Remove ImagesThe Fashion Issue
We step into the world of women’s shoes
April 19, 2007
For too many years, everything I knew about women's shoes came from Married with Children.
"Oh sure, on the surface selling women's shoes is fun," said Al Bundy
on at least one episode. "But once you cut through all the hype, the
myths, the glamour, it's really very much like any minimum wage-paying
slow death."
Funny, until you start thinking about a woman's shoe. Take the
stiletto, for instance. It's a fascinating piece of mechanical as well
as social engineering. It elevates a woman's body, toning the leg
muscles and tightening the ass, but at the price of throwing her weight
forward. A woman wearing stilettos cannot jump, play golf or walk on
the beach. Each step she takes requires a degree of balance and poise
completely alien to men.
In this issue we take a look at women's shoes—how they developed,
how one local shoe store owner has found a unique niche market and,
most importantly, why women wear the shoes they do. So sit back, kick
off your own shoes and enjoy it.
-Anthony Pignataro