Daily Life - Buying Women's Shoes (C0231)

Mom:  Hi, excuse me Miss? I'm looking for a dress shoe. My usual pair that I've had for years have finally been stretched out of shape. They don't provide any support anymore.
Salesgirl:  Sure, what kind of shoe are you looking for? We've got strappy sandals, sleek high heels, edgy pumps, or if you're looking for something a little more practical, we've got Mary Janes, ballerinas.
Mom:  Show me some classic high heels, please.
Salesgirl:  Ok, right this way. What color did you have in mind?
Mom:  Black. Classic.
Salesgirl:  Of course. We've got this style here that is very popular. Because it's an open-toe shoe, you can wear it any time of the year. They look great on everyone.
Mom:  Umm. too shiny. And I wear pantyhose with my shoes so let's look for a closed-toe shoe.
Salesgirl:  Ok, these are a very nice pair of leather shoes with a two-inch heel so they are very comfortable.
Mom:  I don't like the pointed toes. Let me take a look at what else you have. Too high. That one looks like the back would cut into my heel. I have a high instep so I doubt that one will fit properly. I don't want bows. I find slingbacks very uncomfortable. Those might as well be stilettos. Too modern. Ah, finally, this is what I'm looking for.
Salesgirl:  What size?
Mom:  Seven-and-a-half.
Salesgirl:  Here we are How does it fit?
Mom:  Hmmm. not good. They're too tight. The length is right, but the shoe is too narrow and it's pinching my toes. And there'd be no room for my insoles. You know what? I don't think I have the patience for this today. They just don't make shoes like they used to. I'll come back another time.
Salesgirl:  Have a nice day, Ma'am.

Key Vocabulary

supportsomething that holds a person
strappy sandalsa shoe with a bottom part having straps
edgy pumpa low-cut low-heeled shoe
open-toe shoethe shoe with the toes exposed
two-inch heellength of the heel is 2 inches
pointed shoethe shoe having a narrow top
pinchsqueeze between the thumb and a finger
insolethe inner sole of a shoe
cut intotight and hurt the body with a sharp thing

Supplementary Vocabulary

snugfitting closely
loosenot fitting closely or tightly
the (next) size upone size bigger
the (next) size downone size smaller
break into wear or use in order to make comfortable

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