Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Theme Thursday Shoe


The first time I remember falling in love with a truly great pair of shoes, I was working at my dad's office on Hollywood & Vine.

Across the street was a Broadway department store and they had a shoe window. This was the late Sixties, the shoes were a medium mustardy brown pump with a stacked heel and a dark brown thin leather trim around the toe that did a curlicue. They were to die for. But they were also $25 and I couldn't afford them. I thought about and looked at those shoes for days, maybe weeks. I wanted them but I didn't buy them. And I've never forgotten them. Perhaps that unrequited love was the start of my romance with shoes.

If there is one aspect to accessorizing I love, it is shoes. I don't love them the way the ladies in "Sex and the City" love them but I can truthfully say I have bought a lot of shoes in my life. The biggest difference between my thirties and fifties is, I had more money then, was younger, in better shape and four inch heels didn't bother me. I reveled in them. In those days, I bought shoes for every outfit. I bought purses to go with the shoes. I remember one favorite pair, snakeskin, several different tones of cream and beige. They were pumps, probably 3 inch, with pointed toes. There was a matching purse and it was adorable, sleek and elegant. I kept those shoes til they were no longer wearable.

Then there was the Joan and David outlet store I discovered. Once a year, they had a sale, $25 per pair. I went every year and one time picked up five pairs. Now mind you, that is nothing by today's standards but, for me, not a shopaholic, it was extravagant. Those shoes were divine. I had one pair re-soled twice. I hated throwing any of them away. Another pair I wore maybe twice but kept telling myself I'd find something to go with them. They were black & white patent leather in a tiny tweed pattern with black patent leather heels. I never did find the proper outfit for some reason. But I kept them for years.

These days, I wear low heels or flats. My feet don't mind the heels but I need a knee replacement and that sucker cannot tolerate high heels. Oh no. But, I still have to have cool shoes. They aren't the gladiator sandal heels that are so popular. I'm more into wedges and ballerina slippers and I do have this one pair, black leather lace ups that look like granny shoes but the stacked heel makes them sexy. Love those.



Oh yeah, I could go on and on about shoes.

22 comments:

The Silver Fox said...

Damn! You really embrace the "women love shoes" concept, don't you?!? ;-)

will said...

I have three pairs of shoes and two pairs of boots - one for hiking and the other for yard work. All are over one or two years old. That's it.

DawnTreader said...

Woman though I am, I have never been able to understand high heels...

Mike said...

I noticed quite a few women complain about their ankles hurting, now I know why!

Kate Hanley said...

The shoes on the post are to die for! I for one, love shoes but never get a chance to wear heels (although I have quite a few). My job (as a stage manager) sort of prevents that. But a nice looking shoe - it can make an outfit.

Susan said...

My first priority in buying a pair of shoes is comfort; no. 2 is comfort; no. 3 looks. So I've never really gotten bit by the shoe bug. But I know lots of women who have and I totally understand. Sometimes I wish I cared, but somehow those cute little pumps in a size 6 or 7 don't look so cute in size 10 or 11. :(

Alan Burnett said...

An enjoyable read. I marvel at the engineering behind some of those shoes.

Brian Miller said...

4 pair..me

my wife...(where is that infinity sign on the computer?)

lol.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Oh...I love to look at fancy, beautiful, frivolous shoes...but when it comes to buying...I am pretty practical!
GIVE ME A pair of FLIP FLOPS any day!

Harnett-Hargrove said...

This reads somewhat like a confession! -Jayne

Tess Kincaid said...

I have a thing for shoes. There are probably over 50 pair in my closet. Yikes.

Betsy Brock said...

I have a weakness for peep toe pumps...can never have too many pairs! :)

Debo Hobo said...

I really love the Alexander McQueen sling back...gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Bare feet. What ever happened to going barefoot to church?

Pick a Peck of Pixels

Kayren said...

I stopped by from Betsy's blog and just wanted to say 'hi' so you knew I was here. I love all the shoes in your post, but I must say at the point I am in my life at home with all my kiddos, Clark's are my favorites. Of course, I don't wear my shoes in the house, only out, and I'm usually in jeans, and now that I live in Michigan I have to wear boots half the year. And they need to be without heels so I don't fall in the ice and snow, so basically, I don't have really cute shoes like these anymore.

Anonymous said...

Let's see...one pair of each, I have...boots, flip-flops( a.k.a.-JK's ), work shoes, moccasins...nope. That's it!

And accessorising for me would be t-shirt and sweats or jeans. I know nothing of this concept-LOL!

Marguerite said...

I am such a shoe freak! I own a closet full, but only wear most of them if I'm not going to be dancing. For dancing, I prefer ballet flats or my trusty cowgirl boots, if I'm going to be dancing on rough terrain. Also, I love flip flops in the summer. Loved your description of all of your faves. Great post!

Mrsupole said...

Comfort, comfort, comfort, and my heels can only be two inches. I was a clutz and I guess will always be a clutz when I wear my shoes. And since the majority of them are low heeled or no heeled sandals I have too many pairs to count. I need to clean out my closet and give some away.

I loved your story about shoes, yes it does explain a lot about why we love shoes. Thanks for sharing it with us.

God bless.

Baino said...

Oh I love to look at them and only if I could get away with a pair of Jimmy Choo's but . .nah I'm a very sensible shoe wearer. The boots I'm wearing as part of my 'corporate' getup are killing me . .I want sunshine and Thongs (not flip flops). Sigh . ..haha your capture is dessoc . .de-sock . .get it. OK it's Friday night . .tired possum I am.

ratatouille's archives said...

Hi! C.G.
What a very nice post!...about shoes and the pictures of the shoes, do compliment each story that you, tell about each shoe very well...Personally, I have only 4 pair of shoes...L.L. Beans Wellies, Black Ballerina Flats, Jogging shoes and low Winter boots...each to wear during the changing of the season.

Thanks, for sharing!
DeeDee ;-D

lettuce said...

i too am a sensible shoe wearer
favourites - Doc Martens and flip flops.

but i DO see the attraction...

Nancy said...

This, we definitely have in common.