 | Group post: shoes. OMG, shoes!By Grace Chu |
Yesterday I asked the Graces to write about their favorite pair of shoes – with one limitation: they weren’t allowed to talk about Converses, because with this crowd, this post would have been ended up being a sea of Chucks. Despite being aware of this limitation, a couple of Graces attempted to sneak in in Jack Purcells, even though they are a Converse product. Shame!
Why shoes? Because the bag post by Grace Downunder is nearing 30 comments, so the next logical step is talking about shoes.
I noticed a couple of trends, however. Every Grace who thinks it’s normal to spell “favorite” with an extra “u” shied away from sneakers. A little German birdie once told me that wearing athletic shoes in public is a unique and distasteful American phenomenon. In fact, the original question for this group post was, “What are your favorite pair of sneakers?” Grace Downunder, our Australian correspondent, responded immediately, informing me politely that she does not wear sneakers unless she is working out. She then signed off with “LesbianFAIL!” Our Scottish and Canadian Graces were also sneaker-phobic.
Second, the Midwestern Graces are all about semi-obscure sensible shoe brands. What the hell are “Clarks”? I don’t think we have those in New York, and even if we did, we wouldn’t wear them. The same goes for “Ecco” and “Frye.”
So, here we go!
Grace Maxwell
What’s the big whoop with Converses? Perhaps I’ll never understand.
My favourite shoes: small black open toed heels with stitched-in silver sequin bows. I bought them in a dusty shoe store from an enthusiastic Aunty. They are my favourite because they are comfortable, plus they look great with jeans and dresses, adding a bit of class to any outfit. The only thing is, I need to make sure my footsies are nicely pedicured before I wear them. For everyone’s sake.
Grace Downunder
My favorite shoes are leopard print ballet flats.
I adore them because they make me feel like a rockstar even when I know I am about the furtherest thing from being one. They’ve lived with me overseas, they’re really well made so they’ve lasted amazingly well and they are unfailingly nice to wear. They go with everything, can be formal or casual and the soles are rigid with a tiny heel so it makes a satisfying click when I walk so I feel important too.
One fateful night in Tokyo after many cocktails I was walking on the wet pavement outside my local grocery store and the slick, smooth soles of these shoes had my on my ass. I managed to throw my handbag down with me, smacking it so the camera inside took pictures with a thin red line through then from now on. Despite this incident, they remain in the good books. Cameras can be replaced, great leopard print flats cannot.
Grace O’Neill
Yes, Converse would have been my first choice. Guilty 
But if I can’t choose them then I have two choices:
1. Red Classic Low Top Doc Martens – My current work shoes. I’ve owned the same pair for the 15 years and they still look great. Yes folks, I’ve been rocking this stereotype since I was I was 12 years old!
2. Classic Suede Pumas – These are my “if I can’t wear converse” sneakers. They are comfortable and come in every color combo imaginable!
Grace Rooney
I am also a Converse girl. Jack Purcells are my second favorite pair of sneakers but they are also a Converse product, however when I need to channel my inner Jack McFarland I throw them on. Third place sneakers Adidas gazelles. My favorite pair of shoes, right now, a pair of black biker/cowboy boots that just put me in a kickass (I’ll take your name and maybe your number if your lucky) attitude when I slide them on. Of course they look ridiculous with pj pants so they don’t get out as often as they should!
Grace Yip
Okay so when I am home, I am barefoot because YO THIS BE AN AZN HOUSE AND YOU DON’T WALK AROUND WITH SHOES ON IN THE HOUSE.
When I am out and about, it’s a mix of Jack Purcells (I know it’s Converse, SUCK IT), various Adidas cleats/running shoes, and a pair of Roos for those nights that I need something to stick a $20 in because it’s going to be one of THOSE nights.
Werd.
P.S. Oh, and Clarks for work. Clarks are AWESOME.
Grace Abounding
Not a Converse fan over here. Don’t get me wrong, I like the look but the lack of support always leaves my feet hurting after about 10 minutes. I’m a total Adidas girl and rarely rock anything else. Since converse lovers get to be specific, I’m going to do the same. My absolute favorite are a pair of Superstar 2.0 that my girl had custom made for my birthday. Green leather on the sides and heel, white stripes and white toe shell. Top it all off with my initials monogrammed on the side, jealous yet?
