Dissent at the Blog of the Manolo
Manolo says, not everyone agrees that the Crocs Mammoths should be abominations unto the Manolo. Such is the case with this comment, left this morning at the blog of the Manolo.
This is SOOO sad. You people are all up in arms over SHOES? That you “wouldn’t be caught dead” in? I don’t know what is sadder, the fact that you absolutely hate something SO much (which, by the way, are JUST shoes!), or the fact that you feel the need to have a website devoted to your hate for said shoes.
My 5 year old son LOVES them, he had a pair this summer and practically wore them everyday (except when he HAD to wear sneakers), and I just ordered him a pair of the mammoths for winter. I actually like them, too. I had some in the summer and just ordered myself some mammoths as well. What I think is so “sad” and should be “the end of the world” as you all refer to THESE shoes, is the fact that you would go out and spend a ridiculous amount (YES, $800 or more on a pair of uncomfortable heels simply because they say “Manolo” is RIDICULOUS). You act as though these shoes are “beneath” you all, but I guaran-damn-tee you all that if they weren’t made by Crocs, but by Manolo, you’d all just HAVE to have them. And you all have to through in the comments about what’s good for the environment and what’s not, but I’d be willing to bet that the environment is not on ANY of your minds when you are out buying your Manolos, huh?
Be damned if I am going to go broke buying heels that will hurt my feet and ruin them in the long run when I can buy something for a tiny fraction of the price and be comfortable. And, in response to a comment that someone left on here, it DOES matter that they are comfortable. Yes, I understand that your flannel boxers are comfortable too and you don’t go out in them, but if you did, I wouldn’t judge you. Unfortunately you cannot say the same because just about every single comment I have read on here shows what kind of materialistic, judgemental, arrogant people you all are. THAT is what is sad…not a Croc shoe.
Consider the Manolo chastened!
When the person wrote, “which, by the way, are JUST shoes!”, they lost all credibility.
It’s something only a crazy person would say.
To the Manolo–
I would respond to this fine lady’s post with 2 statements: One, that she has a point, and two, that she has missed the point of this blog.
I have often thought that your (and the subsidiary blogs’) insistence that the only ethical shoe is the designer-hand-crafted-by-an-Italian is (just a little) absurd. I understand that many generic shoes are made in unethical situations. I also understand that, at this point in my life, it is unethical for me to spend the equivalent of my family of three’s food budget for two weeks on a pair of shoes– not that I wouldn’t love to. Being as I can’t buy food for my family without shoes on my feet, I buy the $12 shoes at Payless.
That said, I don’t come to this blog for practical advice, although I know some people do. I come here to look at pretty things that, who knows?, I may someday buy when my husband’s thesis is done. For the pretty things to look at, I thank the Manolo… and I must confess, I do think Crocs are atrocious. To each his own though– you’d probably think lots of my things are atrocious:).
Funny Alex S., however, I must say that this person makes a valid point. They are just shoes. Not since “Sex in the City” have I heard of people’s lives revolving around shoes as they do on here.
This is a shoe blog; if you want to read about the wild horses of the Great Plains, the political situation in Montenegro, or what’s on tv tonight, you need to go to a different blog. That specialized sources of information exist is neither wrong nor surprising: does the writer suggest going down to the library and pulling all the books on knitting off the shelves while yelling “it’s just knitting!”? That enthusiasts have a place to discuss their enthusiasm is, it seems to me, a good thing. Or is she requesting that we cease discussing anything she doesn’t think important altogether?
And the generalization of this blog’s readers as label-addicted zombies is both offensive and inaccurate. If there is one thing we can learn from The Manolo, it’s that quality matters, not what’s on the tag. It’s not the fact that Crocs are Croc-brand that makes them inappropriate for wearing in public; the rule applies to all shoes of that style.
She does, actually, seem to be all up in arms about shoes herself. That’s one helluva lotta exclamation points!
Amen shoe sister Raincoaster!!
As for the croc commenter … fork her and feed her beans.
redsolebottom there is a wonderful wide and varied world on the web go forth and have fun. Please leave us to our fabulous shoes.
