In Her Shoes

"Besides, one look at the shoes, he said, told him all he needed to know about a woman." --Robert McG. Thomas, Jr.

Since I'm going to expound on shoes, I will toss out a fun read and a good movie recommendation also. "In Her Shoes" by Jennifer Weiner. "Twenty-eight-year-old Maggie Fuller relies on her looks and size zero body to flirt her way through life while working dozens of dead-end jobs and dreaming of stardom. At the other end of the spectrum is her older, larger sister, Rose, who relies on her intelligence and is an accomplished attorney at a large Philadelphia firm. The only things that these two seem to have in common is their shared history, a loathing for their "stepmonster" Sydelle, and a passion for luxurious shoes. The sisters go on with their lives and Maggie discovers that she has a brain and a will to learn, while Rose learns to loosen up a bit and finds that there is more to life than work. The two sisters also get to know their maternal grandmother, Ella Hirsch, who they haven't seen since their mother's funeral more than 20 years ago. With Ella's love and support, Maggie reaches out to Rose and the two begin to repair their relationship." (Amazon.com)
If you haven't seen the movie, then go and rent it or get it from the library. It is really well done and very sweet but although there are some fun parts, it's a serious movie.

So now I am going to go on about women and SHOES. Even though I am sure there are a few exceptions, I swear there is some kind of genetic connection between women and shoes...our desire to possess shoes. I found this great site (http://members.aol.com/nonverbal3/womens.htm) and here are some wonderful revelations...

In the Washington Post Magazine, Elizabeth Kastor poetically describes the expressive force of women's shoes: "Ahhhhh, shoes. Such potent symbols of sexuality and fertility. Think of Cinderella. Think of the old woman who lived in a shoe and her numerous children. Think of the dancer in the movie 'The Red Shoes' whose feet--and conflicted desires--danced her to death. Think of tying shoes to the back of the wedding car. Think of shoes as a narrow space in which something is inserted . . ." (Kastor). 2,600 years ago, Greek women favored white and red, snug-fitting leather shoes, and owned as many as 20 pairs at a time. The slimness of women's footwear evolved from a narrow shoe known as the poulaine (originally from Poland), popular with men in the 12th and 15th centuries. So long was the tip of its tapering toe--and so suggestive when wagged back and forth--that in 1468, the Pope condemned the poulaine as "a scoffing against God.”

In expressive style, women's shoes a. reveal, b. conceal, or c. mask the feminine foot.
Bare. Women's revealing shoes bare the toes, heel, ankle, and (or) top of the foot (i.e., the instep). Revealing shoes call attention to a woman's thinner bones, smaller joints, and delicate achilles tendons. Examples include a. 1920s low-cut pumps, with straps buttoned or buckled across the instep; b. 1930s high heels with ankle straps and peep-toes; and c. pointed, stiletto heels of the 1950s and 60s (which may reveal toe cleavage, i.e., the hollow between the big toe and 2nd digit).

Bind. Concealing shoes cover, yet do not hide, the feet. Rather, they enhance the foot's feminine silhouette, contour, and shape. A concealing shoe's laces and close, binding fit transmit a suggestive, erotic message of tight containment. Types of concealing shoes include a. ankle-high buttoned boots of the 1900s; b. 1970s mid-calf boots, cut close to the leg; and c. tight, patent-leather, ankle-high shoes worn by pop singers of the 1980s (e.g., Madonna).

Mask. Revealing and concealing shoes proclaim femininity, individuality, and sexual allure. The lady's masking shoe, in contrast, covers the foot but suggests little about sexuality, individuality, or mood. Indeed, because they are visually quiet, masking shoes downplay personality by discouraging its notice. Often worn with socks, "sensible" shoes tend to be boxy, sturdy, and squared-off (i.e., masculine).

So in the spirit of daydreaming about beautiful shoes that delicate, feminine and sexy, spend some time browsing the online shops of some fab shoe designers.

There is an amazing British designer named Georgina Goodman. Check out http://www.georginagoodman.com/flagship. Look at the High Butterfly Natural Painted Heel...plus she does amazing things with mixed fabrics.

Then visit http://stuartweitzman.com and see the sexy lace up boots and a few knockout pairs called Fever, Cachet and Converge.

Check out Jimmy Choo at www.jimmychoo.com and see the AlwaysSuede/watersnake dorsay sandal. So very pretty.

There is a yummy Manolo Blahnik Hair-Calf d'Orsay, Leopard Print at neimanmarcus.com. Also take a peek at the Lace Up Boot. It's amazing.

Finally some sweet things at www.stevemadden.com. A patent Mary Jane called Loucee, a red patent sling back called Clashh and the beautiful red patent Orsen.

And if you just want to spend some time trying, playing or even finding a shoe that you can live with, go visit a DSW shoe warehouse near you and walk around in the highest heels you can find :)