The Shoe That Still Stops Me in My Tracks Part 1 - Shoes I Love
Updated: Oct 11
Every time I walk into my closet, I see shoes I love, pairs that have carried me through seasons of confidence, celebration, and change. Some I still wear, some I’ve outgrown, and some I simply can’t let go of. The pair I’m talking about today are my black and gold rhinestone Jessica Simpson ankle‑strap open‑toe heels. They don’t fit the shape of my feet anymore, but they still hold my story in a way no other pair ever has.
There are shoes you buy because they’re cute, shoes you buy because they’re practical, and then there are shoes you buy because they speak to you. These heels fall into that last category, the kind of shoe that doesn’t just complete an outfit, it completes a moment.
I was shopping at Dillards Department Store, looking for something special to wear with my black dress, to my husband's 50th birthday celebration, and then I saw them!
As I was getting dressed for my husband's big night, I remember when I slipped them on. The rhinestones caught the light just right, the ankle strap hugged my foot with a quiet confidence, and suddenly I wasn’t just getting dressed, I was stepping into a version of myself that felt bold, feminine, sexy and beautifully unstoppable. These heels weren’t just accessories; they were attitude.
Black and Gold Rhineston Open Toe Heels 
Black and Gold Rhineston Open Toe Heels back view 
Black and Gold Rhineston Open Toe Heels one shoe back view
Today, they sit on my shelf like a tiny piece of art. I haven’t worn them in years. Life has shaped me, and my feet have changed along with it, arches shifting, toes widening, comfort becoming a priority that I no longer apologize for. They don’t fit the way they used to, and I’ve accepted that. But every time I walk past them, I pause. So many memories are in these heels, so I hold on to them just like I would a picture...
Because some shoes aren’t meant to be worn forever.
Some are meant to be remembered!
This series is my love letter to my heels that has carried me through celebrations, transitions, and seasons of growth. Even though they no longer fit my feet, they still fit my story and that’s why I can’t let them go.
What's the pair of shoes you just can't part with and why?
Drop your story in the comments. Let’s celebrate the memories, the milestones, and the magic our shoes hold.
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This article was drafted with the help of an AI writing tool, then reviewed and edited by a human editor. Sharon Mayo-Taylor is the Founder and creative voice behind A Woman’s Closet, where style, sustainability, and storytelling come together. As the owner of A Woman's Closet, she blends modern AI assistance with her own hands‑on writing, editing, refinement, and personal insight, ensuring every article reflects her vision, her values, and the unique spirit of the women she serves.
This is so well written I still have the heels I got married in in the back of my closet. I pulled them out every now and again and remember the feelings of the day. Shoes are not just a fashion choice, they are feeling of empowerment and for the ones that pinch, they remind us of what we can endure and all that we are.
I love this! I’ve always wanted to wear heels but my ankles just wouldn’t let me. I finally found a wedge heel that makes me feel like I’m on top everytime I put them on.
Beautiful written and I can most definitely relate to this
I love this. I’m hard headed lol even though I’m older, I still sometimes wear my heels and boots that are 4-5 inches tall. My calves and the balls of my feet cuss me out every time but the shoes are so pretty 😩 But as they say pretty hurts 🤷🏾♀️
Brilliantly written piece, Sharon. You captured the essence of you and your love for fabulous shoes. I had a pair of shoes that I loved to wear so much I wore them out. 🥰