Unlike the female of the species, most males aren't that fond of shoe shopping. I enjoy a fresh pair of footwear just as much as the next person — but the process of selecting it isn't my favorite. It either involves helping myself to rows and rows of boxes, or having someone else try to touch my foot.
My attitude stems from a few facts ...
• For a pair of "work" shoes, I tend to buy nice ones and keep them until the heel falls off. This was the case for my five-year-old pair of brown leather shoes. Had the heel not started to crumble, and the soles not become worn down and flat (and slick on wet concrete), I'd be wearing them right now.
• I don't like it when people touch my feet.
• The selection of "nice" men's shoes comprises only two styles: ugly and boring.
• The place with the most selection – the mall and its multiple department stores – is one of my least favorite places.
• The nice shoes I buy tend to be relatively expensive (for man shoes at any rate). But, as I said, I form a longterm relationship with them, so might as well go with something decent.
So I visited two of the major department stores at the mall on Saturday, looked over the boring and ugly shoes, and settled for a pair somewhere in between. Not necessarily ugly (like the square-toe clown shoes on the market), not necessarily cause for celebration. They weren't cheap, but not bank-breakers, and the salesmen at both stores didn't try to cop a feel of my toes. It took less than an hour, most of that time spent finding a parking space and walking between the two anchor stores.
On the other hand, I enjoy shopping for running shoes (hint: I always wear my old pair when I go to guage support and fit). Maybe it's because men's running shoes are often flashy, and I gravitate to the brightly colored ones with reflective bits on them because sometimes I run in the dark. Plus, I'm not as committed to them. After about six months or so, it's time to move on to something new and even more flashy.
I won't generalize about women, but I'll say my wife has quite a diverse collection of shapes, colors and styles. There are several pair I've never seen her wear, but maybe that's because she enjoys the thrill of the hunt. Does that make her a hunter-gatherer?
I'm not a shoe-a-holic myself. But i'm not an a-holic about anything. I wish I had the passion.
But.
I do appreciate...greatly appreciate...a new pair of runners. And I like skate shoes. And if I had my way, and I could afford it, there's a pair of Fluevogs with my name on them.
That is all.
:)
i think if mens shoe selections were as diverse and if mens shoes were an emphasized assesory as womens then the mens shoe business would be more booming than womens! :)
Aiight, Texas-Tbone: first, don't buy men's shoes from a department store in a mall. That's exactly what you'll find: boring and ugly. Where then? If you do make a trip to NYC, stock up! Or...if you travel (doesn't have to be frequently) to major cities, stock up! I'm originally from Wash DC, but now living in Cary, NC. Whenever I'm in DC I check out Tod's...or, sometimes I take the train up to NYC--talk about choices up there.
So...you're like me; I tend to hold on to my shoes--therefore I can spend a bit more. Next time you're travelling, walk into a Bruno Magli or Tod's. Check them out.
Oh, and yes...the square toe is going out. And fast.
I an not a shoe freak. But reading this post, I recalled Favorite Pairs from the Past. - Ugh, sounds like a porno movie title!
Anyway, I can still vividly remember the new shoe smell of my first pair of white Go Go boots. I loved them, like groovy. Then, there were the pair of forest green patent leather Mary Janes that went with my matching fishnet stockings. Thom MCCan's. I fondly recall my first pair of really high spike heels - black suedes with tiny ankle straps that I thought made my legs gorgeous. And I will always remember the brown alligator heels that won me a job from a boss who had a fetish about women's shoes. He told me the main reason he hired me were my very lovely shoes. Oh yeah? What about my eyes?
I think I have five pairs of shoes. If an outfit doesn't go with it, I don't get the outfit. I was raised by the most PRACTICAL woman ever, and you can't spend 21 years in the house with that woman and NOT be a little like her. Although it does annoy me that I am that way, sometimes. Anyway, OH THE HUNT FOR MY HUBBY'S PERFECT PAIR OF RUNNING SHOES. EGADS, but the man is picky and I do understand why. Especially when he had a pair one time that literally chewed up his feet because they didn't fit right. Every six months when he says, "Oh, I need new running shoes..." I want to hide in the closet with some chocolate. Why does he take me along, anyway? I work out and run a bit, but what do I know? All I know is which ones look silly, and which ones look cool. I give it another month before he starts in again...
Yeah, I totally fit the girl stereotype. I have about 100 pairs of shoes. Like Carrie from Sex and the City, that's what I have instead of a down payment.
Oh, and as for not liking it when people touch your feet, I always seem to end up dating guys who beg me for foot rubs!
They rubbing YOUR feet, or you rubbing THEIR feet?