Forever Modern Mules

Louis Vuitton; Source



I have walked a mile in my mother’s mules. Ok, I know what you are thinking. No, this was not recent. The point is that mules are so retro that they were fashionable before the word retro became popular.  I did walk a miles in my mother’s mules but I was probably four or five at the time. I loved playing dress up. Besides putting on my mother’s clothes and choosing the perfect handbag from her wardrobe putting on a pair of her mules was a must. I think this may have stemmed from those black and white movies I watched at a young age. I may not have quite understood the plot but it seemed that many of the glamorous film starts had on a pair of mules at one time or another in this or that scene. I still equate mules with film stars such as Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard and Marilyn Monroe. I will always associate them with glamour for that reason.

Of course, women dressed in a more uniform manner back then. The freedom to express ourselves in how we dress has naturally effected the types of mules that are commonly worn. While I still love mules designed specifically for glamour’s sake I cannot logically wear those type of mules on an everyday basis which proves the old saying that what is old is new is thoroughly accurate. Red mules, during the days when emperors reigned supreme, were worn by magistrates to denote their status but were not commonly worn outside of that due to their impracticality. In the 15th century affluent Venetian women wore mules for essentially the same reason, as a symbol of their social power. The common thread amongst powerful mule-wearers from different centuries is that they largely wore their mules inside. They were not widely worn when a lot of walking and running would be necessary.

 

Altuzarra Spring 2014, Source

 



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Costume National Spring 2014; Source

Alexander Wang Spring 2014; Source

 





3.1 Philip Lim; Source

 

 

Oscar de la Renta; Source

 

 

 

This high-heel pump and slipper hybrid which has been a beloved shoe not only among celebrities of old but among historical figures such as courtesans, popes and artists has certainly come a long way. Just take a stroll through an art museum to see how many illustrious figures are shod in mules in paintings throughout the centuries. It has certainly been proven that if a pair of mules were to be put in an imaginary time capsule anyone whom opened the capsule would be able to readily discern that mules not only retained their popularity but they look largely the same as they did many, many years ago. This can’t be said of many items. I think, therefore, I can state with certainty that mules never really became outdated enough to change their basic design; just as I can state with certainty that they remain difficult, for some, to walk or run a mile in.

 

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I occasionally have trouble walking in mules; particularly, open-toe mules. I have had several almost accidents walking in them. These incidents consisted of tripping, sliding forward and other mishaps that almost resulted in a sprained ankle or knee. I walk different in them than I do in other shoes. I tend to shy away from open-toe mules, for this reason, which is fine with me since there are more than enough closed-toe mules to meet my fashion needs.  I have always considered myself balance-challenged but the amount of work required by my calves may have more to do with my mishaps than my balance. I won’t shy away from mules this spring and summer though so I guess I am a glutton for punishment. Mules, to me, are near the top of the shoe chain. After all, if a shoe was good enough for notable figures such as Marie Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour, I think I can do my part, like the stylish ladies of fashion below, to make sure that the world’s long love affair with mules keeps going.

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Nina Garcia; Source

 

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Elin Kling; Source

 

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Today, of course, they are a favorite spring shoe prominently featured in the world of advertisement and film. Are you acquainted with Candies? How about Daisy Duke from the Dukes of Hazard? Mules are a part of pop culture and will likely remain so. So grab some mules and clomp around in style. Just make sure your balance is up to the challenge.  Also, please remember, if your goal is to walk in silence that mules probably should not be your first choice of footwear. Mules are likely to announce your impending arrival as they go clomp, clomp, and clomp as you walk.

What do you think of mules? I always look forward to comments so please don’t be shy.

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