Migliorini Is All Italian To Me!

FlashBack Friday

I am usually particular when it comes to buying shoes but that does not mean I am not prone to buy shoes on a whim once in a while...especially when I am on vacation. As you know, I love to buy shoes as a souvenir. Several moons ago I visited my sweet and saucy friend Cari (ummm hello...long time no see) when she was living in Los Angeles. We sold shoes together in college and became fast friends. Naturally, we went shopping...shoe shopping! Cari parked us on a street lined with shoe boutiques, coffee houses, bars on windows and a slew of fashionable people casually making their way about their day. The “GIANT SHOE SALE” sign got my attention! I grinned and nodded vigorously at Cari. She urged me to go on ahead...she had to get her caffeine fix.

This shoe store obviously specialized in all things Italian and was hosted by a saleswoman who eyed each customer up and down thoroughly deciding if they were worth her effort. If she approved of you she was exceedingly pushy, if not, you were ignored. As luck would have it, she ignored me and I got to comfortably peruse the selection of Italian leather goods surrounding me. Just before becoming overwhelmed by the dizzying selection of shoes, I spotted the racing stripes! At least, racing stripes were what came to mind when I laid eyes on these casual-chic Migliorini kicks. They called to mind Mini Coopers and Vespas (have since had a Mini and own a scooter). I slipped them on right away. All the stock was on the showroom floor so I didn't need to bother Miss Persnickety. As soon as my feet were in 'em, I wanted to go fast! Walk fast, drive fast, dance fast, live fast and guess what? I bought them fast—as fast as I could get to the register with them still on my feet. Miss P squeezed out a thank you and I zoomed out the door to find Cari or trouble whichever came first.

Cari spied the gleam in my eye and Italian leather on my feet from a block away. As we reached each other, I pushed my foot out, toe to the ground and turned my leg this way and that allowing a good look at my new treasure.

Cari asked--how much?

Way to take the wind out of my sails! In my haste and fear of Italian leather prices I just kept my head down to avoid seeing how much they set me back. They were on sale I rationalized. Yikes! With some hesitancy I pulled the receipt out, braced myself and we looked...and we blinked...and Cari nearly fell over in laughter. I realized I was holding my breath and finally took a breath and let it out with a sigh of relief and disbelief.

$23.48.

Yep, that's it! That was quite a “giant” sale and left me feeling a bit suspicious of my Italian shoes. At least I wouldn't feel the need to try to explain my flippant behavior to anyone. Besides, I had a thrill and a new pair of shoes.

The Migliorini brand has very little online presence and I haven't run across them again in my shoe store travels. It seems as though they are in fact made in Italy but that is about all I could find out about them. I can tell you that they are not comfortable nor are they uncomfortable. They are indifferent much like the saleswoman who rung them up for me. I mostly wear them when I think of Cari or want to feel one with the word fast!

Ready, set, go,

abigail dagmar