Putting away the heels?

One minute, I was strutting along carefree, swinging my Birkin, wearing a frothy silk skirt and 3-inch suede-heeled boots, feeling and loving the moment, and then uncontrollably heading straight for the pavement. ……

I slowly rose to my knees, my sunglasses lost somewhere nearby. The dampness of a city puddle seeped through my now black skirt as I cleaned my hands and cautiously regained my balance. Looking around desperately, I realized nobody had come to help or even showed concern. Two men stood nearby, sheepishly staring at their phones. Others glanced my way, including a lady who sold flowers just three yards away.

Embarrassed, shaken, and upset, I was overwhelmed by a bewildering thought: no matter what I believed about myself, I was, in fact, invisible and unimportant. Did people not care? I arrived at breakfast feeling dishevelled, dirty, and upset. My companion finally asked the question that no one else had mustered: "Are you okay?" No, I was not.

Arriving home, I took a moment to reflect on my morning and asked myself: Should I, at 59, be wearing towering heels? In fairness, I had fallen in them before and experienced countless close calls trying to steady myself on railings, especially on stairs. Sure, some longer trousers and dresses required a bit of height, but as I approached 60, I had to admit it might be time for a change.

Change is inevitable, and embracing it is essential. I lean in with my right ear to hear more clearly, my glasses now at a strength of plus 2. The silent danger of electric cars often goes unnoticed as scooters zip by. Clutching my Birkin bag, I can’t shake the nagging paranoia about my phone being snatched.

Since the fall, I have been wearing flats. They allow me to walk more quickly, confidently bounce up stairs two at a time, and eliminate the constant worry of my heels slipping or getting stuck in the pavement. Although nobody has commented, I feel a sense of loss; I don’t feel as attractive or dressed up anymore—everything just feels casual.

I already had several flat options in my wardrobe, including classic styles like ballet flats and loafers. As I embraced the idea of a "Spring without heels," I made the decision to buy a pair of sports shoes. I walked into Nike and Adidas, ready to make a purchase, but the loud music and the young staff made me feel out of place. I took a glance around and left.

After researching online, I confidently purchased these shoes from an independent store on Portobello Road. I selected the silver and navy colours, and they look fantastic with my linen trench coat and denim. I will definitely be pairing them with white trousers later this year. They are stylish, comfortable, and undeniably edgy.

Hopefully, I will be safe in these unless of course, I trip over the laces !!!!