Friday Shoe History Corner: The fastest shoes in the world are … golden

The Olympics are winding down, so I thought I’d give another shout-out to the golden shoes (Puma, of course) Usain Bolt, now officially The Fastest Man in the World, kissed after winning the 100 and 200 m races. The shoes were customized to bear his nickname “Ugo” and were prominently displayed by a clownish, giddy Bolt after he won in style (also setting world records in the process). Apparently, there were complains about Bolt’s unabashed displayed of his sponsor’s logo, which Puma rushed to dismiss (“We didn’t tell him to kiss the shoes!”)–oh so much drama! Truth is, with or without the shoes, he’s a phenomenon any which way.

The History part of this post comes now: the previous world record holder in 200m was Michael Johnson (at the Atlanta Olympiad) also wore gold athletic shoes. He also won the 400-meter race, setting an Olympic-record, then tossed his gold shoes into the crowd. These are those famous gold shoes (Nike this time) which helped make Michael Johnson a legend at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996:

I believe it is clear by now what you’ve got to do if you want to run just a bit faster–right?

Coveting an Entire Category of Shoes

After packing last night for a weekend of beachy fun, I’m currently sitting here thinking recently about a phenomenon I’ve observed in myself for quite a while.

I feel pretty safe in asserting that anyone reading this blog has has a multitude of moments of coveting a shoe.

The one I’m currently coveting the most?  It’s the pewter Palladium Key Largo gladiator sandal that Shoesense posted about back here (don’t rush to buy them, though, they’re pretty much universally sold out by now).

But that’s not what I’m talking about here.  What I mean is just what the title says; I covet an entire category of shoes.  Yes, it’s true.  I covet those sporty slip-on “casual athletic” shoes that so many companies offer these days for women on the go.

There’s no rhyme or reason to this covetousness.  It’s not a type of shoe I actually wear all that often, and I’ve got two excellent and much-loved pairs of them: my Puma Mostros (mine are actually teal and brown, but they’re several seasons old, and you can find this shoe in just about any funky color combo you could dream of)

and my Tsubo Pingers, which I simply adore, and rarely leave my feet in the summertime.

 Now, like I said, I’m not really a big wearer of this kind of shoe (a bit more girly and funky with my style and less athletic), but every time I see a new offering in this category, I fall for it.  Something about how cute and comfy they all look.  Like I could walk around in them for hours without feeling a twinge.

The newest one to spark my covetous nature is the Teva Makayla.

How cute and fun is that shoe, I ask you?  Asymmetrical and flirty in a no-nonsense kind of way that I love.  I’m even more smitten by the red version.

Cole Haan always has a few of these, with a slightly girlier, more refined look that I think was designed to worm through all the non-purchasing willpower armor I have.  The one I love every season is the Bria, which comes in several variations.  It’s the Bria Ballet that makes me swoon, and in this season’s “vintage silver” color and stitched pattern… well, I’m having to restrain my purchasing fingers from running away with my mouse on me.

And the multi-metallic mary-jane version?  Oh, save me from the gods of impulse shopping!

I have to go.  I will be off, and thank my lucky stars that I didn’t sit here at the computer one minute longer, staring and lusting over shoes I surely don’t need, but want desperately nonetheless.

Happy weekending, Shoeblog readers.

Yes, we can (wear sneakers, too!)

 You may, gentle readers, live under the impression that the heavy political currents of our current electoral year do not, cannot inflict their pungent aroma upon the rarefied, beatific atmosphere of our politically-naive fashion world. You may be of the persuasion that, if such an unholy union between our beloved shoes and a presidential election campaign would, against all reason, be possible, it would certainly be in bad taste, and the combined forces of ghosts of coutouriers past led by a vengeful Anna Wintour would banish the creation to the Land of Eternal Footwear Doom, down with Crocs and 70s style men’s platforms.

Unless…well, could there be one candidate who would actually look hip shooting hoops? By golly, there actually is!

May I present to you…the Obama sneakers!

On the other hand, McCain gets the consolation prize of being made exciting by Colbert, so at least that’s that…

So You Want to be a Superhero

Did all the excitement of the Met Costume Institute Gala get you psyched up for superheroic feats of derring-do?

Looking forward to all the superhero movies coming out this summer? (Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Dark Knight).

Then maybe you should shell out the $675 and snap up a pair of these Marc Jacobs gold metallic booties to dash around town rescuing those in need of help.

Or, for less money ($120) and a more literal interpretation of the superhero, try these Ubiq Batman sneakers. They’ll probably be easier to run in than the Marc Jacobs, too.

Or, if running isn’t really part of your plan (if, say, you’d rather fly or teleport wherever you need to go), you could do it in these YSL star-studded Stella sandals.

Well, you could do it in the black or gold version.

For $595.

Maybe we should all just wish for the superpower of the never-empyting wallet.

Friday Shoe History Corner: Mrs. Henry Ford’s Riding Boots

I’m a sucker for a good boot.  And so apparently was one Mrs. Henry Ford who owned these oh-so-stylish sporting boots that date from around 1890.

These were some of the first shoes made specifically to facilitate women’s participation in athletic activity.  They’ve got a good sturdy heel, are plenty adjustable with laces and buckles, and they have scored soles to provide some extra traction.

Mrs. Ford would have been sporting in style, if you ask me.

If you’re interested, by the way, these shoes are for sale for $1,400 at Karen Augusta Antique Lace & Fashion.