Pro:
Who the hell would pay $150.00 for a pair of exclusive Nike SB’s? Me!!! Collecting sneakers, like any other hobby is a form of expression, and a great way to relieve stress. Younger generations use sneakers as a way to prove who’s the coolest in school, and a way to flaunt how much money you have. Some older generations still do. Standing in line for hours at a time only to spend your last dollar on a pair of limited edition Nike Air Max 95’s is a thrill. To know that hundreds of people wanted that shoe, but you were the only person savvy enough to convince a store owner to give you the release date, and save every last penny in your piggy bank. You are the man, or in my case, the woman! It is something about opening that fresh box, and inhaling the soothing scent of leather that almost gives me an orgasm. Lacing up, walking down the street and listening to the cries of pain from the people walking behind you, that couldn’t get a pair because they sold out, or even better because they were broke. There is something about the way the colors are combined and arranged to perfection. The way the shoe fits snug on your foot. The way they glance up at you, smiling, you know that you have made a good choice. As for the fella’s, what girl is going to take you seriously if your gear is not on point? When approaching a man (this may sound freaky) his feet are the first thing I look at. If his shoes are not right then, in the words of Beyonce, “to the left, to the left!” Still wondering why you were alone on Valentines Day? Come on, get a clue! A life of happiness could very well be only a couple hundred dollars away. If need be, just buy one pair of expensive shoes and only wear them out on special days, this will at least guarantee you a one night stand. And for the ladies, I know there is a world of dedicated female sneaker heads that is getting no recognition. I see you, and you look great. I don’t know about you, but the thought of cruising around a woman’s room, and right next to the stuffed animals is a massive collection of special released Nike dunks, is HOT! The sneaker heads are a part of Hip Hop so you might as well get used to it. Right next to the DJ’s, B boys and graffiti artists.
Con
The fact that people pay hundreds of dollars for objects that touch the most filth on a day to day basis is simply absurd. Shoes as fashion items are a total waste of money, not to mention all of the moral justifications there are for buying something that cost more than hundred dollars and is made in a sweatshop for less than 5 dollars. I digress of course I am not writing this to give a moral lesson, only a lesson on economics. Shoes do actually cost less than 50 dollars and are nice to wear and look out. In fact I recall when Chuck Taylors used to cost 12 dollars a pair, now they cost around 35 dollars a pair, which is still a considerable bargain. Converse are comfortable and cheap and last as close to forever as possible. If there is a worry about the support, which is obviously not what people worry about when they buy a 120 dollar pair of Nikes, you can always buy an insole for added support.The fact of the matter is that people who buy expensive shoes for the look, are missing the point of what shoes are meant for. Shoes are not symbols of sex, power, or wealth, they are objects meant to protect your feet from disease, bacteria and simply keep them clean. Shoes primary duty is to protect your feet, not to make them look fashionable there are other more important clothing items for that, shoes are more of a necessity than say a scarf or earings or a hat. Shoes do not need to be purchased for hundreds of dollars if they are merely going to get dirty. Besides if it is a look you are going for, Payless has shoes that look exactly the same as the real ones, except that they do not have a pair of shoes over 40 dollars. Anything over that is excessive. Anything more than 40 dollars, that doesn’t play music, or have some other form of entertainment in it is not worth getting. For the cost of one persons Nike SBs I can go and purchase