PHOTO:

my first pair of Nikes - Nike Cortez

Nike

Funny, but when I look back at elementary school, there were 3 things that mattered ... sneakers, Levi's and t-shirts. Not even being clean was as important until 6th or 7th grade ... LOL.

Although Nike is all I wear now, for practical purposes, not "coolness" ... there was definately a hierarchy that eventually led to Nike being "it" for me.

PF Flyers: the first "big sneaker" to attain in my early elementary school days

Pro-Keds: although I never owned a pair ... they were a hot item as well

Next was Converse: first there were these kid version with a white plastic-like toe and sole ... then it was All Stars low-tops (Sears even came out with their own Converse line ... "The Winner")

Then came the Addidas phase ... the canvas look was out and the more exotic suede and leather sneakers were becoming popular

When 5th and 6th grade rolled around, we all had to have Pumas ... you were important if you had the suede "Clydes" (mine were navy blue suede w/ a white suede "swoosh") ... you were high class when you achieved ownership of the all-leather "Baskets" (i finally achieved that status in 7th grade) ... this was also the period of time in which my parents displayed sticker-shock at my request for sneakers and I distinctly remember by Dad commenting: "$30 FOR A PAIR OF SNEAKS?!!!"

7th grade was also the year I got my first pair of Nikes ... Nike Cortez. They were sweet at the time because they were leather, complex looking, and were red-white and blue ... they were perfect with a pair of faded Levi's blue jeans (with a comb in the back pocket) and a t-shirt (with an iron-on transfer).

I've pretty much never looked back since then ... although occasionally straying for specific athletic purposes (Tiger wrestling shoes and Brooks baseball spikes), Nike is my preferred footwear ... not simply for style, but for function, comfort and definately fit.
Gold Stars: 2

kendra 07/19/08

jupiter 09/04/08

Tops in Toys
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