Leopard Shoe Love Affair

This love affair started in New York City. I was walking down the street in Battery Park when I first saw them. Their look made me smile and I knew I had to have them. It was too late to ask the girl wearing them where she bought her fabulous leopard print shoes but as I watched her walk away my brow narrowed. C-R-O-C-S. Crocs? Hmm.

Sure I had seen Crocs before but they were large and bulky. Perfect for bathing the dog or watering the garden, but as a fashion statement? I remained unsure. Weeks after having returned home we were preparing to plant our garden and loving to have the perfect gear for any occasion I remembered the fabulous shoes from NYC.

After browsing online I found a Crocs store not too far from home. I somehow talked Jeremy into going with me and a half hour later I was slipping my feet into my favorite shoes, ever. See I need arch support, but shoes with good arch support usually look like they belong on my grandmother's feet. And even she is too cool to wear them. I like room in the toes and plenty of cushion at the heel. These shoes had it all.

Being that they are rubber and it was summer I quickly noticed that my feet would sweat when walking but that's a quick fix with some little no show socks. Otherwise, when I walk these shoes give me the support and comfort. They are low maintenance too! If they get dirty or a bit stinky, I take them outside and spray them off with the hose. They can dry in the sun, or if I need to wear them right away I can clean them off with some baby wipes and a towel. These shoes are that easy.

It is a fact that I love these shoes, but do other people? Compliments came all the time, and when I told people they were Crocs, they were just as surprised as I was. I just hope they are willing to give them a chance too.

I wish I had these shoes while we were in New York. Scratch that. I wish I had them 8 years ago walking through Europe. Trust me, you don't want to be walking with me if my feet hurt. I'll take you on a cocktail detour to numb the pain and we might miss a train or two.

Fast forward to today. I wear my leopard Crocs all the time with jeans, shorts, skirts, pajamas, even sweatpants. Even a year after wearing them religiously, they are looking and feeling great.
Who ever thought that my go to shoes would be leopard print? I guess this confirms it; I'm a vintage loving girl.