Sandals and Socks
Fashion statements in the '90s were definitely unique – with our big bangs, tapered jeans, IKEDA overalls with only one shoulder fastened, oversized “Don’t Worry Be Happy” t-shirts, hospital pants, scrunchies, Beaver Canoe sweatshirts and chokers to name a few. We’ve all worn them and no matter what you say, you cannot hide from the era of clothing that shaped your style today. Just no backwards jeans though, ok? Kris Kross didn't actually "jump jump" because their pants would have fallen "down down".
Although fashion trends tend to dissolve through each decade, some still stand the test of time, just with a different flavour.
When Grace and I were in high school, she was more of the girly dramatic type while I was more of the artistic jock. Our taste in clothing was same-same but different. Grace was thinner than I was though, so the only thing we could really share were shoes and hairbands.
From the hottest summer months to the dead of winter, this style has held its own: TEVAS and SOCKS. Not just any socks. The wonderfully Canadian grey cabin socks with coloured stripe and white heels and toes. Girls wore them, boys wore them, everyone who was someone, wore them. You could wear them on a hot day, cold day, wet day, snow day, any given Wednesday – you name it…. this combo was SUPER versatile. Well, until the velcro started to give way, but we didn’t sweat it – because these bad boys came with little rubber elastics to keep them sealed should that ever happen. So smart! Tevas were not just a fair-weather friend… they were in it for the long haul.
Nothing was more exciting than shopping at our local Towers, hoping to gawd that they were going to release some new, stylishly patterned Tevas. I remember going with my Mom thinking,“Please, please, PLEEEEEASE have something cool here or my Mom will make me wear jelly shoes or…gulp!.. fisherman’s sandals!” (Although, full discloser, I did have a pair, just a little later in the game – and yes, I also wore them with my cabin socks… man they were comfortable… I digress.) After digging through the smallish rack of Teva selections, I found the perfect black and colourfully speckled pair of sandals that would go stunningly with my zippered Santana jeans, pink Cotton Ginny sweatshirt and my Roots or Mark’s Work Warehouse cabin socks.
Although fashion trends tend to dissolve through each decade, some still stand the test of time, just with a different flavour.
When Grace and I were in high school, she was more of the girly dramatic type while I was more of the artistic jock. Our taste in clothing was same-same but different. Grace was thinner than I was though, so the only thing we could really share were shoes and hairbands.
From the hottest summer months to the dead of winter, this style has held its own: TEVAS and SOCKS. Not just any socks. The wonderfully Canadian grey cabin socks with coloured stripe and white heels and toes. Girls wore them, boys wore them, everyone who was someone, wore them. You could wear them on a hot day, cold day, wet day, snow day, any given Wednesday – you name it…. this combo was SUPER versatile. Well, until the velcro started to give way, but we didn’t sweat it – because these bad boys came with little rubber elastics to keep them sealed should that ever happen. So smart! Tevas were not just a fair-weather friend… they were in it for the long haul.
Nothing was more exciting than shopping at our local Towers, hoping to gawd that they were going to release some new, stylishly patterned Tevas. I remember going with my Mom thinking,“Please, please, PLEEEEEASE have something cool here or my Mom will make me wear jelly shoes or…gulp!.. fisherman’s sandals!” (Although, full discloser, I did have a pair, just a little later in the game – and yes, I also wore them with my cabin socks… man they were comfortable… I digress.) After digging through the smallish rack of Teva selections, I found the perfect black and colourfully speckled pair of sandals that would go stunningly with my zippered Santana jeans, pink Cotton Ginny sweatshirt and my Roots or Mark’s Work Warehouse cabin socks.
The best $35 spent – ever.
In the summer months, Tevas were worn on their own during the day, BUT when our cooler nights came along, they were perfect with socks, but never white or black socks – they had to be grey cabin socks. If you EVER wore black socks and sandals, we could no longer friends. Seriously, no take backs.
