They say walking a mile in someone’s shoes is the best way to understand them. Only when you stand in someone else’s soles can you feel what they feel as they step throughout their day? Everyone owns a well-worn pair of sneakers or broken-in boots that they wear on a weekly basis. These staple pieces hold memories of nights out, goals accomplished or love found.
Is it possible that each pair holds more than simply our socks?
High Hopes in Heels
“I borrowed this pair of heels from my mom for a big presentation. I remember feeling so nervous beforehand, quite literally shaking in my boots. But, once I was standing in front of everyone, I looked down and the reminder of my Mom’s support helped me get through my time on stage.”
~Aarshia Mehta
Nothing beats borrowing from a loved one’s closet. The ability to look down at your feet and feel the support–not only of your arches–but of your mother is unmatched.
A mother’s love pairs well with any outfit, as does a solid pair of vintage shoes, making these hand-me-downs a closet staple.
Though they are often big shoes to fill, pairs passed down hold generational memories. They’ve carried your grandmother through her trials and tribulations, and now, they will provide the same support for you.
French Fashion
“When I studied abroad in Paris, I wore these shoes a lot, but one day in particular stands out. During La fete de la musique—the French’s summer solstice holiday—a friend and I went to the Moulin Rouge district. In celebration, they put on an all-day music festival with live music throughout the city. My friend and I ran in and out of shops like kids in a candy shop, taking in the music as we went. We even stopped at a street vendor to share a French delicacy (a hot dog). To top off our day on the town, we stopped at a speakeasy and ordered custom cocktails. I remember this day fondly as one of my favorites from my summer in the city.”
~Jenna Schreiber
Treading on a foreign city’s soil is a special adventure, but wearing your favorite pair of shoes can make it unforgettable. To walk tens of thousands of steps in gold ballet flats encapsulates the French experience. Schreiber took in the city’s dense culture on cobblestone streets, protected by her shining style.
The lucky shoes we choose to include in our capsule wardrobes hold treasured memories of worldly exploration. First hand, their soles add to the consistent wearing down of pavement from the land’s natives.
The Final Step
Each pair of shoes that rest in a pile by the door or stacked neatly in the closet contains a story. Whether good or bad, they have been our foundation; carrying us through every step we take.
Slipping on a pair of sandals or lacing up your favorite boots serves as a reminder of the potential that rests in the day ahead as well as the history they’ve had their part in.
Share your favorite memory in a pair of shoes with VALLEY (@valleymag) on Instagram.
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