Have you ever wondered how she can walk in those shoes? You don’t have to. She can’t.
My friend D is a fashion model, slim, tall and always well dressed. Part of the problem when going out with her is dressing suitably. Especially the ‘slim’ and ‘tall’ parts.
Not wanting to look like her frumpy nanny, I make it a point to wear heels and my tightest pair of jeans when lunching with her. Tottering at scary heights, imagine my angst when she shows up sashaying in petit ballerinas and matches me shoulder to shoulder.
Innocently adding salt to the wounds, she smiles and coos “Awww, you dressed up to lunch with me! In those really uncomfortable heels!”
Ten minutes and two quick margheritas later I threw off the heels and with barely suppressed aggression demanded that D tell me how the hell she managed walking around smilingly in heels. Her reply was simple. “I don’t. Its pain you have to bear, like in any other job!” Adding in that sweetly, annoying way, “That’s why I don’t wear heels when I’m not working, like today.”
And that’s when it hit me.
That’s why so many women are obsessed with shoes. It’s a quest, almost a holy grail to find that perfect pair that makes you look tall and slim and stylish and in spite of these necessary features, is comfortable.
As the mission continues from stilettos to wedges and pumps to sneakers, the one pair that fits the bill becomes a prized possession.
Like my black, open toes from Dune. I shamelessly wear them everywhere and with everything. I try on all the other blackies, the closed ones, the kitten heels, the boots, but the Dune ones win every time. The suede may start wearing and toe impressions may start forming on their beautiful, black insoles, but those are the ones that get to go out the most. D and I both agree, those are the ones that I should buy three pairs of, while I continue trying and testing the rest.
So the next time you see a woman in heels, look closely. Paradoxically, unless they are worn out, you can be sure she’ll be buying new shoes again very soon!