In the winter, you would don your famous socks inside your hikers (because actual winter boots were a sign of weakness and would damage your social status if people thought you had an ounce of practicality.) Your Tevas now lived in your locker – and you changed into them as soon as you got to school. Then enjoyed the sweet squeak of them walking down the wet snow-covered hallway floors until they were finally dry around, say… 3rd period or so.
Today kids are wearing the same national treasure of a sock, but trends have retired the Teva and resurrected the Birkenstock. The funny thing about Birkenstocks? In the ‘90s you wouldn’t be caught dead in the granola-wearing-orthotic-sandals, those were for our parents who grew up in the ‘60s. (That being said, I own Birks now – they are quite comfortable and incredibly supportive.) I give today’s youngsters credit for taking good care of their feet at an early age. I bet they don’t even know that their sought-after sandals with contoured cork and rubber footbeds are good for their feet and for their back. It’s nice to see that practical is finally cool.
Here's the thing about fashion trends in high school… you are working so hard to discover your own individuality while maintaining a sense of belonging. To be unique but fit in all in the same breath.
Whatever your inner fashionista wants to do – do it. Explore it. See what works and what doesn’t.
Some of my fashion trends are kept safely in my memory… some have evolved into something sustainable, and others were just plain ridiculous. Seriously, like who wore cowboy boots with jeans tucked in and a volleyball hoodie… and a bun. Le sigh… this girl did.
What I'd like to encourage you to do kids, is own who you are in this moment as it evolves as you age. Love what you become, because time doesn’t stand still. Holding onto the past too tight is a slippery slope that feels comfortable but blinds us from the present. And the only eyes that you need to seek validation from… are your own.
Love,
Patricia
PS – Tevas and socks were the shit. The rest, well…
PPS - Grace, can I have my scrunchie back, please? It's only been like, 25 years.
Homework: What was your favourite fashion trend from high school?
Bonus: You could earn some street cred with me if you ever wore Hypercolour, or Vuarnet.
In the summer months, Tevas were worn on their own during the day, BUT when our cooler nights came along, they were perfect with socks, but never white or black socks – they had to be grey cabin socks. If you EVER wore black socks and sandals, we could no longer friends. Seriously, no take backs.
In the winter, you would don your famous socks inside your hikers (because actual winter boots were a sign of weakness and would damage your social status if people thought you had an ounce of practicality.) Your Tevas now lived in your locker – and you changed into them as soon as you got to school. Then enjoyed the sweet squeak of them walking down the wet snow-covered hallway floors until they were finally dry around, say… 3rd period or so.
Today kids are wearing the same national treasure of a sock, but trends have retired the Teva and resurrected the Birkenstock. The funny thing about Birkenstocks? In the ‘90s you wouldn’t be caught dead in the granola-wearing-orthotic-sandals, those were for our parents who grew up in the ‘60s. (That being said, I own Birks now – they are quite comfortable and incredibly supportive.) I give today’s youngsters credit for taking good care of their feet at an early age. I bet they don’t even know that their sought-after sandals with contoured cork and rubber footbeds are good for their feet and for their back. It’s nice to see that practical is finally cool.
Here's the thing about fashion trends in high school… you are working so hard to discover your own individuality while maintaining a sense of belonging. To be unique but fit in all in the same breath.
Whatever your inner fashionista wants to do – do it. Explore it. See what works and what doesn’t.
Some of my fashion trends are kept safely in my memory… some have evolved into something sustainable, and others were just plain ridiculous. Seriously, like who wore cowboy boots with jeans tucked in and a volleyball hoodie… and a bun. Le sigh… this girl did.
What I'd like to encourage you to do kids, is own who you are in this moment as it evolves as you age. Love what you become, because time doesn’t stand still. Holding onto the past too tight is a slippery slope that feels comfortable but blinds us from the present. And the only eyes that you need to seek validation from… are your own.
Love,
Patricia
PS – Tevas and socks were the shit. The rest, well…
PPS - Grace, can I have my scrunchie back, please? It's only been like, 25 years.
Homework: What was your favourite fashion trend from high school?
Bonus: You could earn some street cred with me if you ever wore Hypercolour, or Vuarnet.
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