The arrival of the red shoes in my life triggered an unexpected journey of exploration and self discovery.“THIS….is from a shoe???!!” I would exclaim every time insight and understanding dawned. Friends, members of The Women Who Love Shoes Club, smiled knowing smiles and nodded. They shared their stories and offered membership to the Club. While I’m still on a visitors pass I am fascinated by what clearly is a love, deeply connected to the heart…and decidedly magical.
Today, facts that imbue-the-shoe with supernatural-ness.
FACT#1 – Buying and wearing shoes can be a serious mood booster for many women with a real physiological root. Once the neurotransmitter dopamine is released it produces a feel good high, described as being similar to taking a drug.
FACT#2 – While sales of most things slumped during the recession footwear sales went up in every quarter.
FACT #3 -Like animals we associate height with power. High heels immediately raise our status (in the kingdom).
FACT#4 – In previous centuries only the wealthy wore heels… we still see them as denoting class.
FACT#5 – Heels make every leg look great and the wearer slimmer.
FACT#6 – High heels (stilettos) cause the wearer to assume a primal mating poise called ‘lordosis’ where the behind lifts and the back arches. (Helen Fisher PhD professor of Anthropology Rutgers University)
FACT#7 – A pound or two may be gained but shoe size never changes.
FACT#8 – Women will buy shoes in the wrong size if they love them.
FACT#9 – Some women rarely wear the shoes they love most. Instead they will view the shoe as a coveted work of art to be looked at and only occasionally touched.
FACT#10 – Dr Daniel Amen author of The Brain in Love said, “Our minds are structured in a way that we may associate feet with sex. The area of the brain that communicates with the genitals is right next to the area that deals with feet these regions share neural cross talk which may be why shoes can be erotic”.
FACT#11 – Red Shoes have the distinct honor of being their own sub culture. Red shoes can set wearers and those around them off balance in both a negative and positive way (as I learned from red shoe project wearers).
Could this be why? Red excites the emotions and motivates us to take action. As the color of blood, it has strong symbolism to life and vitality — passion and lust. Red signifies a pioneering spirit and leadership qualities, promoting ambition and determination.
FACT #12 – Red is known to: increase enthusiasm and interest – provide energy – encourage action and confidence to go after your dreams – protection from fears and anxieties.
What I learned from going through my shoe closet
I have less than 20 pairs of shoes and therefore fall below the national average. If I do join The Women Who Love Shoes Club I will have a lot of catching up to do which of course will require lots of shoe shopping. This would be heavily endorsed by my husband as I’d be in a permanently happy place virtually swimming in dopamine.
I realized that most of the shoes in my closet were purchased because they looked FUN…I can only assume I have a couple of crossed wires?
I have more heels than flats…I love high heels….the added height makes me feel powerful. I am an introvert who masquerades as an extrovert so the increased size helps me be more out there or would it be up there? Regardless…..works for me.
My red shoes make me happy, I swear they create energy and draw people and opportunities to me.
JUST AS I’M ABOUT TO WRAP UP THIS POST I FIND THIS…...
A Sociologist from New Zealand spent several months asking why women wear red shoes. Her report included research that indicates bright red shoes have an overpowering effect on men and that some men may become befuddled and even confused. This leads them to stammer and perspire.
WHAT??!!
I read it to my husband.
I’m howling!
He’s smiling.
crazy….
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