People say women are notorious shoe lovers, devoting entire closets and paychecks to obtain an impressive personal collection of pumps, heels and flats. This obsession is not a cheap one. A real-world Carrie Bradshaw could never support an addiction to $800 Manolo Blahnik heels with the salary of a weekly sex columnist. This intense female fascination with heels is deemed impractical and unnecessary by many, but what about the shoe shopping habits of men? Would they be willing to spend hundreds on a pair of kicks? I went on a mission to reveal the closet shoe aficionados of Madison and discovered shoes are a critical part of any man’s wardrobe, whether they are for style or simply for comfort.
Shoes, like fashion, have been an essential part of the social and cultural history of the world. So before delving into modern men’s shoes, let’s look back on the history.
Surprisingly, women were not the first to don the high heel. Before the French Revolution, male aristocrats used to flaunt their wealth and power with extravagant apparel, including high heels. After the revolution, such frivolities were discouraged, and men transitioned to a more drab, serious style of dress. Moving from ribbons to buckles, the flat, shiny, buckled dress shoe became a staple of any professional businessman.
But the most popular shoe of the young adult, the sneaker, did not hit the commercial market until 1917. That is when the Converse Shoe Company developed the Converse All Star, the shoe that transformed the game of basketball and also transformed the company into an American icon. Converse was shortly followed by fellow sport shoe brands Keds, Adidas and Puma. It was not until the ’50s that sneakers became the preferred footwear of teenagers and a symbol of rebellion.
Then Nike entered the scene. Nike lines Air Force One and Air Jordan were released in the ’80s and set a new standard in sportswear and style. In 1989, The New York Times reported the sneaker industry generated $10 billion worth of sales. Today, the desire for unique footwear remains a major source of income for the commercial market. But why? I found two sneaker studs on campus to answer this question.
John Milton, a junior at UW, owns 32 pairs of shoes, all perfectly placed on a shoe rack in the corner of his room. His style is self-described as “designer urban.” Inspired by Kanye West, the look consists of the classic combination of jeans and a polo. Milton’s newest pair, and current favorite, are the crisp, white Porsche Design Adidas with blue carbon fiber accents. Lacoste, Gucci, Polo and Puma dominate the collection. But why does he own so many sneakers? “To match every outfit and add subtle flair.” To Milton, the style of shoe he sports defines his personality. Men do not have the variety of options in clothing that women do. Jeans and a tee are the basic necessities. “Anything beyond that can put you in the ‘metrosexual’ category. You don’t want to look like you are trying too hard,” he explains.
The next aficionado preferred to remain anonymous, possibly a little ashamed of his shoe fetish. He described his style as “straight urban street,” with Diesel jeans, flat bill hats and retro high tops filling his closet. During the interview, he wore Creative Recreations white mid-tops, a casual look for class. His latest addition to his forty pair collection is the Yves Saint Laurent Classic High Tops in silver rubberized canvas. He described what I called an obsession an “appreciation.” His favorite brands include: Creative Recreations, Adidas Originals, Common Projects, concept designer Pumas and the always-classic Converse. He chose these because they are more unknown and set him apart from the other guys on campus. “It isn’t about recognition; it’s about how you feel in the shoe,” he shares. And my anonymous sneaker fan is not alone in this belief. There are multiple sneaker blogs run by guys proclaiming the same thing.
Although they do not quite reach the extravagant amount of $800 a pair, the two men have spent up to $400 on sneakers. But is not all about the price or the designer, but the identity a simple pair of shoes can give. It is a defining accessory used to complement someone’s personal style, whether you are male or female. The stereotype of women as impulsive shoe addicts is a myth. Just like a pair of killer heels can turn a girl into a woman, sneakers add that attitude and edge that just might add a little swagger to a man. And who would not want that confidence?
To get the latest styles in sneakers, visit sneaker blogs www.complex.com and www.sneakerfiles.com or e-mail Jessica at [email protected].
