The hurried albeit elegantly measured click-clack across the room drew eyes’ to ‘her’ feet clad in beautiful, sexy orange coloured sling-backs before they rose to her face. In a bid to write a shoe post I have spent several days unwittingly and unabashedly peeking at people’s feet and hers set the stream of thought flowing.  I  took a second look and saw the little designer sign which subtly announced the expensive brand. In the same flow of thinking, I couldn’t help but wonder how many shoes I could buy for the price of that one.

Images – courtesy FSJ shoes

A quick analysis of her appearance spoke of a smart, fashion conscious, go-for-it, dry wit, confident and ‘maybe’ fun-loving lady. When we look at people, we do a quick summation and then categorize them by their looks; what they wear, either from top to bottom or from bottom to top. We all do this subconsciously.

This silent assessment decides our expectations of a person and it takes the maturity of the mind to know that the outward packaging never truly depicts the inner package even if the outward appearance might give off tell-tale signs about someone. In many instances, especially in recent times, I’ve met expensively dressed people who were simply arrogant airheads, and I’ve also had the most exciting, thought-provoking encounters from the least expected quarters.

Back to those shoes. I love shoes. Flats, heels, boots, mules, sandals, ballet, platforms, wedges, stilettos, and all the styles in-between, I love them and I know most women do. Some women actually have shoe addiction that if shoes could be banked, they would fetch a fortune with their collection. As we grow older some of us we are wise enough to stop squeezing our feet into shoes that pinch and to buy sensible ones. My days of running in nail thin heels are now fast fading and rather than risk falling off a pair of flimsy spindly heels and breaking my neck, I invest my bucks on comfortable shoes that can walk the mile.

Images – courtesy FSJ shoes

Without any doubt, your shoes complement your dressing ‘cos they have a way of accentuating your personality and mood. In my own case, I love vibrant colours and I am not hesitant to wear a coloured pair of shoes.   Red says I’m feeling girly and flirty. My black pumps are business mode activated and the ballet flats indicate that I want to feel comfortable ‘cos it’s a long day ahead. The leopard print loafers and blue Nike’s also say it’s adventure day…anything can happen. My deep blue heels make me feel like royalty…

I am yet to own expensive pairs of Louboutin’s, Manolo’s or Jimmy Choo’s because I simply can’t afford them and even when I have the funds, I honestly doubt that I would want to spend such ginormous amount of money on a pair of shoes that I can only wear for a limited amount of time.

Call me cheap and cheerful, baby you just might be right. I believe in value for my hard-earned money. I believe in bargains and I happily hunt for them. I have a pair of black mules and this dog-eared faithful has served me way beyond the princely sum of $60 spent on purchasing it. I hope you are not judging me by my shoes ‘cos right now, my feet are bare as I earth them on the cool marble floor whilst tapping away on my laptop.