From head to toe

and body bits  in-between,

women have suffered for the love of fashion.

…

From factual hospital records

to fictional works of literature,

episodes of  ‘following-fashion-induced’ pain

have been well recorded.

…

Consider this passage from the novel Little Women:

“Meg’s high-heeled slippers were tight and hurt her,

though she would not own it,

and Jo’s nineteen hairpins all seemed stuck straight into her head

which was not exactly comfortable,

but dear me, 

let us be elegant or die.”

 Little Women , (chapter 3)

by Louise May Alcott,  written 1868-9

…

The body parts most sorely abused are

our long suffering feet.

So brutal their daily punishment, that at times

neither gentle foot massage nor warm foot bath

can sufficiently ease the pain.

…

Yet, fashion can be forgiving and has heeded the plea.

Strike the refrain – “Oh my aching feet!”

from your frequented list of complaints.

Well,  at least for this fashion season –

Flats  are  where  is  at!

…

(image from simonerocha.com):

 

Clear heel brogues

by Simone Rocha

…

(images from polyvore.com):

Painterly effect

by Nicholas Kirkwood for Erdem

…

 

Black leather, studded biker boots

…

Low heel, thigh high boots

from Stuart Weitzman

…

 Metallic glitter trainers

…

Perforated wingtip brogues

 

…

Pointed toe flats

from Rupert Sanderson

…

(images by stylebistro.com):

Lace-up,  stock heel

…

Black / white spectators

…