h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

How hard can it be? I want a pair of black, flat lace-ups. I have flat feet, so I have to be able to tie them quite tight otherwise my deet fall out of them.

Can I find anything? Nope! Not a thing! I ended up in the mens' department. Pair of size seven Hush Puppies. Makes me thankful I don't have small feet or I wouldn't have been able to take that option.

Also, I find one shop that sells Birkenstock sandals. They only have them with straps in bright red, white or sort of green army colours. Why not just straight blue or green suede?? Why not any normal (dull, I hear hip teenagers say) colours?

[For those of you that have flat feet I cannot think of a better pair of shoes (including Scholls, and yes, I checked there too) for your feet. They are amazing. You put them on and your feet sigh with relief.]

There, another rant over. I do like my new shoes though.

Forgive my ignorance in matters of fashion, but what's the difference between "sort of greeen army colours" and "normal green"?

Erm if you;ve got small feet and want to buy mens shoes then it's really easy, you got to school uniform suppliers, and buy shoes. My Current pair of size4 black boys lace ups cost £15! excellent.

The green thing, I meant they are different shades of green and brown in that camouflage type pattern. I just want plain dark green or dark blue. In suede. Just like my last pair, in fact.

Where would be the nearest school uniform suppier then? I know one in Newbury, but that's a bit far away.

not sure, but they do school shoes at loads of shops in Brum...

Hmm. Didn't see any flat black lace up in a size seven though. Shame really, 'twould have been nice not to have splashed out £40. Still that aint bad for a decent pair of shoes that'll hopefully last me a couple of years.

sorry Vip, I see what you mean now! You meant in cammo, not in olive green

I **HATE** shoe shopping. It is my least favorite task. Especially when all you want is something like your last pair. Luckily I hit on a solution. When you finally find a pair you like get at least three pairs. I still have a pair of traniers in their shoe box under my bed from years ago. It doesn't make the process any easier but at least you don't need to do it so often.