In the higher world, fairies stand somewhat lighter on the ground than we do. In essence, the gravity isn’t quite as strong there as it is here. The Environment is generally more pleasant and less harsh than on Earth, allowing fairies to move around barefoot and in light clothes.
Moreover, Fairies have bodies that are in some respects more excellent than ours. One of the qualities they enjoy is that of being more impressively clean, to the point of not needing to wash for long periods of time. Dirt doesn’t attach itself to them nearly as easily as it does to us.
“Tarnishing is rare but it can happen” – Sophia-Highborn to the young fairies gathered around the bed of the Princess
Their skin has a natural repellent against anything that is harmful or unclean such as destructive particles, diseases and dirt. But this doesn’t render them entirely incapable of some slight imperfections and occasional small Aliments.
Rain falls sometimes in the higher world but it is generally not cold or unpleasant to the beings who inhabit the realm.
Some Fairies Start to Wear Shoes
It was the Province of Alphiabrook that first introduced shoes to its citizens. It was mostly those of notable rank and Respectability who began to wear them.
Shoes came in a few different categories ranging from basic and standard to expensive and all the way up to Regal:
- Basic
- Standard
- Combat (Armour Boots also called Guardian Boots)
- Ornate
- Honorific
- Enchanted Glass & Gemstone Powder
- Regal
Elora-Brightgaze of Maracynthiavale decided to wear shoes and later started making them herself and set up her own shoe Shop on the outskirts of the province of Maracynthiavale.
Shoes also started to become an honorific and free gift to any fairy who stood out in some way by her achievements.
Combat Fairies generally wore armoured boots called Combat Boots. But The leader of the Combat Fairies, Selena Bell, the Younger sister of Stephanie Bell, also had a pair of what are called Guardian Shoes and these she occasionally liked to wear when she wasn’t on duty or training the other Combat Fairies.
They are not as practical or efficient as Combat Boots and for a human, they would be Ridiculous since we are a lot more clumsy, less perfectly coordinated and balanced and also more heavy than fairies.
Some Fairies even wore shoes made from luminous glass and gemstone powder. The glass could sometimes be enchanted but this was very rare as was the type of shoe, requiring immense wealth and extreme skill to produce.
As for the Saltors, (often called elves by humans) they had developed the custom of wearing shoes and small boots long ago and this was considered the norm for them. They tended to be more dressed up than fairies and often with some kind of head gear such as ornate hats or fine hoods and sometimes gloves as well.
Regal shoes were produced for the Royal members of the High Family but they were not always actually worn.
But the majority of fairies continued to go without shoes since they are not considered very necessary or important for the average middleclass fairy.
>> Read more about Stephanie, the Wayward Fairy Princess here
I want to express my gratitude for this captivating article! Discovering the enchanting realm of fairy footwear is truly intriguing. It serves as a testament to the diverse tapestry of fairy culture, where some fairies opt for shoes, while others relish the freedom of going barefoot.
The notion that fairy footwear can be seen as a manifestation of self-expression and a facet of fashion within the fairy community is thought-provoking. It underscores the idea that even mystical beings possess distinct tastes and styles. I value the insights into why certain fairies may choose to don shoes for pragmatic purposes, such as protection or warmth, especially in colder climates.
The connection drawn between fairy footwear and the natural world is a captivating concept. It resonates with the belief that fairies act as custodians of nature, and their choice of footwear reflects their harmonious relationship with the environment.
In sum, this article enriches our comprehension of fairy folklore and the decisions that shape the lives of fairies. It’s a delightful read for anyone intrigued by the enchanting universe of fairies and their singular sense of fashion!
I think in the higher world you mention, where the fairies dwell, the idea of not needing shoes is a good thing. I do understand that some fairies prefer to wear them anyway and this is also okay. It seems like fairies who decide to wear shoes have a wide variety of interests in styles and forms of shoes.
This too tells me that to a degree, there are some desires that we mere humans share with fairies. Especially the female humans (are there male and female fairies?). Just as female humans, the variety is wide for what is available, and they all sound most wonderful, if unnecessary.
There appears to be some introduction of class into the types of shoes, i.e. combat, regal, or honorific. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the fairy and the social norms of the communities. I do hope that they can enjoy the shoes and let others enjoy them too or not enjoy them.