Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Red Hot Mamas
Published: June 13, 2013
OK, so I have a lot of shoes… and boots and pumps and sling-backs and flip flops. I don’t want to count them, but let’s just say I have quite the collection. Occasionally, a pair or two will get pushed back in the corner of my closet and I’ll forget all about them. Then, when I find them again, it’s almost like I fall in love with them for the first time all over again. Shopping for a new pair of shoes for me is pure bliss — so I do it.
Men simply don’t understand why we have such a veritable host of them. Sometimes, I find my husband in the closet performing the “shoe count”. That totally bugs me to pieces. When saying our vows, I wish he had promised to keep me in shoes for the rest of our lives together. Well, it’s too late now for that dream, so I just continue to tell him, “sometimes a gal needs a pick-me-up and shoes do the trick.”
Some of our shoes just sit prettily in our closet without ever being worn, just awaiting to be used for just the right occasion. They are like works of art. But don’t get me wrong — I’m no Carrie Bradshaw when it comes to shoes. I don’t have a penchant for expensive designer shoes. My heels don’t have to break the bank. I don’t find it necessary to buy pricey Manolo’s or Louboutin’s. I choose ones that are just flattering. I love my Stuart Weitzmans… and my Ivanka Trumps, and my Tory Birches, and my Vince Camutos, and my Fit Flops.
Have you ever noticed when women get together, oftentimes, the first thing they notice is your shoes? My friends could be wearing gorgeous dresses, but first, I always look at their shoes. I’ll always let them know if they have a great pair of shoes on.
A splendid pair of shoes can instantly change my mood. I really feel like a diva in high heels, and for whatever reason, I feel more confident and they really make me feel happier. And, la de da, I do know that those stilettos can be painful at times, but I try to limit my wearing them to less than 3 hours.
Shoes dear shoes, how do I love thee? I guess I don’t love them as much as the former Phillippine First Lady Imelda Marcos, who owned 1,200 pairs of shoes. The average woman owns 20 pairs of shoes, I have quite a few more than that, and to be perfectly honest, most will not see the light of day.
So, I’ve told you about my shoe obsession with heels. But let’s get to the facts about what the harm they may do. It’s not just the pain involved after wearing them for so long. Stilettos can put pressure on your joints, cause bunions and can be bad for your feet, knees and back. Also, you can also run the risk of falling and twisting an ankle. So, if you are shoe shopping, and feel you must return home with that perfect pair of heels, buy ones that are of moderate proportions, not the towering ones that make you look like a giraffe. And, wear them for a short period of time.
Flip-flops are favorites during the warm weather. However, they may be as bad for you as those diva high heels. They provide no arch or ankle support and you may get foot cramps wearing them as you have to crunch up your toes holding them on. And ballet flats also provide no support. They may also increase your chances of developing plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the tissue in your heel.
So, what’s a girl to do about a shoe? I know many of the health risks don’t dampen our love of some of our favorites. Truth be told, you really don’t have to stop wearing them. Here are a few things you can do:
- Make sure they fit properly. There is no such thing as “breaking in shoes” – Shoes need to fit right to begin with. Your feet should not feel squashed. And, if they do, you could get deformed toes (called hammer toes). They shouldn’t be too big either because that puts pressure on your toes. A slightly more rounded toe is preferable than a pointed toe shoe.
- If your shoes are rubbing at the heel, there are heel grips which you can buy which helps prevent friction
- Soft-gel filled cushions can also be inserted in your shoes which helps relieve pressure on the balls of your feet
- If your feet feel swollen after wearing your heels for several hours, soak them in cold water for about 15 minutes to reduce the swelling
There are also great foot creams available to help restore the suppleness of your skin on your feet. Hope these tips inspire you next time you’re thinking about purchasing a new pair of zapatos! Keep in mind, a shoe is really a protector of the feet. It’s very important for individuals to wear good shoes.
“I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot” -Marilyn Monroe
