I do feel quite knackered at this point it was a very steep hill but my feet feel wonderful. Surprisingly my feet were not particularly cold from the experience of being barefoot and exposed to the elements. It was a cold day and the wind was particularly biting without sunshine. Yet, and forgive the glamour of the rolled up flared jeans, my feet didn't seem to notice the cold. I'm not sure how long it would have taken until they did but I got bored of carrying my wellies so I did put them back on.My point, in respect of this post and being barefoot, is I feel fashion has long been based around the shoe. Or the shoe somehow completes a look. I don't think for one moment we could go barefoot all year round but I'm quite interested in exploring options for walking shoes that you can take off at opportune moments which give you the freedom to walk on the natural ground but can be put on for the man made bits.
Nike have of course developed the Nike Free to go in tandem to barefoot running and I would love to try them and see if they do give you the same sense of being barefoot but with protection.
If a fashion designer worked to create a collection based around being barefoot and free I would be very interested to see what their vision would be. Of course I'm not thinking tribal or hippy that would be predictable and dull. I can actually imagine myself walking barefoot in a Vivienne Westwood number with aran sweater and red lipstick!
Vivienne Westwood Gold Label trinket silk corset dress £2,290 at Net-A-Porter
I have a complete styling shoot in my head based around barefoot walking and might have to action it somehow!
That is the perfect dress for cavorting barefoot!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a great picture of you!
ReplyDeleteThats a fun picture and sounds a great experience too! xxx
ReplyDeleteFrom someone who is barefoot around the house and finds it a chore donning shoes and socks to go outside I admire your spirit. However, surely the terrain is important?
ReplyDeleteYou appear to have been on grass? If I were to go hiking barefoot I doubt I'd survive the stones and cuts. Also what about ankle support?
I don't enjoy going barefoot - we owned a dog when I was small....and let's draw a veil over that right there......
ReplyDeleteAli x
I think it would be interesting to style with out it looking hippyish! I can imagine Erin O'Conner rocking a tux barefoot.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like going bare foot in the grass...unless you meet a cowpat that is!!
ReplyDeleteAlways lobe a bit of Viv + red lips + wellies. Oh so chic. x
ReplyDeleteI'm a barefoot lover too - although I haven't tried hill walking barefoot! I worked with MBT on a project years ago and their whole concept is that they role the foot when you walk, creating the same effect as walking barefoot (I think you use more muscles in the leg/foot when walking barefoot).
ReplyDeleteHolly Fulton went for the barefoot thing in her recent show :) Personally I'd rather go barefoot than wear anything Nike, sweatshops! xx
ReplyDeleteI have very sensitive feet and crappy circulation so barefoot is out of the question for me. However a barefoot shoot sound appealing. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteOh I like the sound of that styling shoot very much.
ReplyDeleteIt's odd that your feet didn't freeze - mine are always cold anyway, so I don't think I'd dare risk it!
If you're looking for a shoe that is close to being barefoot the Nike Free is not the way to go, it still has a lot of unnecessary padding. There are many other options in footwear if you want something close to barefoot check this site out, http://www.livingbarefoot.info this guy reviews minimalist shoes, it should be a good starting point for you.
ReplyDeleteIn response to "Fashinistable" the more you go barefoot the better your circulation will get (in most cases), if you take it slow you sensitivity should also be reduced.
Matt - thank you. I don't want a Nike Free, but I do want a near as barefoot shoe for walking in.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes Fashionistable - it is true walking barefoot in most cases helps poor circulation. My circulation which isn't great never has been was amazing after my walk. I was on fire!
I like a barefoot walk at the beach but I think you are brave to walk in the cold! Love the Dame Viv frock. x
ReplyDeleteDear Kate, I love the Viv dress. I want the angel dress but there's no way I can afford it.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about a pair of those easytone trainers. I have some MBT's but they are so hideous to look at xx
Great picture! I love to be barefoot: the first thing I do when I get home is kick my shoes off!
ReplyDeleteThe dress is amazing and I can only imagine all that you could accomplish with it. And I too love the picture. So very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect dress.Nice article. It is truly a really great post. I noticed all your important points. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove the photo, Kate. And your smile in it. Regarding the dress, what's not to love? A bit out of my price range though. Too bad. I do believe it'll look good on me.
ReplyDeleteLove that dress and, amusingly, I have been thinking about barefoot running on my blog as well. . . I've certainly jogged on the beach, but am reluctant to try the macadam!
ReplyDelete