I’ve always had lousy feet. As a child I had to wear “orthopedic shoes” with arch support in them (saddle shoes in the summer, some black velveteen things in the winter, but always heavy, laced up shoes). Never sneakers, never sandals. Not enough support.
I rebelled in 6th grade, while my mother was in bed, collapsed after having a nervous breakdown and my Cleveland aunt (one of her sisters) was in town caring for my brother and me. I HAD to have penny loafers and would NOT wear tights any longer. Knee socks or bust. I was being mercilessly teased at school. My aunt accused me of being a spoiled brat. (Really?) I was trying to survive. I stood my ground and eventually won. The knee socks came first. Later I got black penny loafers…the epitome of chic!
Of course, I did not put pennies in the slot, I put dimes there. This came in handy later at camp. In 1966 our Acting Technique class was held in the lounge of a dormitory for the winter Interlochen Arts Academy. There was a soda machine in the room and I’d get a can of grape soda most days just before the class (of course, in Michigan, we didn’t call it soda, we called it pop, but still I loved that Fanta Grape Pop!) By putting dimes in my loafers, it ensured I always had change for the machine.
I never had more than a few pairs of shoes at a time, one or two that I wore to school and maybe a pair of patent leather for dress. As a kid I wore Mary Janes, like everyone else. In high school, we wore low heels to school, then changed when we got home.
College was grunge before grunge was a thing. Work boots was the order of the day. At least they were practical for walking around a college campus. But I liked a little heel, so wore a zip-up boot with a heel on it. I remember my sophomore year, my mom got me a pair of brown suede shoes from Saks with a small heel. They were comfortable, great to wear to dances and she was willing to pay $22 for them, which felt like a fortune to me. I was really grateful. I loved those shoes and was really sorry when they fell apart.
I had a pair of Dr. Scholl’s sandals that were all the rage. They had a little bump which you had to grip with your toes to hold on. That was supposed to be therapeutic. Why do my toes have arthritis now? I had a pair of white sandals that I loved and wore all over Israel during the summer of 1972. I finally had some shoe independence.
Platforms and chunky heels came in by the time I graduated and that’s what I wore to my wedding as you can see in my “going-away” photo.
June 16, 1974
When I went to work, later that summer, I wore casual clothing. It would be almost four years before I was in a professional sales position and got the “dress for success” bug. Then I wore business suits (with skirts) and short “kitten” heels. Joan & David was my preferred brand and bought the same basic shoe in several color patterns to go with various outfits. As I look back, I can’t believe I walked through airports, stood on my feet for presentations, drove hours to meet clients, all in shoes like this.
Joan & David; work shoes
On a trip to Paris in 1988, I bought a fantastic red outfit (urged on by my shopaholic husband). Fitted, red with white polka dots top, snug white skirt, we decided I HAD to have a pair of red designer shoes to match. I actually wore this outfit several times, including to my mother’s 75th birthday party later that year, but got rid of the shoes a few years ago (I still have the outfit with the Dynasty shoulders; mercifully, not the hairstyle). My arthritic toes just are no longer comfortable in such an extreme shoe. Here’s the shoe and a shot from our Paris hotel balcony before dinner one night. The hair defined the era.
Paris, 1988
Charles Jourdan, purchased in Paris
Over the years, I suffered through strappy high-heeled sandals, and all sorts of other shoes. For a long time, Bally was my brand. With those shoes, I found comfort. I do own a LOT of shoes, even though I got rid of lots over the past several years. You just have to look at one shelf in my closet to see the clutter (and this doesn’t include what’s on the floor, what I keep in Martha’s Vineyard…yeah, there’s a lot).
My current favorite dress-up brand is Stuart Weitzman. I started buying that label several years ago. I still like my old Bally for comfort, but they are no longer fashionable, so I have the newer shoes in black patent, a glitzy material for black tie, a great bootie when I wear my skinny jeans and it’s cool, or raining out.
Just after my first toe surgery, six years ago (I’ve been dealing with arthritis in my toes for about 10 years, had the toe joint in the big toe of my right foot replaced six years ago), I aspired to a gorgeous pair of sexy heels. I actually showed the style to my podiatrist, who approved. I was barely post-op when I bought them. I confess, I’ve barely worn them. They are sort of my fantasy shoe…pretty aren’t they? Maybe someday.
As you can see from the Featured photo, I have one pair of Manolo Blahniks, so I am definitely NOT Carrie Bradshaw. I bought them a very long time ago and wore them (comfortably) to Jeffrey’s bar mitzvah, where I was on my feet all day. I already owned them, they were not purchased specially for that day. I have worn them a lot. Before the arthritis crept in, they were quite comfortable and really beautiful. Well-cut, nice shape, they do make the leg look well-proportioned and are easy to wear. But when I bought mine, though expensive, they were not out-of-control ridiculous. I do not own any Jimmy Choos, Valentinos or other fancy designer labels. I did buy a pair of Ugg winter boots a few years ago, on sale, and using Bloomingdales buyer’s points.
