In every section of the Quad, crevice of the Student Union and corner of the classroom, you’ll find at least one hipster with a cause.
For some of us, the word “hipster” may be a near obscenity, but for others it’s a mere description — by definition the trendiest crayon in the box.
Clothing combining social responsibility and a unique look are the perfect recipe for a hipster’s (or any college student’s) wardrobe, and that starts at ground level — with shoes.
TOMS are a staple accessory for hipsters. I thoroughly enjoy the more-than-occasional TOMS spotting and its socially responsible mission to donate a pair to the less fortunate for every pair bought, but I also notice the recent spike in popularity and it makes me slightly apprehensive to invest.
Though I am always mindful not to abuse a trend by being lost in a sea of similarly outfitted students, the cause might be rewarding enough to put aside my doubt. The positive motives of the TOMS brand has definitely influenced how similar brands choose to market and reinvent products toward the target demographic.
Sperry Top-Siders took a page out of the TOMS book in how the company chose to diversify the product by incorporating shimmering finishes and cute colorways of plaid detailing to re-establish the Top-Sider shoe as one with a youthful and fun image.
My first encounter with Sperrys was years ago when I thought they were cute because my dad wore them with his Daniel Cremieux-looking shirts and khaki ensembles.
Now, the home page of the Sperry website features young people splashing and fraternizing in hot tubs. While you can’t actually lounge in the hot tub with your Top-Siders, the company should receive kudos for making the shoes cool enough to wear on dates.
Speaking of diversifying a product line, Timberland has seriously upped the ante by updating the brand with a sleek look of European-style boots. Timberland has refused to let TOMS hog all the social responsibility spotlight in the footwear world. Timberland has taken grand measures to represent an environmentally friendly outdoor boot that includes natural rubbers, which may help to cut down on the non biodegradable shoes some of us tend to support despite the ugly effects on the ecosystem.
As it stands, there are still some shoes that haven’t jumped on the social responsibility train but still remain all-time favorites, one example being Polo Ralph Lauren boots. This is a mature brand that has proven its staying power by catering to those who live luxurious lifestyles. But that doesn’t mean poor folks stay away. We all want a piece of the irresistible Ralph Lauren pie, with its fine design line and emphasis on classic but borderline anarchistic, militaristic trend of the Polo shoe line.
Unfortunately there is no women’s line for Polo Ralph Lauren boots, but I can still smell the leather while envisioning myself in some androgynous-looking get-up. But before you take on that fashion risk, make sure you’re bringing the sexy all the way back before you pursue the boyfriend blazer strong-enough-for-a-man-but-made-for-a-woman look. Looking like a man might not be the most attractive way for a woman to present herself, but with boots this good, perhaps you and your mate can enjoy looking like a man together.
You don’t have to be Captain Planet to help save the world. Supporting the social responsibility wave is a great trend to be swept into, but make sure you accent your trend palette with the durable, quality brands you have grown to love.
 
 
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Contact Al Burks at [email protected]