Plaid Sneakers?

...a plaid sneaker problem.


Once upon a time, I went to the Keds/Stride Rite store with my mother. It was an outlet mall, in Oregon; I needed some new everyday white Keds, canvas or leather. Somehow these were found in the bag with my reliable replacement sneakers. They were on sale and no sales tax. Sneakers practically being given away. This was like 6 or 7 years ago, no signs of trouble. Just some enjoyable plaid sneakers to mix it up on occasion.


However after several years, one pair of plaid sneakers was not enough. They were lonely. What if I wasn't wearing red or navy. It was spring and these Keds came to join the plaid Tommys on the shoe rack.

Then the next year, I was visiting friends here and stumbled across an article in the LA Times about these sneaker-esque shoe...and (gasp) it was plaid. Plus for each pair purchased another pair was given to children living in serious poverty in South America, they have since added Africa. Plaid shoes I could feel extra good about! Details about Tom's Shoes and their online store can be found here. And I have to say after almost two years very comfy and I should get some more this summer.

Last year was probably the most unorthodox addition, not quite plaid and not quite a sneaker. But it did go with the whole Vespa aesthetic and accessories, so who am I to say no? OK they are too big as well, it keeps them out of heavy rotation, but it matches.

Is it a problem when you friends and family start enabling you? My friend sent me a link to a pair of cute gingham Converse low tops just before Christmas. I share it with the hub, cause they are, as advertised, cute. Under the tree, I find not the cute gingham (which is almost plaid) sneaks, but their cousin,the gingham lined polka dot Converse.


My apologies to anyone who examines the pics of my plaid sneakers too closely for they are well loved and often worn. And honestly it took me so long to get around to taking "as is" pictures of my collection, any hope of my laundering my sneakers for a 5 minute photo shoot verges on insanity. The original pair should be retired with half a lace and split fabric, but I can't let'em go. Is that another red flag?

Originally posted on an old blog of mine 2/08, but now you know where the name came from?

Update the green and pink Keds have been retired (sniff). Gone, but not forgotten. Does this mean I can go shoe shopping?