In "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel, there is a striking depiction of impractical footwear, particularly stilettos. These shoes, while visually stunning and unusual, serve as a metaphor for the absurdity of certain societal norms and the contrast between beauty and practicality in a post-apocalyptic world.

The mention of these shoes highlights how appearances can be deceiving and emphasizes the challenges characters face in a changed reality where survival takes precedence over style. The author uses this imagery to reflect on the remnants of civilization and the nostalgic longing for a world where such impracticalities were commonplace.