sneaker-lickin' good

[cimorene]

Keen's suede "Ventura".

waxjism's family, simply because they are slobs and because it's my hobby to talk about shoes, have this annoying ide fixe that I am some kind of Imelda Marcos. Despite the fact that they have only seen me in high heels at a wedding, because I otherwise invariably wear sneakers or ballet flats, when a commercial for Paris during Eurovision last night consisted of someone filling a suitcase with about 8 pairs of fugly high heels Brother Windows thought it was quite witty to quip "It must be Cim going on a trip!" And he acted surprised when I pointed out that I don't even own more than two pairs of them (I'd certainly never take them on vacation).

When I pointed out a coupla years ago that at my age 15 pairs of shoes (of which 6 were sneakers, one were galoshes and one were snowboots!) wasn't very much, they were all "Oh, only fifteen!" Whereas 15 is totally standard for any sort of adult woman who cares about fashion, regardless of whether she is particularly into shoes.

* Indicates ones that I wear at all often, say, more than 3 times a year.

1-3. Sandals.
(no picture)
Imitation Birkenstock sandals: didn't get warm enough for these at all last summer in Finland, because I have extremely poor circulation. Sequinned flip-flops: I wouldn't count these at all, especially as they were bought for $6 USD at Target in 2002, but I'm sure Brother Windows would. Brown wool felt Birkenstock Boston clogs: rarely worn anymore as they can't get wet.
4-5. Heels.

Metallic bronze spike-heel formal sandals from H&M: worn twice, at Brother Linux's wedding and to a restaurant in Paris the night my Dad fell into a coma on vacation. Retro red leather MJs purchased for kitten_head's wedding next October; never worn.
6-10. Ballet flats.

Embroidered cotton MJs from a Chinese grocery. Black €2 slip-ons from H&M*. Red leather MJs*, gold jeweled flats*, white patent flats*, all from Indiska, each under €10.
11-14. Boots.

Ankle galoshes*. Dr Martens Vondas (my winter boots)*. Wedge-heeled black leather urban hikers by Kenneth Cole*, bought at after-Xmas clearance 8 years ago for $80 USD (I rarely wear these anymore as waxjism has claimed them for winter boots and refuses to buy a pair with actual insulation). 3"-heeled leather kneeboots, same age & price as the former: I almost never wear these because heels this high cause my insteps to cramp, but they're in decent shape and have a nice sturdy heel.
15-20. Sneakers.

Marimekko apple-print Omena*. Vans butterfly-skull print velcro Prison Issue*. Keds baby cabled slip-ons*. Keds buffalo plaid slip-ons*. Aerosoles red tweed driving mocs*. Puma Mystere Chevron*.

21. Wax's shoes which I often wear: Custom green converse with neon green animal-print tongue:

Comments

[norah]

Dude, I think I maybe have more shoes than you do. No, I'm sure I do.

Of course, I have my home/work shoe split because of the type of job I have, which wasn't a concern for you even when you were working. But Now I'm feeling all...excessive. *counts* 2 flip flops, 3 flats, 2 gender-neutral business shoes, 2 house slippers, 2 boots, 5 fancy designer heels, 1 workout shoes, 1 sneakers. 19!

And three pairs heeled sandals which I really need to get rid of, as I no longer wear heels in casual situations because it fucks up my knees, so I don't think they count.

I think that's it?

...There are at least 3 pair of the others that I rarely wear, but they are of colors or styles that I need in case there is That Outfit or That Occasion, which is another thing that boys do not understand about shoes. Also I need some really nice blue shoes, but haven't found any yet, wah.

[cimorene]

Hee. I also have 1 pair of sheepskin slippers, and there was a much-mourned pair of fur-trimmed winter boots that just died this January (the zipper broke) and two pairs I've bought but had to pass down to Wax cause they're just SLIGHTLY too small and pinch my toes. If I had a job that required business casual I'd probably have you beat, though, because I don't really have any shoes right now that could work for that. (I used to, but they pinched my toes, and the heels were too high anyway. Well, there's one of the aforementioned slightly-too-small pairs.)