I thought The Manolo had conceded that the hideous croc was good for the children. I would even have to disagree here having watched a small child repeatedly flop out of crocs when playing.
It certainly looks as if “ma2one” is in desperate need of a sense of humor. Which is kind of ironic, actually. I would have thought that anyone who would willingly wear the Crocs already *had* a sense of humor.
Why are you chastened, Manolo? Do you not have the right to your opinion about shoes just as this commenter does? I don’t think putting style above comfort is “arrogant” or “judgmental”; it’s just a personal preference.
Perhaps you ought to post some comfortable and stylish alternatives to the Crocs on your blog?
Denise-
Thank you for understanding and agreeing with my point. It wasn’t so much that I came here for practical advice-before today I had never even seen this blog before-but rather just to see what type of blog this was. I am with you, pretty things are nice to look at and it’s nice to “dream” that maybe one day if you win the lottery you can just go and buy whatever you want. But, I am a VERY practical person. I have a family of 3 as well, and $800.00 (just a loose figure) is more than our house payment! I was looking at the practicality of it all, that’s it. Well, the practicality AND the fact that some people on here were acting like the Croc shoes were actually “beneath” them. Like those who do wear them need a special permit to wear them, or are either too “poor” to wear “good” shoes like they do. That is how I took several of the comments, and it just sounded SO celebrity-ish. I mean really, if these were the last shoes on the earth, are these people really just going to not wear them because they think they are hideous. I hardly think so…
Thank you guys, but I have a sense of humor. I just didn’t find it funny, that’s all. This blog is the same as any other, anyone with a different opinion than that of the masses is bashed.
And “Manolo”:
Why did you feel the need to take my comment and make a big deal out of it? There were other people that commented on that same blog as I did, and you didn’t do that to them. And I NEVER said putting style above comfort was “arrogant or judgemental”. The way the comments were written were arrogant and judgemental.
Good thing I am thick skinned, huh? Whatever. Have your fun…bash away.
“Why did you feel the need to take my comment and make a big deal out of it?’
I love it when people say this after they’ve just made a big deal out of something in a very public way, and then are dealing with the consequences. Funny, when I disagree with someone and I don’t want a big deal made of it, I either (a) say nothing or (b) send an email to the person I disagree with, so that the exchange stays just between us. This is because I understand that blog postings are not only public, but pretty much the property of the blogger.
I see this on every blog. Some bonehead logs in, takes terrible offense at the blogger’s opinion, and leaves a snotty, long-winded post about how wrong the blogger is and how smart/informed/practical/superior the poster is. Three days later, they’re back on the blog, whining about how these people had the NERVE to insult their comment!
Where are these people coming from? And how do we get them to stuff a sock in it?
ma2one – the way I perceive it, Manolo posted your email because he realizes you have some valid points, not to mock you. That’s the way I took it, though I do understand why you may have taken the posting the way you see it also.
Manolo – I hope I am right in my inference above, so Kudos for posting this. From my reading of your blog for the last few years, you typically treat us “commoners” graciously – saving the lampoons for the rich, famous, and truly ridiculous ‘fashion’ designers.
My 2 cents – wear what makes you happy, and that you can afford. If that is crocs for comfort – go ahead. If it is Blahniks, more power to you too!
ma2one: Manolo’s post here (above) said he was chastened; apparently believing you had a point. I don’t see how he is bashing you by doing so. I actually thought he was being rather open-minded by “making a big deal about it.”
Oh yeah..and “Raincoaster”, there is ONE exclamation point in my comment…that is a helluvalotta exclamation points? Hmm..OK.
Kimberly: This was my first time here, and I am not complaining because I didn’t like the opinion of the blogger. And seeing as how this is a public blog and all, I have just as much of a right to be here now as you do.
It is still odd to me that “Manoloa” took my comment and made it its very own topic, when others seemed to agree with me, but, what the hell? No big deal.
If “Manolo” was in fact being open minded about my point, then I say thank you. But, honestly, I don’t see him as the one bashing me, it is everyone else that thinks it’s so bad that I had a different opinion. How dare I?
