Over 1,300 students walk the halls of Summit every day. Assuming every student has two shoes, that equates to roughly 2,600 individual shoes on any given day in our building. If we factor in staff members, sports shoes, and even dance or tap shoes, that number begins to skyrocket. With so many feet and so many different types of students, the variety of shoes in the building is huge. From Vans to Uggs, and Birkenstocks to flip flops, each student has their own brand. Worn for fashion, function or both, shoes are a hidden way of showcasing ourselves.
Shoes are something we all have to wear. We use them in the snow to keep our feet warm and in the hot weather so we don’t burn our feet on cement. On hikes, we wear them so we don’t get our feet dirty or step on a pinecone (ouch), and on our travels, we wear them to keep our feet comfortable during long flights. Shoes demonstrate character, time, age and the ethos of their owners. If they had voices, shoes would tell some amazing stories.
Before I leave for school every day, I grab my shoes. Usually, my white leather pair, which I baby. I’m talking scrubbing, shoe wipes and protectant spray to maintain their color. My white leather shoes have seen it all, taking me from formal dinners to trips on remote islands in Indonesia. You could argue that they have been through war. On the other hand, I have my beloved pair of old Vans. They are destroyed; airport grime, car grease and pizza sauce from food service cover them in stains, but it adds character so I don’t mind if they get dirty. I enjoy wearing them and they still look fun.
Our shoe choices pose a question. Why do we wear the shoes that we do? Is it fashion, function or both?
We all know Uggs. Growing in popularity since the early 90s, from Ugg boots to the slip-on types, this style of footwear has been a staple of comfort during cold weather. For the uneducated, Uggs seem like great shoes for the snow, but in reality, the water stains and sogginess one gets from marching through the snow creates a rather unfortunate feeling for the wearer.
But the downsides have never been a problem for Ugg lover Megan Driscoll. A senior at Summit, Driscoll has worn Uggs for 3 years now.
“I wear them because they are comfy and look good with every outfit,” reveals Driscoll. “It’s hard to find a shoe that keeps my feet warm, so I choose Uggs.”
In winter, the balance between fashion and function has always been difficult, especially living in a place where fashionable snow boots are absurdly priced. Most students are leaning more towards fashion because function can prohibit students from having the confidence to get through the day. This is a very real issue that often gets overlooked.
Shoes have always been a huge part of Summit senior Amelia Richards’ life.
“I love my shoes,” states Richards. “They are a way to express myself, and they are a big part of my style and identity.”
Working at North Sole Footwear in downtown Bend, Richards has developed a passion for the handmade, European-style shoes. When it comes to Uggs, she believes that shoes should be used for their intended purpose, stating, “Uggs, I’ve kind of refused. Why are they made for snow if they just get water-stained?”
Richards was interviewed wearing red sneakers, which add a pop of color and a drop of confidence to her character. If you are looking for high-end winter boots, go see Richards at North Sole Footwear, and she’ll gladly hook you up with a “slick” pair of boots. Although Richards tends to stray more towards fashion with her European styles, her take on Uggs provides a new perspective.
But surely not everybody cares about their shoes as much as Richards does, right?
Summit senior Abe Taylor generally wears the same pair of Nike Airmax shoes.
“They are comfy, look nice and are easy to put on and off,” says Taylor. His shoes were gifted to him and he enjoys wearing them. A true example of, “If it works, it works.”
In contrast, Summit senior Harrison Cummings’ shoe choices are taken from taste, expression and pop.
“I look for shoes with interesting colors or shapes,” explains Cummings. “Almost all the shoes I wear are thrifted and I pick my shoes based off of the pants I’m wearing to match the silhouette of the outfit.”
Cummings argues that money should not be a factor when buying shoes. As an avid user of the online thrift company Depop, Harrison says you can buy nice shoes for just 20 dollars.
Shoes are a window into the personality and character of the people around us. Take time to look at the shoes of people you see, imagine their character, and think about why they chose those shoes. Was it for style? A dinner party? Walking the dog? Shoveling snow? Shoes connect us to the ground we live on and take us through our life stories.
