I went shoe shopping today and realised that I really hate shopping for shoes. This hasn't always been true. Once upon a time shoe shopping was something of a hobby for me.
I'm wondering why I hate it so much now?
I think it's because it's one of the few times these days that I get up close and personal with the whole "girly" shopping culture thing that I just can't my head around any more. It makes me want to vomit. And to rage at the inanity of it all.
Why?
Because we've been sold the lie that buying shoes will make us happy. Especially if we buy stupidly expensive, really hard to walk in, uncomfortable and easy to spoil shoes.
This kind of stupid shoe is the most extreme example of the "girly" consumerism that starts with the over-priced, sequin encrusted, pink plastic and nylon crap that is marketed to our daughters from the moment their eyes can focus. As children we're Barbie princesses. When we "grow up" we're allowed to focus our desire on the real stuff: pink diamonds and crystal-encrusted shoes that we can't walk in because they hurt our feet so much. If we stay thin and paranoid enough we might be accepted into the "chic" or "stylish" club. Well, at least until we start displaying visible evidence of growing older.
This crap isn't going to make me happy. I don't want it. I want to be treated as an equal, valued for the way I behave and the things that I do rather than how I look, paid equally for my work and ideas, and be allowed to balance my life so I can have enough time to love and nurture my daughter but also to nurture myself. If I can have all those things first, then and only then will I be interested in buying a pair of sparkly party shoes to celebrate.
IMAGE by Flickr user Taras Solomko (CC license)
4 comments:
Old skool feminism in da house! Yeah! I like. So did you buy some Crocs then? ;-)
You've got to love a feminist rant every now and again haven't you? I bought a pair of Converse pumps in the end - and have been enjoying their not-hurting-my-feet qualities immensely :-)
Totally agree with you and a relief to see a smart lass articulate it! I've never gone in for masses of shoe shopping, my feet don't lend themselves well to that anyway. But what I do enjoy are shoes with individuality, colour and wearability and for that even though I'll only wear them for special occassions as I love to walk fast, I find Irregular Choice are the only ones for me
High heels were definitely invented by men. But dammit if they don't make my calves look fab.
*sigh*
Facetiousness aside, you're right - you shouldn't have to buy these things in order to make you feel like you fit in. Wear what you like, where you like and be happy being you. :)
Post a Comment