Addressing the subject on general, I find it disingenuous that the defenders of the Crocs always jump to the comparison with ludicrously expensive designer heels. After all, no one is expecting you to do the grocery shopping in five inch stilletos. A better comparison, I think, would be a nice pair of sneakers, which can be both comfortable and inexpensive, while still looking like you did bother to get dressed.
And, for the record, I think crocs are fine for small children.
I for one have now gained a helluva lot of respect for the Manolo for being so openminded to post the dissenting comment. So what if others disagree? It’s still a free country and as far as I know the First Amendment is still intact. Kudos to the Manolo for his displayed “humility”. I see no need to take the dissenter to task for her taste or her opinion. Good job Mano Mano. In the legendary words of Rodney King (wink wink), “can’t we all just get along?” Or, in the Pink Panther’s first spoken words, “why can’t men be more like animals?”
Help me out here. After “JUST shoes” all I got was blah, blah blah, blah blah blah blah.
Dear Ms. Ma2one,
I understand the point you are making about shoes. You’re right; it IS much more important to make a personal statement in support of comfort and frugality than to have the biggest, most important designer name. And I’m touched you’d be more apt to judge me based on my comments in support of fashionable shoes on a blog dedicated to fashionable shoes than you would if I were to wear flannel pajamas in public.
In fact, I believe you should practice what you preach! Spread the gospel of practicality and footsweat, one inappropriate situation at a time. Why stop at fashion blogs? Church, job interviews, first dates…give ‘em ALL a Crocin’! I’m sure when I stand next to you, well coiffed and in my Jimmy Choo snakeskins, I’ll secretly feel a lukewarm spreading of shame. You might notice it. It’ll be expressed in the curve of my Chanel’d upper lip.
To obviate that shame in advance, may I please make a donation to your cause? Just hold out an empty coffee cup and I’ll contribute my spare change.
-Sarah
1. The First Amendment does not apply to private individuals (ie, the Manolo). It only restricts what the government is allowed to do. Manolo is under no obligation to tolerate dissent on his blog. It is a sign of his graciousness that he does.
2. Not all opinions are equally worthy. You can say that manure doesn’t stink, but that doesn’t change the fact that it does. Some shoes are ugly. Some are beautiful. If you happen to like ugly shoes, that’s fine, but it doesn’t change the fact that they are ugly. Own the ugliness.
3. Comfortable doesn’t have to be synonymous with ugly.
4. Manolo should be unchastened and unbowed.
Ode Crocs
What ho say I in disbelief.
What have you got upon your feet?
Clog or sandal,
Slipper or shoe,
Or did you just step in some goo?
How does the rain stay off your soles?
When your footwear’s full of holes?
You say your offspring wears this shoe.
If you jumped from a bridge
Would he jump too?
When it comes to Crocs I do declare
You can dress them up, but don’t take them anywhere!
The End
But shoes don’t have to be comfortable and ugly, they can be comfortable and pretty.
I’m pretty sure the Manolo was being sarcastic. But, chacun à son goût.
I do not own any of the fabulous designer shoes, I do not have the money….(I will gladly accept any size 8 Monolo, Chou, etc..that is no longer loved…) ***)sniff(*** I read the Monolo for the witty reparte, the amusing insight on the lives of the rich and foolish, the help on finding sales on clothes that fit, and as an escape from the mundane. I have never found the site to be arrogant, judgemental, or materialistic. I have also not seen such a blatant misuse of CAPITALIZATION since the recent Clay Gaykin (I mean Aiken) furor. All I can say, my dear, (that is condescending, Bless your Heart…) is with that kind of passion over a blog, perhaps you should lend your services to righting true wrongs such as the continued deaths of our young men and women in the middle east……
My best friend has a pair of yellow Crocs that she loves and wears everywhere (except, of course, to professional events or other occasions where she wants to dress up). The bright color makes her happy, and truth be told they work pretty well with her personal style, which is colorful, quirky, and casual. She also has to wear orthotics and so any shoe that can fit the darned things is a godsend for her.
