I Put Some New Shoes On and Suddenly Everything's Right...

When did the buying of shoes stop being an event? While it was some 20 odd years ago now (yes, that many!) I remember the seasonal visit to Clarks shoe shop with my mum like it was, well, not as long as two decades ago.
I loved that 'foot measuring thingy' they only seemed to get out in Clarks, and while I was rarely allowed what I wanted (impractical and sparkly) on the shoe front, I always loved the ceremony that was trying on shoes, and eventually settling on a pair. My mum and I would head to shoe shops like Clarks with each season, picking up flat Mary Jane-esque black shoes and PE pumps ahead of the first term in September, faux fur-lined boots for tramping around in the snow in winter, and sensible white sandals or jelly shoes in summer.
Organised Shoe Chaos
I'll be honest and say I don't think I've set foot (ahem) in Clarks since my primary school days, but after wandering through its doors last week clutching a credit note kindly sent by the company's PR team, the joy that came with choosing new shoes came flooding back. With summer coming to a close and the new school term nearly here, it was something of an organised shoe chaos in the shop, with kids everywhere; each one happily getting their feet measured in the aforementioned 'foot measuring thingy'.
Picking out a pair of shoes last week was a real event. With the festive season not a million miles away (apparently, it's just 16 Fridays until Christmas), I went for these rather Christmassy-looking green suede shoes - totally impractical (suede rain, anyone) but oh so pretty, I'm sure you'll agree? My five-year-old self would've been chuffed to bits.

The Carrick Tumble green suede bow shoe
I was pleased to discover the shoe buying process in Clarks wasn't as 'rushed' as simply entering the shop, selecting a pair of kicks, and getting on my merry way. Within a minute, a friendly lady called Karen made her way over to see if I needed help.
After having a good browse at the Clarks site, I already had an idea I wanted these green suede lovelies, above. I'd pictured wearing them for a friend's winter wedding this December, with a black dress and furry stole, and was pleased to discover the online picture didn't really do them justice, if anything.
'Everyone will have the black ones...'
Karen was a gem; convincing me to go with the green ones when I later panicked after discovering they also came in black. 'But everyone will have the black ones', Karen helpfully offered. And with that I was sold. She was right, while it's sometimes good to play it safe, I decided today was the day I'd be a maverick. Green shoes it was. Just a shame I'm too old for the shoe measuring thingy.
Did I make a good choice on the shoe front? Have you had a look at Clarks' current range? Seen anything you like?
Disclaimer: A credit note was supplied via Clarks. I have not been paid to write this post; it was the lure of free shoes that got me. All views are my own and 100% honest, as always.