Ah, high heels: the advanced West's version of old-time Chinese foot binding. It's not like I wear them that often but I do have a horror story of self-maiming (not myself) and near crippling that can occur over a long time of use.
It's brilliant of her to have an alternative.
I must apologize. I often comment on the image without mentioning the capturer of that image. Love the angles, contrasts, repeated verticals, colors; and, as you pointed out, the human story that adds so much depth beyond the image itself. Another good one done in an increasingly identifiable "Alexa" style. It's that certain, not merely visual, depth, and clarity.
The fashionable women in Paris rush to get to the Metro in their high-heeled piedwear over cobblestoned walkways with such grace. It is part of their genetic makeup, non? Their mums and grandmums and so on have known nothing else...style over pain. This woman in your photo has the right idea in my humble onion (although I can never keep flip-flops on my feet). However, by Parisian standards she might be considered a "foot wimp." ;-)
coltrane -- I think it's genetic chez les Parisiennes. I admire it in a way, but I could never pull it off, so I'll just stick with my oh-so-American Bass Weejuns (so much for NYC sophistication). I've never met a woman who had trouble wearing flip-flops, but I know several guys who just can't keep them on their feet, including you apparently. Wonder why that is. (Mebbe they feets too big, eh?)
tg -- Shucks, how you do go on! Seriously, I did take some time to compose this shot (hoping her train, or mine, wouldn't show up). And I had to be sneaky. But I didn't think it was all that. Glad you do, though, and maybe I'll reconsider my self-evaluation—and try to live up to your high opinion.
It looks much like a fashion shot. Her appearance and dress affirm that, but the flip-flops make it into a fascinating snapshot of real life. So here we have a conceptual contrast: the difference between our first commercial expectations (we are used to seeing attractive, stylishly dressed women in ads) and the reality of an individual merely waiting for a train. And also we have the textural contrast of her smooth slickness versus the grunge of her environment.
Then there is the question of "why" she has multiple footwear. It implies both a past and a future. Why did she change out? Comfort only? Protection? (Click! "Ha! My heel is now a real stiletto, so back off mutha.") Subway connected practical reasons? ("Yow! My heel's stuck in the escalator!") When will she change back? It can't be long from now, she's holding the heels in her hand and not in a bag. Is she going to a job; back home? It just kind of goes on and on for me.
Please don't worry about about living up to someone's opinion or anything like that. It might change your approach. It's that you are developing a kind of style and it's an easy style to like. It's unique which means it's a kind of part of you. So you don't have to be or do anything more than what you are naturally.
I always keep a pair of flips in the trunk of my car! Nine West had this great pair of ballet flats that folded and came with a small envelope type pouch. Perfect to tuck into a purse for emergencies.
I originally thought this was a posed shot. Great real life catch.
from cali -- I have those very same Nine West ballet flats (and flip-flops, of course)!
tg -- where were you when I was an insecure adolescent? Oh, right—probably in the same boat. Well, if so, you've since acquired a good dose of wisdom, and I'm happy to take your excellent advice.
I don't have "trouble" with wearing thongs (old school use of the word), it's just that I don't like the extra effort it takes to keep them on my feet. I can do it, but like high heeled pumps, you have to arch your foot in such a way that the pressure of the muscle-created arching keeps your foot in the shoe. Foot as tension rod. The added detail of the thong between the toes is the chafing of tender, thin skin until a callus forms. If you're used to just propelling yourself forward, all the toe-squeezing, foot arching effort is so much wasted energy.
So, I'm a strap-on sandal and shoe gal, usually with boring flat soles. I'm a Merrell, Mephisto, Ariat, and Teva wearing matron. But as with tattoos, I enjoy seeing the artful fashion others are willing to wear. Mendocino just spoils me for comfort.
Ah, high heels: the advanced West's version of old-time Chinese foot binding. It's not like I wear them that often but I do have a horror story of self-maiming (not myself) and near crippling that can occur over a long time of use.
