Should I buy a pair of branded shoes?
Will branded shoes really save my feet?

Imelda Marcos, widow of former President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines, was well known to have owned more than 3000 pairs of shoes. If I had my own bottomless coffers, I’d be tempted to buy numerous pairs of branded shoes too. However, are branded shoes really worth their price? When you stroll into Christian Louboutin or Dior, does a shiver run down your spine? And is that a shiver of excitement or dread when you turn over the shoe to discover the exorbitant price tag on the sole?

When I did a survey among female friends, about the No. 1 item they are thinking of splurging their next paycheck on, chances are it is one of these three: A branded Bag, a Holiday, or a branded pair of Shoes.

There should not be any shame in desiring that stylish pair of branded shoes, but are they necessarily better for your feet than a pair of shoes that you might have bought in Far East Plaza, on the streets of Chatuchak market in Bangkok, or a mid-range shop such as Aldo or Hush Puppies? Price does not necessarily beget quality.

There are now several manufacturers that make shoes with pedorthic or comfort qualities although some of us might cringe at the design and look of such shoes. I’ve had friends tell me that they would disown me if I ever bought a pair of Crocs. But hey, that was before Crocs diversified their range and started producing everything from platform shoes to ballet flats. Also, Birkenstock sandals, though more expensive than their imitation counterparts that can be bought in pasar malams, are known to be better for people with wide feet or orthopaedic problems. There IS a difference in the depth of the heel cup, the quality of the cork latex footbed, the flexibility of the shoe that will mould itself to your feet… I had friends with orthopaedic problems (flat feet, underpronation etc.) who tried the fake ‘birkenstocks’ and the real deal, and guess what, the fake ones gave them sore feet after just walking up and down Orchard Rd for slightly more than an hour. There are times you might want to save a quick buck, but this is not one of them. - Next page

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