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

[cimorene]

I can't agree with that. There's an infinite variety of situations in life, and every person is exposed to different sets of them, so I don't believe in any such thing as a universal wardrobe. There can't even be a universal wardrobe within, say, the continental US (which would already exclude me, so I have little interest): too much climate variation. I don't think even a majority of women have any need of high heels: there's nobody that heels are good for.

The concept of base color can be useful, though. In my house, that'd be black and red, but I think for most people just black is sufficient. Most people will not encounter any situations where they are required to dress all in brown or all in white or, say, all in pastels, which would make black shoes inappropriate.

Debating in a fun way; not meant in a argumental way

[alafaye]

*makes mental note to have a thesaurus and dictionary by her desk* Standard I mean able to use for whatever occasion should arrive. Black and white go with anything hence using them. Some clothes don't go with black shoes and vice versa, hence both.

Again heels for those comfortable with them, not that they should be for everyone.

Again...I've got to learn to look up words before tossing them out *headdesk* Standard wardrobe means clothes that can be worn for different occasions, whatever they are and whenever they are.

This is not to say that the wardrobe should be limited to these. Freedom of color, I say, and freedom of preference! But...instead of standard...maybe basic?