A southern question re: shoes

[33girl]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

One difference I've noticed is that in the north the rule is no white shoes before Memorial Day, while I was taught that in the south it is no white shoes before Easter.

I love breaking out the white shoes at Easter! (Hey, simple pleasures are the best.)

I was always taught Easter as well.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I still wear open toed shoes in the winter if I'm wearing fancy heels, but NOT if I'm walking through snow or ice. Shoe fashion for high heels doesn't change in the winter. Open-toed shoes are still acceptable.

The dowager I mentioned was walking through Sears in a sweater and pair of casual pants. I don't think she gets a pass. She's also a little further north than you are. For me, I love my black satin dress sandals, but if I wore them past September around here my toes would freeze off.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I was always taught Easter as well.



The dowager I mentioned was walking through Sears in a sweater and pair of casual pants. I don't think she gets a pass. She's also a little further north than you are. For me, I love my black satin dress sandals, but if I wore them past September around here my toes would freeze off.

Ha, it's harder to be farther south than me now unless your name is AzTheta or AZ-AlphaXi! I agree she gets no pass.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by 33girl

For me, I love my black satin dress sandals, but if I wore them past September around here my toes would freeze off.

If I'm going to an event where strappy sandals are appropriate, I'll often wear my knee high (dressy) boots in the car then change into my sandals before going in.

Also, I'd rather be shot dead than wear pantyhose. If I wear any type of hosiery, it's tights. Otherwise, I'll suffer to go bare.

To be quite honest, I don't know how I feel about patterned shoes, I really really hate plain white shoes, so I'll never get caught in the Easter v. Memorial Day debate. If I have an outfit that would go nicely with white, I've found that it'll probably go nicely with silver, and that doesn't fall under the same rules.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by agzg

If I'm going to an event where strappy sandals are appropriate, I'll often wear my knee high (dressy) boots in the car then change into my sandals before going in.

Also, I'd rather be shot dead than wear pantyhose. If I wear any type of hosiery, it's tights. Otherwise, I'll suffer to go bare.

To be quite honest, I don't know how I feel about patterned shoes, I really really hate plain white shoes, so I'll never get caught in the Easter v. Memorial Day debate. If I have an outfit that would go nicely with white, I've found that it'll probably go nicely with silver, and that doesn't fall under the same rules.

I completely agree! Wow, we are on the same page today.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The date isn't exactly arbitrary. It's just a shorthand way of saying no white shoes when summer is over. Because white dress shoes have a spring-summer/warm weather look to them.

I get that, but people treat the date itself as if white shoes worn on the day after, no matter how hot or sunny will make them utter social pariahs.

There's nothing particularly 'common sense' about it though. Odds are that the only reason there aren't more white winter shoes/boots now is more because of the rule than because of the winter weather damage. Designers don't always take practicality into 'fashion' in the first place.

/exaggeration for the sake of the point may have occurred in this post.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I get that, but people treat the date itself as if white shoes worn on the day after, no matter how hot or sunny will make them utter social pariahs.

There's nothing particularly 'common sense' about it though. Odds are that the only reason there aren't more white winter shoes/boots now is more because of the rule than because of the winter weather damage. Designers don't always take practicality into 'fashion' in the first place.

/exaggeration for the sake of the point may have occurred in this post.

Yes, you're right. It is rather arbitrary, but is seriously engrained in the South.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I get that, but people treat the date itself as if white shoes worn on the day after, no matter how hot or sunny will make them utter social pariahs.

There's nothing particularly 'common sense' about it though. Odds are that the only reason there aren't more white winter shoes/boots now is more because of the rule than because of the winter weather damage. Designers don't always take practicality into 'fashion' in the first place.

/exaggeration for the sake of the point may have occurred in this post.

Down here it's like saying "yes ma'am" and men opening doors for women. You just do it. Never been a big deal or a problem for me.

ETA: Except when it comes to hose. I can't handle them. Can. Not. Which is considered un-ladylike by some, but it isn't worth it to me.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

ETA: Except when it comes to hose. I can't handle them. Can. Not. Which is considered un-ladylike by some, but it isn't worth it to me.

One of my more precious memories of an event I attended is that of a DAR page, with her long formal gown, and ribbons & pins out the wazoo, in a hallway where she thought nobody would see her, hiking up her knee high stockings.

The problem lies with the manufacturers of hose. One size never did and never will fit all, and if they fit the leg length, rarely fit the rest, etc. I switched to thigh highs long ago, and have yet to regret it.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by honeychile

One of my more precious memories of an event I attended is that of a DAR page, with her long formal gown, and ribbons & pins out the wazoo, in a hallway where she thought nobody would see her, hiking up her knee high stockings.

The problem lies with the manufacturers of hose. One size never did and never will fit all, and if they fit the leg length, rarely fit the rest, etc. I switched to thigh highs long ago, and have yet to regret it.

Yep. They're always too long for me and reach pretty much up to my boobs to fit without bunching...my mother made me wear them on Sundays and such, but once I got to college I ditched them. I realize at some point I'll need to get over it, but right now I'm 24 and once again a student...there are very few occasions where I know I need them and I fully intend to put them off for as long as possible.

Plus, I live in Alabama. If it's ever THAT cold, I have pants options for dressy occasions. Usually I just brave it.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Down here it's like saying "yes ma'am" and men opening doors for women. You just do it. Never been a big deal or a problem for me.

ETA: Except when it comes to hose. I can't handle them. Can. Not. Which is considered un-ladylike by some, but it isn't worth it to me.

It's also generational.

[AnchorAlumna]

I don't understand the hatred for pantyhose.
My feet sweat, and going bare would irritate my skin terribly. We're talking blisters. Plus, going bare in the winter is c-o-l-d.
Thigh highs, as well as garter belts and girdles to hold up stockings, are a fine-tuned form of torture. I had to wear that when I was a teen-ager...God bless pantyhose for rescuing me from popped garters and sagging hose!

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Down here it's like saying "yes ma'am" and men opening doors for women. You just do it. Never been a big deal or a problem for

Ehh...

"Yes ma'am" and opening doors = polite

OMG YOU'RE WEARING WHITE SHOES = "Get off my goddamn back because I really don't care"

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Ehh...

"Yes ma'am" and opening doors = polite

OMG YOU'RE WEARING WHITE SHOES = "Get off my goddamn back because I really don't care"

It's custom, that's my point. I just never have been inconvenienced by it. I wear my other shoes after Labor Day. *shrug*