When Comfort Wins Over Style

As an advocate for well-made clothes and shoes, there are always exceptions to the rules of “the more expensive, the better”. We assume that price should be an indication of quality: the more expensive, generally, the superior the product. But we all know that there are plenty of ready-to-wear designer garments that do not live up to its retail price tag. It’s especially eye-popping when said product is mass-produced in countries like China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangladesh.

But what happens when it is a question not about style but comfort that comes into play? More specifically with shoes.

I realized that designer footwear are clearly not made for my feet no matter how gorgeous they looked, or how well-crafted they were. I  had bought a pair of Christian Louboutin slingbacks and a pair of Stella McCartney pumps. Both pairs are gorgeous, but they are not the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. In fact the Stella McCarntey ones are incredibly uncomfortable. Both pairs are made in Italy, an assumption that we are purchasing a superior product. Yet amazingly, Nine West, which are mostly made in the third world countries and considered the fast fashion of shoe brands, is able to create stylish shoes with an added bonus that they are also incredibly comfortable to wear. My toes spread out naturally and are not confined to a narrow foot design. I own 3 pairs of Nine West shoes, and I would choose them over my Louboutin simply because they fit my comfort level to a much greater degree. The bonus is that they cost a fraction of the price. I might as well put my Louboutin under a glass case for display instead.

Whoever said that we must suffer for fashion is rubbish.

We should never suffer for fashion.

It’s unfathomable to conceive that we pay several hundred dollars for designer brands that ill-fit the human foot. I expect my product to be superior in comfort, yet they obviously are not. I even tried to dispell that my pair of slingbacks are just a fluke. I tried on another pair at Holt Renfrew, the strappy booties of this fall’s collection. That pair was even more painful to wear! Superior product? I don’t think so. And what about those easily scratched red soles? Well those are just poorly made soles.

Thus, if fashion is really a matter of personal style and taste, why is it that fashion editors continue to shove down our throats of what’s supposed to be cute and not? Shouldn’t we be able to decide for ourselves what that is? And if we go against the grain - not jumping into the same bandwagon as everyone else to acclaim something is beautiful or awful - are we being unfashionable or just plain honest?

I have the right to say that something is ugly. I don’t care how much time the person spent designing the garments, if it doesn’t please me, I don’t buy it. I’m sure people will defend what they love and retaliate with “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” or “You just don’t get it”, which are vague attempts of justifying one’s choice.

My friend over at The No Shopping Experiment brings up a great topic about Makeover shows. How they are trying to conform certain individuals with “poor taste in fashion” to make themselves more presentable to the world. Yet personality wise, there is nothing wrong with them. And Makeover shows such as “What Not To Wear” belittle these good people by objectifying them based on their looks.

It’s funny many people in the fashion world are so in touch with fashion yet have poor personalities. Perhaps we should be focusing on what really leaves a lasting impression: our selves.

Image credits: Style.com, TLC.com