janes. I don't own them yet, but I will.

[krome.obsession]

I am the white fluffy ugg boot slippers. LOL .. excuse the horrific spelling. Yes, believe it or not I will go out wearing these. Now, granted, everyone thinks they're boots and not slippers. They're comfy and cute. If I was to compare hat to wear I am in life right now I'd say that it's me trying to be cute and trendy while I'm being practical and comfortable. I love boots, but I have larger calf mussels so womans boots don't fit me. Actually, to be honest, I'm a size 10-13 MENS shoe size, so most womans shoes don't fit me. Then there is my white sneakers. They're really plain, and they're actually guys shoes, but I love them. Again, I think it's about comfort and practicality for me. But these are old, real old. I use to wear these “back in the day” when I use to street dance with my friends (which only ended about a year ago). They're all banged up from scraping on the tarmac, but they're not falling apart or anything. Now for my SHOCKER shoes, the ones I love the most. I have a pair of eight inch black strapy platform stilettos. Men's stilettos. Yes, these are actually mens shoes. I absolutely love them. I feel so sexy and beautiful when I wear them, like some kind of sassy movie star. It's strange, I never actually thought about that till now. I do the whole, parade around in my nightgown with my sexy shoes on. Not for my partner, but because it makes me feel good. I never considered myself that into shoes, mainly because it's so hard for me to find nice ones that fit here, but I think I'm far more obsessed with them that I ever considered. Interresting.

[chase]

I would like to think I could still pull of a pair of 4" black strappy's, but it's up for debate, lol. I've really gone back to my childhood and hate wearing shoes unless necessary.