Shoes were much more important to me as a kid than they are now.
Once past the old man sandals of my infancy things got interesting.
Back on the Sixties shoes and toys combined to create the brilliant Wayfarers. My own pair had a compass in the sole of the shoes. Maybe it was just one. The idea was that you could never get lost as in those days we were all budding adventure scouts!
I think there were other wayfarers too which did stuff.
Another pair of shoes that were fun were my Stylo Matchmakers. These were plasticky football boots endorsed by the greatest soccer star of his day, the legendary George Best. Alas, his boots didn't really improve my own game and I remained on the duffers team during games at school!
As I approached my teens the vanity of fashion stole my feet as style and colour kicked function into touch.
First their were monkey boots, which I sprayed silver. Then there were platform shoes and boots, the chosen footwear of glam rockers everywhere. Eventually the smooth pelt of suede caught my eye and I never wore anything else except desert boots. I still have a pair but these days as I approach dotage I prefer slip-on laceless shoes so I don't have to bend down so much!
On reflection I realise now that one iconic shoe range passed me by completely, the trainer. I never really got into them other than an early pair of golas. Being distinctly non-sporty they just never appealed to me and I still don't have any.
Which shoes did you have on as a kid readers?
