tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post6191078239877472149..comments2023-10-07T22:37:49.244+13:00Comments on The Hand Mirror: One woman's crusade against impractical footwearkatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15742280289613450293noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-3892497194543143982008-12-02T09:50:00.000+13:002008-12-02T09:50:00.000+13:00I hear you Alison. I have owned 3 or 4 pair of Mi...I hear you Alison. I have owned 3 or 4 pair of Minx shoes over the years and they have never really lasted that well, and I noticed recently that they seem to be manufacturing in China now?? I love Minnie Cooper shoes too but I can't seem to ignore the fact they seem to be designed for tall skinny people (which I'm not). I used to go out of my way to buy NZ made shoes but lately I have been buying Camper and Ecco heels because they are so incredibly comfortable and it is quite possible to buy them at a reasonable price in Newmarket during the sales (I would never pay full price!).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-32732127607547675332008-11-27T16:07:00.000+13:002008-11-27T16:07:00.000+13:00If money were no object, I'd live in Minnie Cooper...If money were no object, I'd live in Minnie Cooper shoes. They last like no other, I can walk any distance in my MC boots, while still looking stylish, and they're made in NZ. However, actually having money to outlay on shoes and boots like that is a rare luxury, even though I know over their lifetime they'll probably break even with cheaper boots. <BR/><BR/>As I'm about to go back to study, it's back to No1 Shoes for me, as much as I hate to buy shoes that are designed with such a short lifespan. <BR/><BR/>Lay-by is handy for the right pair of well-made shoes, but I find it increasingly hard to predict whether a pair of shoes will last or not - they can look great but wear out quickly. All my clothing and footwear purchases this year have been made with longevity in mind, but I'm finding that companies who made and sold high-quality products just a few seasons ago have switched down in quality of materials, while keeping the same prices or increasing them, so some of my purchases are already looking tired after a season or two of wear.<BR/><BR/>Oh to be able to walk into a shop and find good quality products that will last years in terms of wear and style, as my husband does.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-52057233853967546832008-11-27T15:09:00.000+13:002008-11-27T15:09:00.000+13:00I hear what you say about the price of Kumfs. I h...I hear what you say about the price of Kumfs. I have three pairs, one flat, one black with heels, one brown lace-up yummy 1930s with heels (I should post a piccie), which are 5, 4 and 3 years old respectively. I got all of them on sale. I bought my Mary Jane Docs in 2002, and they are still going strong.<BR/><BR/>But I have realised that one of the benefits of being a bit more established is not so much that we don't need to budget, but that it's not a problem to pick up a bargain, provided that we don't then go and spend more on other stuff, or in this case, buy both the sale-price shoes and something else as well.Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14182573274494086468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-67043946944768483232008-11-27T15:08:00.000+13:002008-11-27T15:08:00.000+13:00I am a grannie, so I'm not sure that my opinion co...I am a grannie, so I'm not sure that my opinion counts. :) Although I really resist 'middle-aged' clothing, I only wear comfy shoes, even more so since I ruptured my achilles tendon a couple of years ago, and I think that things are looking up. You have been able to get much more cool-looking shoes with low heels in the last couple of years, and when I visit NZ I am always bowled over with the range available. Funky stitching, assymetric styling, interesting colours. Campers and Naot are two brands that come to mind.M-Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18409916623998907121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-74087112509255565452008-11-27T11:35:00.000+13:002008-11-27T11:35:00.000+13:00I'm sitting here in bright red Minx Mary Janes as...I'm sitting here in bright red Minx Mary Janes as I type, they are pretty damn comfy. <BR/><BR/>I made a new year's resolution a few years back to wear sensible shoes and it has paid off. Sadly though Kumfs are very expensive for me, far more costly than anything at the Number One Shoe warehouse, and I'm on a pretty good wage so I don't know how women who struggle financially could possibly afford good shoes.