Forget diamonds, men or chocolate – shoes are a girl’s ultimate best friend. The types of shoes you own can show your state of mind and mood. You might be a Crocs wearer on a Saturday but a stiletto girl on a Friday night. Most women are comfortable in two or three categories of shoe. Wonder where you fit in?
Courtly Courts
Court shoes are a classic work or job-interview option. Courts are easy to feel confident in while still being comfy – in the office or out for drinks. Someone who favors court shoes tends to be respectable and resilient, and a loyal and reliable friend. Her values are basic: work hard, get paid well, use your brain, and treasure your friends and family.
Sculpture Heels
This girl is fashion-forward: sculpture heels were first seen on the catwalks of Dior, Chloe and Givenchy. But they don’t suit everybody’s style. They’re best worn with a simple outfit otherwise the overall look can be too busy.
The sculpture-heel girl is shoe-obsessed and would prefer you to comment on her footwear rather than on her clothes or makeup. She’d gladly suffer for her fashion – even if shoes are unflattering or uncomfortable, she will still wear them.
Ballet Flats, Loafers and Pumps
In a US study men were asked to look at women’s shoes and imagine who their owners were. When shown a pair of vintage designer flats, they guessed the owner was a 50- something divorced accountant. Actually, she was a 27-year-old PR officer who loved skydiving. This goes to show how wrong men can be about so-called ’sensible’ shoes.
Flat-shoe wearers have a lot of drive and diplomacy and get the job done. Many women buy ballet flats that are too small so they will stay on but this can damage your feet. Opt for a style with a strap.
Trainers
The average woman owns nine pairs of trainers, which shows we love to dress down – but this doesn’t make us sofa-bound slobs. One poll found that people who bought more than three pairs of trainers a year were 61% more likely to show leadership qualities than people who didn’t wear trainers.
They’re also more likely to be assertive and spontaneous. Whether she’s dashing to the gym or around town, the trainer wearer loves being in motion. But some people wear trainers for comfort and they’re lazier. A word of warning: trainers do have a shelf life. Ditch them after 800km of wear (about six months), as they lose their shock absorption.
Thongs and Flat Sandals
Like to feel the breeze on your toes? You’re a thongs girl and love to keep things natural. The only makeup you need is sunscreen. Turning poolside wear into all-occasion wear can go too far. Thongs show you have a relaxed ‘resort’ attitude, living at an easy pace. However, if you wear them to work it can give the wrong impression.
Flat sandals could be the ideal compromise. They’re perfect if you want a glammed-up style but aren’t comfortable with heels. Sandals have sex appeal because they expose the whole foot. Choose embellished sandals for a dressy edge.
Killer Stilettos
Okay, we know they give us bunions and bad backs. And in a recent survey a quarter of all women admitted to wearing crippling shoes just to stop their partners moaning that they were a waste of money. But, oh, they look so good. And despite what men might think, stilettos aren’t just about sex. It’s a power thing. If you’re towering above people, your confidence peaks. I have friends who wear specific pairs; when they want to conquer the world or get a dream date. It seems a curious contradiction. We feel powerful in them even though we can barely walk but it makes sense. An alpha female doesn’t need to be able to run. She embraces her raw, feminine power and isn’t afraid to tell you what she wants.
Peep-Toes, Strappy Heels and Teetering Wedges
These are ideal for summer parties, cocktails or just to show off tanned legs. The strappy-heel wearer likes to be admired by others. She considers her feet an asset she loves to show off. The peep-toe, however, reveals a little but not much. Wearers of either type of shoe are comfortable with their femininity – they like to make a sassy entrance by giving people a peek of toe cleavage. Wedges show that you can balance sexiness with being grounded – they’re high but still give support.
Platform Heels
These are for the girl who wants to party all night – without waking up with blistered feet the next day. They’re comfortable to walk and dance in, and have the added benefit of extra height.
The platform wearer wants to stand out from the crowd (literally) but isn’t so fashion-obsessed she’d let a pair of sky-high stilettos cut short a good time. Wearing platforms suggests you’re on trend but still practical.