The first time I saw The Wizard of Oz was in the movie theater with my Mom. I think I was about six or so. And when the Wicked Witch of the West initially appeared, I was so terrified that I had to be extracted from the theater in hysterics. (I’ve since recovered.)
But if you’re an Oz die-hard, you know that at approximately the very same time the Green Meanie made her dramatic appearance via smoke and broomstick, the Ruby Red Slippers also appeared. And these sparkling stunners completely captivated me, even through my tears.
Years later when I was able to enjoy the entire film I learned that not only were those one of a kind magical shoes a perfect fit for Dorothy’s feet, but also that throughout her entire journey– dancing with the Munchkins, walking miles and miles on that unforgiving yellow brick road, meeting new friends, clattering around the Wizard’s castle, and climbing those treacherous stairs at the Witch’s lair, Dorothy was able to power through her entire day in heels! I don’t know about you but I find that pretty impressive.
I happen to love shoes. I used to be able to wear heels, uncomfortably of course, but I was able to do it. I remember when I worked as a computer graphic artist in my early twenties– the bottom drawer of my filing cabinet was filled with suede platform heels by Nine West in a variety of fun colors like tan, black and the once progressive lime green. (The hideous slime color perfectly matched one of my cheap Baramai suits and I loved rocking the monochromatic look! So keep laughing. It was fashionable then, I swear.)
My commute to the office consisted of throwing on my favorite slip on Keds with socks and hoofing it from the east side of Midtown to the west side of Midtown a big eleven blocks. And then presto– with a quick swap from drawer number two, I stood four inches taller and looked so on point… or so I thought.
To be fair I sat most of the day. I would do a lap around the office to say a few hellos, or tramp down the carpeted stairs to deliver some sort of newsletter or logo that I had just created to one of the account leaders. But mostly my job was sitting comfortably at a digital station and making art. At the end of the day, you guessed it, back into my sneaks and back onto the pavement to trudge home. (It was sooo Tess McGill a la Working Girl of me!)
I stopped regularly wearing heels years ago. The pain was just not worth it. I still own a few pair I don for special occasions when I know the standing portion of the evening will be super limited and I can hop into a cab or Uber for door-to-door service to minimize my verticality.
But after those nights I come home and happily kick those suckers right off. In my house I’m usually barefoot in the summer months but prefer sliding into cozy slippers for the cooler winter ones. My slippers do have a bit of a shine to them, but I love being comfortable in my own apartment. And as we all know… there truly is no place like home.
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