Fast Forward 40 Years

In  2008, I saw the same pair of shoes in two surprising places.  The shiny, hot pink patent leather stilettos first appeared in a primary classroom (the early grades, including KDG, 1, 2 and often 3,) worn by the classroom teacher.  I had observed a principal or two wear high heeled shoes frequently beginning in the 90's, but usually with a stacked heel, and no more than 3 inches in height.

Stiletto sighting - in schools:  pencil, .8 black Micron pen and Faber-Castille Indian ink marker on 400 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge. 

I think the platform on the ball portion of the foot helped to give additional height to the heel, or stiletto portion - at least 4 inches from floor to base of the portion housing the heel itself. I couldn't imagine spending the day working with young children wearing this type of shoe.  It was always my goal to talk with children as close to eye level as possible, and the idea of adding another 4 inches in height did not seem practical to my way of teaching. 

Stiletto sighting - in schools:  pencil, .8 black Micron pen, Faber-Castille Indian ink marker and FW acrylic ink on 400 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

 The second place I saw the same shoe, or almost the same shoe (from 10 feet away it was difficult to tell, with precision,) was at the local high school.  A young lady was walking into the front of the building, with a mass of other students, teetering on her pair of hot pink stiletto platforms.

This was not the vision of beauty suggested with each application of small, pink plastic stilettos that adorned the feet of Barbie Dolls across the country in my youth.  This vision appeared to be very new to not only stilettos, but walking in high heels, in general.  She was really putting her shoulders into balancing, and it seemed sensible that her heavy books appeared to be in her backpack, strapped to her back.   Her arms took on an almost wing-like flutter and it seemed fortunate that she was flanked on either side by friends, and doors were propped open for the masses to enter prior to the first bell.   I can remember wondering if her bulging backpack also contained a spare pair of lower-heeled shoes....just in case.

Stiletto sighting - in schools:  pencil, .8 black Micron pen, Faber-Castille Indian ink marker and FW acrylic ink on 400 series Strathmore mixed media paper.  Click on image to enlarge.

As I recall, my main thought, in both "sightings" was, "....have a great day and.....you must have fabulous ankle strength!"