I know I am not alone in writing about this subject but I couldn't resist sharing my perspective on the runt of the shoe litter. You know what I mean, the 'kitten heel'.
Most people find them aesthetically unappealing. Which is fine. Fashion is after all based on physical appeal. However, my dislike of the kitten heel goes much deeper than any regular phobia.
I was fourteen years old. I had been invited to a friend's fancy dress party. I had bought a white pair of kitten heels to match my costume (my gran's vintage 60's midriff bearing dress - the coolest thing I've probably ever worn). I decided that these shoes offered a slight lift without being cumbersome and I still felt that I was dressing my age - plus I now had a pair of shoes I could wear to stop my trousers dragging on the floor, great to get my mother off my back.
I wore said shoes to another friend's birthday meal and decided to race to the ice-cream machine - again, testament to my age - and I fell. Absolute mortification set in and I never wore bloody kitten heels EVER again. I am scarred. Unfortunately I never linked ice-cream with the trauma of this whole situation so alas I missed out on a terrific diet opportunity there… But my hatred of the kitten heel has remained stedfast.
I won't lie, I did glance at the valentino studded kitten heels that adorned the hooves of every fashion pro around the world, but side on, I was quickly brought back to reality - plus the price tag!
I've thought long and hard about this weirdly intermediate heel and it's inbetweeness unnerves me. You're not getting the height or the elongating powers that a 'real' heel gives you and you're not quite getting the manoeuvrability of a flat. It makes no sense! I can honestly say, the only way I'd possibly find myself slipping on a pair of these 'shoes', is if my trousers were awkwardly that little bit too long and there was a mass ban on all sewing machines, needle and thread, magic web, glue, cellotape and any other sticky substances.
But don't pity the kitten heel shaped hole in my otherwise considerable shoe collection. What I lack in kitten heelness, I make up for in all other forms of shoe. In fact in recent months all I seem to be purchasing is shoes - much to my father's dismay. My philosophy(ies) on shoes are: firstly, you can never have too many; secondly, good shoes can make an outfit (concurrently bad shoes can destroy one) and thirdly even if the shoes don't fit they can never ruin your day like not being able to fit into your favourite jeans can.
Heres a quick snap of my new best friends (No, I don't have names for them. Yet…)
(Photo by me)
Clockwise from top left-
(Everyday black ankle boots: Debenhams (a total necessity)
Black stilts/pumps: Topshop (totally unnecessary)
Pointed black wedges: River Island (my attempt at sophistication)
Leopard print pumps: Dune (anything leopard print = happiness)
Geometric rafia wedges: Carvela via TKmaxx (total bargain!)
Burgundy fringed boots: Emma Cook for Topshop via Ebay (LOVE)
Platform trainers: Superga via TKmaxx (90s throwback awesomeness)
I do not take credit for any photos used on this blog unless stated.
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