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When did it become such a chore?
I love shoes. My closet can attest to that. And I’m not alone: ShopSmart magazine conducted a poll of 1,009 women in the U.S. age 18 and older and found that they own an average of 17 pairs of shoes. As reported by PR Newswire:
Over half of women (51%) own more than 10 pairs and 13 percent have over 30 pairs (not including athletic shoes). “Shoes never make your butt look big, you don’t have to worry about squeezing into them if you’ve put on a couple of pounds, and they can instantly make you feel sexier. Maybe that’s why, despite the economy, we’re still buying shoes,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart.
But lately, as I get older and super-cranky if my feet hurt, shoe shopping has lost its thrill. What once titillated now depresses and even frightens me. The shoe no longer fits: It’s too tight, too high, too pointy, too uncomfortable. I hate to admit it, but here goes: Shoe Shopping is the New Bathing Suit Shopping. It’s fraught with anxiety, dread…and eventual disappointment.
In my quest for a pair of decent looking dress shoes to wear to a slew of upcoming weddings – suddenly all my friend’s children have decided to tie the knot – I recently visited a Manhattan department store that boasts a shoe department so large that it HAS ITS OWN ZIP CODE. Oh, and its own dedicated elevator, too, to quickly whisk you up so you don’t waste time stopping on all the other floors, lest you spend your money on something else.
Shoe shopping is one serious business.
The displays were overwhelming; a sea of merchandise taking up every available inch. I started to perspire ever-so-slightly; hyperventilating was not far behind. I decided I’d go about the job strategically, borrowing what I’ve learned about shopping in a supermarket. Walk the perimeter first.
In no time, I was circling the floor madly, attempting to find something – anything – to try on. I finally grabbed a stiletto, turning it over and over, admiring its sexy lines, supple leather and its breathtaking beauty. And then just as quickly, I set it back down. Stilettos? Me? I’m terrified I’ll lose my balance and fall.
How about the pointy-toed, sleek pump…maybe that would be better? Nah, I should know better; years of squeezing my feet into shoes like those gave me the chronic neuroma I’m plagued with today; the one that makes every step feel like I’m walking on rocks (unless I’m wearing sneakers, of course). On and on I ventured, becoming more pessimistic and less enamored with every passing minute.
When I glanced at my watch, a full hour had passed. I had not tried on one blasted pair. My stomach was growling and my spirits were just as wanting. The only thing I could use on that floor…was the restroom.
I’m still searching for that perfect pair of shoes. You know the ones I mean; they’re the perfect blend of beautiful, sexy and comfy. But I’m tired of tolerating pain for the sake of fashion, although I can’t say I’m quite ready to tolerate frumpiness for comfort.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention this: That same poll that found the average woman owns 17 pairs of shoes? It also found that this woman only typically wears three of those on a regular basis.
Could it be that the other 14 pairs are just too damned UNCOMFORTABLE?
My shoes are comfy and generally tend to the outdoorsy look. Frumpy? Some, no doubt, but I don’t have to curtain my activities due to a lousy shoe!
Frumpy=Comfort. And that’s all you need sometimes to make you happy. When our feet ain’t happy…nobody’s happy.
I can so identify with this post!! I used to live in Paris, where glamorous shoe shops could be found on every corner. I brought my favorite pairs back to the USA when I moved. Most have heels. I no longer wear heels. My legs are so much happier since we started in with flats. I even have my favorite brand now and shop for shoes/boots online. You’re right. When you find a really comfortable pair, you forget all the others.
I’m beginning to be a big fan of flats, too. Good thing I’m tall and don’t really *need the heels. But I do find if a heel has a platform that lifts the ball of my foot off the floor a bit, it can work.
I *wish I could walk into a store and buy shoes, but I wear a wide and very few stores carry them. Shoe shopping for me means ordering 10 pairs from Zappos and hoping one fits then returning the rest.
Oh, yes, Zappos. One of my favorite cures for not wanting to go shoe shopping. Let the shoe come to you – I love them!
I so share your misery. I have so many shoes because half of mine aren’t co mfortable!
Irene
Irene,
Maybe we all need to have a shoe party with all the shoes we don’t wear – what’s one person’s discard might be another’s treasure!
My shoe collection has expanded lately–my teen wears the same size shoe and I do so we share whatever shoes we/she has. I must say, tho, I always tend to get the same kind of shoes. And I’m a sucker for red shoes.
lucky that you can share with your daughter. And it must be easy to shop for shoes, since it’s easy to spot the red ones!
I definitely own more than 17. Most of the are pretty comfy. I don’t wear heels. But not all of those shoes go with everyday clothes and I don’t dress up that often.
I have very narrow feet, which makes shopping for shoes a nightmare. It’s hard to find them in the stores without paying big bucks and, even then, there aren’t many narrow sizes to choose from. I’m so tired of buying inserts and heel lifts to sort of make them fit. No wonder I go barefoot at home.
Ugh. I used to love shopping for shoes, but I have Plantar Faciitis now and have to be very careful what I buy.
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If I see a sexy, dangerous pair of shoes, I immediately spring forward and imagine myself plummeting face-first in them and knocking out my front teeth. How sexy would that be?
Too funny. Now I want to go count my shoes.
Okay, Anne…I’m waiting. How many are you up to? C’mon, spill.
I used to wear high heels 24/7 and now suffer from more foot issues than I care to list here but Plantar Fasciltis is at the top of the list. Our son is getting married in Aug. and trying to find heels I can wear was a necessity; came across the Ziera brand (from New Zealand but can also be found in some US stores. They have removable foot beds for orthotics but the arch support in their insole is very good. I purchased a pair of nude patent platform heels I can actually wear (at least down the aisle, for the mother/son dance, etc)
http://fancynancysfashionsafari.blogspot.com
I am SO with you. It is almost impossible to find comfy shoes that are still stylish. Shoe shopping used to be fun, but no more.
Perhaps some designers out there will get the message? Please? I know there are some pretty comfy shoes that look fashionable, but they usually come with very high price tags 🙁
I own more than 17 pairs because I have such intolerance with pain. Being stylish is crucial, but I won’t sacrifice comfort. Consequently, when I find both in a pair of shoes, I take care of them and hold on to them. Plus they also usually cost me an arm and a leg so I buy classics.
You sound like a very savvy shoe shopper, Jennifer. The older I get, the more I’m convinced that classics are the way to go…they never go out of style.