You know how it is, pigeons. You’re tired. It’s, say, the Sunday after Easter and you’ve made it through the winter and you’ve cleaned and put away the winter boots (and do clean them before you put them away — all that dirt and salt are horrid to any material). You’re getting ready for a big day at church and you want to be comfortable, Lord. And you know, like any other minister knows, that comfort starts in your feet. You could be in your pj’s, but if your shoes pinch, fuhgettabowtit for comfort.
You need a good praychin‘ shoe. Not a flat that’s so flat it gives you no sense of having anything on your feet at all, which is unprofessional and too casual (even if those ballerina flats cost $200 — they’re still not substantial enough to wear for church). You can’t wear canvass or satin. Nothing too flowery and nothing too sporty. You just cannot get your foot into a pair of heels: not this Sunday. All your smart, sharp boots remind you of winter and you just can’t with the winter right now.
You’re tired unto the death of all your boring black flats. You know that PeaceBang disapproves of religious leaders in Mary Janes of almost any kind because she has conducted a highly scientific survey of paying attention to ministerial footwear for fifteen years and has concluded that 98% of Mary Jane style shoes favored by clergy are frumpy.
This would be the time to bring out a solid, dependable, not-too-flat, not-too-girlish, not-too-dowdy, not-too-sporty pair of flats in a neutral color. These aren’t going to be the shoes that make you feel fabulous. They’re not going to be the shoes that communicate anything impressive about you. They’re not going to be the shoes that give you a giddy smile when you put them on. These are going to be Perfectly Fine Preaching shoes of which you will grow increasingly fond over the years by being comfortable, solidly respectable, non-frumpy (but certainly on the verge of it, which is fine some weeks) and that will get you through those low-energy Sundays. Nothing wrong with that.
Priya by Wolky, kind of sporty but at least they don’t have a rubber sneaker sole or any sporty stitching. What is WITH the sporty stitching on flats? It makes them look like TIRES, for heaven’s sake!
Born Julianne. Definitely a ballet flat, but a nice spring color and at least they don’t have velcro anywhere on them. You can sense that my standards are very low in this post.
What do you think of this sort of spectator flat? These are Clark’s Valley Moon. I’m not sold for the pulpit, but they’re ok for everyday. Don’t let me look at them for too long, though, because I’m liable to change my mind.
I forget where I found these. Probably selective amnesia, as they depress me.
YESSSSS, Lawd! But who am I kidding? These are Christian Louboutin, darlings.
And this next photo is Exhibit A in how NOT to wear flats. These are too insubstantial, too cankle-causing and just plain too jeune-fille for a religious leader.
Wow, that was rough. I better look at some beautiful human works of art soon to get over the funk caused by these uninspiring shoes. That blue pair is causing me soul pain.
I minister in a church which has a wooden floor…plus I am 5′ 9″ tall. My preferred shoe is a black leather ballet flat with a rubber sole, because I cannot abide the clackety clack of heels on the wooden floor! Love the Louboutins…and the Clarks as well.
Have a great day on Sunday, dear one!
Of the 6 pairs of shoes pictured only #1 and maybe #5 have that magical quality known as “support”. I’m a secretary/bookkeeper who likes to read your blog. I confess that I am wearing a pair of Naot black mary jane shoes. I wouldn’t wear them with a dress but they are fine with pants. I am slightly north of 50 and need shoes with “support” (Happy feet=Happy face). The search for comfy but professional shoes is never ending. I recommend Merrill’s shoe center in Brockton, MA or Simons Shoes in Brookline, MA.
p.s. I love any kind of spectator shoe. They remind me of Easter Sunday and Talbots. At the same time I don’t think they convey professionalism/authority/leadership. [AGREED! And YES YES YES about support. WHY is it so eternally difficult to find a good-looking, elegant flat with some support? When did they all start looking like tires, or like things only a yoga teacher would wear? – PB]
I discovered Naturalizer Soul (great name for a preaching shoe, eh?) and found my holy grail shoes. They support, look professional and are reasonable in price. I can spend an entire day in them and not be limping at day’s end.
My go-to preachin’ shoes have always been a variation of the Standard Black Pump. Naturalizer. A heel that is about 2 inches, substantial but not chunky. Pointed but not pinchy toes. I have learned to wear some smokey or off-black hose with them if I’m wearing a dress. I saw a picture of myself in dark dress, lighter hose and this serious, dark shoe, and my body appeared to be in segments, much like a caterpillar.