Saturday, June 7, 2008

I love these shoes

Shoes and I have a love/hate relationship--I love shoes that make my feet feel good and make it easy for me to do all of the activites that I enjoy--but I almost always hate the way my feet look in them. That said, however, I can never bring myself to trade comfort for fashion.

I always look with envy at women in dainty high heels. But, how do they actually walk in them?

When I was a little girl, I sometimes played with Barbies. Barbie was a fascinating creature--that platinum blonde perfect hair, those gravity-defying breasts and those tiny little feet! Each Barbie outfit would come with at least one pair of teeny weeny little plastic shoes--I found the shoes the most intriguing part of the whole Barbie phenomenon. Clearly, I'm not the only female whose self image was tainted by Barbie's perfection but I have spent too much of my life feeling that if I only had enough patience, the right attitude and plastic surgery on my feet--maybe I could wear Barbie shoes.

But, alas, I am one of the girls in sensible shoes--walking across the room is more important to me than how I look getting there and so, I have never tested physics by teetering on high heels.

This is the third summer in my nifty Keen sandals and this summer I am noticing other people in them--even other women--even some women that might be considered fashionable. Oh yes, life is good.

AND a few nights ago at the school district budget meeting when I was sitting in the back with Rach and Weather Boy, I noticed that Weather Boy definitely had on a pair--so, clearly, these shoes have crossed gender lines and have hit the Dixfield fashion scene big time.

15 comments:

Pappy said...

I had to enlarge the photo to be sure of exactly what to get. I don't want to be left out of the latest in the Dixfield fashion scene. I was wearing my Crocs earlier, but I am guessing they are passe by now in Dixfield. First the Master Bait Shop and now this - WOW.

Beth said...

oh yes, we are cutting edge here--I'm sure Vanity Fair editors check in to see what we are up to--of course this is summer fashion--Bean boots are the hands down choice October to May.

Jayne said...

I feel the same way about my Dansko clogs and sandals. Can't even contemplate wearing anything else now that my soles are adjusted to the heavenly feel. In my book, Manolo Blahniks are for looking only. No one really walks in them do they?

Oh, and $50 to the girl who can honestly say how they kept those damned white plastic slides on Barbie's feet!

Unknown said...

My first Keens were a pair of oxfords I bought about two years ago. I still love them and wear them. Last June it became apparent that, though I love my Crocs, they weren't really filling the bill for more active wear. Onlineshoes.com hooked me up with my red Venice H2Os, which I love so much that I bought a blue pair this spring when I found them for about half price. I meant to compliment you on the cool lavender hue of yours! Everyone owes themselves a pair of these sandals.

The Buck Shoots Here said...

I'm glad they make you all so happy. Since I absolutely despise anything tightly attached to my foot. I look at these suction-cupped to all y'all, and I just don't see it happening. Crocks and Birks for me... and this one pair of cute low, flippy slip ons that I just adore, and don't make me hurt too badly...

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

This is great.
"I can never bring myself to trade comfort for fashion." Neither can I, nor any sane person.
I always want to be able to catch a bus in the shoes I'm wearing. That's all I ask :)
I'm sure that you've spared your feet some trouble by not squeezing them into the other sort. My mother's feet are in bad shape today because she had to wear the ones that didn't fit her but which looked good at the time. Of course she's sorry now but it's too late.
I'd rather be comfortable.
I once had a pair of - walmart- sandals that lasted four years. I loved them until they fell apart. That's the kind of footwear I love- dependable, and that I can wear anywhere.
Why oh why do I get the impression that "the Dixfield fashion scene" is a tongue in cheek comment ;)

"walking across the room is more important to me than how I look getting there" this is one of the most sensible and intelligent comments I've ever heard. Where's common sense? I love this post.

Beth said...

Jayne--I used to use a little bit of chewing gum to keep my barbie's shoes on--probably that was a hint that I wasn't cut out for the fashionable life.

Weatherboy--good find on the 1/2 price--call me on the cell if you find any again. They are so multifunctional--I hike in them, mow the lawn in them, walk through water in them, wear them to social functions--what's not to love?

Rach--crocs and birks are good too! Congrats on finishing up the track season.

The Elementary--thanks for finding all my favorite lines as always. I'm glad you are a sensible shoe kind of gal--I suspected it from your wonderful writing.

Anonymous said...

You think living up to Barbie's standards was hard. Try living up to G.I. Joe's with his plastic six pack ab's and biceps that proved he was on steroids!

beckie said...

Finally, a woman who admits heels are impossible to walk in! When I have to wear dress shoes they are penny loafer style(remember those?) And for everyday tennies year round or sandals in the summer. Fashionable-NOT!

Crayons said...

Hi Beth
I enjoyed reading and viewing this post. I've worn heels for the last decade or so. I somehow thought is was more elegant or feminine. But now I'm going for comfort, and I can very much relate to your quest. I like those sandal shoes a lot.

Beth said...

Louis, I had never thought about that--did boys really try to look like GI Joe? Ugh--that explains ALOT!!

Beckie,I knew I liked you--why don't women like us show up in the media? if we did, there would be more healthy feet out there on girls.

Crayons, Welcome to the light! I hope you did no lasting damage during your decade of high heels--judging from your self portraits in your wonderful posts, you are feminine and elegant enough with or without the heels.

Ruth said...

Thanks for the tip on Keens. I have found some stores in our city that sell them. It is comfort and good arch supports for me! I have seen too many knees (yes, knees) wrecked by bad footwear.

Beth said...

Welcome back, Ruth, I enjoyed reading about your trip. I first bought the Keens when I was suffering from plantar fasciitis and they gave me the support that I needed and I've kept wearing them and my feet are happier for it!

Anonymous said...

Nice collection!! Those shoes looks much comfy and flexible. I think those are made from alternative leather.

Anonymous said...

I have 3 pairs of Keens and one similar pair by Primo. I love them. I'm all for shoes that are shaped like our feet, and by the way, I hear Barbie has had to have several bunion surgeries;)