My shoe collection post has to start with my favourite shoes, or strictly speaking, boots. They are my Solovair boots, a lesser known but better quality brand than the more famous Dr Martens. I've posted about it before here if you're interested to read about the background of Solovair.
It's been two and a half years since I got them and I wear them nearly everyday. They've travelled around the world with me, to America last year, to Taiwan a couple years ago, all my cruises and trips around Eurooe. It's even been to a Hivefes and two Hive meet ups. Very well travelled for a pair of boots! The only downside of travelling with my Solovair is that I'm often asked to remove them when I go through luggage check at the airport because they have quite thick soles. I hate when I'm asked. One, do I look like a terrorist? Two, it's a lot of hassle to take the off and put them back on. And three, which is the most important thing, I have to walk around in my socks. Do you know how dirty public areas are?!!
They're quite aged now compared to when they were brand new. See how pristine they used to be. The pattern on the heels have started to wear out. I'm a bit surprised about that, but hopefully they still have a lot of life in them.
Trainers (or sneakers)
These are my comfy lazy trainers when I'm too lazy to do up the laces on my boots, or if I know I need to remove my shoes because I'm going to visit my family. Yes, we remove our shoes when entering people's home, it's an Asian thing 😄. Even though I'm brought up in UK, I still can't get my head around people walking on carpeted rooms with their outdoor shoes. Both pairs are very chunky, and I want to buy a pair of slim fit ones which are more girlie, I just need to find a pair that I like.
Heels
I very very rarely wear heels nowadays. I only got this pair of 4cm heels for when I went on a cruise the other year. Cruises normally have a formal night on board where you have to dress up pretty 😃 The utilisation for these heels very low, I think maybe I have worn them two or three times only.
This pair of kitten heels is from my work days. They're Tod's, a premium Italian brand of shoes. I used to buy a lot of their products when I was working, they're very good quality and last forever. I've given most of my other Tod's away as they were more formal work shoes which I don't wear anymore. I kept these because I can wear them as part of a smart casual outfit.
Flats
Nowadays, I only wear flat heel shoes. The Keds are my go to summer shoes. They used to be a very nice navy colour when I first got them. Not the canvas has faded, and because they were in storage for a long time, they've gone a bit cooper as well. It think that's fine, and adds a bit of uniqueness to it.
These pumps are also Tod's, bought when I was going through my Tod's phase years ago. Back then, I wanted to change my fashion style and move away from t-shirt and jeans, and figured I should have some shoes to go with my new style. Alas that never happened. After sitting idle for so many years, I finally sold them for £11 this week. That a very very good bargain, they're normally sold for a few hundred £ brand new!
Fast forward many many many years. A few years ago, I figured I should move out of t-shirt and jeans and into something a bit lady like. And again I should get some proper feminine pumps. Nowadays, I rarely buy new clothes so changing my wardrobe was even more difficult. These are really comfortable, but they don't go well with jeans. I'm going to keep them, in case I change my fashion style in future (so she says).
Tall boots
I love these boots, they're Tod's, I've had these for probably 20 years. They're super cool, look very sophisticated with winter attire, and are very comfortable. I don't wear them that often now because they look a lot better with dresses or skirts which I don't wear that much. I really should remember to wear them more in winter.
Walking boots
My trusted walking boots have been to many countries and hikes with me. They are starting to show their age, particularly on the fabric, but the soles are still fine. As long as I make sure I clean off all the dirt and mud and let them dry properly after each walk, they should still have a good few years left in them.
What you will never see in my shoe collection
Have you noticed one type of shoes missing from my shoe collection? I'm quite OCD when it comes to my feet and like to keep them clean when I go out. Plus I'm very low maintenance and lazy and don't do pedicures. I will never wear sandals or open toe shoes and like to keep my toes under wrapped 😁 Last year when I was in Dubrovnik after HiveFest, there was a flash flood one morning and I was drenched through and through, including my jacket and favourite boots. Luckily, I always have my flip flops with me when I travel ... remember it's an Asian thing? No outdoor shoes indoors, hence flip flops as slippers. I had to wear my flip flops that afternoon, and luckily I had received a covetted Worldmappin hoodie during HiveFest and that came in handy. Very un-me, now immortalised on the blockchain forever.
