Shoe Psychology: Why We Obsess, Desire, Covet and Consume
posted by: freePOrnaoa in General on June 7th, 2009
I must admit that I haven’t given that much thought to “shoe psychology” — i.e., the reason why I love shoes so much, or for that matter why they are such a cultural phenomenon, comprising such a larger market share of fashion sales. I grew up with beautiful ones around, and it was just like breathing air to be drawn to shoes.
But a couple of years ago, London paper The Times published an article that centers around shoe psychology and sociology. Basically, the article tried to parse out why women torture themselves over shoes, emotionally, physically and financially. Why did Carrie one day wake up and realise that she was so broke she was going to be the Old Woman Who Literally Lived in Her Shoes?
From the article: “We are all in thrall to the holy trinity of Choo, Blahnik, Louboutin. People explain it in different ways: some say shoes allow us to buy into an otherwise unaffordable designer brand in the way fragrance once did. ‘Magazines used to tell us what perfume Grace Kelly wore,’ says Robina Dam, the former editor of Shoo magazine. ‘Now they tell us what shoes Nicole Kidman wore on the red carpet.’”
Absolutely true. I do think we now care more about what shoes beautiful celebs wear than what perfume they wear. And I think it does allow us to connect with something glamorous when we strap on the same Ferragamos as Nicole Kidman.
Who understands why we are so obsessed with shoes in general? No one. I have more than 100 pairs of shoes, many free pairs from my family or designer pairs bought on the cheap and rehabbed mightily by my favorite cobbler extraordinaire. I hunt vintage shops for valuable, interesting pairs like it’s my job. Oh wait, it is!
So, without further ado, here are a few of my Shoe Psychology Theories regarding why we’re so obsessed:
- As Toni Collette’s character said in “In Her Shoes,” shoes always fit, unlike clothes. A shoe is static and dependable, something we can count on. Whereas a clothing item changes shape over many washes, a shoe basically stays the same, excepting some rain-staining, stretching or fabric tears. LBS’s (Little Black Shoes) in the form of quality leather, well taken care of, can stay with you for 40 years — how many LBD’s can do that???
- They are mightily sexier than a handbag, a belt, a necklace or most other accessories for that matter. I joke that you should wear the kind of shoes that go with the kind of partner you’re looking to attract, and I think that might be true.
- So far from the line of sight, they still draw an amazing amount of attention with their visual and aural effect (think of the clicking and clacking of heels drawing eyes downwards).
- Shoes are a place in our daily ensemble where it’s okay to let go a little bit and go wild, since it’s a contained area.
- The elevated shoe makes you taller and thus more powerful (or at least, powerful-seeming). Most women want to appear taller, and it puts you on par with some men height-wise, which can be useful in business for looking at each other eye-to-eye.
- They’re a metaphor for a mode of transportation and transformation. They take us places literally, physically, but also mentally. A great shoe makes you feel and thus act differently.
- In a sense, the shoe is the new hat, representing different roles. Switch your shoes and you’re ready to segue into a different function for the day, from staid worker to wild party animal or from grubby gardener to posh lady at tea. Shoes help you transition mentally.
- In a world of repression for adults, shoes are an area of play, like much of fashion.
- They have become the icon of the single woman and the business woman. They represent liberation and a woman’s ability to take care of herself. There’s something inherently rebellious about stylish shoes, which say a well-heeled woman has earned enough money to take care of her feet in quality shoes.
If we seek out our favorite shoe-sage’s advice about where all that hard-earned money for us single gals goes, I think Carrie said it best in the famous episode, “A Woman’s Right to Shoes”:
“The fact is, sometimes it’s really hard to walk in a single woman’s shoes. That’s why we need really special ones now and then to make the walk a little more fun.”
Or in the words of the singer of “Independent Women”:
“The shoe on my foot, I bought it. I depend on me.”
Even if you bought it for $20 and rehabbed it, it’s something you do for yourself that puts a little extra spring in your step.
12 Comments
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December 01, 2009 at 8:14 pm, Birkis Dorian said:
I love what you said about shoes being the new hat. I think we all transition, Mister-Rogers-Like, when we take off one pair of shoes and put on another. Similarly, our closets function a little like resumes — one can get a sense of the different kinds of functions and activities someone engages in by seeing what shoes she has at the ready…
June 14, 2009 at 12:27 am, Carmen said:
There no greater pleasure than finding that great pair of shoes trying them on and then just sitting there staring at them forever.I just plain love shoes… Thank God I have a hubbie who understands and indulges me on my only vice. Now my target is a pair of Louboutins, yes I will save all my pennies and work proudly into the store and buy them.
October 18, 2012 at 5:33 pm, Heelstogroin said:
Nothing better sexier than a woman in heels! I hope you save your pennies and get those heels. I bet you'll look sexy in them.
June 11, 2009 at 8:35 am, NewStyleWeb Shoes said:
I think you have hit the nail on the head, shoes not only transform how a woman feels once she puts on a piece of shoe art, which is what many of the upscale and affordable shoes appear to be these days, the shoe also transforms that dress or skinny pant ect. Try it for yourself put on your hottest dress without shoes then add shoes, you know the out come.
June 09, 2009 at 12:00 pm, Princess Shoes | ShoeBlog said:
[...] The shoes only have to be wonderful to you. No one else. This goes and in hand with what Trainingheels talked about a couple of days ago. I have seen a pair of shoes transform women, who think of [...]
June 09, 2009 at 4:10 am, Rai said:
Totally true! Because I know I obsess about shoes.
October 18, 2012 at 5:34 pm, heelstogroin said:
I found the woman of my dreams!
June 08, 2009 at 7:14 am, galligator said:
Shoes don't make you want to cry in the store the way some bathing suit or jeans-shopping trips can (as anyone working in losing weight well knows) … that a shoe will always fit whether you are a dress size 2 or 12 is a small and wonderful consistency.
Plus, different shoes let you keep a conservative or basic wardrobe where just changing the shoes can transform the entire image we present of ourselves. Not bad for such a small piece of fashion real estate.
And, for those who are single – shoes are one of the actual wardrobe pieces that men pay attention to – so if you are looking for attention, this is a great way to put that flirty zing into an outfit without paying for a whole ensemble.
Me – I just love all the pretty different styles that can transform such an everyday item into a fun, whimsical, artistic, or unique silhouette. I love how much variety has been wrought on such a relatively simple palette as the shoe.
June 08, 2009 at 6:56 am, Boobs Girl said:
I agree that shoes are much more sexy than a handbag. Just the thought gets my heart racing.
June 08, 2009 at 6:40 am, Scarlet said:
I agree with all your points! Another aspect of shoes that I love is that *I* get to see them! When I put on a lovely pair of earrings, others get the visual pleasure unless I’m looking in a mirror. But with shoes, I simply have to look down for a little aesthetic boost!
June 08, 2009 at 3:47 am, Meream said:
This reminds me that I have been obsessing about getting a pair of wedges. Finally saw the perfect pair yesterday. I think I will not last a week without buying them shoes. *sigh*
June 07, 2009 at 10:23 pm, Kiki said:
I watched a TV series some years ago, and there’s this saying :
“Beautiful shoes will take you to beautiful places”
and that, ladies, is absolutely right!!