Shoes

Shoes... They walk the talk for you; they help provide good posture and confidence. Well, that's provided IF they are klutz-proof too: you should be able to run in them down the stairs at midnight, away from the prince.

Here is a question for all females: have you ever found a shoe that is a) comfortable, b) stylish or trendy, c) durable, AND d) practical? Or is it often accompanying opposites: b) and not a) or vice-versa.

Shoe shopping is often a daunting task: once you buy a pair of shoes, they are often non-returnable despite the fine print on the bottom of the receipt. (I hate shoe shopping; it's sort of like speed dating: try them on, five minutes later, on to the next pair.) When it comes to shoes, impulsive buying: creating logical reasons for irrational purchases -- can be very costly. Not just your wallet, but your nicely pedicured feet.

Here are top things to bear in mind when buying a pair of cutesie fairy tootsies:

1. Comfort: How would this pair of shoes feel on concrete? (Most shoe stores probably spend quite a bit on their flooring to provide support for cute and painful shoes.)
   
2. Purpose: How much movement would be required? Would it provide the support I need?
3. Stability: What is the probability of tripping in these in front of a cute guy? (Unless you claim to be a stuntswoman needing a guy to break her fall)
4. Budget: Is this classified under a "need" or "want"? A shoe store may be asking at a killing price for the very last cute and comfy pairs of darlings; however, unless you are satisfying an impulsive appetite, you might be able to settle for the next relative pair of affordable cutesies... elsewhere.
5. Origin of Make: Are the materials ethically obtained? How were the shoes made? (What are your ethical values?)

Maybe it is mission impossible to find shoes that strongly fit in both ergonomic and aesthetics segments. Or, maybe there can be shoes that are physically appealing than Crocs. Until such a pair arrives, I would be having fun re-organizing my shoe shelf in the mean-time.