But for me, Crocs are all wrong. I have large-ish feet (and I’m self-conscious about them) and Crocs make them look absolutely enormous. I feel happiest when I’m wearing more tailored, feminine clothing. So when I say I hate Crocs or I won’t wear them, it’s a matter of personal taste. Do I think that makes me superior to my best friend? Of course not.
I doubt that anyone on this blog would seriously claim that owning a pair of Manolo Blahniks makes one morally superior to a person who owns Crocs. The people here simply enjoy aesthetically pleasing shoes, and poke fun at Crocs because they’re so antithetical to the purpose of this blog. I have found this blog one of the most enjoyable and pleasant places to post on the web, even though I’m a graduate student who has never spent more than $150 on a pair of shoes. It is my impression that most of the “snottiest” comments are tongue-in-cheek, not serious statements of personal philosophy.
I wonder sometimes if there are other sites, perhaps those dedicated to model train enthusiasts or salt and pepper shaker collectors, or potted herb gardeners where people show up at a post via the magic of Google and go, “Dear lord! Pay $800 for a model train? You must be out of your mind. They don’t even *do* anything. They’re impractical. You must be ’round the bend! I, however, collect pictures of trains painted on black canvass. They are much more economical, and save space. Why don’t you stop complaining about black velvet paintings of trains, and I’ll leave you alone about your expensive…” oh dear. I think i’ve become too involved in my own metaphor.
The point, of course, is that this site is not meant for everyone. Only for those interested in the fabulous, beautiful (and, yes, perhaps uncomfortable and often expensive) shoes, and other fashion items. Such things are perhaps frivolous. But so are many other things we spend our time on. I might be tempted to add getting upset and composing lengthy comments berating the tastes and opinons of website owners in that category. I certainly include my extended reply.
And Ma2one, in my opinion is right when she said many commenters viewed the shoes in question as “beneath” them. But not because of the price tag, or the designer label. They are plastic clogs with holes in them lined with fake fur. I, personally, find that hideous, and I think that I am better than hideous shoes. Would I actually discriminate against someone wearing those shoes? No. Would I make fun of them among a group of people who enjoy fashion discussions? Well. Clearly you have my answer. Judge me as you like.
ma2one: you are quite right, there is only one exclamation point in your comment; I mistook the gratuitous use of capitalization (SHOUTING) for exclamation. My apologies.
One further note, quoting from your original remarks:
…just about every single comment I have read on here shows what kind of materialistic, judgemental, arrogant people you all are…
I’m very glad you’re not judgemental!
I can understand why Raincoaster thought there were too many exclamation points, in spite of the fact that there was only one — it was all that shouting. Writing a word in all caps is the equivalent of yelling. When I read Raincoaster’s comment I nodded in agreement; there certainly was a lot of passion in Ma2One’s comment. For future reference, yelling is just as excessive (if not impolite) as using a lot of exclamation points; if you want to emphasize, you can use tags to italicize particular words. It’s not difficult.
I have to respond to two statements:
You act as though these shoes are “beneath” you all, but I guaran-damn-tee you all that if they weren’t made by Crocs, but by Manolo, you’d all just HAVE to have them.
No. As others have said, ugly is ugly, it doesn’t matter the name on the product. Do you think that we slavishly adore every single design that comes out of every single design house? Far from it — that’s part of the fun of all the Manolo’s blogs, poking fun at the excessive lunacy, outlandishness, or just plain “huh?” that the fashion world attempts to foist upon us. I think that this statement came about because of the other line I have to respond to:
This was my first time here…
If you had spent any time reading the Manolo, and the Manolo’s commenters, on any other of the many topics they have written about, you might not have had to get up on your high horse and start telling us how we are looking down on you because we dislike Crocs.
It’s absurd to accuse the Manolo of being elitist. The Manolo has recounted on many occasions the desperate poverty of his youth, when he was forced to create his own simulacrum of fabulous shoes out of the discarded newspapers, packing twine, and the occasional wine-bottle label. The Manolo is the epitome of practicality, and always advises us to buy the most beautiful things we can afford. He does not chide us if we are not all flashing Jimmy Choos — far from it. He knows that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in the case of shoes, it is also on the feets. A shoe that would compliment a delicate size 4 may look absurd on a sturdy size 10.
