Every woman should own a pair of red pumps! I was recently introduced to these magical creatures a few weeks ago when I went on a mini shopping spree for the first time in two years. It was completely impulsive and I probably wasted $100, but it was worth every penny. When I spotted them, it was like love at first sight. I tried them on and got a reaction like no other. Two older women yelled at me, “Those look fabulous! You have to get them.” The salesmen chimed in and told me how beautiful they looked. I didn’t know if the compliments were meant for me or the shoes, but I didn’t care. I felt sexy, beautiful, and confident. At that moment, my legs became my favorite show piece. I’ve always had hangups about my legs because I thought they were too big. They are big, but that is what makes them attractive. So why did it take 28 years and a pair of red heels for me to realize this?Red has always been a powerful color in my life. It represents heat, passion and energy. As a child, I was drawn to fire and once burned my finger because I couldn’t contain my curiosity. This experience made me fearful of the color red. Once I realized the power and danger associated with red, I tried to stay away from it, but somehow I couldn’t. The color was there when I had my first bad accident and scraped my knee to the bone from a fall on the concrete. It hurt like hell, but I couldn’t stop looking at the deep, rich color of my blood. I was thankful to oxygen for giving it such a vibrant color. I felt quite exposed and vulnerable at that moment, and loved it. When we bleed we are releasing a small part of our lifeline to the universe, sharing our inner beauty and soul with the world; something that’s rarely done. I realized that instead of running from the color…from the electricity…from the power…from myself, it was time to embrace it.
The turning point in my love-hate relationship with red came in college. The colors of the sorority that I pledged were Crimson and Crème. This time, when red was forced upon me, I embraced it! I made a commitment to the color and wore it proudly. In this new context, it represented the leadership, confidence, and greatness of the thousands of women who came before me. It was then that I knew that red always had been and always would be a part of me. I rediscovered this when I tried on that pair of red heels. Like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, I was transported to a magical place; one of confidence, self-love, and freedom. I was reminded once again that I am beautiful.
A pair of red pumps from Nordstrom: $100
The confidence to rediscover yourself: Priceless
Confidence and happiness are contagious. Spend time with the people, places, and things that make you happiest. Find your own confidence catalyst. For me it was a pair of red pumps. What’s yours?
Tanisha Drummer is an MBA student at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
3 comments:
Excellent article! I too recently discovered the "power" of the red pump, eventhough they tend to hurt like hell, it's a small price to pay for the amount of attention you receive because of them. They make you exude a certain sexiness that is completely unexplicable. "Guys look, even some of the girls jock." They are definitely a must-have, at any age, but especially as you get closer to 30, lol :). Thanks for enlightening us, Drummer. By the looks of your legs and the shoes in the pic, I'd say it was well worth the $100 :). Go on now, hot mama!
Bravo and thank you for your thoughts, Tanisha!! I think there is much to be said for taking pride in one's appearance and looking your best. It harkens back to the days of formality and etiquette, and of manners which are all but lost these days. Appearance can project confidence and grace - or haste and sloth.
that's an incredibly well written article.... feel like buying a pair of red pumps right away!!!!
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