Shoes glorious shoes!

 

Hey, I put some new shoes on,
And suddenly everything is right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everybody’s smiling,
It’s so inviting,
Oh, short on money,
But long on time,
Slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
And I’m running late,
And I don’t need an excuse,
’cause I’m wearing my brand new shoes.

~New Shoes-Paolo Nutini~

 

Every time I hear that song I keep thinking Paolo Nutini sang it for me because I can relate to it so much. People say that “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” but I say “shoes are my best friend”. Having collected around seventy-five pairs from all corners of the world, I still think I’ve got a long way before I’m actually content with my collection. That doesn’t mean I’m materialistic, that just means that there are too many shoes that deserve to be worn. Stilettos, Ballet slippers, scandals, strap on shoes, wedge heels and more. Leaving the various styles, lets talk about the colors and the patterns! Every shoe comes with a purpose of serving us satisfaction in every occasion. Some help you to cross the street, some help u to show off at a friend’s place, some just bring the bling out of you and some just make u feel like you cant leave the red carpet.

If you’re under the illusion that it’s just us girls that are shoe crazy, think again.

Footwear is an invention of necessity to protect us from the elements beneath. Approximately a person will walk 70,000 miles in a lifetime, so it is important to purchase the correct shoes. Over the years shoes have dramatically changed due to cultures and fashions. Footwear is under the influence of fashion.

I’ve heard stories from my male friends regarding their fascination for shoes, but I never took them seriously until I went on a trip to Kolkata this August. I never got to hear the end of the typical “Sarah! Quit buying shoes! A nation could grow rich if we invested the amount of money on them instead of your shoes.” I’m used to this complaint…it comes with the territory of being shoe-obsessed.

What came as a surprise though, was when the boys started their own shopping spree. It was crazy watching my male friends on the trip walk into shoe stores there and stay for never ending hours trying out different shoes and of course buying them. By the end of the trip we had well over fifteen to sixteen pairs of shoes and around half a dozen sandals in the boys’ bags. I don’t blame them though; even I went crazy seeing the colored Converse, the range of Puma sneakers, Reebok, shoes from Diesel and Vans on sale. On a more formal rack, the stores offered matted moccasins, high polished square toes that look best when worn with a formal or a semi-formal outfit. I’ve also spotted a large collection of traditional Kolapuri scandals to be worn with Panjabi suits.

If I were to go out on a date, shoes would definitely be one of the first things that I’d notice on the boy. I like it when they are careful about wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion. Special brownie points are scored when the belts match with the footwear. 

When you purchase shoes the usual questions start emerging, what style? Size? Is it well made? These questions are important, a pair of shoes can have an overall effect on a person’s health and happiness. Not only pain and discomfort can be brought on by the wrong shoes but headaches, backaches and leg cramps.