The point is: there are beautiful shoes out there for everyone, why should anyone settle for less? The world can be a cruel, harsh, cold place; we should surround our selves with beauty whenever we can. Sometimes, all we can do is hold an ideal in our hearts, but as The Manolo said, we’ll always have the shoes.
the best part about crocs is when you can immediately suss out the wearer’s relative intellect and level of trailer-dwelling trashitude by the amount of pins, drawings, and other “cute” embellishments attached to their poorly-chosen footwear. like it or not, commenters, but if you wear crocs, you are being judged by anyone who knows better than to join you on your march towards sweatpants-loving squalor. enjoy those tater tots right out of the bag, cheer along with oprah’s guests on her “these are my favorite things!” episode, and all that other stuff that mouth-breathing red staters love to do, you are an eternal punchline.
don’t be chastened. crocs are not only hideous, but bad for a number of other reasons. for instance, they are not biodegradable. once the fad is over landfills will overflow with their hideousness. also, they encourage the casual attitude many americans have adopted towards appearance. it is important to look good, or at the very least, appropriate. crocs are rarely appropriate.
“I don’t know what is sadder, the fact that you absolutely hate something SO much” so this woman hates nothing?! what a stupid comment. everyone hates different things. i, for example, hate people who don’t take their appearance seriously and insist on wearing things that are hideous but “comfortable”. oh yes, there are no comfortable shoes that aren’t made of lime green plastic.
“I understand that your flannel boxers are comfortable too and you don’t go out in them, but if you did, I wouldn’t judge you.” psshh, yeah. i bet she wouldn’t think twice about it. what a lie!! there are some things it is just unacceptable to wear!
Cap,
“the best part about crocs is when you can immediately suss out the wearer’s relative intellect and level of trailer-dwelling trashitude by the amount of pins, drawings, and other “cute” embellishments attached to their poorly-chosen footwear. like it or not, commenters, but if you wear crocs, you are being judged by anyone who knows better than to join you on your march towards sweatpants-loving squalor. enjoy those tater tots right out of the bag, cheer along with oprah’s guests on her “these are my favorite things!” episode, and all that other stuff that mouth-breathing red staters love to do, you are an eternal punchline.”
Ouch!I don’t even wear Crocs, but that’s just rude.Rude and quite malicious.
Wow.
I’m sure my comments aren’t needed in the general slapdown of Ma2one, but I feel the need to pip up.
Ma2one, how dare you walk into our conversation, listen for a minute or two, then declare all of us “materialistic, judgemental, arrogant people?” Really, who do you think you are?
Would you display this sort of behavior if we are all in the same room together? Just walk in, listen to our conversation for a couple of minutes, bash all of us, then get defensive when we roundly give you the slapdown you so richly deserve?
The slapdown has nothing to do with shoes and has everything to do with social etiquette. Your behavior displays an appalling lack of social etiquette. Not coincidentally, one of the themes of this blog, had you read enough, is that the more sloppy our society’s clothing has become, the more sloppy our social etiquette.
The Croc is emblematic of all things sloppily comfortable. I should know, I have a pair. I love them. For digging in the mud. For getting the paper in the rain. For walking on a cold day because, oddly enough, they are incredibly warm. But I won’t wear them to work and I won’t wear them to dinner and I won’t wear them to a friend’s party.
Why not? Because when I am engaged in social rituals, I want to be respectful of the persons I am visiting. One way I demonstrate respect for others is through a clean and neat appearance. I don’t wear expensive clothes and I don’t have a lot of money. But I do have clean and well-mended clothing that allows me to feel good about myself while I conduct the business of social interaction.
My Crocs, bright pink and a lot of fun to wear as they may be, are clunky, plastic, and dirty, and the message they convey isn’t “Thank you for inviting me to your house and trusting that I will look appropriate and not track mud on your livingroom carpet.”
Ma2one, if you’ve stuck with me this far, I thank you. Clearly your feelings were hurt by the Crocs comments on this blog, and I extend my deepest sympathies to you for that. However, the comments you’ve made, in your hurt and anger, have only solidified, as far as I’m concerned, the general belief that Crocs = sloppiness (in this case, sloppy social etiquette).
