Go Forth, Find Sneakers.

Unfortunately it is that time of year, where I discover time is quickly running out and this project is coming to a close. Which is why there has been a lack of a blog post this week. That does not mean that I haven’t been paying attention to what has been going on in the sneaker world of Melbourne. Some new releases have dropped and I have picked up a couple of new additions to my collection. I have also noticed some things, that I had never really paid much attention to up until now.

First thing, leather shoes are far more expensive than sneakers. I have decided that I want a nice pair of leather lace ups, the type you see all the hipster boys wearing. Unfortunately not much of that style pops up for ladies, at least not in the same abundance. Upon some recommendations from friends I visited a couple of stores around Melbourne’s CBD, this was fine until I turned to look at the shoes sole and check the price. I should have expected the prices to be close to the $300’s but I was not prepared. This is the cost you pay for fine leather shoes it seems. The second thing I discovered about shoes is my feet really are not accustomed to them. I can’t imagine what the shop assistant thought of me as I asked to try on a pair, trading my Adidas Samba’s for something far more upmarket. It was a different type of fit, tight and supportive and the lack of grip on the sole seems like a health hazard. The conclusions I have drawn from this experiences is that I am not sure I am ready for the world of shoes.

After this foray into a foreign environment I went back to what I know and love, sneakers. I was quick to decide a few months ago that the next pair of sneakers to add to my collection was going to be a pair of Vans (Vans being my current favourite brand), I had a particular pair in mind — 106 vulcanised in blue suède with tan highlights — unfortunately in the four places I looked they were out of my size, I was not prepared to give up. I was adamant that I would be going home with a pair of sneakers, and I did. Eventually. Hype DC was the last place I was prepared to go and it was there I was going to make up my mind. In the end I did come out of it with a pair of kicks that I am currently wearing. A couple of months ago Vans dropped a release with Crayola, in which it looked like all our favourite Vans silhouettes had been haphazardly coloured in with the crayons from our childhood. I purchased a pair of purple authentics, even the heel tab comes in a rich yellow and green combination. The box? Looks like a crayon box. The salesperson asked if I wanted the box, of course I did!



As for the other recent purchase, well that would be thanks to my great friends who for my birthday took me shoe shopping. It’s great when people know exactly what you like. Like a child in a lolly shop I was affronted by endless possibilities. It is different when you buy for yourself, you decide what your budget it is and then the limitations mount from there, but when you are given the choice that you are allowed any sneaker of your choosing it becomes that text book scenario of being spoilt for choice. However I spied the shoes I had been eyeing off for some time, the elusive Nike Air Toki in royal blue with eye popping yellow highlights and sole. I am not one to deliberate over things for too long, I make snap decisions and that is the end of it. At least with sneakers anyway. They had my size and that was that, the Air Toki’s were mine.



What does the future hold? I am not sure what pair of sneakers I will acquire next, for now I am satisfied but that won’t last long. When a new release or pair of sneakers catches my eye the cycle will begin again. Ah to be young and have no financial commitments. Occasionally I have positive outlooks on sneaker culture, only when it provides me with fancy footwear.