I remember wearing crimplene and court shoes in the 60's. I think Steve was right the way he described court shoes. They were a plain design shoe you could slip your foot into, but they weren't always high heels though. I remember flat court shoes when I was about 12.

As for Terry Pratchett, I have been devouring a number of his books lately. I need to get my hands on some more - I've run out. I don't get the reference to him in the first post, either.