Grace Underfire
I live for vans, flip flops and any sort of skate shoe. The picture is of my favorite set of black shoes. I would have added my dress shoes, but they go better with a gin and tonic v. beer. They make me look like a 65 year old retired theater teacher, but they are awesome.
My shoe ranking
1. Flip flops (prefer Quicksilver, Rainbow, and Reef)
2. Vans (any shade, but I prefer black)
3. Ecco and Clarks (see! I told you!)
Grace Fox
My favorite shoes right now are these.
My girlfriend would tell you that I only wear them when conditions are just right…like mild temperatures, full sun, no clouds in the sky, no water on the ground, no possible chance of rain or snow flurries. That’s kinda true but it’s only because I love them so much I want to keep them safe from the elements. These boots make me feel powerful, like I could kick some ass if necessary and, as a mom, I really need to feel like a badass once in awhile. Here’s another little tip: if you plan to have kids in the near future, start buying expensive shoes now. Seriously – right now! Kids cut into your shoe budget because they need shoes too. If you show up at your kid’s school in expensive shoes and your kid is wearing shoes made out of duct tape and paper bags, people will judge.
Grace Underpressure
Imma break the mold here!
I’m a girly girl–I think I own one pair of Converse and they have rainbow laces and are my token ‘gay shoes’ that I can wear when I want to make it obvious that, hey, I like the ladies. I don’t even KNOW if I own running shoes–I must, if only to work out.
On a day to day basis?
I wear flats, and if they’re not flats they’re high heels.
My current favourites are these:
Hot pink leopard print ballet flats. They’re super cute, go really well with leggings and a skirt.. or with just about anything because seriously, wtf is better then that? They’re awesome to wear with jeans and a cute top.
I am currently wearing a pair of gold ballet flats with a super-cute buckle across the toe.
I will one day wear:
And when I do get my greedy little hands on them, I am never ever ever going to let go of them. Ever.
I also own a pair of shoes that I fondly call my ‘Apocalypse Boots’, that is to say, if there WERE an apocalypse, I would want to be wearing them. They’re flat-sole motorcycle-style calf-high lace up (Though there’ a zipper for easy access) black boots. Hella comfy, light but insulated (wore ‘em all winter, yup), and most importantly: they look like something some badass zombie-killing hot chick with a machete and a few guns in a thigh holster would wear. Which you can be very certain is what I want to be when the dead walk.
And for the record…
Photographic evidence of an addiction!
The group shot is about half the shoes I have–not counting flip flops, assorted sandals, summer-y wear that has yet to be bought, or anything that got left at my mother’s for safe-keeping during the school year.
The comparison shot is of two pair of my favourite heels, one is a four inch stiletto bootie, patent leather zip-up, and the other is a plum velvet calf-high boot with a chopine heel and pink ruffle detailing. (It matches a super cute hat I have, so sue me)
And now, my shame is revealed!
Grace Chu
I have five crates of shoes, but you don’t want to hear about all of them. This is hard. Choosing your favorite pair of shoes is like choosing your favorite child. But I’ve whittled the five crates down to five pairs, because this post has already become a dissertation.
From left to right:
1) High heeled black boots. Everyone in New York has at least three pairs. These happen to be my favorite. I got them 14 years ago from Guess and they are indestructible. I keep getting them repaired, resoled, and reshined. They don’t make ‘em like these anymore.
2) Striipe sneakers. Striipe is a brand from Denmark. You can’t get these in the United States, only in Europe. Now you can’t even bring them back to the United States because no flights are going to and from Europe due to the volcano. It makes me feel special.
3) Gold flats. They are cute and comfortable, and even though they are gold, they somehow work with everything from jeans to skirts to dresses.
4) Diesel stilettos. They have a unique shape, and if anyone messes with you, you can use the heel as a weapon by taking them off and stabbing the punk in the eye.
5) Dark red pumps. They match my most often carried bag. It makes me look like I thought about my outfit, when in fact it’s just coincidental that I bought the same color shoes as my usual bag.
So where do you live, and what are your favorite pair of shoes and why?
