by Jesus Sandoval
Fashion is important to lots of people, but only some of us focus intensely on our shoes. But aren’t they one of the most important things we wear? A few Ouray students spend a lot of their attention and resources on sneakers.
8th grader Cavan Pasek said he got into shoes “from the media,” which influences many teenagers. TikTok and other social media apps tend to play a part in convincing us to consume the latest cool fashions.
Shoes, Cavan said, are now “one of my hobbies.” Shoes now are not just for our feet but it is something that gives us a type of swag and new kind of style. Everyone is racing to get the new and popular sneakers.
Sophomore Lily Feeser has a different view on sneakers. “They help elevate our outfits,” she said. Sneakers have always been a key role to someone’s outfit; they can make or break our style, especially when the style is new, exciting, and different. Sneakers, especially ones with popularity and hype around them, can make our outfits even better.
Now the style of shoes are changing and people's choices are as unique as ever. Cavan’s and Lily’s shoe tastes are very different. Cavan choice is a classic “Jordan” 1 mid that has been around since 1985, while Lily's choice is a modern and unique “North Face Thermoball Traction Mule V.” These shoes are very different and go very well with their respective fashion styles.
Freshman Sakoya Jenson views shoes differently, however: she said that “they are just meant for walking and style is a side thought.” She is not alone: most students and people view shoes as a need for walking and nothing else.
But the shoe industry is counting on our growing fashion sense. Smaller companies are growing, such as the brand PUMA having their new show the Melo M.B 1 being in the top 20 for most trendy on the GOAT website, which is a place for sneaker resales.
And NEW BALANCE is not just a dad shoe brand anymore. They are growing at an exciting rate, competing with the number one Brand Nike. Their new model, the 550, is changing the game and selling out in minutes on their website.
It is safe to say that shoe culture is changing rapidly. Every day more and more kids are viewing sneakers as a way to express themselves and to, as Lily said, “elevate their outfits.” As the sneakers designs are changing and the pricing increases in value, that will not stop people from getting the new trendy sneakers. People's fashion and the way we look at shoes are changing and we are here for it.