Clogs...

In 1974 All the "It Girls" from the 4th and 5th grade were all showing up in these FABULOUS CLOGS!!!! The clogs were shiny red or blue patent leather on top with the classic wood bottoms. But the icing on the "Clog" cake was the contrasting color (blue w/ red or red w/ blue) "Heart" sewn on the sides! OHHHHHH MYYYYY! These Clogs were truly the envy of every girl, EXCEPT the few "It Girls" !
These were the girls whose families could afford stores like Goldwaters or Sacowiscz department stores. Yes, the Elementary Elite!

So, for my 11th birthday I BEGGED my single mother of 4, with 3 jobs, attending the local community college full time, for these very Clogs. Over and over I hinted and begged....making sure that I was very specific that these were the ONLY Clogs I was interested in - period! The shiny clogs with the HEARTS!

I knew that we could not actually afford them, but I hoped that just this ONE TIME my Mom would surprise me....

Well, she sure did! I was so excited to see the shoe sized box wrapped on the table next to my fabulous homemade cake (my grandmother made the best)! So, the big moment came.....and I got Clogs!!! YEP Clogs, and the tears started falling down my face! As I looked down at the brown suede clogs with CORK heels! CORK heels! Brown SUEDE! Not even close! I could not hold back my deep disappointment. But even worse, was the look of disappointment on my Mothers face. For her to see me cry, after she had worked so hard to get me Clogs at all. Needless to say, this was a defining moment in my life. I realized WHY the "It Girls" were the 'It GIirls"...like the Paris Hiltons of today, the only thing that made them "it" was Daddy's money - not anything to do with them at all. Although 'it' did buy them huge attitudes and egos....

This was the first in a long list of life experiences and moments that made an independent fashionista out of me! Someone who would rather be fashion forward and risk looking foolish, than a clone... a follower.

Many years later, in our 30's, my childhood best friend sent me a pair of Clogs, blue leather clogs with wooden bottoms (not shiny patent blue, but blue just the same!). She too, had the disappointment of never owning the coveted Clogs. She lovingly took red leather and added the hearts to the sides for me! She is still my best friend all these years later ( since the second grade)! I believe she is the only person on the planet who shares my Clog pain! LOL
Gold Stars: 2

Wishnick59 said on 05/25/09...
"Maybe you can find them on eBay!"

caligirl 05/14/09

Life in Toys
Risk in Toys
Heart in Music