I'm going through my biennial battle with futility. Or should I say futile battle? I'm trying to shop for winter boots that I can wear with a skirt and which are actually warm AND waterproof. I don't know why I seem to think I can win every year, that I'll actually be able to find a pair that look good and are still serviceable. I've succeeded so far (touch wood), but every year, it takes me a longer period of time. A couple of years ago, I found an almost perfect pair. Their only problem was that they didn't have heels (pant legs dragging in salty puddles, yum!), and they weren't quite warm. But they did the job for two years. But then, the zipper did what it always does after a few years. I tried to pull it up one day and it stuck. Then, it broke in my hands. Figures that I was at work when that happened. So, I had to wear my good loafers home. And considering how long it took me to find those (a nice looking pair of professional-looking shoes that have a bit of a heel, no elevator soles, didn't have a square toe and weren't old-lady shoes? Related story, but for another day.), I wasn't very happy about it.

What made me feel even worse was the knowledge that I would have to look for another pair of boots. I hate shopping for shoes. Everyone tells me that the only reason it's so bad is because I'm very picky on my requirements on what I will wear on my feet. Okay, fine, I'm anal when it comes to shoes. I admit it. I refuse to wear elevator shoes because I feel like I'm walking around in elephant feet when I do. Plus, I've noticed that all the short people out there who do try to improve their height by wearing the thick soles usually end up drawing more attention to the fact that they have clunky great shoes on rather than the fact that they are, you know, taller. I also refuse to wear stiletto heels because I tend to turn my ankles a lot when I walk. And I like boots that I wear in the wintertime to, God forbid, keep my feet warm.

I always envy guys whenever I do shopping for work clothing or good shoes. Men don't have to worry about finding a pair of dress pants with pockets in them. They're expected to carry their wallets and everything around them in their pockets. There's no worrying about the "line" of the body being disturbed or anything like that. But women don't have that luxury. We are expected to have purses (which I gave up carrying because I tend to lose them... But that's a whole other topic). And the pockets on all our pants are only for show. Because the "look" of a pocket is great, but God forbid it should actually do anything. Heck, we're not even allowed pockets in our blazers! Why should we have any in our pants?

Every time I have to shop for clothing, I wish I was a guy. For instance, guys have two choices when it comes to swim wear. Trunks or Speedos. As a girl, I have to contend with one-piece, one-piece-backless, one-piece-strapless, bikini, tankini, short top, halter top, skirt, no-skirt, matching or separates (and wow, do they gouge your pocket book with the separates!) etc, etc, etc. Then there's top enhancement. There's no such thing as a two piece without padding and/or push-up. Well, there is, but unless you don't mind leaving nothing to imagination when you get wet, it's not an option. And in the one-pieces, virtually the only ones without padding are the racing ones with the 'x' on the back. The kind you don't want to wear to the beach unless you don't mind the endless 'x'-marks-the-spot jokes at the end of the day. At least that's the selection in the stores I've been to.

For shoes, men get rubber cover shoes to go over their work loafers, so the walk through the snow to get to the office isn't a big deal. Men have no problems finding black or brown leather boots for the winter with thinsulate or some sort of insulation on the inside and non-slip treads that look like they came off a snow tire.

Women don't get cute little rubber cover shoes. Women's boots come in black and brown (and numerous other color) leathers, but that's where the similarities end. 8 out of 10 boots have absolutely nothing on the inside in terms of insulation to keep the feet warm. They usually have no grip to speak of, and have either the aforementioned clunky elevator soles or impossible high heels. If you want something that actually works like a winter boot, you have to get the big bulky snow boots that we all remember wearing as kids... You know.. the ones we always lost our socks inside. Yep, as a woman, if you wanna look beautiful, you really do have to suffer. All those men that go out to fetch the car after coming out of a mall or restaurant, then drive up to the store front to pick up their girlfriends/wives aren't just being nice. They are doing it out of necessity. Because that girl can't walk out to the car without getting hypothermia in her feet.

But hey, at least she looks good.

So, where does that leave me? At Square One (boasted to be the largest mall in Ontario...) a few weekends ago hunting around for a pair of ... say it with me... serviceable, boots that would go with my work clothes (and skirts). After hunting around for most of the day, I finally did find two pairs. On sale to boot! (heh, sorry... couldn't resist.) But, sales being what they are, it seemed that every other small-footed girl and her grandmother had beat me to it. There was nothing available in any size less than 7. Such is the story of my life.

I gave up. I decided to just screw the whole thing and concede defeat. Why should I have to cave to the dictates of the fashion industry? I have a perfectly serviceable pair of winter hiking boots with monster-truck treads and more ankle support than is actually needed for a long winter's hike. Okay, so they don't really go with pin-stripe pants and a cotton blouse, or a skirt for that matter. They are huge, yes, and they look as utilitarian as they feel. But who cares? They get the job done. . At least my feet are warm and I don't slip on the ice, not to mention the added bonus of not losing my socks inside like in those eskimo snow boots. The only disadvantage is that I have to take an extra pair of shoes with me everywhere if I actually want to go inside. Those mothers collect a lot of water in the treads after a short snowy walk.

I would fly in the face of the fashion industry and introduce the new "cool". Evening gowns and hiking boots! Hoowah!

Then, last Saturday, a miracle happened. I was braving the crowds at Pacific Mall (and honey, if you've ever been to Pacific mall on a Sunday, let alone the Sunday after Chinese New Year, you know the true meaning of brave), because I had nothing better to do. I hadn't actually thought of buying anything there, since the stores tend to follow the "tacky-fashions, Chinese DVD/CD store, Cell phone store, Electronics, Bubble tea kiosk, Japanese toys, wash, rinse and repeat" pattern. I do like hanging out there and checking out what they have, and half-heartedly searching for Rourouni Kenshin paraphanlia with Sanosuke on it. (... *sigh* Sano...), so I drop by every once in a while. Anyway, I'm digressing...

Like I said, I hadn't thought of really buying anything there, but decided, what the heck, I'd check out a few shoe stores. They won't have what I'm looking for (they always carry the latest fashion trends, and judging what's fashionable these days in Hong Kong, I'm way too outdated of any of that), but it doesn't hurt to look. Well, first store I walked into, I found them. Warm, treads, a small heel in back, faux-fur lined, black, gorgeous. And in my size. I pinched myself twice to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Then I checked the price. Not super cheap, but definitely affordable. I swear angels started singing at that moment. I tried them on, I walked around, I tried to find everything wrong with them that I could. And there wasn't a thing. Okay, they were a little tight up top when closing the zipper, but otherwise, they were perfect.

So now, my search is over for now. The latest battle has been won. Pray that these last a long time. For my sake, and for the sake of my friends who have to listen to me go on about this every other year.

Feb. 12, 2003
 

 

Home

Stepping Stones

The Fountain

sKrATch Pad

Dec. 6/89

---

© Kat Lai, 2002.
Please e-meow me if you have any comments or suggestions!

Sign Guestbook

View Guestbook