I’m writing a post today for August McLaughlin’s Beauty of a Woman Blogfest. I have another post up at Shorty Stories about my embracing my height, while on this site, I’m going to specifically talk about my feet. Most of you know I have tiny feet. Size 5 US, sometimes 4 1/2 and for a recent purchase, a 4 (34 to be specific). This size makes shoe-buying extremely difficult and disappointing. Some shoe sales people and designers have given me weird looks – the kind of look you might get if you, say, have toilet paper running out of your pants – while others are apologetic. It’s a little bit better when I’m in Hong Kong, but a shoe salon there is still not exactly Shoe Heaven (as Carrie Bradshaw would put it) to me.
Even now, I’m not sure if I’ve fully embraced my size. As a style blogger, I follow a lot of other bloggers’ Twitter accounts. I hear about sales for such and such a brand or at this or that store all the time. However, with my size, I know that my selection is either limited or non-existent. Yeah, it makes my wallet happier, but does it make me? At least people who’re size 6 or larger can go into a store and try things on. In fact, I usually don’t bother asking salespeople if my size is available unless I’m very familiar with the store. And when “size 5” is available, it’s often too big thanks to vanity sizing (yes, it happens with shoes, too). Add that to the fact that brands at certain price points have now discontinued size 5. I don’t want to be limited to online-only brands or stores where I have to travel long distances to get to.
Three pairs of Cynthia’s pumps: L-R Christian Louboutin (size 34), Cole Haan (size 5B), Banana Republic Mad Men August 2011 Collection (size 5)
It’s interesting how small feet are embraced in traditional fairy tales like Cinderella and in some cultures (my great-grandmother was part of the last generation of women to have bound feet), yet today, too-small feet means it’s very difficult to be stylish. Having “delicate” feet is only good if you can dress them up. I’m trying to like my foot size, but it’s increasingly hard as my size disappears all together. And like being short and small-framed, the small foot issue is also in no-talk territory. Nothing CAN be done unless The Powers That Be are willing to listen without mocking us.
