The shoe seduction

One in 10 women spend more than £1,000 a year on shoes while 8% own more than 100 pairs each, according to a new survey. What is it with women and shoes'

For many females, Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw summed it up perfectly when she was mugged in an episode of the series.

"Please sir, you can take my Fendi Baguette, you can take my ring and my watch, but don't take my Manolo Blahniks," she begged. The heartless thief took them anyway.

Most women would agree the former first lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos, had the right idea when it came to footwear, her only shoe crime was leaving her 1,220 pairs at the presidential palace when she fled the country in 1986 during the people power revolution.

Cinderella

There are few items in a woman's wardrobe that she is more protective of, bring more pleasure, are so well cared for and make her feel so good.

Which is probably why one in four women say they would buy another pair of shoes instead of pay the bills, according to the survey by Harpers Bazaar magazine. In the wardrobe of one in two women there are more than 30 pairs of shoes, while 8% own more than 100 pairs each, it suggests.

By Denise Winterman
BBC News Magazine