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April 23rd, 2010 at 9:01 am
1. I don’t wear shoes at home. Does that mean I’m asian?
2. Frye boots are awesome! They do sell them in black so New Yorkers can wear them too.
3. I haven’t worn a pair of converse in at least 15 years.
4. The only “sneakers” I wear in public (and only in the summer) are Keens.
5. Right now, I’m wearing a pair of Doc Marten side zip boots, my other favorite pair of shoes.
April 23rd, 2010 at 10:40 am
I’m in Boston, and I admit to having 2 favorites, even though I have a rather limited shoe wardrobe (some chick I am…): now that warmer weather is here, it’s my brand-new Teva flip-flops in black with purple/black/pink strap. If it’s colder out, my brown suede low-top Chucks are my go-to shoes.
If I have to look professional (loving being back in school!), I swear by my Sketchers Mary-Jane sneakers–one pair in black, and one in brown!! Comfy and stylish.
April 23rd, 2010 at 10:53 am
I just bought new shoes yesterday so this post is fantastic timing. I have a plethora of sneakers some for the gym, trail running (i used to live in ohio), nike high tops, sperry boat shoes, original penguin shoes, adicolor TRON special edition shoes which I am trying to wear more, Clark desert boots are my favorite non sneaker shoe and Docs. I’ve never owned a pair of chucks. I have two pairs of Birkenstocks as well I am a bit surprised they were not mentioned at all as very stereotypical gay shoes. YAY SHOES!
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:21 am
holy crap, shoes. Admittedly, I only own three pairs of shoes. I’m Asian and have a couple pairs of Converse. Only problem with them is that the heels wear down to holes in a couple of years, and holey shoes aren’t so good when you live in the tropics and it rains EVERY ALTERNATE DAY. They’re not particularly dykey shoes, but in a country where all the girls are deeply girly and seem to wear girly flats or flip-flops, they’re probably more gay than I realise.
My other pair of shoes are my grownup work shoes. I’d go the cliche Doc Martens route, but again, not practical in 30 degree heat and I’m already a walking stereotype. I’m a diehard Ecco fan. They’re beautiful soft leather and comfortable, they last decades, they look like men’s shoes, and the rubber soles means that you can walk quietly like a cat. They’re not cheap, but they’re worth every cent.
http://www.ecco.com/int/en/collection/women/casual/09473/00158/detail.do
http://www.ecco.com/int/en/collection/women/casual/41493/51707/detail.do
Lastly – those black Christian Louboutins are the best shoes in the whole wide world. I may not wear girl shoes, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a woman in the world’s sexiest shoes. They’re sexier than any fancy underwear you could ever buy, sexier than any dress you’ll ever wear, and almost sexier than a dancing Beyonce in Sweet Dreams.
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:41 am
@Foxy: yes. an honorary AZN.
April 23rd, 2010 at 12:19 pm
I love my purse, but I detest girly shoes. Mainly because I’m tall, so I avoid heels like the plague. I live in Colorado, and I do admit to having two pairs of Chucks that l lurv! I also have a pair of hiking shoes (not hiking boots) that I wear a lot. Hiking shoes seem to be popular for all Coloradoans. For work I go for the Ecco or Clarks flats. I’m very surprised that other countries dislike sneakers so much.
April 23rd, 2010 at 12:53 pm
I spell favourite with a ‘u’ and I am an enormous sneaker fan. They are essentially the only thing I wear. This clearly very scientific conclusion is off just a bit.
April 23rd, 2010 at 1:01 pm
I’m from CT and my favorite shoes…ooh that’s hard. I’m only 5’1″ so I’m obsessed with making people believe I’m as big as my personality suggests. I don’t even glance at shoes that have a 2″ heel. I know one of my favorites are a gray heel that look like they’re made out of fabric, sort of like a girly, pinstriped tuxedo with flowers embroidered on it. There’s even a bowtie at the peep toe! My second favorite are these insanely high, brilliantly blue pumps that I got on clearance. The heel even has 3 different colors on it like a rainbow. *sigh* I can’t wait to get home and stare at those shoes. It’s been so cold that I know they’re feeling neglected.
April 23rd, 2010 at 4:07 pm
grace fox, your boots are hot!
April 23rd, 2010 at 4:20 pm
right now, I’m walking around in the Tegan and Sara Macbeth Sneakers. The black ones.
…. yeah. fangirl. BUT! I live in Germany and I went to the Tegan and Sara Concert in Cologne and was absolutely sure everyone would be wearin either the balck ones or the white ones. Turns out I only saw one pair – mine. Everyone told me when they wanted to buy them, they were already sold out. YEAH (:
if I’m not wearing those, I also stick to Converse. Got differnet pairs, all with special laces and scribbles on the rubber. But right now, there is not one pair without a hole in the sole.
for skating, I prefer shoes like the “Ecco” shoes.
