I am a certified shoeaholic.
I love shoes. At one point, a nurse I worked with joked that he had never seen me in the same pair of shoes twice (for the record, I don’t have that many).
Shoes express your personality. Shoes are an accessory.
And yes, Cinderella is correct, the right pair of shoes can change your life.
As Thursday is the first day of Spring, we are entering the time of year where it is no longer appropriate for my favorite knee high boots and not time for my fun sandals. As happy as I am to welcome spring and warm weather, it always saddens me when it is time for me to store one of my favorite things in my wardrobe – my boots.
Sadly, this year I must acknowledge that it is time to let go of a pair that I have had over 7 years. I knew I needed to do it last winter. However, I wasn’t ready to let go.
These beautiful boots have seen a lot of places.
- I’ve walked and toured New York City in these boots. (I was wearing them when someone actually asked me for directions. I like to think the boots made me look like I belonged there).
- They’ve been the perfect accessory with a little black dress in Vegas.
- I’ve ran through airports and stood all day as a presenter in these boots.
- These boots have been worn with skirts and dresses.
- They have taken me to date night and girls night out with a pair of jeans.
- They have walked through the mud on a construction site and across a college campus.
- These boots went with everything.
I’ve had them reheeled at least three times and the sole has now developed a small hole at the tip.The leather is showing the years of wear. I realized last winter that I should retire them. However, I wasn’t ready to let them go without a replacement pair. Thus, I stored them back in their box.
I pulled them back out last October and wore them sparingly only at times when I needed to feel extra special. I treated them like a fine piece of chocolate that I couldn’t indulge in too often. I searched throughout the year for the perfect replacement pair. I purchased a few pairs only to bring them home and realize they weren’t right.
Studies has shown that when individuals wear a t-shirt of a superhero that they report feeling more confident. In essence, the t-shirt becomes their work outfit. As I think about it, these boots provided much of the same for me.
Marilyn Monroe’s quote very much reports how my boots made me feel. These boots provided confidence. Although the heel at 3 inches high is not my highest heel, I stood taller and was noticed more often. When I wore them, I felt I could accomplish things.
I have not decided if I will completely discard these boots or if I will store them again. Although I purchased a new pair late in the season, they do not compare.
What items are in your closet that bring you confidence? Do you keep them? .
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I don’t fit into most heels because my feet are too wide 🙁 It is a real bummer! That coupled with knee pain and I mostly stick to flats or low wedges!!! Love everywhere those boots have been!
Thanks Caroline. I love a good wedge shoe and there are so many out there. I’ve found that with my career change I don’t wear the heels as much but I’ve turned to the wedges.
Your boots are SEXY! I’m glad they have brought you so many wonderful memories. I can totally see how they gave you the style and confidence of a local in NY.
I love my boots, so I totally understand your connection. I have a pair of boots that I cannot depart with that are older than my son, he’s six.
In regard to what gives me confidence in my closet…thinking… my favorite pair of Levi jeans! I love the way those jeans fit me, and they aren’t too long, which is a problem I run into. Those jeans look perfect with boots, heels, or sandals, and I feel good them. 🙂
Thanks for joining Courtney and I!
XOXO
Dean, I love a good pair of jeans that just fit right and jeans are so hard to find! And you found the right word – these boots are sexy! Thanks for such an awesome quote to use I loved this!
They are super sexy! I saw them and thought, “Wow, I need a new pair of sexy black boots.” My pair died last winter and I never replaced them. 🙁
I’m glad you enjoyed this prompt, I hope you will join us for Jane Austen’s quote.
XOXO
Love those boots. I have a pair of boots that my I love. My daughter wore them so much in the fall that they definitely were showing the wear and tear. The sole was separating rom the toe and I was devastated (as dramatic as that sounds). Why? They were the most comfortable and best color ever. A rich cognac color that I have never seen again. I had them repaired and now I feel complete again!
I totally understand feeling devastated. I think that’s what I’ve been struggling with in realising it is time to retire these boots. I can imagine the deep breath you took when you got them back from being repaired.
I completely believe that shoes can change your life. The way you walk, hold yourself… it all translates into being that confident, awesome woman you were born to be. Retiring shoes is tough!
It’s always nice to know someone else understands how hard it is to retire them. It’s amazing how everything can change because of shoes.
I have boots like that but I can only wear them for like a half hour before my legs are screaming at me! I admire your ability to stay standing in shoes like that!
Thanks Shannon, I’ve had years of practice of wearing heels and for awhile I couldn’t wear flats without my back hurting. I’m in wedges and flats more nowadays and the world looks different from this height! 🙂
Isn’t that the worst thing–when you’re trying to replace a treasured item with something new & you just can’t find anything comparable? I hate that; my closet has several items in the same state of waiting as your boots.
Sadly, i think that sometimes we simply have to settle. I still miss shoes that I had years ago and have never been able to find an appropriate replacement. Thanks for stopping by!
I had to get rid of my favorite pair of shoes about a year ago. The leather had actually rotted over the summer and when I put them on in the fall, they were in shreds. It was a sad sad day.
PS – I love those boots!
Holly, I am sad just reading this story. I feel your pain.