A TASTE OF MY FINEST FOOTWEAR
From three pairs of shoes, to thirty, to now "too many to actually count", my beloved shoe collection has definitely grown over the years. I've always had a special place in my heart for extravagant footwear - I can remember swooning over these sparkly black mules with a hello kitty chain at the precious age of seven. Now my bedroom holds space for a four tier shelf, dedicated solely to the presentation of my finest shoes. The other half of my collection is tastefully spread along the bottom of my clothing rack, out on the shoe shelf in the front entrance of my apartment, on the right side of the staircase leading to that same entrance, & lined up at the wall alongside the footwear of my also shoe obsessed roommates.
I don't know when or why this obsession started, but I do know that footwear has become one of my most cherished accessory. I strongly believe that there's a perfect shoe for every occasion, & one should by no means limit their footwear to simply one pair for each season (but if that's your cup of tea, by all means do your thing) & here's why:
Shoes have the power to MAKE or BREAK an outfit!
Shoes are fun! Shoes are little personalities just waiting to be put on. A simple step into one shoe can bring instant glamour, instant class, or even instant comfort. With the right pair you can slip on a whole new image. The shoe does all of the work - all you have to do is add your feet!
As accessories, shoes tend to be second-tier to clothing in the world of fashion. However, it's because of that title that many feel the freedom to pop a toe outside of their comfort zones without getting too crazy. With accessories, we dare to try styles that are a little more bold, decorative & expressive than we might with clothes. They're a great way to take a risk, yet stay true to our own personal style. The downside with a label as an accessory, is the tendency to be approached more as an afterthought or last minute addition to an outfit instead of the main focus.
Great footwear should be the MAIN COURSE.
Shoes have an extremely important role. Initially created as an item of footwear intended to protect & give comfort to the human foot, shoes have made their mark in the world of fashion for decorative purposes. The design of shoes has varied tremendously throughout history & between cultures, with appearance originally being tied to function. Footwear has been in use since the earliest human history, primarily used as ornaments or a symbol of power in many ancient civilizations.
As much as it pains me to say, there are times when it is necessary to fall back to the main purpose of a shoe & decide on a more practical option when choosing the right footwear. These options tend to be quite basic, bland & dull, but with much functional importance. As a lover of all things colourful, bold & flashy, I'm always down to add a little flair to the mundane essentials.
Here's how I like to spice up my functional-over-fashionable footwear:
Wear funky socks, stockings or tights to add colour & pizzazz to any staple shoe.
Personalize your footwear with fun embellishments.
(i.e. sequins, lace, broaches, appliqués, glitter, fruit, googly eyes...you name it)
Add a unique touch to your plain jane shoes with the use of paint, sharpies, spray paint etc*.
*basically anything that can help you pop a cool design on that shit!
Amazing footwear is like fine wine.
Good quality shoes can last a lifetime, with proper care & the right cellar. They can also get better with age, just as wine's flavour becomes more pleasant over time. The more wear those leather soles get, the more comfort is found in the imprints of your feet. The longer the lifespan of a shoe, the bolder we are when wearing them. Like wine, some shoes are worth savouring for precious once-in-a-lifetime moments & remain on display as if a treasured collector's item. On the other foot, some shoes are great for popping open on any occasion & getting danced in after a few glasses.
I don't know about you, but my most pristine shoes barely see the light of day, yet any shoe I've scuffed up a couple of times goes out on adventures like there's no tomorrow!
Of course we all have our favourites - I love a fruity bottle of white for a tasteful price of "just under ten dollars" & feel the same way about shoes! There's no doubt that I'll invest in a beautiful quality shoe when I can, but those cheap second hand finds are where it's at!
I get it...
"ew! they've been walked in."
"somebody's toes have been in here!"
To be completely honest, some of my most CHERISHED shoes have been thrifted!
A real good inspection & some damage control is all you need to find yourself feet deep in a sea full of HIDDEN GEMS IN THE FORM OF CHEAP FOOTWEAR!
As my shoe collection grows, so do the possibilities of countless wild outfits. Each pair brings something so unique, full of diversity & playfulness, to any article of clothing that it may complement. This essential accessory can be so much more than just a last-minute-slip-on-out-the-door, it's a gateway to making bold strides in fashion & having fun with your wardrobe!
No matter how many steps you take in a day, make sure to step with a foot full of passion,
a few cups of fun, & a sprinkle or two of "YAAS QUEEN"
(cause you'll probably be walking over to the fridge after reading this)
!!!
STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, STAY STABLE IN YOUR HEELS
XX C
PHOTOGRAPHY & EDITING: BETSY-MAY SMITH @betsymaysmith
OUTFIT ANTHEM: FANCY FOOTWORK - CHROMEO
OUTFIT DETAILS:
SPACE COWBOY *
GOLD COWBOY BOOTS - EVA B VINTAGE
HOT BANANA MAMA
YELLOW TIGER PLATFORM HEELS - JOHN FLUEVOG
RED FISHNETS - ARDENE
ORANGE U GLAD *
B&W PLATFORM SLIDES - L'INTERVALLE
THREE STRIPES MESH SOCKS - HANSEL FROM BASEL
POP MY PICKLE *
CLEAR/SILVER VINYL HEELS - EVA B VINTAGE
COLOUR BLOCK/MESH SOCKS - HANSEL FROM BASEL
PARTY ANIMAL *
CHEETOS HEELS - TIGER ALLEY CLOTHING
DESERT FLOWER STOCKINGS - STRATHCONA STOCKINGS
*these shoes were ALL purchased second hand - SUPPORT UR LOCAL THRIFT STORES BB'S!
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