“I hate the idea of natural. For example, I prefer gardens to wild nature. I like to see the human touch. High heels are a complete invention – an extravagance. They’re far from natural, but it’s the impracticality that I adore. I prefer the useless to the useful, the sophisticated to the natural.”

~Christian Louboutin

No one will deny there are many drawbacks of growing older; weight gain, adverse effects of gravity, responsibilities, bills, bills, and more bills.  The list could go on forever.  But my ever-increasing age has recently brought forth the most heinous development.  It’s so terrible, I have yet to utter it aloud until now.  So here it goes…. I can no longer wear heels!!!  *sobs uncontrollably*

For my whole adult life sky-high heels have been a staple in my wardrobe.  Dare I say, my shoe game was on point!  Despite being 5’10” barefoot, I would always slide my feet in some fierce 3.5″-5″ heels and step out on the town like I was queen of the Amazons!  I amassed a shoe collection that many women would envy, consisting of well over 100 pairs of beautiful, stylish, mile-high heels.  Each one special and unique in its own way.  I took pride in my collection.  I doted over them, loved them, cared for them, and spent time and money arranging them in the most meticulous way, each in a clear plastic shoebox with their own personal portrait on the front.

I used to commute in heels, walk in heels, dance all night in heels.  My feet would be sore at the end of the night, but nothing I couldn’t handle.  Something changed around the time I hit 28 or 29.  I suddenly realized that not only had my feet grown a half a size, but my tolerance for heels was next to nothing.  Even the most modest heel would kill my feet and leave me begging for mercy at the end of the night.  Despite this, I still wear heels from time to time when I want to look my best.  I’m just sure to bring a pair of “backup flats” in case things get too intense.  Most days, I just say “to hell with it” and wear flats all day.

When I was younger, I had heard older women say “I just can’t wear heels anymore” and thought.  Ha!  That could never be me.  But here I am, in my early 30’s, wearing practical shoes, saying the exact same thing those old ladies said when I was younger.

Maybe this is a major style transition in my life, or maybe it’s just laziness.  I suppose eventually I will have to retire my heels entirely in favor of flats, or even worse, orthapedic shoes (*gasp*).  Be that as it may, I’m not ready just yet to give up my prized high heel shoe collection, even if I can only stand to wear them for a couple of hours at a time.

Has your shoe selection changed as you’ve gotten older?  What kind of shoes do you prefer to wear?