For the life of me, I cannot figure out how the stylish women here walk everywhere in heels. They can do it gracefully on stone pavement. It’s like watching magicians.
We have been here for a little more than three weeks, and today is the first day I decided to spend the whole day in sneakers.
I’m looking distinctly American today, with my leggings, tank top, hoodie and hair in a sloppy bun. It’s my “I’m going for a walk” look. And even on a rainy Saturday, I feel a little underdressed.
I had to pare down my wardrobe for this move. (See Sarge’s luggage restrictions). On the advice of my expat acquaintances, I leaned toward slightly dressy clothing. I brought mostly skirts, casual dresses, a few pairs of jeans and didn’t even pack a single pair of shorts. I’ve been logging miles walking in cute wedge shoes that aren’t nearly as comfortable as they seemed back home.
On the advice of my feet, my workout-like attire beat out everything else today, and the ladies at the market didn’t seem to care.
A group of women who look to be in their 70s run a little farmers’ market near my house. They dress in black like it’s their uniform. Typically, it’s with skirts that fall below their knees, sheer black hose and sensible shoes. I don’t know if they dress that way because they’re widows or because that’s the way women their age dress. It kind of makes everything else they’re selling look more vibrant. Yesterday, I scored two bright red tomatoes and two yellowish-orange mini peaches for about a dollar. Today, white and pink flowers caught my eye. So I bought a huge bouquet for only 15 kuna (about $2.25).
Elsewhere in town, metallic sneakers and Chuck Taylor All-Stars seem to be the rage in the women’s casual shoe department. I don’t know if I could pull off that look, either.
Even on a rainy Saturday, the fashionable women were strutting around in heels. My feet can’t hack that high style. I’d rather stick out like the sore American heel that I am, and one day I’ll stick to sensible shoes like the wise women at the farmers’ market.
tanyatravelsdotblog.wordpress.com 