Editrix Abby  

Shoes

You can love panties AND shoes, right? If you're looking up skirts, you can't miss the shoes!

I have a shoe fetish. Not in the classic sense of the word. No, I haven't transferred my sexual objectification to shoes. And I don't receive any sexual gratification from having sex with shoes. I do get plenty of plain ol' gratifying gratification from them, though. I love shopping for them. I love buying them. And I love looking at them. Which, unfortunately, is what I do most. You see, as a woman who wears a rather science fictionesque size 12, I am severely limited in the shoes I can buy and wear. Thus, I am limited to looking. And wishing.

All this observation has led to a keen understanding of mankind—and, more specifically, womankindÑbased on their footwear. Yes, I can tell everything I need to know about a person by what they've got on their feet. Rule breakers and homemakers, trendsetters and go getters, cruisers, boozers and losers all transmit loads of information about who they are, when all they're conscious of is keeping their feet protected from the heat, the cold and hazards like broken glass. Well, that may be what they're thinking about, but not me. I'm busy sizing them up by their shoes. The first thing you can tell about a person by their shoes is how much they care about what others think. Are their shoes clean and polished? Or are they stained and ratty? Are the heels all rounded and shoddy? Chances are, if a person isn't paying attention to what's carrying them through their day, they don't pay much attention to anything else. Next come the sweeping generalizations. A woman in running shoes who obviously isn't out running is trying her best to communicate, "Hey, I'm athletic! And I'm trying to take care of myself." When in fact the woman is more likely to be bench pressing quarts of diet soda and boxes of lowfat cookies. Never trust anyone in running shoes unless they're actually running past you.

The woman in shoes that can't be called anything other than "comfortable," such as Earth Shoes, may not be uncomfortable, but she's probably carrying a whole lot of emotional baggage. Shoes that look too sensible send the message that she won't be shaving her armpits for anyone, even you. And she won't be compromising her radical political beliefs, either. Don't expect a medium rare steak from her and, whatever you do, don't take her hunting. Nope. This one is an earth mother. Proceed with caution.

Ever since the preppie craze back in the 80s, you can't assume a woman in loafers or Topsides is an heiress. But you can bet she's a bore. You won't be swingin' from any chandeliers with a chick in boat shoes. She'll bake brownies for you and make sure your garden looks great, but any gal who has pennies visible in her footwear is also gonna cost you a pretty penny. That's right. She's got big expectations. With boat shoes you need a boat, no? And a loafer indicates some loafing may be in order. Which means you're gonna be working your ass off supporting this babe. Of course, your sock drawer will be extremely neat and your ties will be lined up by color.

Next up the shoe scale come the sensible pumps. Unfortunately, for many women, these are a necessity. Sensible pumps are acceptable footwear for a number of vocations, thereby making them almost a uniform, the way wingtips might be for men. They simply cannot communicate personality. But they can let you know what the woman does for a living. And what she doesn't do. You can safely assume that a woman in sensible pumps does not pump gas. Or oil. She may pump her boss, which may someday lead to her being able to wear the aforementioned loafers or boat shoes. But more likely she's a secretary, a mid-level executive, a salesperson of some sort, or any other of a number of bland, boring nine-to-five jobs. You won't be finding any sort of extensive creativity in a woman with sensible shoes. And no outrageous personalities, either. No strippers. No artists. No saucy restauranteurs. If you're looking for a solid, predictable woman who won't run off with the guy who parks your car, stick with the women in sensible pumps.

Ah, and what about the hipster? Although there's a higher incidence of the hipster in urban, metropolitan areas, you can find her anywhere. Her shoes don't look like anyone you'd find down at the mall, or anything like anyone in your family might ever wear. In fact, you may find yourself wondering, just where the hell DID she find those shoes? They're made of fake leopard skin, or the heels are see-through. They may have really high platforms or weird buckles and straps. Whatever it is that sets the shoes apart also sets the woman apart. She's not like every other broad and she wants everyone to know it. Don't try any standard pick-up lines on this one. She's already heard them all. Better to let her overhear your references to backpacking through Nepal. Or renovating a loft in a newly gentrified neighborhood. And she won't be overly impressed by your job at H&R Block, either. Even if she's an accountant herself, wearing shoes that scream "designer" in an attempt to escape her own tedious existence, the last thing she wants is dull.

