The shoes truly make the person

By Katherine Chow

I have a decently sized collection of basically every essential shoe a girl needs. I have my sandals for the rare beach outing, the ballet flat for the special occasion, the tennis shoe for the regular intense workout, the stiletto for the girls' night out and the man-loathed Uggs for those occasional rainy days.

Although some may think shoes are agents to prevent blisters and cuts, I believe a shoe is much more than an accessory to prevent pain.

A shoe gives a person the ability to embody an alter ego, even if just for one day.

When I put together an outfit to go out, there are a million pairs of shoes that could potentially match my outfit and make it a fantastic ensemble. But sometimes I choose to switch it up a little -- my shoes allow me to embody a different and unique quality every day.

If I pick a stiletto, I embody Beyonce's fierceness and poise. If I pick a Converse shoe, I embody Sarah Silverman's quirky and funny personality.

My pair of Pumas gives me not only confidence but also the ability and willingness to drag myself to the gym. They allow me to stay in shape and also give me a willful and unbreakable attitude, one that allows me to tackle life's everyday challenges.

In the end, the shoe, whichever it may be, allows me to create more than just an outfit; it gives me the strength and confidence to embrace positive qualities that all individuals should possess.

Shoes can motivate us to do something that we had never thought we could do.

Any shoe will extract a particular quality and characteristic that the shoe's owner should always personify.

Whether it's having the courage and independence to go for a run or the guts to strut down a runway, a shoe allows us qualities that we may or may not already have.

A shoe becomes a stepping stone to tap into things we want to do but are too scared to do. Where would we be without our shoes? They are, in essence, an extension of who we are and an expression of our identities.

So, you must wonder, why am I rambling on about different shoes? They're just shoes right?

The truth is that shoes are more than shoes.

They are more than a piece of rubber or fabric that I wear on my feet. And they do more than protect me from large puddles or dirty sidewalks.

Shoes are forms of expression; they spark change in our attitudes, they dare us to be different and they inspire us to tackle the world, one cool outfit at a time.

Katherine Chow is a freshman undeclared arts & sciences major.