From the NYT Fashion section:
Valerie Steele, the director and chief curator of the Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, said that with flip-flops and other shoe styles that expose the toes for all to see, flawless feet have become a status symbol.
“Having perfectly groomed feet indicates that you have the money and the time to make the effort and that you have the social polish to know you should be up to peak standards,” said Ms. Steele, the author of “Shoes: A Lexicon of Style.”
Public scrutiny isn’t the only reason women are opting for more elaborate pedicures, she said. “You should not underestimate the genuine aesthetic pleasure one gets,” she said, “from looking down 20 times a day at your own little jewel-like toes.”
I say, if this be narcissism let’s make the most of it!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m glad people are taking care of their feet. Ugly feet gross people out. It’s a matter of good hygeine more than fashion or status.
Wonder if this will be like jewlery which men use to disdain wearing for themselves. Now I see men with necklaces, bracelets beyond the masculine I.D. type, earrings. Then we have all those other jewelry items for the eyebrow, nares, lip, tongue, nipples, navel … well I won’t go any further on the anatomy, but those, too. Yeah, some women wear ankle bracelets, and toe rings, or whatever they’re called. Ah, narcissism has no limitations.
I realize a huge population wears flip flops, but I find listening to them flip flopping along most annoying, but they’re nice at the beach, poolside, in public showers, etc. Sorry, Frank, guess I went beyond the point of your post.
Does make good sense to take good care of our feet, since we spend so many hours of each day on them — the real work horses of the human body. Also, why they deserve good quality shoes. But some would say, go barefoot. I just don’t know anymore.