Deirdre
You guys are funny! Thanks for the laughs…
I am not a glutton for punishment (especially when I’ve done nothing wrong)-so you guys enjoy your site.
I did a simple search for a certain type of shoes and that search brought me here. I so regret that, and before any of you say it, no, you don’t regret it any more than me.
Ugh, the peasants, they revolt. And in smelly, bad shoes, no less!
I have heard great things about Crocs until now. Everyone who wears them seems to love them. I must say that I cannot even afford a pair of Crocs much less any designer shoes at this point in time, so I cannot speak for myself (I’ve already overspent my Christmas budget). I will admit that I was a little disgusted when I saw an advertisement for the fur lined version of the Crocs. I’m not sure that I would purchase a pair of those even if I could afford them.
This is my first time posting on this blog, and I personally think that its a good thing that people in our country have an opportunity to discuss, agree and disagree about anything…including Crocs. Everyone has to have a passion, whether it be shoes, fashion, politics, or football. I’m glad that my husband’s two tours of duty in Iraq to help protect this freedom were not in vain!
ma2one, you do realize The Manolo is not Manolo Blahnik. Don’t you?
I think everyone should just read the Thoughtful Dresser blog. Maybe then we could agree that dressing well, following fashion and spending lots of money on clothes/shoes are all mutually exclusive concepts.
Manolo? I love you. No really. Never change.
Whooohooo! I like peoples who are not interested in shoes, as they make for fewer peoples I have to shove out of my way during the shoe sales!
Manolo is, and has always been, nothing but a gentleman on this blog. I work for a non-profit and cannot afford the superfantastic shoes profiled here, but I do appreciate fashion, beauty and style. I love it when I get an RSS feed from this blog because I know as soon as I click on the feed link, I will be transported to Manolo’s wonderful, witty, feminist(!) writings on the works of art that are designer shoes. Manolo, I have an even greater respect for you for highlighting this commenter’s opinion. It shows that you not only have an appreciation for the great design, but that you also care about many points of view, even if they are from women who cannot afford the superfantastic.
Soo is soo correct. An illusion has arisen that caring for how one looks and being interested in fashion is the concern of a privileged, empty-headed few.
It is certainly harder to dress exceptionally well, the less money one has, but as various celebs’ appearances on the red carpet demonstrate, money can’t buy you taste.
Speaking as someone with osteoarthritis in the subtalar joint, I am unable to wear many shoes any more, but that does not mean I have settled for ugly shoes. I’ve recently bought something in the family of Ugg, which nonetheless has received the style stamp of approval from my nephew http://offthacuff.blogspot.com/, who as a 23-year-old resident of Brick Lane in London is the ultimate arbiter of style and cool.
the crocs are hideous.
th
Hooray for the free interchange of ideas. Shoes as an art form are well-served by this disagreement. Comfort, yes. Style, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. A yes any way you turn. Spritely Debate, yes. Just look at the passion here. Wonderful. Chastened, ha ha ha. So glad I stopped by.
all that other stuff that mouth-breathing red staters love to do,
Because Laura Bush, a conservative (so I assume) and Condi Rice dress so tackily and wear such ugly shoes? I am not in their league shoe-wise, but I am a conservative and I love beautiful shoes.
That conservatives wear Crocs and other ugly shoes because they are conservatives is not a legitimate causation (or even correlation).
Perhaps we can better say that women who are not interested in beautiful shoes wear Crocs or women who cannot afford nice shoes (and do not know how to find the bargain) wear Crocs or women whose foot problems prevent them from wearing beautiful shoes wear Crocs. Perhaps even we can say that there are women who like Crocs (bless their hearts).
But to imply that there is some defect of character or intellect in those who wear Crocs or who are conservative is taking the judgment a little too far.
My goodness. Sigh, sigh, sigh. I continue to love the Manolo and would love nothing better than to have coffee and treats with the Manolo and the Sarah from earlier in the comments. Such fun we could have rehashing this one.
Gracious! Quick, Manolo, show me some fabulous shoes!
