Page 90 - life-in-naples-march-2016

THE ITALIANCOBBLER
Aanratinsacinentrtadition

by Kelly G. Cooper

F rom Cinderella to Imelda Marcos, footwear has
always seduced our imaginations and is undoubtedly
an essential piece of fashion. Shoes speak louder than
words and are certainly a barometer of style for both men and
women alike. People began wearing shoes over 40,000 years
ago to protect their feet from weather and rugged terrain.Shoes
have now evolved from once being a staple of practicality into
luxury items of fashion and style. Footwear is now seen not just part of
your wardrobe, but in some cases, as an investment.

As a nation, we are obsessed with shoes and often have a pair or
more for every occasion. At any given time, the average American
man has 12 pairs of shoes and woman 27 pairs in their closet,
according to the Time Style and Design Poll. The average American
woman purchases seven pairs annually and will likely spend around
$25,000 in a lifetime - that is quite an investment! It may seem
extreme, but just take a look inside your closet and you will find
these numbers to be quite accurate. Anytime we spend our hard
earned dollars on an item or venture, it is wise to have a professional
on hand to help maintain and extend your investment. In this a case
a skilled cobbler is vital to the task and in Naples, our local cobbler
Silvio Palomba at Silvio’s Shoe Repair, is your man!

90 Life in Naples | March 2016