Thursday, September 2, 2010

We’ve adored them since the beginning of time and a new study reveals most women harbour more vivid memories of their favourite heels than they do of their first love, writes Eve Dugdale

They support us everyday, help keep our feet firmly on the ground and can always be relied upon to help us stand tall when we feel like cowering.

We drag them through rough terrain and rely on them even when they’re falling to bits yet they still never utter a word of complaint.

No, definitely not a husband or boyfriend, but a pair of shoes.

Throughout time women have loved shoes. From espadrilles, which were first worn in the 14th century and still sported nowadays to the most uncomfortable back breaking stilettos, when Marilyn Munroe sang ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’ it’s a dead-cert most women would say she was sorely mistaken. And now a new study has revealed that us girls are more likely to harbour memories of our favourite slip-on sandals, platform heels or trainers than our first boyfriends.

Ninety-two per cent of women remember the first shoes they bought with their own money but when it comes down to recalling the name of the first person they kissed, just 63 per cent manage it. And while 96 per cent regret throwing out a pair of shoes, just 15 per cent feel sorry for dumping
a boyfriend.

The findings come from web site tszuji.co.uk, which sells storage for shoes and asked more than 1,000 women to compare their shoe and relationship memories.

Experts say the reasons behind women’s fondness for shoes is down to their buying habits. Many purchase a new pair of heels for a special
occasion, such as a wedding, birthday or party.

But teacher Vanessa Fallon says there’s another reason ladies give their shoes such high regard.

“Women love their shoes so much because they make them feel sexy. Men don’t make women feel sexy anymore so we need to rely on our shoes!” she explains.

“Nowadays men are too bothered about how they look and how they can look better, they don’t bother about making us feel sexy or better about ourselves.

“Shoes stretch your calves, elongate your body and make you stand up tall making you feel so much better about yourself.”

The researchers behind the study say some women treat their shoes like their best friends and although men may like to think of women storing old love letters and sentimental tickets stubs in a shoebox, it’s often the shoes themselves that are even more precious.

Victoria Beckham may have been criticised for sticking by her man when rumours about his infidelity were made public, but perhaps more shocking is Posh’s unconditional and unfaltering love of shoes.

Poor Vicky’s adoration of all things tall has left her feet in awful condition.

In fact just last month it was revealed she may have to have surgery to deal with her bunions as she can’t bear to live without her skyscraping heels.

She’ll happily live in a different country to her drop-dead gorgeous husband but can’t bear to be parted from her heels?

To men this idea is crazy. To us girls it’s completely understandable.

PA Samantha Fewtrell says that although she remembers her first boyfriend, it’s memories of her first pair of shoes she holds more dearly.

“They were red shiny shoes and I walked around the whole apartment block proudly singing ‘I’ve got new shoes, I’ve got new shoes’. I was only three-years-old and I still remember that incident clearly!” she says.

Personal shopper and stylist Sareh says the popular TV show ‘Sex and the City’ has a lot to do with women’s fascination about shoes.

“Many women admire Carrie as a young, happy, single girl in New York who cares more about the shoes in her closet than the men she dates,” she explains.

“Shoes won’t let you down. You can eat what you like and your shoes will still fit unlike a pair of trousers which may not zip up.

Whether you’re a size zero or a size 20, shoes enhance your silhouette and make you stand tall. They’re not like designer dresses which often only go up to size 12 - they’re accessible for all and even if you don’t have the money for a new outfit, shoes can help you look your best.”

eve.dugdale@7days.ae