One Sole Purpose

Since the birth of modern humanity, intelligent life has clung to shreds of fiber, meticulously woven into what we consider fashion. It is no surprise that different forms of clothing have evolved over the years, just as the species responsible for their creation. The art of textiles is so ancient it predates modern human life. It’s funny to think that Neanderthals were having their fashion shows and would check each other's fits out, but this concept isn’t farfetched at all. Still, once Homosapiens got their hands on the textile industry, clothing began developing faster than any other material object. What began as robes and sandals, quickly evolved into tunics, then to cloaks, then to coats, then to blouses, and so on. It only took a few years for clothing to become a symbol of class, but as we entered the modern age fashion became more accessible for less. Identity began to be stitched within pieces of canvas and soon what material your jeans and pants were, what brands you wore, and whether your shirt had sleeves became indicators of what type of person you were. Though many forms of apparel could represent your inner persona, to this day, shoes display the most character beyond the soles they rest on.

Ever since Elvis Presley recorded his cover of ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ back in 1955, there has been a growing obsession with shoe culture in the modern world. During a broadcast of the Steve Allen Show a year later, Elvis flashed his powder blue loafers and shoes quickly became more than just an article of clothing. They became a symbol of character. Following this, a pair of blue suede shoes were an icon of status and prosperity that carried until modern times. The Adidas Sambas, a shoe that rose to popularity in the 1970s, and once again in recent years, famously carries on the legacy of a suede material being used on the modern sneaker. And just as the legacy of suede sneakers was created, so too was a growing obsession with footwear.

The term “shoe culture” originated in the early 1980s due to a shift in the marketing of shoes. It was around this point that shoes became heavily advertised on cable television. In the year 1985, the Air Jordan 1s were publicly released and garnered widespread attention from basketball fans and shoe connoisseurs alike. It was the first time a partnership between a shoe brand and a basketball player had included royalties. Michael Jordan worked with renowned designer Peter Moore to create a shoe that was visibly stylish while being able to perform on the court. Following the release of the Air Jordan 1s, teens raced to buy a pair of the kicks before they sold out. In those days, if someone was seen with a pair of Air Jordans, there was a certain ‘air’ (pardon the joke) associated with them. It was a flex. This sneaker was the first of its kind to have character woven into the laces that tied its high-top wings together.

When I was growing up, my mom always refused to spend any amount of money on the “newest shoes” or a pair of sneakers I was likely to put a hole through in a week. She would tell me time and time again that no one would be looking at my shoes. Still, when I got older and I was spending my own money on shoes, I found a way to find shoes that represented myself more than I ever could understand. Something about the Nike AF1 Retro Oil Green’s stuck with me from the moment I saw them. After an impulse buy, I must admit, my close friends showered me with semi-compliments saying the shoes “matched my vibe so much”. Maybe it was because they were one of the lesser-known designs Nike has, maybe it was the way the color matched the pair of camo jorts I always wore, but something about the shoes allowed me to express myself like no other shoes had.

Part of the reason shoes can display such personality and character comes from the adaptability of footwear as a whole. For example, if you take a pair of your standard straight jeans and change the color, they still resemble a pair of straight jeans. There is very little open for customization in the design of pants, sweatshirts, or skirts. But with a pair of shoes, you can alter so many aspects of the general build. From laces to the shape of the toe to the height of the collar, to the shape of the sole, no pair of shoes are quite the same. It is this variety that makes footwear so starkly personal.

Now, in the modern age, shoes are intrinsically linked with an individual's aesthetic. The sharp increase in the sheer number of footwear brands perpetuated the ability of a consumer to relate closely to what they have on their feet. Identity has become the primary material of shoes. Gone are the days when shoes were made of canvas, suede, and leather. Instead, boots may be made from memories, practicality, or a deep appreciation for their rare colors. And while these boots were made for walking, their sole purpose goes deeper than just the designs that run up their exterior.