Middle age - defined by my shoes?

I wouldn't say I admire comfortable shoes, but I definitely favour them! I tend to wear trainers, or sneakers, a lot, because I find them the most comfortable. Also, most of my shoes are in poor or poorish shape (even though they were once expensive and quite stylish), that's probably a sign of advancing age, I'm not as appearance-conscious as I was when I was younger; in fact, I only own one really nice smart pair of wearable shoes, well boots, and I hardly ever wear them. I think it's fair to say I used to suffer to look good, as many young people do. For example, among my objects of former excess were - speaking of shoes - pointed shoes or winklepickers; I had several pairs once. As for my trousers collection; well I've owned green, red, gold (yes, gold), even crocodile skin trousers in my time. And then there was the hair: I put dye on it for years. Not any more please...I couldn't bear the smell of peroxide. And the ear rings; well they've been dispensed with too, first one then the other. I had a lot more money when I was young than I do today; and if I had more, I'm sure I'd invest in more clothes. In the meantime, I could at least tidy up some of the jackets, shirts, and so on in my wardrobe...such as do some dusting and/or ironing; replace some buttons; something. But it all takes time and effort. It's not like I'm not appearance-conscious, because I am. Just not like I was; clearly. But as I say, with more money, and energy, i'd probably do something to improve my image. So for me, advancing age is partly defined by my choice of footwear (comfy; scruffyish); but also by relative indifference to how I look, and yet as I say, I still like to look good. Also, it's defined by lower energy levels among other things. And, it has to be said, I'm not as healthy as I once was. There's that too. I'm on daily medication, and I have to see the doctor on a regular basis. So, no I don't admire comfortable shoes, but I love wearing them. Comfort becomes very important when you're older than you once were.

I blame my unfashionable shoes on the lifestyle I lead (I run a smallholding) but that doesn't explain why I still wear them when I leave the farm! I still have a yen for the ridiculous high heeled boots I used to wear to work but the last time I wore something similar I was crippled half way through the evening.

I like going to the library once or twice a week, for me that's being away from my computer and having quality time just reading a book, however I have noticed the amount of noise that goes on in library, screaming kids, mobile phones going off, people chatting etc, and I thought when I was young libraries were peaceful environments, you could hear a pin drop, but now libraries are more like social gatherings. So middle age is defined for me by change and by noise. I was also brought up to respect my elders, never to cheek and to have manners, sadly that is lacking so much in a lot of children and teenagers nowadays. Has society really changed that much, or have I got older and more cynical.

I'm actually starting to think (and fear) that I'm maturing (or aging) too fast because like you, I'm starting to admire shoes and clothes I never thought I would want to wear or fit in because they seem to be too old-fashioned and just not trendy. Our body does seek comfort more when we grow older and our mind becomes more focused on more important things rather than fashion.

my shoes have nothing to do with it. i realised i was getting old when my arthritis, breathing problems, constant stomach problems, fatigue, swelling legs, and i looked in the mirror and couldnt recognise myself any more all happened. seems like nearly over night.

Very interesting observation! I can't say the same for shoes in guys, but for clothes -definitely! Every where I look, there seem to be the consensus that pants that are almost falling off, where the underwear is showing, is the common and accepted way to wear pants. I don't feel comfortable wearing my pants any other way except for a belt around to hold in place. Maybe this is just my definition of middle age.

So true! Once, a long time ago, an elderly friend remarked that you could tell how old a woman was by the kind of shoes she wore. I've been wearing comfortable shoes for quite some time now.

Oh so true, so true! Middle age for me is long gone. I remember the good ol' days when I could wear a nice heel and feel like a million bucks. Not no more for sure with my neck problems and back problems, and now since the last couple of years, my hip problems. What a mess. Yes, I just look for the most comfortable, but still as fashionable as possibly could be, shoes. I still like to look nice but my favorites are a nice comfy pair of tennis shoes. My dress shoes now are just flat one's without any heels at all because even the smallest of heels will both my back too much and makes for a miserable day.

hbi 41CombedaleRoas I injured my left foot if you please running in place on a carpet inside my apartment and ruptured a tendon. My quack of a doctor did not know a ruptured tendon when he saw it so called it a sprain but it got worse and worse my foot turning so I was walking on the inside of my left foot. So finally I saw a foot specialist who knew immediately it was a ruptured tendon and he told me it had gone too long and could not be repaired so I was put into a brace on that foot and orthopedic ugly blackshoes. I mean the brace is yilt into the left shoe and they are the most ugly looking shoes I h ave ever see.So that did define myh middle age. I keep getting the sympathetic looks as people jump to the concusion I had polio . not so.

Well I must have been born middle aged as I always wear flat shoes!!LOL I'm flat footed and just can't wear heels, I don't even like shoes with heels which is just as well as I don't like them or I would be a very upset lady. I go for something comfty

Ah ha ha ha! Surely this is true. I can feel it. I am now more into wedge or flip-plops, or just short heeled shoes. Gone has been my passion for high heeled stilettos that I used to wear way, way back. I've given them away and not been buying any of that type. As we age we like to be more comfortable. We can still be fashionable with comfortable shoes anyway. I don't wanna ruin my posture by insisting on with high heeled stilettos neither would I want to end up with broken hips should I stumble and fall. I still have strong legs but don't wanna take the chance. As we grow older, our bones grow brittle even if we don't feel it so I might as well take preventive measures instead of taking the risk. Besides I find it no longer appropriate for me to wear high-heeled shoes. I still do during occasions that call for it but you can see me changing as soon as possible. They are just for the young ones I believe. I have had my days already and I believe I have all the good reasons to change my preferences at this point in my life.

Always think you are young. Age will not touch you. Lough and be merry. Enjoy the life.

I definitely am beyond middle aged at 62. I find it very difficult to walk after sitting down or lying down. The arthritis in my hips and back reminds me that I'm beyond middle age. I've been wearing SAS shoes for years. They are built for comfort, not fashion.

I am in 20's and i was wearing high heeled shoes because i have to wear it in my field of work, but then when i was at home and just going out somewhere, i would rather choose to wear a comfortable shoes rather than a glamorous one that would kill my feet...

lol i am 67 now, as we age gracefully many changes come, the important ones are health issues, i am no more active what i used to be even 10 years ago, memory getting poor, physical activity is less, no zeal to go out unless essential. about shoes -i have changed to sandals with straps from shoes with lace, more comfortable

What's exactly the "middle" age? I'm 9 years passed the teenage years and I think I'm still far from the middle age. But I can feel I'm getting old because I can feel body aches other than the usual. I think it's arthritis or lighter than that. I have always chose the comfy shoes because I can't stand wearing something with high heels or those fancy ones. My feet are kind of broad or not the sexy type so I have no choice but to wear the simple ones.