What Your Shoes Say About You
This study is in no way shocking. University of Kansas researchers say that people can accurately judge 90 percent of a stranger's personality by looking at their shoes.
"Shoes convey a thin but useful slice of information about their wearers," the authors wrote in the new study published in the Journal of Research in Personality. "Shoes serve a practical purpose, and also serve as nonverbal cues with symbolic messages. People tend to pay attention to the shoes they and others wear."
Personality traits people could figure out include a person's general age, their gender, income, political affiliation, and other personality traits, including someone's emotional stability.
Flashy footwear was worn by extroverts. Practical shoes were worn by more agreeable people. And my favorite of all: ankle boots correlated with aggressive personalities.
Most surprising to me:
There was even a political calculation in the mix with more liberal types wearing "shabbier and less expensive" shoes.
So, what do your shoes say about you?
Footwear image via Shutterstock.
- Comment (73)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (3)
Comments:
Jul '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
My Latvian girlfriend 10 years ago, who I met for our first date in Old Town Tallinn, was wearing a pair of stilettos, at least 3 or so inches.
Having just done my graduate studies in the States, I remarked to her on how American women didn't dress up like that very often. She looked me in the eye and said, "Why? Don't they want to look beautiful?"
I almost married her.
Jul '10
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
While preparing to take a woman on a first date recently, I had two female friends pull me aside, separately, and tell me, "Do not wear combat boots on the first date."
They felt I needed to be told this, and they were absolutely right.
Apr '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
A black pair of Tony Lama's polished about every 3 months and on their 5th half-sole for every day.
A black pair of Durango with paint and grease splatters for work.
A black pair of Lucchese on their 3rd half-sole for casual dress.
A black-cherry pair of Lucchese Kangaroo for dress.
May '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
I stopped at a school crossing recently and a young girl was wearing ridiculously high spike heels with her blue jeans. It took her several minutes to cross the street because she could only move her feet about six inches forward with each step.
Aug '10
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
Boots on the Table:
A black pair of Tony Lama's polished about every 3 months and on their 5th half-sole for every day.
A black pair of Durango with paint and grease splatters for work.
A black pair of Lucchese on their 3rd half-sole for casual dress.
A black-cherry pair of Lucchese Kangaroo for dress.
You mean you know the brand names of the shoes you wear?
Amazing!
I remember Keds from my childhood because I was teased about them. Anything else, I'd have to look. Supposing I could still read the brand.
Jun '10
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
What does it say about me that I'm completely oblivious to the type of shoes other people wear?
I tried to test the assertion above against people I know, friends, co-workers etc.: do their shoes match their personalities? And I drew a total blank, 'cause I have no memory of what kind of shoes any of them wear.
Apr '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Boots on the Table:
A black pair of Tony Lama's polished about every 3 months and on their 5th half-sole for every day.
A black pair of Durango with paint and grease splatters for work.
A black pair of Lucchese on their 3rd half-sole for casual dress.
A black-cherry pair of Lucchese Kangaroo for dress.
You mean you know the brand names of the shoes you wear?
Amazing!
I remember Keds from my childhood because I was teased about them. Anything else, I'd have to look. Supposing I could still read the brand. · 43 minutes ago
When you know the names it's easier to find them on the shelf. That way you can hunt them rather than shop for them. Takes about 5 minutes from the time you park the truck until the time you climb back in.
May '10
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
Wylee Coyote: While preparing to take a woman on a first date recently, I had two female friends pull me aside, separately, and tell me, "Do not wear combat boots on the first date."
They felt I needed to be told this, and they were absolutely right.
Not even charitable combat boots? My boots need replacing, and I don't plan on buying an extra set.
Jul '10
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
Barefoot or die!
Jun '10
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
Having just done my graduate studies in the States, I remarked to her on how American women didn't dress up like that very often. She looked me in the eye and said, "Why? Don't they want to look beautiful?"
I almost married her. · 3 hours ago
Same deal with Russian women. No offense ladies, but I miss that.
Dec '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
This post has absolutely captured my attention because fellow member Robert Lux (and possible Bohemian) has accused me of having an accessories obsession. :-)
He may be correct as my husband claimed I fell in love with him for the Cole Haan shoes...
Jan '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
Sigh. I have ridiculously flexible ankles & have fallen down stairs while wearing heels. No woman looks beautiful in a heap & writhing in pain. I just gave teenage daughter a beautiful pair of slides. Now I wear Munros, Mizunos, & Saucony.
Dave Molinari
Having just done my graduate studies in the States, I remarked to her on how American women didn't dress up like that very often. She looked me in the eye and said, "Why? Don't they want to look beautiful?"
I almost married her. · 3 hours ago
Same deal with Russian women. No offense ladies, but I miss that. · 46 minutes ago
Dec '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
As for females:
Depending upon the geographical location:
Winter/summer/spring/fall in CA: UGG boots and slaps.
New York: Jimmy Choo heels and Prada flats.
SW Florida: Gucci sandals and JCrew slaps.
Nov '10
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
I nearly coughed up the flax seed granola cereal on which I'm chowing before hitting my workout at the Santa Monica stairs....
Feb '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
As a girl I admired Zola Budd and wished to run barefoot and free. Today my summer shoes look like this:
and my winter shoes look like this:
Make of this what you will...
Dec '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
Robert Lux
I nearly coughed up the flax seed granola cereal on which I'm chowing before hitting my workout at the Santa Monica stairs.... ·
Somehow, I just knew that...
Dec '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
Mama Toad:
and my winter shoes look like this:
If I'm not mistaken, these look like Dankso clogs that are absolutely the best shoes in the universe in which to travel en avion.
Edited on June 15, 2012 at 3:17amFeb '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
EThompson
Mama Toad:
and my winter shoes look like this:
If I'm not mistaken, these look like Dankso clogs that are absolutely the best shoes in the universe in which to travel en avion. · 7 minutes ago
Edited 5 minutes ago
That's right!
Aug '11
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
I would go barefoot almost all the time if I could but sadly, life does not allow me to do so. I generally go for comfort and stability, something with a good arch. No heels!
May '10
Re: What Your Shoes Say About You
Most of the time: Birkenstocks. No socks in summer, rag wool socks in the winter. Other occasional foot ware: slipahs (flip flops), Sperry top siders (no socks), penny loafers (with socks for "up town"), Clark desert boots, working cowboy boots, hiking boots, several assorted sets of tennis shoes, skate board shoes, etc. oh, and one pair of rarely worn but nice Italian buckle Demi-boots. What does that tell you.....other than that I must have worked in a shoe store at some point?