I have never really bothered much with shoes. I mean, I’ve obviously always strapped things on to the bottom of my feet to help me walk around, but they were never what I considered to be investment pieces or things I ever got particularly exited about.

Well…all change. Julia, who I wrote about in Part I a few days ago, was mildly appalled when she caught sight of my rather motley collection of shoes, some of which I had had for years.  Most of this line up…

…ended up in the bin.

She made me see that just because I can’t see my shoes when I look at myself in the not-long-enough-bedroom-mirror, of course plenty of other people can (also as most of my shoes were stored downstairs it meant I often didn’t even get as far as looking at myself with them on).  She also taught me how they really do make or break an outfit.

So, shoe shopping was the order of what remained of the day –  I was already baulking about spending a small fortune as it felt like I had SO much to buy; plus the sales are almost upon us.  I did concede though that I desperately needed something to wear on my feet to a party that night.

One word: Aldo. We had huge success here including a boring but useful neutral patent peep-toe with a four inch heel and a hidden platform (a hidden platform really is the secret to success with heels I think, having just tried on what feels like hundreds)…

…and then these skyscraper reds that I am totally shocked to find myself loving (I have to take them off to walk down the slope on our driveway which slightly cramps my style but I’ll have to live with it). They have a massive platform so are actually surprisingly easy to wear (yes, even for me!).

The only things I have panic bought (as it really does feel like I have about three pairs of post-cull shoes left) are these wedge espadrilles in two colours which are not too high and great for everyday.

I have actually forced myself to wear them quite a lot (despite my automatic inclination to slip my feet into flip flops as soon as I set foot outside the front door).

Our shopping trip also took us to Massimo Dutti for clothes which I can’t recommend enough for staples and basics as well as the odd beautiful piece (beautifully priced too).

Tips and tricks for wearing heels (all new to me…but they do work!)

Heels are for wearing in air con. Don’t force your feet in to them when standing, sweating in my sitting room. This will only create an ‘Ugly Sister’ moment. Put your shoes on in the bedroom (where there is air con) and totter downstairs. If that doesn’t kill you then proceed with the evening’s plans and leave the house.

Apply non slip soles to the soles of your shoes. Really? I didn’t even know these things existed.  Amazing.  If you feel a bit like a newborn foal and worry about being unstable on your pins, you know you can safely put your weight into your toes without falling A over T.  (Aldo will sell these to you and even put them on for you but so should any cobbler.)

If you try on a pair of shoes and they nip, even if an identical pair in a different colour don’t, RUN A MILE and do not buy them*. It sounds obvious but I always convinced myself that they will get better over time – sadly the opposite is more likely.  Only buy shoes that are comfortable when you try them on.

Walk like someone is pulling a string from the top of your head. Stand tall!

*Do, by the way, buy the identical pair in a different colour that don’t nip.