<BR/><BR/>I have a friend who trained as a podiatrist and she told me about the 75% 25% rule. Basically if you wear shoes with a heel less than 2.5 inches 75% of the time you can wear crazy things the other 25% of the time without doing much damage to your feet, legs, body, etc (I assume this doesn't include tripping injuries!).<BR/><BR/>I do like to wear heels from time to time, it helps me feel a bit sophisticated, and I quite like the noise they make as I walk ;-)Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08977150346842277994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-11653805680877596832008-11-27T10:56:00.000+13:002008-11-27T10:56:00.000+13:00buy minx... they have very cute ballet flats, that...buy minx... they have very cute ballet flats, that are wider... or buy kumfs which do a wider fit too... better for us kiwi girls.. Anna do you remember in 99 when we protested outside the Dom about the french amassadors comments on kiwi women wearing boots....Azlemedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09817866704889651040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-37000562970995510682008-11-27T10:23:00.000+13:002008-11-27T10:23:00.000+13:00Another wearer of flats, and low chunky heels. I w...Another wearer of flats, and low chunky heels. I work for a very casual small company, which is great, but I spend many of my lunch hours on Lambton Quay fighting the feeling that I'm a frump in my jeans or skirts and non-cool flats (I've tried the cute ballet flats, but with feet as wide as mine, they're just as uncomfortable as narrow heels, since I have to buy a bigger size, which slips off the back of the foot). I'm comforted to know that there are others fighting the same quiet battle. I'm also pretty skeptical about how many third wave feminists actually reclaim heels purely because they like wearing/walking in/living in them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-31224924891764907232008-11-27T10:15:00.000+13:002008-11-27T10:15:00.000+13:00I am a shoe girl.. I have over 20 pairs.. but noth...I am a shoe girl.. I have over 20 pairs.. but nothing too high and no stilletos... I love my shoes, esp when i put on heaps of weight they were one thing I could still buy easily... my fav ones are minx... cute, funky and really comfy...Azlemedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09817866704889651040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-88736391342003291842008-11-27T10:13:00.000+13:002008-11-27T10:13:00.000+13:00I've been happy that ballet flats have been in for...I've been happy that ballet flats have been in for as long as they are in. I don't regularly wear over sized heels as I am tall enough already without adding a few inches!Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05680274679737065263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-51994235280970866032008-11-26T23:52:00.000+13:002008-11-26T23:52:00.000+13:00I'll join the throng. I do have some high heeled ...I'll join the throng. I <I>do</I> have some high heeled shoes, but they're Kumfs (those gorgeous 1930s reproductions they made for King Kong). But my favourites are my purple Mary Jane Docs, and my slip-on flat black Kumfs.<BR/><BR/>I get the sheer fun of wearing outrageous heels, but for a special event, not for ordinary, everyday work.Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14182573274494086468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-44194258100757974222008-11-26T21:41:00.000+13:002008-11-26T21:41:00.000+13:00Good luck with the crusade. I've never understood ...Good luck with the crusade. I've never understood women's footwear.. but then I'm a guy..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-63106696372632828522008-11-26T20:28:00.000+13:002008-11-26T20:28:00.000+13:00I used to totter around in some of the hottest loo...I used to totter around in some of the hottest looking, most impractical boots and heels you've ever seen. After my tendons in my calves actually shortened I started wearing much more sensible (and comfortable!) shoes. I have never regretted it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8770341086445997547.post-84616429582646278132008-11-26T20:09:00.000+13:002008-11-26T20:09:00.000+13:00i'm with you anna. i totally wear dowdy, heel-les...i'm with you anna. i totally wear dowdy, heel-less shoes. or if i have heels, they're the thick wedgy ones that are much more comfortable. i just can't be bothered with sore feet. i'm thinking that i have to be in pain to look good then i just ain't doing it.<BR/><BR/>in terms of work, heh, i take my shoes off as soon as i get to the office and put on a pair of old slippers, which i pad around in all day. the only time the shoes go back on is when i have to see clients or it's hometime! luckily, i have a very understanding and relaxed boss...stargazerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00430290445762377335noreply@blogger.com