A woman's right to shoes

Jan 11 2007 by Jane Gallagher, Liverpool Daily Post

Carrie Bradshaw famously once said: 'I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes'. Here, Jane Gallagher looks at the female obsession with footwear

But the reasons why the shoe market has rocketed by 38% in the past 10 years is more complicated, according to the women of Merseyside. Louise, 27, who lives on the outskirts of the city centre, believes it is the fact that she spends most of her day in a hard hat and steel toe capped boots which has fuelled her passion for elegant footwear.
 
"I love the feeling of being able to come home, get showered and change and wear something completely different. Shoes are appealing on so many levels. They are beautiful to look at, they make you feel great, and they always fit no matter what the scales say.
 
"Aesthetically they appeal to me but I am also interested in the history and design of shoes, too;, it is a fascinating subject and offers a great insight."
 
Louise, who lives in a small studio apartment, is now finding her shoe collection about to take over her home.
 
"I own about 65 pairs and buy about three or four more a month. The shoes I buy don't have to be expensive but I just have to love them."
 
Fashion designer Marnie Robinson, who owns the Robbo label and shop of the same name in Crosby, says it is not difficult to acquire 30 pairs of shoes.
 
"I have shoes for work, hiking boots for my hobby, comfortable shoes for relaxing in and before you know it that's 30 pairs," she laughs.
 
"I find shoes very inspiring, they complete an outfit and make you feel good," says Marnie, of Southport, a former lecturer in fashion textiles.
 
"I am 5ft 6in tall and when I put my heels on I walk tall in every way. The right shoes change your posture, the way you walk, and even the way you talk. They give you great confidence. Luckily, I don't sell shoes in the shop which would be fatal as they would probably all end up in my wardrobe, but wearing the right shoes is important to create a good impression."