lundi 8 septembre 2014

An ode to dirty sneakers

(via FashionMedley)


Can't find any real explanation behind it but I hate brand new sneakers. I hate when they're all shiny and new. Especially when they're white.

I remember how self-conscious I felt a few years ago when wearing my Adidas Stan Smith or Spring Court sneakers for the first times, so so bright and so so spotless... The horror! The more grimy, broken in they became, the more relieved and content I was.


Unlike my other "real" shoes, I take extra care of, with regular visits to the cobbler, delicate before and after wear cleaning, mosturizing and waterproofing sessions, sneakers only get minimal care treatment because in my opinion they just shouldn't be too pristine.


That's why I never got the appeal of the luxury sneakers, to me it's a paradox. The Lanvin sneakers for instance: they're "too perfect" and should remain so. No wonder the first pictures popping up on Google were of the FLOTUS and Olivia Palermo wearing them. They look meant for showing off in upper proper places and not lived in, as a commoner like me would.

Wearing my sneakers is not about being dolled up or pointedly seductive, but rather comfortable, down to earth, a bit - "Je m'enfoutiste" - careless: when wearing them, I don't pay extra attention to my path - just watch out for dog poo but that's a given, they're meant to be beaten up, used.

Case in point, my old Nike Blazer x Comptoir des Cotonniers original look:


(Comptoir des Cotonniers)
About 8 years later... 





And yet, I'm so not ready to let them go... 

12 commentaires:

  1. I agree! I suppose people who buy collector's items have a reason to keep them pristine but otherwise perfectly clean and fresh sneakers seem to be missing the point. The other end of the spectrum would be those very expensive Golden Goose ones distressed to look old - that also seems ridiculous.

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    1. I have that "if I own it, it has to be used" mentality so fretting about things, especially clothes/shoes is not an option, the whole collector for the eyes only is a nonsense to me or maybe I'm not rich enough! haha!

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  2. I like mine not too pristine - like they've been round the block a few times but not totally trashed. I have that issue with the Stan Smiths being too white white when new - I prefer that softer ecru colour that they have also brought out. Less harsh on the eyes. Having said that, I also have two boys who are the ultimate sneaker killers - oh they are so clumsy and stand on my feet all the time - in which case I have them to thank for distressing my white Converse beautifully.

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    1. haha, kids are indeed the ultimate tool to break in pretty much everything!! ;))

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  3. I hate new shiny sneakers as well. Not too long ago I jumped on the Stan Smith bandwagon and I love how they look now that I've worn them a million times (so comfortable). I just wonder, when I'm looking at a couple of 'popular' blogs if they actually wear them longer than 5 minutes. They always look brand new :s

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    1. Same! Only benefit of that awful wet French summer was to be able to walk on Paris grimy cobblestones with my Stan Smith to fade the whiteness and then come home and put sanitizer all over them. Yeah, I like my dirty sneakers clean nonetheless...

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  4. Love those Nikes. I finally threw out my old Supergas when I wore them one day and saw a brand new pair in a store and mine just looked disgusting next to the new ones! I do like the appeal of 'roughed-up' sneakers and boots as well. I always smile to myself when I see the young'uns on the street meticulously rubbing off marks on their pristine sneakers.

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    1. I've been looking out for an identical pair of sneakers to no avail, I guess that's one of the reason why I have a hard time letting them go!
      I see those exact same kids here too! Same behaviour! Haha! It's cute when it's kids, after 20 or older, checking to spot a scuff on your sneakers is not adorable anymore!

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  5. they're so trendy now in used colorblocked!

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  6. i'm with you here. 8 years in, your kicks look far more lived in and full of character. i totally don't get spending boot money on sneakers. can't do it!

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  7. I agree 100%, and I feel the same way about handbags!

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  8. my chucks are still on their way to being fully broken in :P soon enough!

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