Shoes: The more the merrier

They say that an outfit is not complete until you match it with a good pair of shoes.

It goes without saying that shoes complement  outfits, thus they can work magic or make the wearer look outrageous.

Men, especially Kenyan men are not known to own many pairs of shoes, and they are seemingly comfortable with their two or even three pairs for every occasion.

It would be disastrous if women also had such an attitude towards footwear, thus, any well-meaning woman should have atleast ten pairs — for all seasons.

So whenever I hear a woman say she has only four pairs of shoes, I am left pondering at the irony of it all when Nairobi’s street corners are filled with hawkers selling shoes.

The shout their lungs out as they fish out all kinds of shoes from sacks. Their stock range from the chic and cheap to the battered and the banal and they gladly wipe and arrange them for their legion of loyal customers.

It is these hawkers who make the Backyard Shoez buyers get ludicrous looks from other women.

Stores such as Kungara are not meant for everyone, but if there is a cheaper option (from better shopping areas) what excuse does a woman have for not owning at least a dozen pairs? Granted, different strokes for different folks, and not all can afford ten to twenty pairs of shoes, but there are five types which every woman should have.

Heels

They are the most basic style in a woman’s closet. Heels add instant sophistication and elegance to an outfit. There are four most popular types of heels, namely pumps, stilettos, wedges and kitten heels.

Flat Shoes

Popularly known as doll shoes or ballerina shoes, flat shoes are life savers because they can be paired with denim trousers, skirts or dresses. They are cute, girly and very comfortable. Plus they come in so many styles, colours, patterns and shapes and are made from different materials.

Sneakers and rubber shoes

Rubber shoes will never get old, instead they will be revolutionised with each generation.

They come in various colours and patterns; and nowadays they are trendier. They are ideal for a casual look.

Twilight actress Kristen Stewart pulled a number at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards when she graced the red carpet in a little red dress and a pair of Converse. If she can pull that look you too can.

Boots

They are not just for the cold and rainy seasons as most people assume and they can be worn even during the warm weather, depending on the material.

They come in different types, ranging from flat-soled, ankle high to knee-high.

Sandals

It is important to keep your feet dry, and sandals are perfect for letting your feet breathe so that you can avoid conditions such as athlete’s foot and in-grown nails that thrive in damp environment.

Sandals do not have to be boring as long as you know how to pick the best style from the variety they come in.

Embellished sandals are glittery, they add a spark to a dull outfit. As for gladiator sandals, there is something about straps that brings out the sexy on a woman’s feet, and can only be experienced, not explained.

Sling-back sandals have a strap that is fastened around the wearer’s heel to keep the shoe from flipping against the foot.

Owning a few  pairs of shoes can also be expensive for a woman in the long run, since she will have to don a certain pair frequently, increasing its chances of wear and tear. Thus, it is smarter to own several pairs of the same type.