I met in the street a very poor young man who was in love. His hat was old, his coat worn, his cloak was out at the elbows, the water passed through his shoes, – and the stars through his soul. – Victor Hugo
Never criticize a man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins. – Native American proverb
The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases. –Carl Jung
What spirit is so empty and blind, that it cannot recognize the fact that the foot is more noble than the shoe, and skin more beautiful than the garment with which it is clothed? – Michelangelo Buonaroti
Back in the days when I was keeping up a profile on OK Cupid, I was prompted to write about my favorite pair of shoes. I imagine the flirtatious fetishists out there were just salivating at the possibilities. I didn’t have to contemplate long before I realized that the footwear that best housed my feet and characterized my soul was my 30 year-old, steel-toed, suede waffle stompers. They had outlasted even my husband by that time. I got them in High School and wore them in on a trip with the Sierra Club. I still have them. They still fit, although I don’t wear them any more. I purchased new hiking boots a couple of years ago, before I went on a 4 week road trip with Steve. They are lighter and more comfortable even then my venerable pair. For a person who hates shopping for clothes or shoes or anything else besides food, the thrill of buying them was unexpected. I’d finally had a Female Consumer Moment!
(I don’t plan to have any more…please stop sending advertisements.)
Great choice of topic, Scilla. Something about shoes makes it easy to feel the presence, or at least imagine the wearer. I had to smile at your story about your hiking boots. I know the design of hiking shoes and boots have improved so much over the years, and materials are now lightweight, but I am still wearing the same hiking boots I bought in 1979, when I worked in Grand Teton National Park! So many miles, so many memories!
We live in Naperville. It’s a small world sometimes.
I’ve been a subscriber at the Lyric for a few years…and enjoyed a (brief) visit to the Naper settlement not too long ago.
I don’t have a shoe fetish as such but I do like to have a nice pair of shoes …. having said that, I do have 3 or 4 pairs in the cupboard that I’ve never worn…… but they were nice looking shoes, honest!
Such discussions always bring the same song to mind …. and the boots are still waiting to walk.
scillagrace 
LOL – “they outlasted even my husband by that time.”
…which is actually rather tragic, as I met him when he was 17 and he died at the age of 47. Life is ironic.
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Great choice of topic, Scilla. Something about shoes makes it easy to feel the presence, or at least imagine the wearer. I had to smile at your story about your hiking boots. I know the design of hiking shoes and boots have improved so much over the years, and materials are now lightweight, but I am still wearing the same hiking boots I bought in 1979, when I worked in Grand Teton National Park! So many miles, so many memories!
Ah, yes. My trip with the Sierra Club was also in 1979!
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Nothing like a good pair of comfy shoes.
janet
I wouldn’t wear them to the Opera, but I have thought about it! Especially considering I’d be walking a few blocks in the Chicago winter!
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We live in Naperville. It’s a small world sometimes.
I’ve been a subscriber at the Lyric for a few years…and enjoyed a (brief) visit to the Naper settlement not too long ago.
I don’t have a shoe fetish as such but I do like to have a nice pair of shoes …. having said that, I do have 3 or 4 pairs in the cupboard that I’ve never worn…… but they were nice looking shoes, honest!
Such discussions always bring the same song to mind …. and the boots are still waiting to walk.
One of these days…..
🙂
Shoes are certainly a kind of signature. Hats can be too. Nicely done.
I love hats, too! My father’s Greek fisherman’s cap is one of my Bay Area icons.