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Were you one of those kids who would slide your feet into any pair of grown up shoes you could find? I was. And yet, among all the vintage things I’ve collected, I hadn’t considered owning someone else’s shoes until I saw these Mary Jane pumps from the 1950s.
These came from a now defunct department store, Schlesinger’s Style Shop of Dyersburg, Tennessee. They weren’t in perfect shape, but they were an 8.5 narrow—just my size. The soles were so dry I thought they might disintegrate the first time I wore them. But after consulting my local resource for shoe repair, The Shoe Fits, I thought they were worth a restoration attempt. She soaked them in something called Blackrock
She also replaced the badly worn linings. (See the originals below. Yuck!) Twenty dollars later, and voilà, a pair of authentic 1950s pumps. Now, I’m literally walking in someone else’s shoes—if only I could learn to walk like a lady!
Steal the style
If you like the look, here’s a Soft Style – Cloie (Black Patent) – Footwear, available at Zappos for $59.
Fashion food
What you wear every day matters, not just because it makes you feel good today, but because it creates something lasting in ways you can never quite predict when it mingles with experience.
To wit: My friend Violet has had this dress since the 1950s. She first wore it as a floor length dress (I think as an attendant in a wedding) and later had it hemmed to a shorter length. “I was very excited to wear it again when I ushered for a Liberace concert,” she says. As she fingers the dress, you can only imagine the memories it stirs.
Violet shared it last week at a beautiful luncheon she hosted. Notice the walls and chairs in Violet’s living room––a yummy color that’s obviously been a favorite for a very long time!
Every time I have tea, I think of Violet. I know why I love her, but not why she loves me. She makes every part of life seem more beautiful.
I hope the things I’m doing today will prepare me to be someone’s Violet when I am in my 70s. What are you doing today to mentor younger women?
Life is short. Wear the good stuff.
***I’m sending a big hug to many friends in the Boston area–Maureen, Sujei, Catherine, April, and so many others who’ve become part of our Facebook community. Your grief is our grief.
9 comments
April 17, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Thanks for your thoughts today, Crystal. It has been a very difficult week for us, here in Boston. I’ve lived in the city for over 25 years, and grew up in Massachusetts, and I am just so sad, and so so ANGRY about this. Being a runner, it makes it even worse. How *dare* someone take this triumph of spirit, dedication, athleticism, and some might say stupidity, and turn it into a tragedy of this level???
But we Bostonians are strong, stubborn even, people who take care of our own…and our own on Monday became every single person in our city. Runner, spectator, responder, injured, alert, shocked, young, old. We will get past this, and be stronger, and show the world we aren’t to be messed with like this, and won’t wither, or decline because of it.
But today, two days after the bombing, we are still heartsick. The outpouring of support from around the country and the world is very welcome as we try to recover, regroup, and begin to regain our strength.
April 17, 2013 at 4:09 pm
You’re a clever one! We sorely lack cobblers in my area so I envy your resourcefulness – not to mention your shoes!
Spashionista (Alicia)
April 18, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Gorgeous shoes! I buy used shoes whenever I find a pair that stops my heart. I put them in a plastic bag and freeze them to kill odors, etc. Works every time.
April 18, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Very cool (pardon the pun) idea! I had never heard of that one before. Good tip!
April 18, 2013 at 7:27 pm
Thank you, Alicia! You’re too kind!
April 18, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Us, too, dear. I had almost forgotten about you being a runner until you mentioned it. I’m glad that you’re okay and hope that our encouragement is a good comfort to you.
April 19, 2013 at 12:13 am
Once again, a beautiful post and message. Isn’t wonderful to have Violets in our lives? I have become the woman I am today due to many Violets. My husband and I work with young single adults (ages18-31) in our church, I’m proudly known has momma T. I think the best influence I can give them is to have a positive outlook on life.
As for your new/old shoes, they are fabulous. And for some reason I really don’t think you have a problem walking like a lady.
April 19, 2013 at 7:59 am
I can so totally see you in that role, Trina. I know what your positive outlook has meant to me. You always make me smile.
April 19, 2013 at 11:50 am
Thank you for introducing me to BlackRock. Put it on my wishlist.