...and the bane of my backpacking existance. How does one take in all the wonders of the international shoe world with only 50 litres of backpack? How does one appreciate the different trends, the tropical colours, the alternative heels and the sweet sweet smell of leather, when there is nowhere to store these wonders?
Bespoke shoes! Oh my, twas divine. A mystery too though, as all the cobblers in Hoi An sport tacky shoes out the front of their stores, held up with hideous curves of fluoro plastic, wearing a film of roadworks dust. Not cool. Some stand out more than others, so I just went for the best I could find and asked them to copy my fave red gladiator sandals (Nu+Nan: my love for these runs deep) in gold. Replacing my old Nu+Nan gladiators, which were, surprise surprise, gold. I though that copying is pretty easy, but they had a lovely array of mens shoes there, one pair that was almost the perfect brogue.
So, I risked it. I ordered a pair of besopke brogues.
"I want these ones, but, ah, without this elastic at the side (euuuccchhh) and with laces. In silver leather. Do you have silver leather?"
They did. So I ordered them, for the grand sum of US$50, including leather lining and leather soles.
Now I wasn't going to get my hopes up, oh no. This results in disappointment, out mothers prepared us for that.
Oh but was I surprised! They were perfect! The perfect flat brogue toe - the type that isn't too round (making foot look fat) but not too long (making foot look - er - long - tough to sport with skinny jeans when you are gifted in the thigh department, as I am). No elastic inserts in the side. Laces - perfect - those slim, sturdy, round ones. Inconspicuous brown leather soles. Slightly manstyle, meaning perfect to pair back with a girly dress, toughen it up. Or even better with my black silk harem pants (also the fruits of Hoi An), a white tank and fitted vest (note that I am yet to own this vest).
So perfect. So perfect that I immediately eyed the box of leather samples and started concocting combinations. Black and white, classic. Two-tone blue. Two tone grey. Two tone green. No, not much of a green girl. Electric blue suede and white leather... yes... now there's my colour combo.
Paired with a slightly higher heel (still a manstyle block heel - but about 4 cm), they were ready the very next morning! They slightly resemble bowling shoes, with about 400% more stylish, and just as much fun. Oh I love them!
My personal cobbler. I have their card, they have my measurements, they copy beautifully and this could be the beginning of a lifelong relationship. They promise me that they can send shoes.
Now, the dilemma - do I have room in my backpack for the loves of my life - my silver brogues?
