The Naked Truth: Why I hate summer shoes

Here’s a fact: Most people’s feet are unattractive. Granted there are some lovely people out there with perfect piggies that have none of the blemishes that affect us mere mortals (calluses, corns, cuts from shoes that were supposed to give us that “SATC” look, etc.) But they are more the exception than the rule.


Yeah I like their shoes, too, but "the girls" are still somewhat blamable for the pressure many women these days now feel to go all out (designer and uncomfortable) or not even bother (flip-flops or other effortless footwear).

The majority of the feet I see on the streets and on the train come in the following varieties:
*Squished into too-small shoes, usually flip-flops or wedges with long toenails peeking out over the edges. The feet vary from gnarly to attractive—at least they would be if it weren’t for the ghetto fab pedicure in varying stages of freshness.
*Covered in cuts and discolorations, also squished into uncomfortable looking shoes—undoubtedly one of many pairs that hurt the wearer’s feet in different places. But hey ya gotta suffer for fashion. (Yes I tend to fall into this category too often. It isn’t cute, although I keep trying to tell myself it is.)
* Healthy looking other than the flaky dry skin and overly long toenails, framed in Birkenstocks or some other I-don’t-care look type shoes. Leg hair will frequently accentuate this style.
And then there are “mandals,” shoes men shouldn’t wear but do, with a look that is also often finished by too-hairy legs and short pants.

While these looks are certainly not without their entertainment value (assuming you’re not the one wincing in pain in an attempt to break in a pair of stilettos) they are still nasty and make me long for fall. And lest you think I’m just ripping people with unattractive feet, that’s not what this is about. It’s also about protecting feet, which can get pretty beat up in summer shoes, because a) you don’t usually wear socks or tights with them and b) most of us do more walking this time of year.

So what’s the moral of this story? Just treat your feet right, people. If you’re addicted to sky-high heels and don’t want to be seen in anything sporty, just stash a pair of sneaks in your desk at work and change into your not so comfy footcandy as needed. Or just don a pair of colored tights, which will help prevent friction. Just don’t give up and resign yourself to Birkenstocks or other cat lady type footwear. There are other comfortable options to choose from; mainly it’s just a matter of trying on lots of different shoes from different brands to see which one best fits your feet and lifestyle.