What You Didn’t Know About Sneakers
| Where does the word “sneakers” come from? How is their popularity connected with basketball? These and many other questions we discuss today specially for sneaker lovers.
The word “sneakers” appeared thanks to American footwear company “Keds” based in 1916 by “U.S. Rubber Company”. |
  Keds Deuce Leathermesh
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| In the end of the 19th century “U.S. Rubber Company” created a new model of sports footwear. It featured vulcanized sole with the cloth top from dense canvas fabric. For footwear manufacturing the company used a new vulcanization patent from the company “Goodyear“.
To trust the history, the name “Keds” comes from “pedi”. It is a Spanish word that means “foot”. According to another version, sneakers were carried by poor Americans and were slangily called “peds”. Then in 1908 Markus Mills Converse set up the footwear company “Converse” Markus hoped to become rich thanks to unusual sports footwear. But sneakers didn’t gain popularity and spent in factory warehouses more than 10 years. Nobody hastened to buy a novelty. However, later on good luck came together with basketball for which special footwear was necessary. So in 1917 the first Converse sneakers were presented to public opinion. The sneakers were black and were simply called “All-Stars”. At first, sneakers were not pretty popular, until a famous basketball player Chuk Taylor named “Mr. Basketball” noticed the novelty. Thanks to his game and charisma, basketball became the most popular sports in America and sneakers became part and parcel of it. |
  Converse Red Chuck Taylor All Star
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| Sneakers’ design was changed a bit, and the name was replaced on “Chuck Taylor All-Stars”. On one side of the sneakers there was a signature of the basketball player. Till now the logo of Converse has it. Converse All-Stars turned out to be the most sold footwear for all times. The longing for imitating the idol of basketball did its best. Chuk Taylor’s sneakers are known now all over the world. |
Fall 2009 Trend: Footwear Cuffs
| Fall-winter 2009/10 is a season of bold experiments. We have just discussed Stylish Ankle Boots, the new trend for a season to come, but designers have already invented something even more unexpected. Now they are going to decorate the footwear with elements of clothes. One of the leading trends of fall-winter 2009/10 is booties and boots with decorative cuffs. Footwear cuffs ought to be either of the same color as a footwear or of a sharply contrast color. Materials can be different: fur, leather, suede, dense textile fabrics.
The footwear with cuffs is widely represented by leading designers in fall-winter 2009/10 collections. Let’s take a look at the brightest models. |
Decorative cuffs on the booties by Gretta look like small collars which decorate the footwear’s top. The Gretta Collection is created for women who like to wear the latest trends, but want fashion to be affordable and need it to be comfortable for their busy lifestyle. The Gretta Collection is real fashion for real life. |
In the collection Funtasma Plunder there are sexy pirate boots with decorative buckle straps. The cuff in this case makes a single whole with a top. |
 
Pleaser Electra flirtatious knee high boots are trimmed with fur at the top. They look pretty stylish and womanly. Other collections have also trimmed their models with fur. Born Frappe offers warmth, style and comfort. |
But the boldest cuffs are naturally represented in Funtasma Bandit collection. Black boots are decorated with a huge cuff. These buccaneer boots will doubtlessly shock passersby. They are created for those who prefer standing out in the crowd and being a the centre of attention. |
| Well, now the question is what to put on with such footwear? A miniskirt or tight trousers will do the best. The thing is not to cover up these unusual and stylish cuffs. Don’t be afraid of novelties, be stylish! |
The Hottest Models Of The Summer
| The summer has almost finished and we start to prepare for the next season. But all the same the popularity of the summer shoe models remains the hottest topic to discuss. Let’s look what female shoes have drawn attention of customers this summer. |
| Carlos By Carlos Santana Pounce
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| Every step in these shoes attracts delighted looks. Glamorous and sexual shoes with soft velvet fabric upper and an exotic wild animal inspired colorful pattern. Bright and unique shoes with an unusual print. A hit of the season! |
| Nina Electra
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| It’s a pretty womanly and sexual model. At first, your attention is drawn by quiet white color but then you take notice of its glam style. This fantastic stiletto is a lesson in elegance with an almost sparkling satiny upper that forms delightful ruche at the vamp strap, while simultaneously giving some vintage breeze with a snippy peep toe. It’s okay to be simply electrifying when you’re wearing the Electra. |
| Fergie Pepper
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| Do you like being original in everything? The gorgeous model from eccentric Fergie is the right choice. The chic Pepper is a strappy platform sandal on a high heel. It features a strappy design with three adjustable buckles. |
| Johnathan Kayne Paris
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| These are the real summer shoes. Fresh summer color raises the mood. These classic open-toe pumps feature elegant lace embroidery and sexy stiletto heels. They are sure to make your legs look even more slim and long. |
| Jessica Simpson
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| These fashionable caramel shoes perfectly go with a business suit and a glamorous dress. The varnished skin is up to date as usual and draws everybody’s attention; high heels make legs even more sexual. |
| Bandolino Gordona 7
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| These black, elegant shoes ought to be in your closet. First of all, low heels don’t tire a foot and are good for everyday wear. Secondly, classical black color goes with the majority of things. Besides, don’t forget that classics is always in fashion! |
Look Like A President
| In the article Your Shoes Can Talk we have already discussed that women’s footwear can expose the features of their character. But according to Megan Cleary, the author of the book “What your shoes tell about you”, men’s footwear is as interesting for discussing as a female one. Depending on what type of footwear the man chooses, it is possible to find out a lot about his character, preferences, lifestyle and habits. Well, let’s check it. |
| Megan Cleary gives lots of curious examples and data to think over. E.g., the ex-president of the USA George Bush prefers black classical leather shoes by Allen Endmonds, Wisconsin shoe company. He can also carry rough black boots by Vito Artioli quite often. But most of all Bush puts his heart on cowboy boots which he carries even at the official events. Such handiwork cowboy boots cost from 300 up to 40 thousand dollars. |
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| Allen-edmonds Day-tripper
Now we go over to another famous person. The British Prime Minister Tony Blair prefers black classical low shoes by John Lobb, which manufactures old-fashioned strict style footwear popular among rich Londoners. Thus it’s possible to make a conclusion: Mister Blair is a true British. His footwear says that he has got used to speaking straight and that he is from an imposing family where diligence is appreciated. |
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| Well, we go further. John Kerry is fond of Allen Edmonds boots similar to his competitor George Bush and actor Tom Hanks. Besides, he has a pair of low shoes by John Lobb. The conclusion is: Kerry is an active person which feels comfortable in official style footwear and clothes. That fact that he has both American and British classical style shoes means that Kerry sticks to hard and fast rules. |
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| Allen-edmonds Evans
The president of Brazil Lula da Silva prefers classical moccasins. At the official events he carries shoes with square socks by J. Jacometi. In his free time the president often puts on tennis shoes. For football he uses Nike sneakers, the gift from a well-known football player Ronaldo. Megan Cleary thinks that in spite of the fact that the president of Brazil loves simplicity, he is a serious statesman. |
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| The president of France Jacques Chirac likes black moccasins the same as Jean-Paul Gaultier does. His shoes are low and comfy. Megan’s conclusion is: the president of France has easy life approach. He likes having fun and taking pleasure from a good cuisine. Jacque Chirac enjoys life, but at the same time he is an acute person, a loyal friend and always can give a piece of advice. |
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| Without any hesitation, men’s footwear reflects some character traits of its owners. Look carefully at the men around you. Maybe the examples above will help you to guess character features of those who are dear to you. And, probably, it will help you to understand them better. |
