I'm about to begin a new adventure- writing about my love (and sometimes hate) of shoes! I'm new to blogging so bear with me as I figure this out.
I'll introduce myself first because if there is a right time to do it I guess it would be the first post. My name is Amanda. Currently I am a senior in college at the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater majoring in marketing and will graduate in December. This summer I am interning in the financial services industry (my second summer doing this!) and work in marketing segmentation. I travel quite a bit because I live in a couple of cities- I am from Appleton, WI, go to school in Whitewater, WI, and currently live in San Antonio, TX . I am hoping to move to San Antonio after graduation. My boyfriend, Erik, is from San Antonio and works at the same company as I do. I enjoy going out to eat, experimenting in Erik's kitchen, wine tasting, working, traveling, and shopping for shoes. (Lots of other stuff too, I just don't want to bore you.)
I'm starting a blog because someone once told me that if I love something enough to try to make a career out of it then I should start by blogging about it. Well, my number one hobby/passion/obsession is shoes. I prefer stilettos because of the elegance and sex appeal that they immediately bring to the foot and leg when worn. I don't know any woman who can say they DON'T feel fabulous in a pair of heels, and I can't think of anything better than feeling fabulous.
Although I know that women might not disagree with wanting to feel fabulous I do know that woman can say "Sure, I feel beautiful in heels, but my feet hurt like hell!"
What do we make of this?
Is it "ok" that the article of clothing that makes us feel the sexiest also has the capability to make us feel the worst? I don't think so.
I also don't think that it is "ok" that women collectively accept that shoes will hurt. Really?! I'm going to buy a $100 pair of shoes (at least!) and EXPECT them to hurt?!
When it is said like that you might think "Oh, I wouldn't buy a pair of shoes that hurt." but be honest with yourself... how many pairs of brand new or gently used shoes do you have in your closet that you love but hurt too badly to wear?
I have 6 pairs. Frustrating.
Read this article... Christian Louboutin on painful shoes
"I have been misquoted," he told us. "People say I am the king of painful shoes. I don't want to create painful shoes, but it is not my job to create something comfortable. I try to make high heels as comfortable as they can be, but my priority is design, beauty and sexiness. I'm not against them, but comfort is not my focus." - Christian Louboutin from the article above.
What?! It's not your job to create something comfortable?! Well my job is to work in a corporate office that is .5 miles long and look amazing while do it. Guess what? I WANT COMFORTABLE SHOES! So if it's not your job to do that then I will (someday) pick up the slack and do it for every woman who wants this done.
I have a huge issue with the way designers create shoes like this. I also have an issue with the fact that many of these designers are men- and have never had to work an 8 hour day in stilettos. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind that men are making my shoes (in my mind a man who loves shoes is the perfect man) but I wish they understood how painful their shoes can be. Why can't I have sexy heels that are comfortable at the same time? Don't they know I want to have my cake and eat it too??
I want to do research to see if any designers have women walk in their shoes before they distribute them (like a sample). Wouldn't that make sense? I would highly respect a designer who did this.
The purpose of this blog is to look at shoes and look at how they are designed. Are they comfy? Why? Do they rub your feet raw? Where? I will write about the shoes I own, and shoes I want to own. I want to learn all about shoes and writing this blog will help me. If one of my readers (you) want me to write about a pair of your shoes and feature you- I will. If you want me to research something about a shoe- I will. If you want me to research a designer- I will. I want to hear from everyone about their shoes and what they think of them.
Comment below and I'll start a conversation with you.
Nice Blog! Yes, I actually took the time to read it, because it actually ties in to what I do for work, safety. Safety equipment, machines, protective gear, etc. is designed not only for protection, but for comfort as well. If a worker is not comfortable wearing protective gear, they will not use it, and could leave themselves vulnerable to extreme safety hazards. I don't have any experience with Stiletto's, but do have experience with running shoes, as well as safety shoes/boots. Just thought it might be good to look at shoe companies who make running shoes and safety shoes, and see what they are doing to make their shoes more comfortable. Off the top of my head, I can think of a few large differences between heels women wear and running shoes, for example, other than the obvious fact they are made for different purposes. Safety shoes are designed to be extremely comfortable for a worker who is on their feet constantly and/or through an 8-hour work day, so there may be some things you could take from that and incorporate into the design of your fashionable footwear. Hope this helps, enjoy your research, I know you will ;)
ReplyDeleteHi!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading my post- it's nice to know I can be relevant to different audiences.
What brands are your work shoes? I can do some looking online to see if they have more info on what they are made out of and then post about it!
i appreciate your work this is really incredible.
ReplyDeletenude peep toe heels