Written by Mairen Brown with art by Phoenix Rivera
Over this past year, I have developed a slight indulgence in shoes. Specifically Nike Dunks, and Air Force 1’s. It really all began when my mom bought me a pair of Nike Mayumi Yamese Air Force 1’s for Christmas in 2020. These shoes have the fit of a regular Air Force 1, which I love, but the distinctive designs down to the multi-color laces made for a completely unique shoe. I went to school the week following Christmas, and the compliments were flooding in. Everyone wanted to know if I colored them on my own, how much I paid for them, and where I got them, but of course, I never told them. Since then, I have been able to add a few new shoes to my collection. Some of my favorites are the Dunk Low University Golds, Pink Prime Dunk Highs, and the Ruohan Wang Air Force 1’s.
I am not the only person who gained this obsession around 2020. In fact, around this time, many would say a Nike Dunk “phenomenon” was blooming. Whether it was because of style icons like Travis Scott, Asap Rocky, and PJ Tucker, or social media platforms like Tik Tok that allowed everyone to try out and share their fashion choices, many were caught in the “shoe game” bug.
Overall, it is easy to see that not only do people have varying opinions on shoes but that people really love shoes. Shoes can be just as vital to an outfit as a shirt, or a jacket. They really are the perfect accessories, but how accessible is this obsession? To put it simply, not at all.
The average Nike Dunk cost is around $135. And in my opinion, that is a major understatement. The shoes that everyone wants never have prices that low. Price rises based on the website, supply and demand, whether the shoe is new or used, and most importantly, your shoe size. For example, let’s take the average men’s size, which is 10.5, and apply it to some of the more sought-after shoes. For shoes like the University Blue Dunks Lows, the cost is $420. A pair of Michigan State Dunks Lows is $364. And for the Grey Fog Dunk Lows, that is a whopping $349.
Being “exclusive” or having “that” pair of shoes is, unfortunately, not all that affordable. And shoes like these are not the most durable or sustainable. That is why I believe shoes like these need to be an investment. Buy a pair, wear them a few times, and store them. Keep them clean, avoid creasing them, and wait for them to gain value. Smart spending as defined by OurNewhamMoney.com is “living within your means, saving for short and long-term goals, and making a plan to pay off any debts.” To buy a $300 shoe and abuse it is a complete waste of money, and it is not smart spending. So, let’s be smart! Buy that pair of $75 Nike Blazer Mids ‘77 Vintage White and Black, or the $120 Air Jordan Mid Alternate Bred Toe as your everyday shoe. And save to buy those $459 Jackie Robinson Dunk Lows that will be an investment in your wardrobe.
Shoes have so much value and allow for so much self-expression and creativity, so it is important to buy the right ones for you! Treat yourself, but make sure to spend safely!
