Official

It has officially been made clear to me that it is now fall.  I gradually noticed this change when I had sandals on the other day.  My toes were so chilled, you could serve a beverage at that temperature to guests at a party.  But I was in denial, since I did not have much of a summer.  I wanted to prolong the remaining time that was alloted for summer before fall arrived.  That gradual warning came full blast this morning when I left my court apartment to go to class.  Boy what a surprise!  The days have been rainy so boots, and full shoes were in order, but it was something about this morning that really woke me up from my mid morning daze.  Thick socks with my boots were definately in order, as was a scarf, and extra jacket to put over my sweater.  I just do not do well in the cold, especially when it comes in intervals of shock as this morning.  Winter coat soon, maybe? 

From my previous post, I thought it was very interesting to learn that heels existed for so long throughout history.  I honestly did not think that they had such a history, and just saw heels as a necessary fashion accessory.  From Egyptian butchers to Roman actors I must say the idea of heels has definately evolved from more practical uses to being an essential in coordination.  Who knew you could get a work out while looking cute?  Ladies, ever notice the amount of work, and strength it takes to walk in heels, especially when they are new and you have to break them in?  Yes definately a work out.  But the allure and the appeal outweigh the trouble.  Or maybe that's just me.

History of heels

I was a little curious/bored when I decided to Google this topic.  This is what I found.  Pretty interesting I must say.

Some of the earliest pictures of shoes were seen on ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to around 4,000 BC. These were pieces of leather laced onto the feet or sandals made of woven rushes. It is thought that Egyptian butchers would wear a heeled shoe to keep their feet away from the gore involved in their job.


In 200 BC the heel made its way into the world of fashion among Roman actors with the arrival of wood and cork platform soles called kothorni.In the 1600s the heel once again became a practical item as they were added to men's shoes to help keep their feet in stirrups when riding.

1533 saw the first women's heel designed to lengthen the legs. They were most notably worn by Catherine d'Medici for her wedding, at age 14, to make her appear two inches taller. Also around this time Mary Tudor began to wear high heels. Again in the 16th century, a busy time for the development of heels, the kothorni made a reappearance but this time as 24-inch pedestals called chopines, which were popular across Europe.

Later, and named after their inspiration, Louis XIV, the “Louis” heel became popular with both men and women. Some of the shoes owned by Louis XIV had five-inch heels resplendent with miniature battle scenes. In 1793 Marie Antoinette, so fond of her fashion and shoes she is said to have spent the fortunes of France on them, went to her execution wearing two-inch heels. (For the Sophia Coppola film Marie Antoinette, Manolo Blahnik designed over 100 pairs of shoes.)

From the 1850s to the 1950s the heel stayed around and below two inches, but the '50s saw the arrival of screen sirens such Marilyn Monroe and the shoe that encouraged her seductive wiggle, which was the stiletto. The stiletto was invented in Italy and shares its name with a short daggerlike knife. Also in fashion was the kitten heel, which looked much like a miniature stiletto. While the stiletto was the Marilyn of the shoe world, the kitten heel was the Audrey Hepburn.
womensfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_history_of_the_heel
http://womensfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_history_of_the_heel

In my boots

So I'm walking down the street in a new pair of boots I bought over the summer.  I can't even explain how much I love these boots.  They practically go with almost everything that I wear, and they even make a cute little clicking noise when I walk.  Can you say multifunctional?  That's the name of this game, because if you can't get a good wear out of them, then what's the point in buying them?

How much is too much?

Honestly how much is too much when purchasing shoes?  Sometimes I think that some prices for shoes are way too high.  I mean is there some secret party that goes on when you put your feet in a pair of $3,000 shoes?  Hmmm I am still waiting to discover this theory so in the mean time my limit remains under $100, unless I win the lottery or get a really good job.  I guess the other side of it is you pay for quality, which would also include the different materials used.  If that is the case then I completely understand, but if it is just because of the name/label then its just wrong.  That explains the reason why people purchase knock-offs.

Moccassins

So lately I have been contemplating about moccassins.  I don't yet have a set opinion formed about them only that they seem really comfortable.  I am in college and afterall comfort is a big plus especially when walking from one end of campus to the next.  I am not one to wear sneakers all the time, although I do own a few pairs, but I like variety.  From boots, to sneakers, to sandals I don't wear one shoe all the time.  Mocassins seem like a good choice, because, other than comfort, they can be worn with almost anything.  Just pick a color, find some clothes and head out the door.  Sounds like a good plan to me, but is it enough to make an investment in a pair of these shoes? 

The higher the better

For some odd reason, whenever I wear heels there is a certain height requirement that I firmly stick by: 4 inches or higher.  I know it sounds a little crazy, but I blame my height that was so wonderfully given to me by my parents.  In person, without any vertical enhancements, I am all of 5 feet 3 inches.  Now do not get me wrong, I happen to like my height; short is cute.  It is easier for me to walk through doorways, trains, buses, or anywhere else that may cause some issues for taller folks.  Short is compact.  But there is an inexplainable feeling that happens when I put my heels on, and get ready to head out into the world.  Almost every female knows the feeling I am talking about.  The confidence level is risen, the walk changes, and a brand new attitude takes form.  It seems to me that the higher the heel, the more outward, and inward effect it has on a female.  Normally I would not suggest wearing heels if you have to do an extensive amount of walking, especially if there is no form of comfort.  However, they are perfect for going out with the girls, a date, for work to show a certain kind of professionalism, or if you just feel like putting on a pair of your favorite pumps.  Every now and then I don't mind temporarily adjusting my height, its a nice feeling.  But most of the time, on a regular day to day basis, I enjoy being closer to the ground.

5 things I love

I found it rather difficult to sum all the things I love into a list of 5, but these are the main ones I think about on a daily basis.

1. Shoes
2. Clothes
3.Travel
4. World hunger/poverty
5. Relaxing

Shoes. Where do I begin. Well I realized I had a borderline obsession with shoes when I was in high school. I went to a private school where there was little room for expression. My way of showing my individuality was through my shoes. Although there was a strict rule about the color our shoes had to be, that did not limit my expression. As the years went on there were some changes in taste as well as physical changes, and maturation. Outfits were built around the shoe of choice never the other way around. It was as if the shoe itself brought the outfit to life, bringing a new definition and appeal. The heels became taller, the designs more intricate and bold, and color was limitless. Regardless of physical changes, shoes are the one part of the wardrobe that always fit. Pant size may increase or decrease; shoes fit. Top size may increase or decrease; shoes fit. The first time I saw a pair of shoes I thought to be classic was on a TV show. The exterior was all black, suede I believe, but very simple. What caught my attention was the attractive red coloring on the bottom of the shoe. I was so taken by this because I had never seen such a simple shoe with such personality that called for attention. It represented confidence, class, style, power, and sensuality all in one. I thought to myself, "I will own a pair of these shoes one day." To this day I believe that the all black shoe with the red bottom, in all it's simplicity, is one of the most powerful shoes a woman can wear. No fancy designs and multitudes of color are necessary, just plain black and red. The way I look at it, for everywhere you have to go there is a shoe for each one of those steps to take you there.