Over the years I have spent hours standing in high heeled pumps. Many times I have been in varying forms of discomfort. It’s more truthful to say I had searing white hot pain that began at my feet and proceeded to the base of my brain. When I finally had the opportunity to remove my shoes to get relief, I realized my feet had been permanently molded into triangles.
After my experience with the cruel shoes, I decided to check out other shoe styles to see if I could find a pair that were comfortable. In other words, something designed for the human foot.What I found were more pumps with points, flats with points, and sneakers. Since I didn’t want to repeat my episode of torture, I chose to return to an outdated pair of shoes with round toes. They were a replica of the Mary Jane’s I wore as a child. I may sound like a heretic to those who faithfully follow the dictates of fashion, but I am no longer willing to trade glamour for pain.
I have also decided to stop doing battle with the following clothes from hell: Jeans that simply are not made for a short woman, with ample hips, short legs, and a waist that doesn’t seem to exist any longer. If the jeans fit my waist, they’re too tight in the hips. When the hips fit, the waist bags out, which makes me look like an inverted avocado. Even the companies that make so called “petite” jeans still make the legs too long, which leaves me with enough material to make a skirt.
I thank God every day that panty hose has been relegated to the Smithsonian. I used to become maniacal when I would try to gently slip on a pair and end up with a rip from a hang nail. I could never get the right size either. One time I had gotten a pair halfway up my hips and found there was no more material for them to go the rest of the way up.
My list contains bras that I have often felt were made for people who have banana shaped breasts, underpants that fit so tightly around your thighs they stop circulation, and last but not least, manufacturers who make clothing that says “medium” and “large” but which you know in your heart of hearts is a small. In fact numbers are now used instead of the aforementioned. If you can tell someone you’re a 1, 2, 3, or 4. , you have reached Nirvana.
Aging has taught me many things and one of the best lessons is the realization that comfort is the best choice I can make. It allows my body/mind and spirit to feel at ease and be in the present moment instead of wishing I could hurry home and take all my clothes off
Excellent. Comfort over pain any day. Life is to short. I was in fashion most of my life and did the “pain thing” too often. Look good, felt like I was ready to pop out all over. Then I entered into advertising sales where I could look good and feel good because I could sit most of the day. Now in my 60’s I have re-entered the work force …back in fashion….but this time wearing flats 🙂
Longtime fan,
Anita Hubbard
We know this!
Sent from my iPhone
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Loretta, what a fun and spot-on essay! You know, women aren’t the only ones who suffer in their shoes. Now that my husband has reached a “certain age,” he’s finding that his lifelong love affair with cowboy boots must end in favor of more comfortable shoes. I wrote about it on my blog Muddling through Middle Age. Please check it out here – https://muddling.me/these-boots-are-no-longer-made-for-walking/ I hope you like it at least half as much as I liked your story.
And oh, yes, the perils of pantyhose! You are so right.
All the best,
Karen