Op-Ed ⎮More Than Just Shoes
More Than Just Shoes
By Ali Castillo
Image: Istock / Getty Images
Collecting sneakers has risen to be a huge cultural phenomenon. Even if you’re not into sneaker culture, everyone knows that collecting sneakers is a well-known hobby.
People who know very little about the sneaker collecting world typically head over to Instagram to see what the trending styles are, and what the current “in” shoe is. While this could give you an idea of what is considered to be trendy by other collectors, social media influencers and sneaker blogs should not always influence what shoe you buy.
Some are under the impression that just because someone on social media claimed it was cool, they are influenced to follow suit. To me, the most crucial thing to keep in mind when starting a sneaker collection is to buy what you like. Regardless of the brand or price, the important thing is that it should put a smile on your face.
I think what separates a true sneaker enthusiast apart from someone who solely follows social media trends is that an enthusiast truly and passionately grasps the story and the history behind any shoe that they buy. This level of commitment to acquiring knowledge, understanding, and appreciation makes a sneaker much more meaningful.
Let’s look at the ever-popular Stan Smith by Adidas. The shoe is popular because of its simplicity, durability, and affordable price. The Stan Smith established itself as the first leather tennis shoe. Back in the 1960s, tennis players were wearing canvas sneakers, and the Stan Smith provided a more comfortable and durable shoe with more ankle support––which meant there would be fewer chances of spraining your ankle.
Going into its simple design, you may notice that the Stan Smith has subtle perforations on the side of the shoe instead of the classic, solid three stripes. At the time, tennis regulations and dress code did not allow for the stripes to be worn on court. Fast forward to today, the simple and understated design of the Stan Smith is what has made it a classic silhouette, recognized by almost anyone.
This iconic shoe shows us just why it has become an acknowledged figure within the world of sneakers, as well as in the world of fashion.
I started collecting sneakers in 2007. Over the past 12 years, I’ve built a collection of around 80 sneakers. A few weeks ago, my uncle asked me, “How do you choose the sneaker you want to wear?” With this question in mind, there’s something I want to underline: wearing rare, desirable sneakers does not make an outfit. Ultimately, the shoes should complement various parts of your outfit while staying focused on your overall look.
When picking out an outfit, I typically start with the sneakers first. Depending on which pair of shoes I choose, I determine whether they could pair better with either shorts, pants or if they look good with both. If I decide to wear pants, the fit of the pants is what I decide on next. How the pants taper down to the ankle and lay on the shoe is very important. For example, a shoe like the Yeezy 350 V2 is one that has a sleek running shoe type silhouette, so if you were to pair the shoe with straight-cut pants, the pants will end up covering the shoe, resulting in a very sloppy look. If the pants were a slim/skinny fit, then this would accentuate and highlight the shape and silhouette of the shoe.
Shoes like the Converse Chuck 70 High Tops are a pair that would look great with slim/straight cut pants due to the shape of the shoe. Chuck 70 High Tops are flat with a round toe, and the canvas around the ankle is thin.
When the pants fall and lay on top of the shoe, the shoe remains visible, and the overall shape is still highlighted. When it comes to choosing a shirt, I tend to choose something that matches the colors on the shoe or the color of my pants. Some people prefer to match the shirt exactly with the shoe. What I like to do is note the accent colors of a shoe, and match my shirt accordingly.
The Yeezy 700 Inertia is a predominantly light grey sneaker with accents of pink on the heel of the shoe. While a grey shirt might be the obvious choice, I would pick a baby pink shirt to match since it complements the pink accents on the sneaker.
One of the biggest reasons I collect sneakers is because sneakers give me confidence.
I was born prematurely, and this has resulted in mild cerebral palsy (CP) on my behalf. I have never been ashamed of my disability and physical limitations. This is what makes me who I am.
From my understanding, people typically collect sneakers under the notion that owning trendy shoes gives them an extra confidence boost. Sneakers mean a whole lot more to me than a confidence boost, because they communicate that I am much more than my disability. It’s my personal sense of fashion, and I’m passionate about my sneaker collecting along with the knowledge behind every piece I own.
The sneaker scene in the Philippines has been booming for the past 5 to 10 years, however, there are two things which I believe would make the sneaker scene here a lot better. I believe that with the inclusion of more retailers like Commonwealth and Case Study Atelier, Manila would greatly benefit from these types of stores. It says a lot when the sales staff are not only knowledgeable about the sneaker and streetwear game, but also make an honest and serious effort to develop a relationship with their customers.
The entire experience of buying a sneaker is a venture in itself. The ambiance of the shop and building a friendship with the sales staff is important to me because I find it important to connect with the business, as opposed to walking in and buying the shoes.
The second thing the sneaker scene in Manila would benefit from is to emphasize the importance of collecting for the love, passion, historical and artistic significance of what sneakers represent.
My point of view on sneaker collecting has changed immensely since I began this journey. In the beginning, I was too fixated on accumulating as many pairs of sneakers as possible. It took me a long time to develop my own taste and to truly understand what sneakers represent to me.
I always get asked, “what is the best sneaker of all time?” While I have my own personal all-time favorites like the Royal Jordan 1 or the Air Max 1, I view sneakers as the center of an outfit and wardrobe.
Simply owning “hype sneakers” does not automatically make someone a true sneaker collector. A true sneaker collector is someone who understands how a sneaker can complement and even change a particular outfit. A true sneaker connoisseur is someone who will rock the Nike Air Fear of God 1 with some nice slim/straight fit pants that lay perfectly around the ankle of the shoe.
Every sneaker collector will have a different “best sneaker of all time” but what separates the true enthusiast from the run of the mill “hypebeast” is how they compose the entire outfit. The hype is definitely a huge factor when it comes to sneakers, but don’t let it define what you like. Hype or not, have fun and buy whatever puts a smile on your face.
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The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not reflect the views of East & West or the CD Jourdie Godley