In the 21st Century fandom exists in all shapes and sizes. There are groups devoted to everything, from Ford Mondeos to Poodles to music released only on unplayable formats. Indeed, the fandom of shoes is nothing new. Admissions of Shoeaholism have become as everyday as Carrie Bradshaw’s indecisiveness but in recent months a number of news stories have brought to my attention the notion that there may well be many specific different types of Shoeaholic.
The first type of shoeaholic to acknowledge is the classic ‘hoarder’. I would suppose that ‘hoarders’ make up the majority of shoeaholics and beside owning hundreds of shoes, they are also known to have an extensive, dare I say, encyclopaedic amount of knowledge when it comes to footwear. They are also known to have a physical bodily reaction when certain names are mentioned. For example, mutter Louboutin or Balenciaga in the presence of a ‘hoarder’ and they are likely to slump to the floor only to be revived by a splash of cold water to the ankles.
The second type of Shoeaholic could well be regarded as the next step up from the typical ‘hoarder’. Whereas a ‘hoarder’ may work in the fashion sector, own and collect many shoes – they probably act like you or me. However, the so-called ‘shoe extremist’ will take the right to wear a specific type of shoe to court if they need to. In Essex this month, a woman (owner of 200 shoes) who was injured after slipping over at an airport decided to sue for damages because she could not wear her heels after the fall. She won.
The final type came to light via a slightly different news story, and this group seem a little more illusive than the others. The ‘Celebri-feet-fan’, instead of directly following the styles and changes as dictated by the fashion industry, will follow the shoe choices of someone in the public eye…and not necessarily someone famous for their style sense. The most recent celebrity supposedly at the heart of starting a shoe following is none other than Sarah Palin. The Mail reports that her red Naughty Monkey heels have been flying off shelves since she has been on her campaign trail. In some places sales have risen by 50 per cent.
Granted, the tags I may have given each Shoeaholic may be a little literal, and a privileged few may fit into all three, but at least from now on if I meet anyone who claims that ‘I just love shoes’, it may be a little easier to discern just how obsessed they are – and if they are as fanatical as I am.
About the Author
For a range of goods from digital cameras to garden products, furniture, laptops or if you want to buy lingerie or cheap shoes or even a four poster bed, uk.shopping.com and dealtime.co.uk are a great way to find products online, and include product reviews
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