Accessories gone bad: bandages and the case of the ill-fitting wedge
Accessories gone bad
4Despite being crammed onto the escalator like a rush hour sardine, I rode through the subway yesterday afternoon feeling quite content thanks to a taste of summer-like weather. After glancing down to admire my newly self-pedicured toes and to bemuse as to whether or not I deserved an ice cream to celebrate the season (I don’t, and I didn’t), I looked up, and that’s when I saw them: the heels of hell.
A well-dressed woman, likely in her mid-30s, was rocking some serious canvas wedges – and some serious strategically-placed bandages on her heels – unaware that her fellow passenger was aghast at the equivalent of bra-strap overload. There were four or five bandages on each heel – to be honest, I lost track after two – layered to cover blisters and the shame of an ill-fitting shoe.
Ladies, ladies, ladies. If you’re old enough to buy your own clothes and accessories, you’re old enough to 
buy properly fitting footwear. There’s simply no excuse for reverse muffin top (when toes are unceremoniously propelled forward over the edge of a sandal because they have no where else to go), a blister bonanza (go a size up! no one is looking at the number), or having to sulk in the corner on a Saturday night out while your girlfriends are dancing it up (because you bought cheap shoes with no flexibility in the sole and can’t stand for more than five minutes without becoming gripped in pain). Granted, blisters can happen accidentally and even with the most delicious Ferragamo flat by chance, but are mostly by-products of awkwardly placed heels, straps and seams.
Think about it. We all have different body types; likewise, we all have different shapes and sizes of feet. What will work for one narrow-footed Nancy won’t necessarily work for a wider-soled Wilhelmina – which is why there are a virtual bevy of styles to choose from at any given time. And don’t use a sale as an excuse to pick up a pair of ridiculously bad-ass heels that you can never wear because the straps don’t quite cover your ankles. Unless, of course, you like gazing wistfully at unworn shoes in your closet. And if that’s the case, then I suggest a strong drink and blasting some Ting Tings to shake off the discount blues.
So get out there, my fellow bargain connoisseurs, and shop until your coupons drop – and please, try before you buy.
-Karyn Polewaczyk
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Posted by karynpol at 06:00 AM
BARGAIN GUIDES , SHOES/ACCESSORIES , STYLE/BEAUTY |
4 Comments
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April 29, 2009 @ 9:42 am
What is it with women and the obsession to own shoes? I have never experience the spring fling syndrome, well with the exception of shoes. I’ll buy them because they are comfortable, or a bargain, or pretty. I just buy them. When we moved from the huge Staten Island house to the tiny UES apartment I had to part with over 30 pairs of shoes. Why? Why do I need to buy shoes? What is it about shoes? I think in my case deep inside makes me feel….accomplished. Don’t laugh. Only two hundred years ago shoes were a luxury that only the wealthy ones could afford. Maybe we all still carry that desire to show the world we can afford them. Or maybe they just make us feel pretty……
April 29, 2009 @ 8:19 pm
Most of my shoes are at least 3 to 5 years old thanks to upkeep by my neighborhood cobbler and investing in quality to start with. My Eastern European momma warned me against buying cheap shoes, cheap furniture and cheap men when I was a young girl, and I’ve remained true to her word since.
May 5, 2009 @ 10:25 am
well i must admit, i love shoes… the more the better…! it’s awesome to be able to accesorize your outfits with a different pair once in a while, or more often then needed BUT isn’t this exactly what makes us women ? We like pretty things, and we like looking pretty in pretty ballerinas! I must agree, buying cute / sexy, comfy and shoes which are on sale is an incredible acomplishment !
July 12, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
After the infamous incident in which a young actress fell and broke 2 front teeth from wearing 5 inch Balenciagas, you’d think designers would offer at least some other options. But season after season, shoes have become more extreme and hazardous. Flats are an option if your arches can handle it…mine can’t. And my most painful shoes are the most expensive, low heeled designer shoes which felt great in the store. I just can’t wear them more than an hour, OUCH!
Someone commented that because most high end shoe designers are men, who only wear stylish comfortable shoes, they have no idea how to design for women who work and wear shoes all day. Especially in a city like NY where we are walking a great deal. Come on shoe designers, get us some beautiful, wearable shoes!