Debate: Footwear

Julie: I worship at the altar of Our Lady of Perpetually Comfortable Footwear for several reasons. I'm a stay-at-home mom. My job is to chase small, sticky people. If I tried to do my job in a pair of 3-inch heels, I'm not sure what would snap first—my ankle, my temper or my shoe. Also, exactly what are we trying to prove by, say, going to the grocery store in a pair of Jimmy Choos? In addition to risking a serious lower-limb injury, it just seems show-offy. You're picking up cookies before carpool, not dodging the paparazzi.

Kristin: I'll admit it. I'm short and I'm vain. I grew up with a sister who clearly had gazelle blood in her. She's tall and lithe and has to duck to get through doorways. My knees are closer to my ankles than what should be expected of anyone who isn't 3. So, I compensate. With fancy, pretty expensive red-soled shoes. Show-offy? Probably. But I'll be damned if I'm gonna be in a pair of flip-flops when Daniel Craig shows up at my kids' school. It could happen. And as for the chasing part, let's just say I threaten better than Julie does. Stay close to Mummy, lambchop. Or else.