01 - Sneakers
Air Jordan 1 - Stockx
For the first 29 years of my life, sneakers were barely on my radar.
Sure, I absolutely had to have the LA Lights sneakers that lit up every time you took a step - but other than that? I wasn’t really into them.
I could appreciate Nikes - more specifically, the Jordan brand - but I admired them from afar. I just didn’t think it was worth it to spend hundreds of dollars on footwear.
For most of my 20s, I had fully committed to the James Dean look. White tees, blue jeans, and leather boots exclusively. Even in the summer.
If I had to wear sneakers? They were all white, New Balance ones. Sensible, affordable, versatile, comfortable.
It wasn’t until I reached 30 that I realized that I - the most aggressively #childfree person you’ll ever meet in this lifetime - was dressing like an actual dad.
Why had I written off sneakers and sneaker culture at large as frivolous and silly?
I wish I had the answer for that. Or an explanation for how I went from mocking people who waited on hours-long lines for sneakers, to getting jealous when I’d see those same people walking out with the latest drops, in their desired size (good luck finding a popular sneaker in 9.5)!
It was a drastic reversal, to say the least; but regardless of how I got here, the fact remains - a few years into my 30s, I’m a full-blown sneaker head.
There’s no colorway too loud or ridiculous, no price tag too high. If I want them, I get them (or at least attempt to). I dream of one day having a closet just for my sneakers, filled to the ceiling with all sorts of rare and exclusive kicks.
My favorites are the thick, colorful ones that harken back to the fashion of the 90s. The funkier and chunkier, the better.
Not only do I believe sneakers make or break any and all outfits, but they take on a life of their own.
Air Jordan 1s are iconic. As are Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars. As are Adidas Superstars. Instantly recognizable sneakers that cross generational divides and still look fresh, decades after their launches.
While I mostly missed out on the simple joy of opening a new box of kicks and peeling back the tissue paper to discover my latest obsessions as a kid, I’m definitely making up for lost time as an adult.
It took me a while to get here, but I’ve arrived.
Sneakers aren’t just cushions for your feet. They’re self-expressive, creative works of art made to walk in.