walking on the treadmill at the athletic club down the street. And, my favorite program on that network is "House Hunters," which shows three prospective homes being considered by the featured buyers. Most of the buyers are couples. They typically have a list of must haves, such as a big yard for the dog and kids, or proximity to good schools. But, invariably, right up at the top of that list, is a closet the size of a warehouse for the wife's shoe collection.I mean, I'm a woman, and I still don't get it. Is there some sort of security in having more footwear than you'll ever have the opportunity to use? Have these Imelda Marcos clones ever put pen to paper and figured out the cost per wear of each pair? Look at the sad lesson learned by SATC's Carrie Bradsaw, who calculated that she had spent some $40,000 on her Manolo Blahnik/Jimmy Choo addiction, resulting in her inability to put a down payment on the apartment from which she was about to be evicted.
My premise in starting this blog is that -- despite the Great Recession in which we find ourselves currently mired -- there are some things that we still need to buy. With that in mind, my goal is to help us find ways to take care of those needs with American-made products, and in so doing, to help fund our own grassroots bailout. Yes, shoes, are among those needs. Only, not a warehouse full of them, and not ones that get such infrequent use that their cost per wear renders them costly duds.
What makes a shoe worth buying?
1. Comfort -- No shoe is worth buying if it causes pain or damage to your feet, no matter how cute.
2. Durability -- No shoe is worth buying if it falls apart due to poor workmanship or materials.
3. Versatility -- No shoe is worth buying if you have little opportunity to wear it.
4. Attractiveness -- No shoe is worth buying if it's ugly. I realize this is subjective. For instance, those 8-inch, multi-strapped, bondage-style heels regularly featured in "Elle" and "Vogue" are nothing to me but a freakish-looking byproduct of misogyny that will eventually lead to inability to walk in your golden years.
5. Affordability -- No shoe is worth buying, even if it meets all of the above-listed criteria, if it puts you into serious hock, i.e., inability to pay your rent or electric bill.
In light of all of the above, I have chosen New Balance's "Aravon Jamie" model as my featured American-made product of the week. With its Vibram NEWFLEX outsole, Primalux comfort cushion, and Dri-lex lining (for sweat control), it's the athletic version of the classic Audrey Hepburn ballet flat. Premium leather upper for additional durability. Croc-imprinted patent leather inserts for additional style. Versatile enough to wear with skinny jeans for casual or with slim-legged pants to the office. The right kind of pant cut is essential. Think slim.
And the price? This comfortable version of a timeless classic -- normally selling for $139.99 -- is currently listed at $49.99 ... with free shipping!
Check out this shoe and others on New Balance's website, http://www.shopnewbalance.com/, and also learn about this company, which bills itself as the only athletic shoe company "that continues to prove high-quality athletic footwear can be produced competitively in the United States." Considering that many other brands are produced in third world countries by workers who are not even paid their own version of minimum wage, I think that even Audrey would approve of this company's version of one of her favorite shoe styles.
No comments:
Post a Comment