ReplyDeleteIt's brilliant of her to have an alternative.
I must apologize. I often comment on the image without mentioning the capturer of that image. Love the angles, contrasts, repeated verticals, colors; and, as you pointed out, the human story that adds so much depth beyond the image itself. Another good one done in an increasingly identifiable "Alexa" style. It's that certain, not merely visual, depth, and clarity.
The fashionable women in Paris rush to get to the Metro in their high-heeled piedwear over cobblestoned walkways with such grace. It is part of their genetic makeup, non? Their mums and grandmums and so on have known nothing else...style over pain. This woman in your photo has the right idea in my humble onion (although I can never keep flip-flops on my feet). However, by Parisian standards she might be considered a "foot wimp." ;-)
ReplyDeletecoltrane -- I think it's genetic chez les Parisiennes. I admire it in a way, but I could never pull it off, so I'll just stick with my oh-so-American Bass Weejuns (so much for NYC sophistication).
ReplyDeleteI've never met a woman who had trouble wearing flip-flops, but I know several guys who just can't keep them on their feet, including you apparently. Wonder why that is. (Mebbe they feets too big, eh?)
tg -- Shucks, how you do go on! Seriously, I did take some time to compose this shot (hoping her train, or mine, wouldn't show up). And I had to be sneaky. But I didn't think it was all that. Glad you do, though, and maybe I'll reconsider my self-evaluation—and try to live up to your high opinion.
It looks much like a fashion shot. Her appearance and dress affirm that, but the flip-flops make it into a fascinating snapshot of real life. So here we have a conceptual contrast: the difference between our first commercial expectations (we are used to seeing attractive, stylishly dressed women in ads) and the reality of an individual merely waiting for a train. And also we have the textural contrast of her smooth slickness versus the grunge of her environment.
ReplyDeleteThen there is the question of "why" she has multiple footwear. It implies both a past and a future. Why did she change out? Comfort only? Protection? (Click! "Ha! My heel is now a real stiletto, so back off mutha.") Subway connected practical reasons? ("Yow! My heel's stuck in the escalator!") When will she change back? It can't be long from now, she's holding the heels in her hand and not in a bag. Is she going to a job; back home? It just kind of goes on and on for me.
Please don't worry about about living up to someone's opinion or anything like that. It might change your approach. It's that you are developing a kind of style and it's an easy style to like. It's unique which means it's a kind of part of you. So you don't have to be or do anything more than what you are naturally.
I always keep a pair of flips in the trunk of my car! Nine West had this great pair of ballet flats that folded and came with a small envelope type pouch. Perfect to tuck into a purse for emergencies.
ReplyDeleteI originally thought this was a posed shot. Great real life catch.
from cali -- I have those very same Nine West ballet flats (and flip-flops, of course)!
ReplyDeletetg -- where were you when I was an insecure adolescent? Oh, right—probably in the same boat. Well, if so, you've since acquired a good dose of wisdom, and I'm happy to take your excellent advice.
I don't have "trouble" with wearing thongs (old school use of the word), it's just that I don't like the extra effort it takes to keep them on my feet. I can do it, but like high heeled pumps, you have to arch your foot in such a way that the pressure of the muscle-created arching keeps your foot in the shoe. Foot as tension rod. The added detail of the thong between the toes is the chafing of tender, thin skin until a callus forms. If you're used to just propelling yourself forward, all the toe-squeezing, foot arching effort is so much wasted energy.
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm a strap-on sandal and shoe gal, usually with boring flat soles. I'm a Merrell, Mephisto, Ariat, and Teva wearing matron. But as with tattoos, I enjoy seeing the artful fashion others are willing to wear. Mendocino just spoils me for comfort.
uselaine -- yeah, in addition to my Weejuns, I have Merrells and Tevas too. Why torture yourself, right?But I also have a tattoo (just one).
ReplyDeleteOoo! Blog your tattoo!
ReplyDeleteI love this photo!! Good capture.
ReplyDelete