Why no crocs???
No!!! 😨
My husband has a pair, dead ugly they are.
Behave!
I have three pairs and love them 😄
Yes, they are ugly, but since my feet have been ruined by too many injuries, I've become less vain in wearing them for comfort. They go on right after I shower each morning and don't come off until I go to bed. Very few times will I wear a different pair of shoes. If I want to walk, I need to wear something that will keep the pain away - which also means I'm never barefooted.
Foot injury can be such a pain, both literally and physically, I understand how important comfortable shoes are for that. It's great that you have found some that will help you with that.
Do you know sometimes walking bare foot can be good for your health? It hurts initially when you put pressure on certain be areas, they lead to a particular organ. If it hurts a lot, it means that particular organ is not very healthy. But if you walk more, it helps to massage the foot and the organ. It's true!!
That's definitely a Wurzels reply in a strong Somerset accent lol
Is that a Somerset thing?! I never know what accent I have🤣
Cos she likes to look good? ;-)
My daughter has lived in DMs for years, but now has some Solovairs. I think workers from DM moved there when production shifted abroad. They are not cheap, but quality seems good.
I read DM shoes were actually made by Solovair, who made shoes themselves. That's why the two are quite similar. I don't mind paying a bit more ( but not too over the top unnecessarily) for good quality stuff. Luckily made in Britain products still has it's edge nowadays
I didn't realize KEDS were still making shoes. That is pretty cool. Those were pretty standard when I was growing up.
They've probably been overshadowed by Converse nowadays, I don't see them or their adverts around much
I worked in an office years ago with a man who had a nice pair of oxfords he wore most every day. He told me he'd had them over 30 years and he has a shoemaker put new soles on them every few years. My late-husband did the same with his shoes. So, that be an option for you, too, if the uppers are still in good shape when the soles are too worn! 🙂
oh, and those black Graceland™ flats are adorable! I think those would be fine with jeans, slacks, skirts, just about anything! When I am not wearing sandals, cute little flats like that are my go-to choice! 😁
I have another pair of very nice short boots by Bally, in soft leather and kitten heels. I couldn't find them to take photos for this post but I know they're around somewhere. Its soles cracked due to being in storage too long, and I had it resoled. It cost me about £50 which sounded like a lot of money, but now I've extended its life for a long time so it's well worth it.
Haha, this was one fun footwears post to read! I’d say I’m almost the complete opposite because I don’t really enjoy wearing covered shoes except when I’m too lazy to keep my toe nails clean.
That's certainly a very good incentive to keep your feet in nice condition. I'm just too lazy all the time 😂
It’s fine to be lazy sometimes, lol. You will knock it off on a good day. The boots are cool.
This may be a strange question, but why flip flops and not sandals? Since flip flops also expose your toes? It's just a curiosity from someone who adores sandals. But other than that, 100%. Low maintenance comfy shoes over anything.
I only wear my flip flops when I travel, and only inside hotels or Airbnb when I come back after a day out. So they're like indoor shoes, and indoors is clean😊. I don't them outdoors unless I go to the seaside which is very rare 😀
Aaah gotcha. Thought they were outdoorsy type flip flops too :D
Wow! Those boots have seen some miles. I hope you are enjoying life where you are. Has it worked out and been a good move?
Hi there. Yes, back in South west now where I'm originally from, and all settled down. Missing London a bit, otherwise all good
I like your tall Todds boots, very snazzy! My son also adopted the rule of no shoes indoors, it took some getting used to, but is such a clean habit.
Resoling shoes was common practice when I was younger, doubled the life span of a pair of shoes. Nowadays, most people just toss and buy new, such a waste, but there aren't many shoemakers any more.
There's too much throw away culture now coz things are so cheap, and I guess many people don't know how to sew. I wonder if they still teach in school now 🤔
Quite a nice collection of good quality shoes! Our feet are so important. It is great that you support them well. I love the Solovairs.
Did not know that there was a flash flood last HiveFest. Great that you had the flip flops and hoodie.
I agree with you about flipflops. It just reminded me of the hottest summer I've experience in the Netherlands some time ago. A US colleague was reprimanded for wearing flip flops to the office. She was later "let go".