April 23rd, 2010 at 4:51 pm
For those interested in the clarks and flats I wear, you will have to go straight to the Nordstroms men’s shoe department.
Work shoes
http://www.ecco.com/collection/productdetail/ProductDetailVPAction.do?country=int&language=en&category=men&subcategory=&supArtCode=51524&colorCode=01001
http://clarks.zappos.com/n/p/dp/57135397/c/216.html
Winter shoes
http://www.ecco.com/collection/productdetail/ProductDetailVPAction.do?country=int&language=en&category=men&subcategory=&supArtCode=01944&colorCode=00741
shoes I wish I had the money to buy
http://www.ecco.com/collection/productdetail/ProductDetailVPAction.do?country=int&language=en&category=men&subcategory=&supArtCode=50304&colorCode=00153
http://www.ecco.com/collection/productdetail/ProductDetailVPAction.do?country=int&language=en&category=men&subcategory=&supArtCode=80264&colorCode=00172
…..I also wish I owned a yacht and a vacation home in Washington.
April 23rd, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Ha, I totally rock out Adidas Sambas or whatever skate shoe fits my fancy, and same for my girlfriend.
I recently found a version of BROWN leather Sambas and for the first time in my life, I became a total girly girl about a shoe and just HAD TO FUCKING HAVE THEM. And I hardly ever wear them because I don’t want the white contrast seam along the edge of the soles to get dirty, ha!
I currently own TWO regular black pairs of Adidas Sambas – one that’s for dirty work and outdoor fun times, and another pristine pair for party times.
I would like to find some knee high black leather biker boots soon, though.
I would wear those.
April 23rd, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Canadian lesbians do wear sneakers: it’s the difference between an urban lesbian, like Grace Underpressure and a rural lesbian like… uh, me. And all my friends. >.>
I own four pairs of shoes, not including heels and sandals. My brown flats, my black flats, my sneakers and my winter boots. I am a chapstick lesbian to the hilt, yes I am.
April 23rd, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Hrmm–I now I`m curious. Someone remind me closer to September and I’ll take a photograph of the feet of people who come into the Queer Centre. Shit you not, guiys, I totally would.
Also, those Christin Louboutins make me soo happy. I would sell a kidney to afford them–I mean, people have two, right? They won’t mind if I borrow one of theirs…
Though I would argue that Canadian lesbians tend to wear the sneakers–we’re still fairly Americanized, so running shoes and such in public isn’t as big a sartorial faux pas as it seems to be other places—maybe its just us U-peeps are more femmy?
Mostly I just wear flats or heels cause they make me look taller/have nicer legs–sneakers are comfy, but I’m short and so, not a good look for me. I might have to buy a pair this summer or something. O_o
April 23rd, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Spring/Summer my favs are my Nike sandals. During the winter it’s my Timberlands or regular sneaks. I just bought my first pair of Converse(Thanks to Grace Rooney and Annie G Freeman).
Unfortunately, most of the time in the work shoes and they are black, non-skid soles
I’m with the no shoes at home unless it’s my comfy slippers.
April 23rd, 2010 at 7:28 pm
I should also clarify that I only wear men’s Clarks and Ecco. UBER DYKE.
April 23rd, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Birkenstock sude clogs? Anyone? I have about 7 pairs of shoes total, including slippers… but I go for quality, not quantity. I also bought some sneakers made from “recycled materials” (or so they say) from Simple Shoes based in Cali–and they are awesome.
I used to have a pair of beautiful peep-toe heels, but I never wore them. Then I realized it was the idea of another girl wearing heels I liked, not actually wearing them myself!
April 23rd, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Back in the beginning of the internet, there used to be a usenet site called alt.shoes.lesbian. Not sure I can link the photo, but here is artwork for our tshirts: http://mpcardenas.smugmug.com/photos/142535702_uXH26-M.jpg
As for me? Fluevogs, Frye boots, Adidas Barricade Vs (for tennis, really) and Solovairs.
April 23rd, 2010 at 9:17 pm
OK, misplaced the ‘s’. alt.shoe.lesbians
April 23rd, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Timberland shoes are the way to go for me! I tried Converse once to see what the craze was about, but the pair that I bought wore out in a year’s time, and it wasn’t all that comfy. So I have been anti- Converse ever since! Now Timberlands on the other hand are shoes I could wear to sleep, and I’m Asian.
