Farewell

Well, I know you all love listening to me ramble on about my favorite shoes and styles, and interesting facts on what is good for your feet, but this is my last blog post. I have had fun participating in this little hobby, and who knows, maybe I will be back at a later date to inform you all of new styles and trends that have arisen throughout society!

Shoes are something that will ALWAYS be around, they are something that everyone wears and uses, and can’t really be without in today’s society. Most businesses have a “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service” sign hanging in their front window, and we all know what this means. This just builds on the idea which I have tried to implant in the minds of all my viewers: this is the idea that shoes are so important. Shoes are important to protect your feet, to make you feel good, and to make you look better. Shoes are definitely multi-dimensional, and more than we actually believe them to be; however, this is not usually something everyone sits around and thinks about.

If you have been viewing my blogs throughout these past four months, it is easy to tell what kind of style I am more attached to and the styles that I could care less for. I have also wanted to give you all some ideas on promoting the good health of your feet, and how important it is to keep your feet in good shape! After all, they are stuck with you for life! J

So I guess this is a farewell until another time when I may return, I have enjoyed venting about something I feel very strongly about, SHOES!

Birkenstocks

So I have written a couple blogs on shoes that are good for your feet and can improve your arches and what not; however, I came across these shoes called Birkenstocks, and I have read a lot about them, they are very interesting and seem to be very good for your feet.

Birkenstocks footbeds are made of cork and natural latex; they are also contoured in the shape of a “healthy foot.” The contours allow for weight to be distributed properly while raising arches in order to provide support for the natural shape and structure of the foot. There is also a “toe bar”, which allows the toes to grip and flex, which ultimately stimulates circulation, exercises the legs, and helps promote balance. There is a deep heel cup which allows the natural padding under the heel of the foot in order to offer stability.

I find these shoes to be really important to the promotion of good health of the feet. Usually when people buy their shoes, mostly young people, aren’t out looking for shoes that are good for their feet, rather just shoes that look good with the outfit they have picked out. However, if younger individuals started wearing “healthy shoes” at a younger age, they wouldn’t have these damaging effects later in life.

In one of my earlier blogs, titled “Shoes Made For Fashion Rather Than Comfort", addresses the issues that may be caused from wearing the wrong shoes, or too high of heels.

In another blog post of mine, titled “Damaging Your Feet: The Risk of Beauty", I address many damaging effects of high heels and also a few interesting statistics that are relevant.

Chucks

Converse tennis shoes, also known as “chucks”, have been popular for as long as I’ve been alive. It is amazing for a style to stay popular for such a long period of time.

The Converse Rubber Company was founded by Marquis M. Converse in 1908. Around 1915, the company decided to make athletic shoes so that they were able to have production all year round, rather than making seasonal shoes which is what the company started off with. The growth of Chucks is associated with the growth of basketball throughout the 1920’s and 30’s. The basketball star, Chuck Taylor, became the spokesperson during this period, hence why these shoes are referred to as “Chucks.” His signature was also added to these shoes; therefore this was another reason for the increase of sales.

In the 1970’s and 1980’s, Converse began facing competition from other shoe creators; therefore, Converse decided that they needed to make their shoes more distinct. The main style, and famous style, of Converse is the Chuck Taylor All Star Design. I’m pretty sure that about fifty percent of the population owns a pair of chucks or has at one point in time throughout their lives.

Chuck Taylors have become the “all American” shoe, all different types of individuals are seen wearing these shoes, from punk rockers, to preppy school girls, everyone has a pair. From 2001 to 2002, Converse’s profits tripled, these shoes became quite a staple in sales. I don’t really know what planet you’re from if have never heard of chucks, if you simply just go outside you are sure to see a pair or two!

Like Walking on Marshmallows

I recently went shopping with my Grandfather and we went to Finishline in the mall, and of course the sales associate came up to greet us both and ask if they could help us find anything. My Grandfather responded by saying, “I need a shoe that makes me feel like I’m walking on a marshmallow.” I was kind of embarrassed and just laughed it off, and, of course, the sales associate laughed too. I thought that he was kind of crazy because never have I had a pair of shoes that were that light weight and airy as to feel like I was actually walking on a marshmallow. However, after a while I purchased a pair of Nikes from the same store, and honestly, every time I wear them, I feel like I’m walking on air… or a giant marshmallow.

These shoes are called Nike Lunarfly, Lightweight. You can purchase these shoes at Finishline.com. These shoes are meant to be running shoes, but I wear them as everyday shoes. They are the most comfortable shoes ever and I can go for hours standing without any pains in my legs or feet. Below, I have provided a picture of these tennis shoes, the price, and a link to the store in which you can purchase them. These shoes are a must purchase, they will change your idea of working out, running, walking, or even simply just standing around! They are amazing!

These shoes can be purchased at www.finishline.com, for only $49.58

Foot Binding

I find it very interesting how women define smaller as being better, or more desired. For example, almost every woman would prefer having a smaller shoe size. This is true in other countries also, such as China; however, in China, it seems that they will go to extreme measures in order to maintain a smaller foot size. The Chinese women are known for binding their feet.

Although the words, Foot binding, are pretty self-explanatory, for those who don’t know or have never heard of this, foot binding is the practice of tightly binding the foot with tough bandages in order to slowly, over time, stop the growth of the foot and ultimately make one’s foot smaller in size. This sounds extremely painful, I know, and this is because it is. Women who have bound their feet for so long have broken their own bones and caused deformities to their feet. This is all because of the fact that China views smaller feet on women as sacred for many different reasons.  

Of course, I have never heard of any others, besides the Chinese, binding their feet in order to make them smaller. Although, I’m sure that it is not bizarre to say that women have done crazy things in order to achieve this same goal. Women in America simply have procedures done if they want a smaller foot size that badly. However, this just goes to say that women all over the world view smaller feet as better. It is very interesting to see the measures that some will take in order to have a smaller shoe foot.