It started innocently enough. I started dance classes and had to learn to dance in 2 inch heel shoes. As a long time flat shoe wearer, I asked myself a question: How can I dance in these shoes, when I feel wobbly walking in them? I compromised on a life time of sensibility and ardent feminist conviction to service my dancing ability and went to the store to buy 2 inch heel shoes. “If I practice walking in slight heels on a daily basis, I will do better in my dance classes”. I bought the most conservative and meek looking heels I could find in the store and made an effort to wear them on an almost daily basis. “I am not doing this for fashion, oh no, I am doing this to become a better dancer”, I told myself when putting on my new shoes. “I am still one of those people who thinks that wearing uncomfortable shoes for the sake of fashion is silly, I just have special circumstances … that is all”, I would explain when asked about the sudden change. It was all logical, controlled and sensible.
However, the devil has a way of putting things in my path that makes me veer far away from my initial intentions. Things started to go downhill when a fellow dancer, offered me a pair of orange dance shoes. They were too big for her, yet the perfect size for me. My black dance shoes where becoming worn out and it was time to buy a new pair. Because these shoes were slightly worn they were offered at half price. It was the perfect size, perfect timing and perfect price and hence I bought without thinking of the consequence it would have on my heart. The minute I put on the pair of orange dance shoes, something changed. A flood gate of yearning was opened and I was possessed with that which I don’t understand but will attempt to describe with words so as to caution all other shoe wearers in the world. Listen to my advice dear reader and never ever try on orange shoes regardless of how tempting it is. They look innocent and harmless, but a quiet malice hides beneath the patent leather, waiting for the sole of your feel to come in touch with them. In a zipity zip and faster than a click it can seep into your soul, wreaking havoc with your heart, compelling you to act in ways which are novel even to your imagination.
At first I noticed how happy I felt whenever I wore my orange shoes to a dance class. A rush of bubbly sensation would flood through my veins culminating with a definite frothiness on my head. My feet felt lighter and it seemed that I danced better. Other dancers would comment on my shoes. They were innocent comments, such as “I like your shoes” and “That color is lovely”. I would say humble thank you. When it was time to take off my shoes I would sense a slow sadness as I entered the ordinary world of black and brown shoe wearers. My feet would walk heavily out of the dance studio and a simmering crave would start bubbling in my heart. Then one day the most sinister of thoughts crossed my mind: “If wearing the orange dance shoes makes me feel raptures of joy, why don’t I buy street shoes that have the same effect on me and experience the same benefits all day long, even when I am not dancing. At that point I completely gave up on my sensible shoe wearing self. Feminism slipped out of my brains the way a renegade chick pea slips the blades of a blender and remains whole in a mush of humus. I went combing though the shoe stores of Vancouver, to find my desire. Finding shoes possessed by the devil is hard in a city like Vancouver. In a city where saintly black and brown shoes ardently fill every shelve, wall to wall, in every shoe store, renegade shoes have to find novel ways to escape their missionary work. I was persistent and week after week she searched walking in malls big and small. I would try on this shoe and that shoe, but no bubbles in my veins and no frothiness in my head. “How is the fit?” the store sales person would ask me. I would sigh despondently “They fit fine”. “Do you need a bigger size or a smaller size? Perhaps a different color, we have these shoes in brown”, the eager sales person would prod hoping to be helpful. I would shake my head, “No that is ok”. How can I explain that I am looking for shoes that give me a rush and make butterflies float in formations of intricate designs in front of my eyes. After weeks of searching, I came upon a pair of high heel red shoes. They weren’t that pukey orangey red that is common, but rather proper blood red. I tried them on and didn’t feel bubbles or frothiness but rather a more subtle feeling. The crimson red shoes made me feel a slight burning in my feet and a warmth began to flow from my feet into the rest of my body. This wasn’t the feeling that I was looking for, but I knew that the red shoes were certainly possessed with something. Since these were the first shoes that made me feel anything at all and I had been looking for weeks, I decided to buy them in order to explore this new sensation.