Now, what about those dangerous shoes? The shoes that teeter on too-high heels? Shoes that shimmer, sparkle or shine? Strappy sandals that tie up the calf or thread sensuously through well-manicured toes? If the first thing you think of when you spot a woman's shoes is "Va-va-va-voom!" put your brain on red alert. Chances are this woman has a line of suitable suitors about a mile long. And she doesn't come cheap! She takes great care of herself and expects her men to, also. And believe me, the plural here is correct: men. Because a woman who wears dangerous shoes is just that: dangerous. And she won't settle for just one guy. Why should she? She's such a catch that every guy who's dating her is happy to be one of many. Grateful, in fact. And every one of the lovesick suckers is waiting and hoping that eventually, if he treats her well enough, better than all the others, that maybe, just maybe, she'll dump all the rest and make him Mr. Lucky. But can you blame him? Because you're seconds away from lining up right behind the rest of the suckers yourself, right? Well, don't say I didn't warn you.

More of these dangerous shoes to beware of: red pumps with heels over four inches high, anything with a Chanel logo—a real one, though, no fakes, stilettos of any shade, shape or form, high heels made of satin or cotton (Imagine walking down the street in them. They'd get filthy! Which means you'll either be carrying her or escorting her in and out of expensive limos.), and, lastly, any pair of shoes that look virtually impossible to walk in. Because, as with the previous pair, if the shoes are hard to walk in, the woman won't be walking. She'll be "travelling." And you'll be footing the bill. Of course, she'll be worth every dollar. Because any woman who wears dangerous shoes has worked very hard to cultivate this image. And that, no doubt, includes some extensive sexual training. So, if it's that chandelier swingin' you're in search of, this chick's the one. Just remember you might not be the only one.

Which kind of brings us back around again to sensible shoes. And this time I don't mean Earth Shoes or navy pumps. No, I'm talking about shoes like the Doc Marten boots that are currently in vogue. They're cute, they're comfortable and they can be extremely sexy with, say, a pair of really short shorts. They come in plaid, paisley and every color of the rainbow, so a woman can really express herself. Just think about unlacing them very slowly, caressing her calves while you tell her everything you have in mind for her. And how about those Hush Puppies? All of a sudden your grandfather's favorite shoes are the hottest things on the street. Imagine a woman in a slinky pair of silk slacks with a pair of daringly shaded Hush Puppies; she's not only obviously willing to experiment a little, she won't be cranky about sore feet.

Slip on, slide in "mules" have made a comeback, and I think men should be thrilled. They show off more foot than other shoes and to me, they say, "I'm easy!" Not easy in the sexually available sense of the word, but easy as in easygoing. These shoes are no-nonsense. No fussy buckles or ties and nothing to tangle with if you're looking to get the gal out of her shoes. If ya know what I mean. They can be kicked off in seconds and slipped back on just as quickly, lending them a kind of kinky, clandestine quality. Nothing's more mouthwatering than watching a woman flipping through a newspaper at an outdoor cafe, dangling her slip-on by one toe. Yum!

That old 70s staple, the platform, has made a welcome comeback, too. Not only do they give everyone a boost in height, but they make every pair of legs look that much more shapely. Whether they're t-strap sandals, kicky ankle boots or platforms masquerading as professional-type shoes, the woman wearing them is saying, "Whee!" You can bet she's got a great sense of humor. And if she's in platforms, it'll be that much easier to sweep her off her feet.

Of course, you've gotta be careful. Sometimes even the most staid secretary steps out in silver stilettos. And after a weekend in skyscraping high heels, a stripper might shuffle to the shopping center in an old pair of Earth Shoes. So to be on the safe side, after studying a woman's shoes, study the rest of her, too. Because once you get to know her, well, you can buy her any shoes in the whole world!