Ladies and gentlemen of Syracuse University, my name is Melissa, and I’m a shopaholic. I’ve been notorious for buying stuff I don’t need for a few years now. There are good days and bad – I buy clothes I love and cherish and wear ’til they’re worn, other times a dress will sit in my closet for a few weeks ’til it catches my eye for the perfect occasion. What a rush.

The clerks at Sephora know me by name, and give me extra free samples. Grocery shopping or putting gas in my car is even fun for me – I’m that hooked on the thrill of a purchase. It pains me a bit to admit that. But why deny what makes you happy? I budget carefully, and hell, it’s my money.

I got the shopping bug from my grandmother – her mantra was always if you feel a little down on yourself, buy something just for you. I don’t know if weekly sprees of clearance-rack rummaging and searching for eBay steals nightly were what she had in mind, but that’s where I am.

My favorite things to buy, I must say, are shoes. The phrase ‘shoe shopping’ elicits a wonderful change in me, in a very stereotypical girl way. But I’m not ashamed, and why should I be? Feet are not pretty. Especially mine. If I can cover ’em up with a great pair of shoes to feel like I’m well dressed from head to toe, I’m going to.

I was a ballet dancer for about six years, and it left my feet in bony, blistered ruins. Sorry for that mental image. I have broken my pinky toes several times each, so when it comes to shoes I can wedge my toes into pretty much anything. My favorites are pointed-toe high heels – they scream sophistication. Heels lengthen your calve muscles and make everyday walking into a graceful stride. Pointed toes elongate your legs, too. Sounds like a fantastic way to look while prancing from class to class.

But this is Syracuse, and walking across campus a few times day doesn’t make stilettos or strappy sandals too practical – too many stairs, too much concrete, too much construction. Not worth the risk of ruining a good pair of shoes to wear them to class. Here’s a list of shoes I’ve come across that prove great for walking without cinching your style points:

The ballet flat:

Ever-versatile, the ballet flat is a popular one on campus. Whether patent or patterned, the ballet flat goes by many names and comes in plenty of forms. Try textured ones for a soft fall look, or an open-toe style for a flirty look. You can find good flats anywhere – look for ones with an arch support if you’re looking for a pair of flats for day-to-day wear.

The sneaker flat:

The benefit of a sneaker-style flat is that it will have a stronger sole so it can handle the wear and tear of campus walking. Sketchers offers plenty of styles, but if that’s a little too athletic-looking, brands like Vans, Rocket Dog and Keds consistently put out great variations of skimmers.

The slingback:

Slingback shoes certainly don’t compromise style – in fact, they enhance it. An open, jeweled sandal gives a great Grecian goddess vibe. Pointed toe with an exposed heel is a great, comfortable walking shoe if you have to dress it up a little. Kitten heels on slingback shoes can give you the love and feel of a high heel without being a chore to walk in.

The Birkenstock:

Call me a tasteless hippie if you want, but Birkenstocks are great walking shoes. They’re available in leather or suede, and don’t let the stereotype fool you. Birkenstock has plenty of styles and colors that can go with any casual ensemble. I’ve never had a sandal as comfortable as my cross-strap Betina style – also, they’re not made with real leather if you’re an animal sympathizer. They also have a variety of clogs.

The colorful sneaker:

A great pair of sneakers can go a long way. Perfect to throw on with a pair of jeans and a tank top, printed canvas sneakers add a personal touch to your wardrobe in a low-maintenance way. Ed Hardy, Converse and Harajuku Lovers make some funky patterns, there’s pretty much a style or color for anybody. I’m a big fan of the lace-less Converse low tops, and they come in dozens of colors and patterns. Comfortable and a statement? You bet.

Melissa Daniels is a junior newspaper journalism major, and while she hopes your feet are comfortable during campus trekking, she does not support the use of Crocs in this endeavor. She can be reached at mdanie01@syr.edu.

Published on September 1, 2008 at 12:00 pm