April 23rd, 2010 at 10:16 pm
Ooh, my favourite shoes from the pics are Chu’s #3 gold flats.
I wear bare feet in the house, because, as Yip so *Gracefully* put it (ha ha! *tumble weed blows past…*)YO THIS BE AN AZN HOUSE AND YOU DON’T WALK AROUND WITH SHOES ON IN THE HOUSE. Unless you want Aunty to smack you upside the head.
April 24th, 2010 at 8:43 am
@Yip Another honorary azn here, it seems, I can’t stand when anyone wears shoes in the house!
Anyways, I’m from Ireland, and we don’t consider Converse-style sneakers to be in the same faux-pas catagory as runners (running shoes/gym shoes), they’re more of a fashion statement (dyke, hipster etc)
But enough about Cons. My favourite day to day shoes have to be Rocket Dogs, I adore them. They’re cute, funky and so comfortable! I have a pair of black suede MaryJane pumps by them that are just molded to my feet, they have a thicker sole so they’re comfortable to wear all day (I wait tables part time so this is important) and they don’t fall off when I’m driving like some pumps do (also important)
This being Ireland, however, it’s too wet to wear pumps for about two thirds of the year :c It’s fine if I’m driving anywhere and can just run from the car to a building, but I have to get the bus and walk to college, so during the winter I tend to wear boots, my favourites being a brown mid-calf pair of knit boots with heavy soles from American Eagle. We also have PE class one day a week, for which I usually wear Vans.
Like Fox, I also have a pair of boots I guard with my life. They’re bright red matte leather flat ankle boots and they are the funkiest and most comfortable footwear I have ever found. I like wearing them when I’m teaching or if I’m going anywhere I need to dress up a bit, but they’re also very fragile when it comes to moisture, which means, living in the country I do, that I have to be very, very careful with them.
I love heels, but I’m not willing to sacrafice my comfort by wearing them, and that’s why I’m a bad femme :c If I can get away with it, however, I’ll wear these
They make me about six inches taller, but it’s mostly in the platform!
April 25th, 2010 at 2:22 am
I have an entire closet full of shoes, and most of them are heels or boots. I AM SO DAMN GIRLY.
April 25th, 2010 at 10:30 am
These are my two favourite pairs of shoes http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w320/k_miss/jossunkuvia024.jpg
Both are by threesixty, balck ones for winter and green ones for summer. Heels I don’t wear, ever. I think I have sandals with a little heel somewhere but I’ve only worn them once a few years ago.
April 25th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
I own one pair of Superga tennis shoes (the whites on http://www.superga-usa.com/) and since 2008 all other sneakers have been banished from this house.
For sandals I vary between white Birkenstock Madrids or anything with a 2.5-inch heel, strappy or not.
My day shoes are pumps in every possible shade. I am currently hunting down a pair of leopard print flats because they would probably work nicely under a pair of tight jeans. I usually buy Spanish shoes for the leather and the bright colours.
I live in a cobble-stoned city named Antwerp in Belgium and I bike everywhere. My middle name is masochist.
April 25th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
I wear flip flops as much as possible, especially my Adidas slip ons. When it comes to going out to straight clubs I’ll throw on flats/flat boots or the occasional heels.
HOWEVER. my main obsession is trainers/sneakers etc. I just got my first pair of Chucks this year but prior to that I had a ridiculous PUMA obsession.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v10/176/57/1160760037/n1160760037_1934921_7335.jpg
Though this collection has dwindled over the last couple years, there are definitely a few pairs missing from this picture. I now have an obsession with kicks of the high-top variety that I’m sure will soon get me into financial trouble..
April 26th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Really, folks? Where are all the awesome classic men’s-style shoes?
I heart my wingtips!
Though on an everyday basis, I have to sport sneakers — I don’t drive, so most days I walk a minimum of four miles or so, and bike another five to ten.
April 26th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
my massive comment did not. I love boat shoes especially sperry and original penguin sneakers Clarks desert boots are amazing. I have two pairs one in brown and one in black.
April 26th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Sorry guys for the late comment approval – the spam filter does not allow multiple links on a post.
April 29th, 2010 at 11:42 am
OMG…lesbians in New York were wearing Frye boots before most of you were born!!
Shari
Far Rockaway High School, class of ’76!