What!! She was fired for wearing flip flops in the office? That seems a bit overkill. Were they waiting for an excuse to get rid of her?
The flash flood in Dubrovnik only lasted an hour or so, nothing like what happened in Spain previously. But we were out that day and were caught in the heaviest downpour. Only needed a few minutes to drench us
I remember when you bought and posted about The Boots 😇 They may show the signs of
usethe rich experience of travelling with you around the world! They are happy boots 😊I have never seen you in high heels, it is difficult to imagine you in them, but with a dress, on a cruise - it is definitely an elegant scene already in front of my eyes 😉
Haha! Not quite as fairy tale and elegant as that. More like...😄
Not just an Asian thing. Dad used to go nuts if we wore shoes inside. It's reasonably common here. Jamie still tries to sneak in with shoes on. Bloody British.
Haha! You still not house trained him yet 😀
I'm just like you. I don't like going anywhere in slippers. They make me feel very uncomfortable 😂
I'm just very OCD when it comes to my feet, keep them nice and protected 😃
You are not the terrorist, your boots are the terrorists hahaha seriously speaking, I found it curious that they make you take them off, some security measures I think they are very serious hahaha and by the way, those boots have traveled more than me 😂
Very nice collection! 👌
It's been a pain since 911. Some airports, or even staff in the same airport are stricter than others. I take my chances and walk straight through unless I'm called back
A good pair of boots are great. Something you can invest in, like Redwings, that will last and last and can even be resoled if needed to keep going.
But of course, having to remove shoes constantly in Japan makes wearing boots fairly impractical. Even many businesses require you to take your shoes off and don slippers. So I don't own any boots anymore. Sandals and flipflops look very dirty and sloppy to the Japanese eye, so they are not common for daily wear here.
At present I only own two pairs of shoes, in fact. Just my sneakers (currently an old pair of Nike Free) and my black dress shoes.
I know the Japanese can be very particular about this sort of thing, particularly indoors. Perhaps it stems from the old days when they all sleep on tatamis?
You get by with 2 pairs of shoes only?😨
I think that for the next HiveFest / BuzzParty, you have to do the presentation in high heels... We saw other shoes in life, but not you in high heels... 😃
Btw. the last photo reminded me how my collection would look like.. flip flops, sandals, and maybe sneakers... hahahaha... The summer began, it's been over 30 last 2 days, time to jump into flip-flops... 😃
I thought you'd be living in your flip flops for months by now!!
I love boots of all kinds, here it's difficult to wear them because of the weather, but some similar to the Solovair is possible to wear them, I've tried but they look terrible on me 🤣. I don't like heels but I would definitely wear those Tod's that have those white stitching...love them. Plus I would have gladly paid the £11 for the others you sold 😉. Immortalized in flip flops!!!! 😂. Here Converse are missing!!! Happy weekend 🤗.
If postage wasn't such a pain around the world, I'm sure Hive could be such a good buying/selling platform for everyone. I'd much rather Hivers get a good bargain than people I don't know
Onitsuka Tigers! The best and coolest trainers in the world. Can you get them in the UK now or did you buy them abroad?
No Crocs. You are a double hero today lol :-)
I can't remember where I got them from... Might even be from HK, when I used to go back very often. You can get a lot of good bargains there
😳
It's just a stupid rule from 911😵💫
Interesting to see the various shoes in your collection. You have a good variety of shoes for just about every occasion. It's impressive how long your Solovair boots have lasted, this is my first time hearing about the brand.
Sometimes its worth getting good quality products as they do last a while
A worn sole on your DR.Martens boots - as proof of all those steps (Like POW, Proof Of Walk 🙂).
Excellent post, ideal to close the topic of the month of May 😀
Flip flops are my favorite for warm days.
It's a little tricky when my nails aren't done, but it's a bit of a shame🤣, compared to enjoying the freedom of moving my toes when I'm in them.
Those are Solovair, not DM. British made DMs are very expensive nowadays.
Didn't see you as a pedicure guy 😉
11 quid for Tod’s?! Whoever bought them got the deal of the year. If only shoes could tell stories, yours would be bestselling novels!
You can pick up some very good bargains online, people just want to get rid of stuff