Deirdre and daisyj and so many others have very astutely pointed out just how rude and ridiculous the original poster was, and why we love this blog. I love Manolo because in addition to the fabulous fashion he is a really astute observer of the human condition and writes with a lot of insight and humor about all sorts of things. And he tries to promote high standards, not just in style (at whatever price point one can afford) but especially in appropriate, kind and decent behavior. Really, ma2one, have a cup of herbal tea, relax, lighten up and try to discover a sense of humor.
And I just have to say to cap that I live in one of the most liberal/leftist neighborhoods of NYC and you wouldn’t believe how many bonefide blue-staters I see wearing crocs. My neighbors are really rather absurdly style-challenged. I seriously doubt that they look any better than a red-state type.
“Yes, I understand that your flannel boxers are comfortable too and you don’t go out in them, but if you did, I wouldn’t judge you.”
I really doubt that – most people would be wondering when this fellow’s, well, little fellow was going to pop out. They’d probably label him a deviant and pull their children a little closer. I’m not saying they’re right to do so – but people can be very judgemental.
I understand your need for comfort – I’m an education student and I’m in the middle of a practicum block which has me on my feet all day, usually from just after 8 to 5. I also work retail on top of that. Comfortable, practical shoes don’t have to be ugly though! I’m in a school that has a more casual dress code, I can wear jeans, but the jeans are always clean and with a nice sweater or blazer, and I’m wearing a low heel, nice sneakers, or my beloved chocolate brown suede boots. These boots are warm and waterproof, which is essential as I live in a city where -40 C is not uncommon. My boots were expensive for me – $200 Cdn – but they’re well worth it not to spend another winter with wet feet. I’m not sure of what sort of climate you live in – but take it from a northern girl – in snow, those Crocs would be a poor choice.
There’s a happy medium between snobbishness and slobbishness.
I don’t wear designer heels, despite how lovely they are. I don’t make enough money to afford them and they are impractical for my existence. But I still wouldn’t be caught dead in public in a pair of shoes that looks like they were meant for mucking in a garden.
If you ever want the middle way between designer taste and comfort, go to Berlin. They, too, worship the beauty of Italian design, but the average Berliner walks or bikes a great deal and have to own comfortable shoes.
Just chiming in here.
I wear heels almost every day and have often said (to much disbelief) that they can be comfortable – if they are well made and if the fit is right for you. This can be Manolos or it can be Nine West (the bests for me, personally). And cute styles can be found all along the price range as well. I am as apt to spend my money on shoes from Target as I am on Louboutins or Choos. If anything I am not elitist because I am a shoe enthusiast – if I like them, I don’t care where they are from.
I don’t like Crocs because they are ugly and clownish and ubiquitous. I don’t want to look like everybody else, especially if they are wearing that! And there are many many alternatives in the same comfort and price range – my favorite being Mizrahi driving mocs from Target. Comfortable, great with jeans, available in an array of colors and around $20. For wet situations – a cute pair of wellies. Also from Target.
One other thing to keep in mind is what you like to spend your money on. Be it trains, cars or shoes. I am in a two income household with no kids. I don’t have to spend it on school supplies, gallons of milk, chicken nuggets or have a savings for a future college education. I can spend that lovely disposable income however I want and for me it is, more that anything, gorgeous shoes.
Luv
Poochie
http://www.shoedaydreams.com
I visit this blog looking for witty advice and pictures of fabulous shoes. I love to download pictures of the Manolo heels, put them on my laptop’s wallpaper and dream of someday owning a pair of magnificent and luxurious shoes. It’s that simple. What exactly about this site, from the name to the comments to the posts, implies that anyone here requires your moralizing platitudes, your personal philosophy of life, or the economy of ugly clogs, ma2one? Maybe you should start your own blog where you can write about glorious plastic footwear all day long. You could even moderate comments and password-protect it so no one could ever write anything that contradicts or upsets you. You could even have tiny icons of dancing smelly rubber things all over it. I hope you’ll consider it, because you have walked into the Manolo’s house and been very rude and boring to him and his guests. You should apologize directly to him, or at least try not to be so boring. Thanks!