If Shoes Could Talk
At the beginning of the movie “Wonder,” the main character Auggie says, “I usually look down. You can learn a lot about people from their shoes.” Is there any truth to Auggie’s idea that we can form accurate first impressions based on someone’s shoes?
In a journal article entitled “Shoes as a source of first impressions,” authors Omri Gillath, Angela J. Bahns, Fiona Ge, and Christian S. Crandall examined whether or not there was consensus and accuracy in the judgements people make based on another person’s shoes.
Though they didn’t find much accuracy in people’s impressions of personality traits based on shoes, they did find that there was consensus: for some traits, shoes are consistent in their message. So, while these notions about personality from shoes aren’t always true, they are commonly accepted. Taking what researchers found, here is a guide to what your shoes might say about you.
Colorful and Bright Shoes
They found that colorful shoes consistently made people believe that the wearers were extraverted and imaginative!
Pointy Toes
Pointy toes might be sending a message that you aren’t all that friendly or relaxed. So perhaps if you want seem intimidating or formal, pointy toes are the way to go!
Worn Shoes
Worn shoes indicated being extraverted and relaxed! They also showed that you are not an anxious person.
Well-kept
On the flip side, well-kept shoes made people think the wearers were organized and careful. So wearing those attractive, well-kept shoes to a job interview or to class might just pay off!
Written by: Greta Gessert
Edited by: Abby Sowder
Image sources:
Colorful shoes--https://www.journeys.com/shop/colorful-shoes
Pointy toes--https://www.marilynhellman.com/how-to-wear-pointed-toe-shoes-in-fashion/
Well-kept shoes--https://www.whowhatwear.com/how-to-clean-white-vans
Source for article (linked to title within article): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656612000608?via%3Dihub