I have my limits.
Betsy PfauRetired from software sales long ago, two grown children. Theater major in college. Singer still, arts lover, involved in art museums locally (Greater Boston area). Originally from Detroit area.
Much enjoyed your beautifully illustrated (of course!) shoe history, Betsy. Having foot problems must be a true nightmare for women, particularly, like you, those with any sort of fashion sense. My sincere condolences. That said, you have bravely managed to advance far beyond those orthopedic shoes of your youth.
And I can advise you that Stuart Weitzman is also very much the “other man” in this household. Which makes me wonder: are there any men’s shoes named after a woman? (Nike doesn’t count; she was a goddess.)
Thanks, John. Finding anything comfortable to walk in these days is problematic. As to your question, can’t think of any men’s shoes designed by women; not too many for women either.
I enjoyed reading your shoe history, Betsy. As always, your memory for details is remarkable. Like you, I have an arthritic toe but unlike you, I haven’t been brave enough to have surgery so I have given up on the idea that I can wear dress shoes. Too bad because short women like us can use the height boost.
I guess you aren’t as desperate as I am, Laurie. My doctor says it’s time to operate when the pain is so great that it interferes with my life, so here I am.
You have such beautiful taste in shoes, Betsy! Thankfully you were able to indulge until the arthritis set in. Hopefully the ballet flats you wear to choir practice are still comfortable…and the Uggs? I know men hate them, but I wish they were still in style…I still wear mine camping, style be damned.
Thanks, Barb. Yes, the flats I wear for choir, though VERY old, are still comfortable. And the Uggs aren’t bad looking and are very warm for winter wear. I like them; as you say…everyone be damned!
I’ve never seen Sex and the City, so I have to confess I had to google Carrie Bradshaw – and the first entry that came up was Carrie Bradshaw shoes! So now I understand your title. But you do have a pair of Manolos, so I’m impressed. I’ve also never heard of Stuart Weitzman, so if I ever have an occasion to go shoe shopping again, I will definitely check him out.
Thanks for a wonderful (and educational) story, with your usual array of perfect pictures.
Thanks, Suzy. As I said, just ONE pair of Manolos, unlike Carrie, who had a closet full. Stuart Weitzman has become the go-to for fashion at a more reasonable price (though getting pretty pricey too). These days, with my feet, I can’t imagine buying any shoes, so I’m set for now. Glad you like all the photos. Since some of the shoes had gone to charity, I had to dig through the “give-away” folder!
Thanks for all these memories, Betsy. My wedding shoes were Stuart Weitzman, and that was in 1987, so I’m amazed the brand is still around. They were gorgeous, with beautiful lace uppers. Of course, this was in my decade of pretty shoes. I’m glad you are able to wear the Manolos on occasion, because I have to enjoy them vicariously.
Glad you were able to wear gorgeous shoes for your wedding, Marian. Now we can all go for comfort!
Great story Betsy, and once again you’ve got the pix to prove it!
I’m not a big shoe shopper – except for those two pairs of fabulous London boots – but I did once buy a ridiculously expensive, pointy toed pair of Manolo Blahniks.
I needed navy shoes for a wedding and that year apparently the fashionistas had decided navy was out. Those were the only navy shoes I could find and I remember, they cost much more than the dress!
I wore them to the wedding and that was it – they looked great but they were killing me!
I think Navy is a difficult color for shoes, Dana. But those pointy toes were killers for sure! Thanks for your comments.
Interesting comments above, and my one and only pair of Manolo Blahniks are a midnight blue–hard to find anything in that color. I’ve worn them twice because they go with a kind of cocktail dress and who’s wearing stuff like that these days? I do love shoes, and this was fun to read. I have two pairs I bought on separate trips to Paris, and wish I could wear them again some day. Thanks for the peek into your shoe stash! (I wore those chunky heels at my wedding and hated the Dr. Scholls too!)
Yes, midnight blue is a tough color to match, but who is wearing such attire (even before the pandemic)? It is funny how shoe styles defined certain eras. Now we just go for comfort, right Risa?
Great lineup of footwear to go with your forthright reports on arthritis. A fate worse than death for a shoe freak! I love that look you took on in Paris and I think your hair looked great all frizzed. I think my favorite pic here is the closet full of shoe boxes. Very understated extravagance. And I’m just kidding you!
Thanks, Charles. Hair, shoulder pads and shoe tips change through the ages. I don’t give much up…well because everything old is new again, right? I am still wearing the jacket from the suit I wore to David’s bar mitzvah, some 22 years ago. It still is quite elegant, so things do circle round. Every once in a while, I do a clean sweep of that closet and give stuff away. After this next surgery, I’ll probably do another one because old favorites will no longer fit!