Comfort vs. Style

While we were in Texas, my Mom wanted to be sure to visit the factory SAS store. It is located in Schertz, Texas, right outside of San Antonio. My Mom and my aunt both wear SAS shoes. They are "comfort" shoes, if you get my drift. My Mom has long, slim feet, so they just look like a moccasin style shoe on her.

Nordstrom carries SAS shoes and there are SAS stores in both Northgate and Everett. I have been meaning to try some on and hopefully get away with wearing them, since flats and wedges are currently in style.

At the store in Texas, my Mom zeroed in on the style that she always gets and bought two pairs. I tried on a bunch of different shoes, while my Mom, my brother and my brother's girlfriend waited. I was getting stressed out. I hate feeling pressured when I shop. I kept thinking, do these look geriatric? Could I "rock" them with some trendy jeans and a casual sweater and pull it off?

I ended up buying a pair in black in the "Magic" style.

I didn't know if I'd made the right choice, but I threw them in the backseat of the car next to me and we zipped away to a store that sells pecans in various sweet forms, so I forgot about the shoes temporarily.

Once back in Seattle, I wouldn't show Aaron the shoes until I had the appropriate outfit on. I knew they would look like I had given up on fashion if I wore them with my loungewear (read: grey sweatpants and an oversized "F*cked Jukebox" t-shirt from the Tin Hat).

So, last week, I decided to wear my SAS shoes to work with a pair of wide legged, dark denim jeans and a black turtleneck sweater. I stood in front of my mirror Friday morning and held my foot in different positions. Then...I showed Aaron.

"Do these shoes look like old lady shoes?" I asked him when he got out of the shower.

He wiped water out of his eyes and paused, "Uh, they don't look very stylish."

Dammit. I knew it!

So, all day at work, I tried to hide my feet under my desk so that nobody would see them. They're so goddamn comfortable. They hug my feet. I have a spring in my step. I could freakin' play basketball in these shoes and I hate basketball. But, I have my pride. And the little What Not To Wear girl in my brain is saying, "Girl, some people might be able to pull off old lady shoes, Christmas sweaters or cataract sunglasses, but you need some cute flats or something, because damn, what's next? Polyester pants with elastic waist pants? You've got to have standards. Do you want to go on Oprah as the "Before" picture"?"

I think I might have to sell my Magic SAS shoes on ebay.

Unless your grandma wears a size 8M? Because I might have a Christmas present for you to give her...