| I am not a shoe nut. I don't buy new shoes as often | | | | don't remember when I got them, but do know I had |
| as I get a paycheck. My sense of comfort preempts | | | | them over 5 years ago when I wore them to a |
| fashion and heels. Second-hand shoes are ok with | | | | theatrical production of Frankenstein, celebrating my |
| me. | | | | friend's birthday. In my closet are two pairs of brown |
| | | | sandals. The first is my favorite, but, like my brown |
| But I am particular. Not because I believe the world is | | | | boots, getting worn. So last year I went to replace |
| waiting to see my shoe selection. I note all the time | | | | them with a similar pair, which was nearly impossible. |
| that many people do shoe and sock and outfit | | | | Flip-flops and Crocs are both solidly out. I want a |
| combinations that don't stand out as awkward, but that | | | | darker brown, with a back. Covering most of my |
| I would never do. If I look down at my feet and the | | | | foot, leaving slits for air. Buckles are a must. The |
| sight is distracting or out of place, I go crazy. So the | | | | sole should not be too thick, and the lining cannot be |
| socks and shoes I wear are all about me. | | | | rubber or plastic or anything sticky. I ended up buying |
| I am pretty simple in my shoe taste. Basically I need | | | | the replacement pair at a store at the mall. They're a |
| three colors of shoes: Black, White, and Brown. And | | | | size too big, but I intend to wear them in a puddle one |
| in each of these colors, I really do need all the types of | | | | day to shrink them… |
| shoes I wear. The one exception is tennis shoes. | | | | |
| So. | | | | I have a pair of white flat dress shoes and a pair of |
| We'll start with boots. It is the biggest category. I do | | | | black. These obnoxious things demand I wear hose |
| not have a pair of white boots. You have no idea | | | | with them, the most ridiculous apparel invention ever. |
| the trouble this causes. I like to wear skirts, even in | | | | They're uncomfortable, make me cold and sweaty, do |
| winter time. Boots look good enough with skirts. But | | | | almost nothing for looks, are impossible to wash, store, |
| with white skirts and other light colors, solid chocolate | | | | or maintain. I pull on hose and cause a run, discover a |
| browns and midnight blacks draw a little too much | | | | run, or breathe a sigh of relief that there is no run. |
| attention to my feet. Never mind this is how ladies in | | | | Later, once at the formal occasion demanding this |
| the west managed for centuries (watch a Jane | | | | torture in the first place, out of the blue I look down and |
| Austen costume drama, or Little House on the | | | | discover a brand new run, which there's no fixing |
| Prairie!). My eyes are peeled for a decent pair of | | | | now! Long skirts are very practical helps for such |
| white boots. Until I find them, I'm settling for freezing | | | | things, but cannot help with the shoe dilemma. |
| my feet in sandals or *cringe* wearing brown boots. | | | | So most of the time I can pull off formal either with |
| I do have a nice selection of brown boots. My | | | | boots, sandals, or ballet flats. These last are my |
| favorite pair is shorter but has more of a heel. | | | | prized footwear. I have a pair of white, black, and |
| However, I wore it 50% of the time for a couple years, | | | | brown. They're the prettiest things on my shoe |
| so there are a couple issues. First, the zipper is pulling | | | | shelf. First I picked up the white ones. I searched all |
| away from the leg. Fortunately, I can slip on the | | | | over for a season before deciding on them. By that |
| boots without unzipping. Secondly, the heels are so | | | | time I had to order them online from Kohl's. They're |
| worn that there are holes in them, admitting pebbles so | | | | lace, all white (no black soles!), canvas-lined, and stay |
| that when I walk, I sound like a rattle. They remain | | | | on my feet. Next I found a pair of brown suede flats |
| quite comfortable. Last year I picked up a | | | | at a thrift store. They have fantastic details of |
| replacement pair of brown leather boots that are taller, | | | | stitching and flower-rosettes. I wear these usually |
| with less of a heel, but work quite well. And I actually | | | | with socks and pants; the other two pairs of flats are |
| own a pair of brown sheepskin boots for when it is | | | | good with pants or skirts, and barefoot. I've had my |
| very cold outside (and when I am so layered in coats | | | | eye out for black flats for a while. But I just couldn't |
| and sweaters and scarves that the least of my vanity | | | | find any. They had to be mostly black, slip on easily, |
| worries is what my shoes look like). | | | | and have a lining that, like sandals, won't stick to the |
| Black boots are an issue for me. I have owned two | | | | bottom of my feet. Finally, just a month ago, I picked |
| pairs for some time, involuntarily. The first are nicer. | | | | some up at Target, after extensive experimentation in |
| Leather. A small heel. But inside the lining of the sole | | | | the shoe aisle. They are not perfectly comfortable |
| is coming up in a most uncomfortable way. Still, with | | | | (what shoes are the first time you wear them?), but |
| a thick pair of socks, I can get by just fine. The other | | | | are getting more bearable as I break them in. They're |
| pair of black boots is a half size too small if I wear | | | | on my feet right now. Slip-on shoes like these are |
| them with my favorite thick socks. The pair was, | | | | quite popular with me since I started frequenting |
| when I purchased them, in better condition than the | | | | homes where shoes are left at the door. Leaving is |
| others, but it scuffed quickly. Styled like a riding boot, | | | | much easier when you just step into your shoes! |
| this pair has a near-fatal flaw: the tread is the | | | | Finally, I have two pairs of tennis shoes. They're both |
| slipperiest I have ever encountered. Only slightly | | | | blue and white (think blue jeans!), both Sketcher's. I've |
| more treacherous is a pair of synthetic plush slipper | | | | had pairs of store brand tennis shoes, and the |
| socks. On tile floors, cement, pavement, sidewalks, I | | | | difference is so noticeable in comfort, that I decided to |
| have to resort to a sort of march-step to stay | | | | stick with Sketcher's. In the old days I needed a pair |
| upright. And on ice (this is Colorado I live in!), I dare not | | | | of gym shoes with good tread for Awana Games |
| wear them without an ice-pick or railing to hold onto. | | | | events. Now that I'm well past high school, I have one |
| So I recently got rid of that pair, lest an overthought | | | | pair for outside things like hiking or camping, dirty things |
| leave me with a nasty fall and broken bones. | | | | like painting and gardening. And the other is for |
| Now to sandals. Several years ago I used a Kohl's | | | | running around the city, playing in parks with my friends |
| gift card to buy a pair of simple white dress sandals. | | | | or shopping at the mall (or thrift stores). |
| The heel is probably about an inch and a half. There | | | | All told, I have 16 pairs of shoes (oh! and one pair of |
| is no back to the sandal, and the toes are open. | | | | soft gray slippers!). It isn't excessive – honest! |
| Easy to slip on, they're also easy to slip off, and offer | | | | That said, I think I could make do with a pair of tenni's, |
| no beauty to toes or heels. My black sandals are | | | | a pair of sandals, and my new brown boots. That is |
| also for special occasions: strappy, a solid heel. | | | | if I didn't have to work as a receptionist, tramp through |
| Perfect for wearing with a pair of long dress pants. I | | | | the snow, or appear at very formal occasions. |