NADLER: LESSONS IN SHOE SHOPPING 101

Over the past few years, I’ve interviewed 204 men and women (give or take) for The Spec’s Friday WhoWhatWear feature, in which we profile local people who exhibit great style.

I’ve chatted with four Angelas, as many Melissas, five Lisas, Julia, Julian, Julie and June. Just to name a few.

You might think that 204 random strangers (although some do know each other — this is Hamilton, after all) would have little in common. And for the most part, that would be true. But I’ll tell ya … when I asked each and every one of them what they splurge on, what item of clothing they feel is worth spending money on, I will unscientifically guesstimate that 75 per cent answered “shoes.”

Why shoes? Aside from the compulsion that comes over so many of us to snatch that really super adorable pair off the shelf and throw our mortgage/rent money at the sales clerk, or that while our pant size might shift up and down, our shoe size remains steadfast and true, a loyal friend throughout the other sizing turmoil, spending some dough on a well-made and comfortable pair of shoes is a good investment.

It’s taken more than 40 years for me to get that message. And I want to thank each and every person I’ve interviewed for WhoWhatWear who sheepishly responded “shoes,” as if it wasn’t interesting enough an answer, as if they should be saying, what … yachts?

I don’t know.

Because your interviews, plus the nine pair of ill-fitting sandals, clogs, slip-on sneakers that are blocking my front entryway, the ones that were “a great deal” or “felt so comfortable in the store,” or “especially for that steal of a price!” led me to the decision to suck it up and buy a pair of decent sandals.

I had been putting it off. Not because I don’t like shopping — I’m not a psychopath, for God’s sake. No. I had been putting it off because while I’m a consummate online shopper, shoes are something I’ve learned are best to buy in a brick and mortar store where I can try them on, walk around, try to mitigate any future blister issues.

Also, I had a hard time swallowing the idea of spending real money on sandals when I can buy a pair of flip flops at Fortinos for under $5. What? They cover my feet. Sort of.

Boots, OK. Boots are three-season, I wear them almost every day and I get what I put into them. But sandals?

Anyway, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom recently advised procrastinators everywhere to make a deal with ourselves to do just five minutes of whatever task. And chances are, we’ll end up doing the whole thing.

Um, for this to work, shouldn’t we believe we’re only putting in five minutes? Whatever.

So yes, I broke out of procrastination mode and was going to hit up only one store. One store turned into many stores and many, many, shoes later, I was finally settling on a pair that didn’t remind me of the horrid 1990s, a style era from which I’m still trying to recover but that is constantly shoved in our faces. Especially in shoe stores (Doc Martens, Birkenstocks, etc.). I just can’t.

The sandals had a Velcro closure. As a matter of fact, of the gazillion pairs of shoes I tried on that day, every one had a Velcro closure. I tried to get away from the Velcro because 1) I’m not a toddler and can manage to buckle a pair of shoes and 2) Velcro never sits properly, it wears out and dog hair gets stuck to it. But I couldn’t find a pair without it. So I made a comment out loud to that effect.

“The ladies do love the Velcro,” the unassuming sales clerk answered. He was sweet, wasn’t trying to be off-putting or offensive.

But I suddenly had the urge to boycott every shoe manufacturer who replaced buckles and zippers with Velcro. Do they think buckles are too complicated for the ladies to handle? Are we too weak to pull up a zipper? Must we be treated like toddlers learning the bunny ear trick of tying their shoes?

Obviously I bought them anyway. I’m not going to let some shoe designer rob me of the pleasure of wearing the cute shoes they designed. And I must say — when I look at the pile of useless shoes in my hallway, think about how much I spent on them collectively versus the new “expensive” sandals moulded to my feet that I can wear all day, I can’t believe it took this long to learn this lesson.

Velcro or not.

I had a hard time swallowing the idea of spending real money on sandals when I can buy a pair of flip flops at Fortinos for under $5.

JARRETERA, GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO One store turned into many stores and many, many, shoes later, I was finally settling on a pair that didn’t remind me of the horrid 1990s, a style era from which I’m still trying to recover but that is constantly shoved in our faces. Especially in shoe...