For The Love Of Shoes!

What is it with women and shoes? I used to think my love of shoes was a result of the Italian blood coursing through my veins. (For some reason, when I was younger, I always attributed great fashion and style to the Italians. Go figure?) Now I believe it has more to do with hormones than blood-ties. Almost every woman I know is obsessed with (1) their hair (2) their weight and (3) shoes!!!

When I was still in high school (mid-70s), platforms and wedgies were all the rage. I was barely working part-time while going to school and didn’t have any money to buy my own shoes. My mother was adamant that I wasn’t getting them but I wore her down and she gave me the money for a pair of metallic blue vinyl Mary Janes with a wedgie sole. I wore those shoes until the vinyl cracked!

On my first long distance trip away from home to Florida during March Break in Grade 10 or 11, I bought a pair of platform sandals, again in blue, with a four inch woven platform and blue leather straps on the sandal. I could barely wobble around in those shoes on my (then) skinny legs but I thought I was the BOMB!

My obsession with shoes began in earnest when I started working full-time and earning a paycheque. For a while, I went through the “antique” shoe phase, especially when I found two pairs, circa 1950, in a second-hand clothing store in my home town. It was in the late 70s and the shoes were pointy-toes stilettos. I wore those shoes dancing every weekend at the disco! I wore them down to the point of no recovery and threw them out. (What was I thinking???) However, I still have the antique handbag I bought with them.

After I moved to Ottawa in the 80s, I was still very much into high heels, along with short skirts. (I had the legs and the ass to pull it off back then, since I was doing aerobics almost every day!) My favourite pair were white leather, with a four inch heel and a piece of gold-toned metal wrapped around the point of the toe. I remember taking my shoes off one night in Hull, at about 4AM and asking my dance partner for a foot massage. He recoiled in horror, accusing me of having “stinky” feet. I shoved my shoe in his face and made him take a whiff – there was no smell. I learned early on that real leather shoes do not cause foot odor! I also had a pair of black suede pumps with a gold metal spike heel. These shoes were fierce! I used to take one off and hammer it on the table or bar menacingly to scare off creepy guys. That shoe could do serious damage in the right hands!

Then the line dancing craze started and everyone had to own a pair of cowboy boots. I, of course, bought a red pair and wore them so much, they had holes in them. The thing with boots is, you can wear almost all year round except for a couple of months in the summer when it’s too hot. After I moved to Toronto and started making “serious” money, I worked for a small law firm downtown, ½ block off Yonge Street. Right around the corner were two stores with rows and rows of colourful cowboy boots. I splurged on a pair of red and black Sanchos (Made in Spain) for approximately $500. I still have those boots and only wear them on cool, dry days. They are lined in leather and fit like soft velvet gloves. I love those boots!!!

After living in Mexico for almost three years, I was so happy to come home to the four different seasons in the year. Autumn really is my favourite because I can start wearing my leather coats and boot collection (see my Favourite Things blog for pics). My latest addition is a pair of Nine West dark brown leather ankle boots, for which I paid $35US (regular $105US, no tax in PA!). Sandy, email me if you want a pic of them. LOL

Now that I've grown up (!) and my world has expanded to incorporate other styles and designers, I've discovered Christian Louboutin. This man is an artist -- so much so that his shoes are on display at The Bata Shoe Museum. Sumptuous leather, 75mm to a staggering 140 mm stiletto heels, with a red laquered sole. YUM!!! Each pair of shoes is handmade and takes four craftsmen over a week to complete. The shoes are surprisingly comfortable ... I should know! I just tried on a pair of $625 black leather pumps. I'm a size 36.5 in case anyone is feeling particularly generous. I'll be checking out the boutique when I'm Paris in October. To see what I'm talking about, go to Christian Louboutin's website here. Vive la France!!!