Where I Am — I Chose My Shoes
April 10, 2008
I choose dresses based on whether or not they accentuate my body shape. I choose classes based on timing and course content. I chose sheets based on my mood. I have even given serious thought to whether its cheaper to select chick peas or kidney beans in a “food by the pound” salad bar. While I spend time on these decisions, I have come to realize that there is an aspect of my life in which I have never made a choice, my boyfriends.
Choosing boyfriends so far has been like walking into a shoe store and taking a seat while I wait for the salesperson to bring me one pair of shoes. And no, these aren’t shoes I asked for but rather a pair of shoes is mysteriously presented to me. I quickly engage in a guesstimate process. No I haven’t tried on the shoes, but they look nice. No I don’t know what size they are but they seem like they are my size. No I am not sure how practical they are but who cares about practicality when it comes to shoes. After paying for the shoes and walking out the store suddenly I am the owner of a new not-sure-if-they-fit-and-not-sure-where-I-will-wear-them- boyfriend, I mean pair of shoes.
But that was yesterday.
Today is a new day. Like Michael said in the song “I’m starting with the (wo)man in the mirror, I’m asking (her) to change her ways.” That said, I have decided to completely revamp my shoe buying process. Gone are the days of take whatever pair the salesperson brings out to me. Going forward, I am going to press the button for the shoe department and walk out onto Saks shoe department, sit in the comfortable chair, request some Nederberg Noble Harvest 2006, and demand that all the sales people bring me many shoes to chose from. Yes, I am going to have a Julia Roberts Pretty Woman moment.
This time, I am going to try on the shoes, walk around in them a bit and decide which pair fits me best. I am looking forward to choosing my shoes!
-CHICKlet
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1.
Climb | April 25, 2008 at 11:42 pm
ah yes…the shoe analogy is f’n great. however, it seems that for a single, professional (black) gal these days the selection has in fact become sparse. i completely agree that you should be able to try on the shoes and not feel forced to buy them (and eventually wear them, ick.) but it’s like where are the shoes!?!?
in our social, professional circles it’s like half the shoes brought to you are in fact used (or in many cases still in use.) or another customer has just decided on the only cute NEW pair and u have to consult your conscience as to whether you’re willing to take those shoes. because after all, they’re cuter on you.
oh, and there’s the one style that EVERYONE has because they are hella cute. you leave the store with them to find out your girl and her girls also have them. but after awhile you all returned them to nurse the damage they’ve done to your feet. (thank gawd for group pedis!)
if i go to the store for a new pair of pumps, ideally i’d hope that there are a variety of options in my size to sift thru. but for me (and most of my friends these days) there’s simply not. being women of good conscience you really don’t want to step on another woman’s shoes. and i think that’s why so many of our sistas are like eff the pumps, i’ll take some birks or flats, maybe i want some jordans. so many more of us are exploring those options.
but at the end of the day…nothing beats the right pump. so do u sit in the store and wait (growing more frustrated because boys are not growing up fast enough, lol) do you get another type of footwear, go the vintage route, get the pair that will hurt or scope out someone else’s shoes?
…and THEN try them on?
2.
Slick | April 29, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Ok…here’s what’s wrong with the shoe analogy…women can never have enough pairs of shoes. I don’t know any woman who has only one pair of shoes. Is it even cool to have one pair of shoes? Like what shoe matches all of your outfits? And on top of that, shoes don’t last forever, it will be hard to keep them looking good if you don’t have an alternate pair. Let’s say you only have one pair of shoes, after a while the shoe is going to start looking old, heel may break off, then you have to take it to the shoemaker and see if he can fix it. I mean unless you are wearing timberlands , where your warranty guarantees you a brand new shoe if something goes wrong, you’re in a serious dilemma. Women are too complex to make these types of decisions…do pumps satisfy you, or are you looking for something light and summery like an espadrill (spell check) or a bold wedge. How can you choose?