…on these FitFlops? I was not sure I got it at all. Really? Firstly there is the obvious – the naming! Alliterative? AND word play? Much too contrived and I’m-trying-too-hard-ey. :P. Secondly, lets face it, they are shoes that – no major offence intended – look like corrective shoes from back in the day for children with special physical needs (ok I may have lied on the no offence;)).
The first time I heard about them was a while ago. Surprisingly from someone who passes my ‘shoe ho’ test. One of the goddesses of shoe-and-bag-ho-ness actually. It was in the shopping context, telling me how they are the ONLY thing she goes out in when she means serious shopping business. “That just doesn’t add up”, I said to myself. “Oh never mind,” I rationalized, “everyone is allowed a few mistakes; and god bless her, she makes so few!”
From then, I have had several run-ins with the abominable things! From shoe conoisseurs and comforter seekers alike, I have had FitFlop references. Ugggg. Everyone and their mother was wearing them. Literally!
Now here’s me… I started out with 2 pairs of shoes, ummmm, not too far in the past. One black. One brown. Seriously. It worked and that’s what I went with. Then I met a series of people who had a profound impact on my shoe life – the key ones being my sig other, and my ultimate sole-mate - SM. I went from never having worn heels to wearing nothing but. From buying shoes once a year to happily spending a good part of a month’s measly salary on one pair.
So quite recently, during and post the period of making a little person, I got the worst sciatica. The crippling, can barely walk type. That combined with horribly swollen feet made me do the unthinkable – look for comfortable and fugly shoes! I tried a million on in the quest for even a modicum of style. Finally settled on a gold shimmery pair from Ecco. If it must be ugly, atleast its shiny and ugly.
All this got me thinking, “should I?”. “Noooo,” I said, “it hasn’t come to that!”. My mum and sis, probably sick of the I’m-in-pain whining, nudged me in the FitFlop direction. My sis even bought me a pair so I could blame it on her if someone asked. *Sniff* that’s family for you! I chose a basic black pair with giant bling on it :). The least of the evils.
So I got them home, slipped my feet into them expecting hellfire and damnation from the shoe gods to rain down on me! And nothing. They felt reasonably comfortable. No big deal. And then I hit The Dubai Mall (which to me is where I hear angels sing. A truly religious experience. There’s very little you cant find there. But lately I haven’t been able to pay it the homage it deserves, because, well, I’m too handicapped to bow at its altar!). I shopped. And I shopped some more and still more. Baby and buggy in tow. Carrying baby AND shopping bags at some points. And nothing happened! Are you getting this??? Nothing happened! No crippling pain. No every step kills. No hop hop hop to the nearest couch. Just sheer comfort!
Ok I’ll admit it! I was a total snobbish ass. Don’t get me wrong, I’m never trading Jimmy or Christian in for them, but they definitely have pride of place in my shoe closet now.
And that my dears, is like coming home. *Sigh*
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