There is a shadowy sect operating on the fringes of shoe fanaticism – the true shoe addicts. These are women so in love with the hunt for fancy footwear that it has become an integral part of their lives. What separates these “shoedicts” from other junkies is their complete, even joyful, self-awareness. They know shoes are their Achilles heel, and they love it.

Among my respondents was one such shoedict. She agreed to be quoted only on the condition that I disguise her true identity. It seems she fears her friends and loved ones might stage an intervention should they learn the true depths of her footwear dependency. Shoediction is one habit she doesn't want to break. We'll call her “Angie.”

Angie rates herself a cracking ten on the girlie scale, and I'm certainly not going to argue with her. She also boasts the most intricate weekly shoe-wearing ritual of any of my respondents:

“I routinely wear 5-6 pairs during the work week, not including the two 'commuter' pairs I wear to/from work... Weekend shoes are different: there are flip flops to [exercise class], then 1-2 different pair of fancy pants shoes that could be worn with non-work attire on Friday or Saturday nights; Sundays are usually reserved for casual flip flops or sandals (but not the type I'd wear to the office). ... AND NEVER, NEVER DO I WEAR GYM SHOES ON THE STREET. It's simply against my better fashion judgment.”

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