Vans have been very, very good to me. For as long as I can remember I have worn them, my earliest memory being elementary school, probably '81 or '82. Yep, thats right some of you were still getting your butt cleaned routinely by your mama. I rocked a pair of black and white checkered slip-on Vans, which I wore with a pair of yellow shorts, a Stray Cats tee and hot pink shades. Kewl.
I can further feed into my frenzy by buying my kids their own Vans. Pink checks, Half Cabs, camoflauge slip-ons, old skool SK8 high tops, blue slip-ons, black slip-ons, purple hearts, black kitties, black checks....it is all good in our hood.
Throughout the years I have remained faithful to Vans. Oh sure, I've thrown in an odd pair of Pumas and Chucks and Adidas (no, no never any Nikes) but I always came back to my first love, Vans. I've been wearing them for over twenty-six years. Dude. And they're still as cool as the first time I saw them in that tiny little Vans store.
For one thing, they are comfortable. They are like a little hug wrapped in sunshine for people with flat feet. Bless you. They are versatile. I can be super casual and sport my Vans. Back in the day, when I was feeling saucy I would wear them to the clubs. The bouncers would look me over and say, "There is a dress code." and I would say,"Dude, I just bought these Vans today!" And they would let me in. For a stubborn tomboy who didn't own a purse until she turned 25, Vans still let me feel cute and stylish at the same time. While in college, I used to base my entire wardrobe around my Vans. And finally, they are affordable. They are the shoe of the people. I don't have to drop an outrageous amount of money for a cool pair of Vans.
For one thing, they are comfortable. They are like a little hug wrapped in sunshine for people with flat feet. Bless you. They are versatile. I can be super casual and sport my Vans. Back in the day, when I was feeling saucy I would wear them to the clubs. The bouncers would look me over and say, "There is a dress code." and I would say,"Dude, I just bought these Vans today!" And they would let me in. For a stubborn tomboy who didn't own a purse until she turned 25, Vans still let me feel cute and stylish at the same time. While in college, I used to base my entire wardrobe around my Vans. And finally, they are affordable. They are the shoe of the people. I don't have to drop an outrageous amount of money for a cool pair of Vans.
One very strange fact about me....I love the smell of the Vans store..
That faint smell of the rubber sole...hmmmm...it makes me feel woozy. Ain't nothing like a brand new pair of Vans. When I open a new box, unwrap the shoe and take my first whiff of the sole, I feel positively giddy inside. Imagine my joyous surprise three or four years ago when I discovered that slip-ons were coming back in style. Yessss. Finally. In '05 I bought a pair of black and white checks (what else?) with little cherries on them. Do you hear the angels singing? I almost felt twelve years old again, riding down the street on my Beach Cruiser. It's been on and popping ever since. It does an old woman's heart good to see so many people wearing sporting Vans.
That faint smell of the rubber sole...hmmmm...it makes me feel woozy. Ain't nothing like a brand new pair of Vans. When I open a new box, unwrap the shoe and take my first whiff of the sole, I feel positively giddy inside. Imagine my joyous surprise three or four years ago when I discovered that slip-ons were coming back in style. Yessss. Finally. In '05 I bought a pair of black and white checks (what else?) with little cherries on them. Do you hear the angels singing? I almost felt twelve years old again, riding down the street on my Beach Cruiser. It's been on and popping ever since. It does an old woman's heart good to see so many people wearing sporting Vans.Now that I am a wifey and a mama, my love for Vans have not diminished. Mama has taught the chil'rens that Vans are cool. Forget those ugly Spiderman shoes. They all have Vans. They all love Vans. 'Nuff said. My man, now that's a little bit tricky. He grew up wearing Adidas, Nike Cortez, Chucks and black house slippers so dammit he isn't that easy to indoctrinate. I'll get him to see it my way eventually. To his credit, he didn't bat an eyelash when I bought a pair of leprechaun green slip-ons. Ahem.
I can further feed into my frenzy by buying my kids their own Vans. Pink checks, Half Cabs, camoflauge slip-ons, old skool SK8 high tops, blue slip-ons, black slip-ons, purple hearts, black kitties, black checks....it is all good in our hood.
