It always happens the same way. I notice you across the room. Then there’s a subtle glance, a flirty smile. I move closer, and you let me. Before you know it I’m being absolutely blatant with my affection, admiring you from all angles and staring down anyone who comes close. I’ll ask for your number, but it doesn’t matter what it is. The decision has already been made: I’m taking you home with me.
Every woman has known this love-at-first-sight, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling. But don’t be fooled, no man can give you this kind of happiness. This is about shoes.
The problems start after the initial joyful purchase. Then comes the hard part, wearing them. Once you slip on those five inch beauties and hobble out the door you have two options. You can either fall flat on your face or you can prove wrong your mother, grandmother, boss, best friend and everyone else who called your gorgeous new babies “inappropriate footwear.” I don’t know about you but I find it hard to accept shoe criticism from people who still haven’t embraced natural fibers.
So, basically your motivation is coming from a desire to preserve any remaining dignity. Hey, that’s good enough for me. The key to pulling off your heels without looking like a newbie is practice. Wear them around the house, wear them to take your dog out, wear them to get the mail, wear them on your morning latte runs. Pretty soon walking in those heels will be old hat.
Another quick tip, if your new best friends are pinching your toes there’s an easy way to stretch them out a little. Fill a ziploc bag with water and put it in the toe of your shoes, then put them in the freezer and wait for the water to turn into ice. When water freezes it expands, therefore stretching out your shoe. It works wonders, and makes your shoes much easier to walk in. I swear my freezer has seen more stilettos than Lean Cuisines.
A final tip, look like you know what you’re doing. I’m from a small town where most people are more likely to associate the world “heel” with the end of a loaf of bread than a shoe. So when I wear heels out, I get a lot of stares. The trick is to ignore them and act like you do it all the time, like it’s no big deal. You may be feeling lightheaded from the lack of circulation in your feet, or already imagining how to decorate your crutches, but if you look cavalier, the only thing people will be thinking is “where did she get those shoes?”