When I was young, there were simply plimsolls, very casual soft shoes that were only worn in informal situations like the gym, indoor activities or casual meet-ups. Otherwise we wore smart leather shoes or boots.
Somewhere along the line plimsolls were reborn as trainers and became stylish must-have items. Instead of being cheap shoes that cost a few pounds, they became much more expensive and even became designer items costing hundreds of pounds.
Now they're routine daily wear, worn by everyone from shop assistants to chief executives.
How did this ludicrous change take place? How did something that was affordable and unremarkable turned into a hugely visible high-fashion item that people looked down if they didn't cost enough?
I tried trainers for a while but they weren't always waterproof. I went back to conventional leather shoes that are very definitely waterproof - surely one of the basic requirements of a shoe, especially in Northern Ireland weather.
I have never heard of the term, 'plimsolls' and had to look it up. We don't even use the word 'trainers' here. Most people call them tennis shoes or sneakers. As casual clothing here is most common, so are wearing tennis shoes everywhere.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: In my younger days, "tennis shoes" would have been frowned upon in any remotely formal setting. Nowadays you can wear them to funerals and nobody would bat an eyelid.
DeleteEven in my younger years I have never liked these. I am one of the few. I have a pair because a physical therapist told me to buy them. I don't like them. They feel heavy. I like my canvas Converse. After all this I haven't addressed the topic! I have no idea why but those who love them are welcome to them.
ReplyDeleteSandra: Maybe I should buy myself some plimsolls for the summer? They cost next to nothing.
DeleteI wear Crocs. Mine have closed tops with only holes on the sides. They are totally weather proof. In winter, simply wear them with wool socks. I started wearing them because I have narrow heels so most shoes cause blisters. Crocs have nothing to rub against.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda: I've never tried Crocs, maybe I should.
DeleteI just bought a pair of walking shoes that look similar. I walk Falcor a lot so needed something comfortable.
ReplyDeleteMary: I have some very sturdy and totally waterproof walking boots. I bought them in 2003 and they're still going strong.
DeleteFor years I bought the black leather walking shoes that all the mail deliverers wore. There was always a big stack of them near the sports equipment: a lot of us must have buying them. The stack is gone, alas.
ReplyDeleteNow I wear black leather walking shoes that are good and expensive enough for seniors. They have a tag, "vapour lock" with means waterproof. I can walk through puddles quite happily.
I have finally stopped being surprised when Buddhist monks in formal robes are wearing plimsols. It's because they can't wear leather.
For polishing, I am surprised to find the value comes not from the brush but from the rag, provided I use a can from a store near Harrods that opens with a screw top, not my usual stiff butterfly-shaped side lever.
As a tourist, I can't judge if the cans are too expensive, but I buy enough to cans to last me until my next visit.
Sean: I must admit I hardly ever polish my shoes, and nobody seems to care if they're a bit scuffed. Good idea to wear the sort of footwear worn by mail deliverers. They're not going to wear rubbish footwear if they're walking all day.
DeleteNick,
ReplyDeletewhen I was young I loved high heels (especially red ones) and all sorts of leather shoes. Now being old I wear leather sneakers, a bit expensive but so comfortable. An advice: leather shoes need to be nourished and polished to keep them supple and so give them a long life.
Hannah
Hannah: In that case, I must find the time to polish my leather shoes!
DeleteI love anything comfy so trainers have been some of my favorites recently. Mine aren't always stylish though!
ReplyDeleteJackie: Trainers in general don't strike me as remotely stylish - just very casual!
DeleteThe Famous Five and Enid Blyton books I read as a child were always talking about plimsolls and i never knew exactly what they were. Probably something like the Australian Dunlop Volley?
ReplyDeleteThese days I have to wear orthopaedic shoes so I have just one pair: black leather. Not at all stylish but having just one pair simplifies the process of getting dressed every day!
Kylie: Yes, Dunlop Volley shoes look very much like our plimsolls. I have two pairs of outdoor shoes I wear regularly. Jenny has about six!
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