Midnight Smack BY FU

It’s time to shop for shoes

School shoes that is

I’ll be upfront with you — I’m not an And Just Like That fan, and I didn’t really watch Sex and the City when it was in its prime. I’ve probably seen most of it in reruns, including the movies, but it’s more the kind of thing I’ll have on while cleaning or dozing off.

It’s entertaining enough, so when AJLT came out, I gave it a shot. Pretty quickly I decided it wasn’t all that great — plus, I loved Big, and then he died, which was just painful. But as the season rolled along, and social media crowned it the queen of “hate watching,” my curiosity perked up. I hate-watch a lot of things, and didn’t even know I was. Hate-watching I’m not even sure why I do it… other than it’s fun to complain?

With AJLT, I mostly hate-watched via social media, and this last week was peak fun. Theories were flying about how it would all end — some wild, some just plain weird. Then… a 38 minutes finale later… poof, it’s over. From what I have gathered (without even watching), it was only O-K. Slightly boring. Well, I guess you can only have one Bob Newhart finale— if you know, you know. And if you don’t, well… Google it. Worth it.”

While pondering my feelings about Carrie Bradshaw, I will say: her shopping was epic. I wouldn’t wear most of her outfits, nor spend that kind of money, but I do love shoes. I’m always hunting for something stylish, low-heeled, and able to fit my ever-expanding feet. Carrie had her Manolos; I’ve spent my life chasing the perfect pair for a lot less money.

My First Pair of School Shoes

When my shoe size was maybe a 1, I remember the pure thrill of school shoe shopping. I was starting kindergarten at Elton Hills Elementary, and my mom and I went downtown to JC Penney or it could have been Buster Brown’s. 

The rules: I could pick one pair of shoes (ties only) and two dresses. Looking back, we were probably a notch below middle class financially, but I didn’t notice — I thought that’s just how all families shopped each school year.

Those dresses had to do double duty for church, because pants were not allowed for girls. Yes — dresses only. So weird, right? You’re probably thinking, when was she born? 1898? And it might also be why I much prefer pants over dresses. 

The Saddle Shoe Showdown

At JC Penney (or Buster Brown’s), I had the tough choice: saddle shoes (my mom’s pick) or brown suede like oxfords with a pop of shiny patent leather color — maybe black and red — around the laces.

I picked the oxfords. I remember in kindergarten, during circle time, a whiny kid was driving me crazy. I slugged him. Miss Crittenden scolded me while I stared down at my shoes, tracing the patent leather parts, quietly admiring my excellent taste. A little bit of six-year-old Carrie energy, if I’m being honest.

The next two years at St. Pius probably brought me back to saddle shoes to match the uniform. By third grade, Robert Gage Elementary opened, and I was back in public school.

Penny Loafers, Charlotte’s Web, and Tears Under the Covers

By fourth grade, I finally ditched the ties for penny loafers — complete with a properly placed penny. Likely a solid size 5 or 6 by this point. Our teacher Miss Arends was reading Charlottes Web to the class. We got to the part in Charlotte’s Web where Charlotte dies. I stared hard at my loafers, trying not to cry. Those penny loafers kept me focused until I got home and under cover to weep for poor Charlotte’s babies.  

By fifth or sixth grade, buckled shoes were in — mostly for older girls — but my big feet size 7 got me in early. I found a pair at a shoe store in Northbrook Shopping Center (maybe Tradehome Shoes?) along with my first pair of patent leather go-go boots that I convinced my Dad would work for snow boots. My mom was mad but I was at the height of fashion… if only I could’ve nailed Marlo Thomas’s That Girl hair. PS- I had to line my boots with wonder bread bags to keep my feet dry and they still didn’t make it though the winter. 

Red Ball Jets Dreams and Granny Boots

We had gym tennis shoes stored above our coats, but by sixth grade, Red Ball Jets were the thing. I had to beg for them. My parents didn’t get why I’d want “boys’ shoes,” or what size I’d even wear (for the record: women’s 8 = men’s 6). Eventually, I got them — just like every other girl in my class.

By seventh grade, we were in junior high and allowed to wear pants. No jeans (parent rule) — but bell-bottoms were everywhere, and I wore mine with lace-up granny boots from the new Apache Mall. That mall had multiple shoe stores, including Thom McAn and Mary Janes Shoes. Mary Janes was cooler — they had a little café table in the back and a pop machine.

In junior high, I got a clothing budget. By high school, I had a job and bought my own clothes — except for that one pair of school shoes each year.

Wedding Shoes and a Little Carriage House

In 1982, I was on the hunt for wedding shoes and found them at Carriage House Shoes, a tiny shop downtown. A little digging tells me it was once The Toadary (which I don’t remember), and originally a carriage house for Paine Furniture. Later it became the shoe store, Eduardo’s Pizza and a catering shop — all in one charming little building that’s now gone.

From Shoes to Cheese (Carrie Bradshaw, My Way)

Maybe that’s why I keep circling back to Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe closet and my own little shoe timeline. Styles change. What’s in today is passé tomorrow. Sometimes you splurge. Sometimes you settle. Sometimes you stumble into the perfect pair and hold onto them for dear life.

Food works the same way. Tastes shift. What’s trendy this season becomes comfort food the next. And in my shop, I see it all — the classics that never go out of style, the flashy newcomers, the things you swear you’ll never try until you do (and love).

So whether it’s shoes or cheese… the best ones always fit just right.

And unlike my bread bag lined go-go boots phase, the cheese I carry will never make you question your life choices later. Unless, of course, you regret not buying more.