At first, I wore my red shoes to go for walks in shopping malls. They weren’t as exciting as my orange dance shoes, but they were a good decaffeinated substitute. Like drinking tea when you are a hard core coffee drinker. The cup of tea is still better than nothing and so I began to wear my new shoes even to the office. My co-worker told me that in all novels that she has read women who wore red shoes ended badly, they ended dead or destitute. I told her that is because nobody bothers writing novels about women who wear black shoes. I told her that in the fantastic movie Chocolat, Juliete Binoche plays a character who wears red shoes and even though she faces many difficulties, she certainly doesn’t end up badly. I don’t think that my co-worker liked me very much after our discussion on comparative literature on red shoe wearing. The truth is that Chocolat is an exception in red shoe wearing literature, but I didn’t care. The warnings signs where painted red on white on the wall and I ignored them all. I was determined to be present in the moment, forsaking the future and the past for a thrilling experience. I was having far too much fun to notice the dark forces lurking right underneath my insole.
To be continued.
read Purple Shoes next
I thought Palestinians were supposed to be poor and oppressed. But it seems that they earn great salaries as software designers instead, including salaries earned in Israel, and can afford to maintain weblogs while frittering away their incomes on expensive and uncomfortable footwear. I think I won't listen to any more tear-jerking Palestinian tales now. I am more concerned about the deformed children of Fallujah being born into shoeless new lives of poverty in Iraq.
Great writing, the shoe-divil vs Ihath's feminazi ethos! 😉
The higher the heels, the better it makes your figure look; it amounts to walking tip-toed.
Edit note: 3rd last sentence, "where" s/b "were".
So, where is the "continued"? You've had 10 days to come up with it!! >:(
P.S. re C/O; all must suffer equally! Avoid doing well or being happy at all costs!
Hey! Brian H, the continued gets into the scary territory of stiletto heels. I need to treat carefully.
It is Christian Louboutin who can make an entry into this universe starting out as a dance shoemaker and then taking a big place in the minds and hearts of the fashionistas. Hence the Christian Louboutin Replica started coming out on popular demand.
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i would like to send you a pair of flamenco shoes from menkes, are you a size9 or 10
I am size 7
great article
Mine are Purple shoes.
Oh I love my shoes and have Probably 50 plus pair in colours from red to green to blue to yellow to pink and shades in between😀
Very interesting on your shoes. Me personally have to have flat shoes being disabled I can’t wear high heels.
This is so true. I does seem that changing one little thing can make you crave more change. Sometimes this is a very good thing. As to the discussion about literature and red shoes, I would answee that it is a good thing I’m not living in a book. If I am living in a book, I would write my own story where those who wear red shoes have wonderful things happen to them because they are happy and have broken the bonds that made them act just like sheep and follow the rules without ever questioning said rules.
Those shoes are pretty. I’d never be able to walk in them.
Looking forward to hearing about the purple shoes – my favorite color. Maybe it’s not about the heels but the color that brings joy.
I can never find nice shoes that fit me well. My feet are too wide.
Intriguing. Is it based on Andersen “Red shoes” ?
If you have other stores like this it seems after Purple shoes I will pass at least a few hours on your blog.
I haven’t worn heels in decades. Too uncomfortable.
Loved this story, I can’t wait to read about other shoes with beautiful colors that brings joy and happiness
Thank you everybody for your beautiful comments. To read more stories about shoes. Simply go here.
We all need a little color to make us feel good and why not have pretty shoes?
Its funny how the right accessory or color of an item that we wear can determine how we feel…………….and it shows in our body language and how we hold ourselves. Thank you for sharing.
I love colourful shoes!
Lol oh boy! I dont even know what to say. You really never hear of someone dying in blue stilettos lol!
Thanks for sharing
I enjoyed reading Orange shoes! I have had 8 knee operations and now I only wear flats.
This has left me wanting to read more!
a great take on shoes and the influence they can have on one’s feelings, etc. I love colorful shoes to match certain outfits.
What a great take that shoes really do make the lady.
I used to be a shoe addict. When I married, my new husband discovered I had 24 pairs of heels. I worked where I had to dress nicely before my marriage. And, being flat footed, they gave me support I lacked. He wanted to know why I didn’t have one pair of black shoes and one pair of brown ones. Now that I’m old and arthritic, I have a couple pair of black shoes, but no more heels.
great article and awesome shoes 🙂
very interesting!
Any coloured shoe, other than black or brown gives me a lift. Feel lighter, more capable, stronger. Many coloured shoes, many different styles, many sides to me.
Perfect!
This is lovely
I like the orange shoes! I like the ankle buckles.
These are interesting shoes.
I love to wear high heel shoes, but never have I worn dance shoes. Pretty shoes.