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.
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Costume National Spring 2014; Source
Alexander Wang Spring 2014; Source
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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.
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.
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.
Thank you to my followers for their continued support.
