A Sole Statement: Standing Out Through Shoes
Written by Madison Spielman
From kindergarten through my senior year of high school, I chased after the bus in the same plaid skirt and plain black polo, day after day. The uniform meant blending in with everyone else, leaving little room for individuality. But by high school, I decided to carve out a space for myself. I focused all my energy on choosing the perfect shoes, the one part of the uniform that allowed for a touch of personal expression. While there were still a few rules to follow, I carefully walked the line with my stylish sneakers. My main goal was to avoid the shoe that dominated the nation in 2019: the white Air Force Ones. Everyone at my school had them, and they felt like just another extension of the uniform we were already required to wear. I wanted at least one part of my outfit to reflect my own style and feel truly personalized.
So, I turned to thrift stores and online sneaker resellers; I even joined the trend of buying plain white sneakers and painting them. I wanted a way to express my personal style while still adhering to the uniform I had worn for years, and shoes were the perfect medium. I found a way to stand out, while being forced to fit in.
When I came to college, the world of fashion was a mystery to me, and I was overwhelmed by all the choices. After years of only picking out shoes, I didn’t know where to start. So, I stuck to what I knew best: a uniform. Since I never had a lot of clothes, thanks to my uniform days, I opted to buy a lot of basics. A black or white tank or tee, with a pair of jeans became my new uniform. I paired these with my favorite shoe of the week and was ready to face the college fashion world.
This year, I quickly realized that the fashion trends were headed in the direction I was already following: basics with a pop of pumps. So, I stuck to my tradition: let the shoes be the focal point of the outfit. Everyone seems to be moving toward sustainability in their clothing choices, opting for high-quality basics that stand the test of time, rather than indulging in fast fashion trends we wear only once. This commitment to having just a few basics in our closets can seem like it will diminish our individuality, but through accessorizing, you can make one white tank into 10 different outfits.
Shoes and accessories are the best way to make an outfit stand out and truly reflect your personal style: For class, it’s a matching sweat set with my thrifted Dolce Vita cheetah-print sneakers. For going out, a classic black top, black skirt, and a funky boot or kitten heel.
There are countless ways to make an outfit feel special and uniquely yours—even if it might seem boring or overdone at first. Robin Scandivv, influencer and founder of her jewelry company Scandivv, perfectly exemplifies this ideal. Her outfits consist entirely of staple pieces, yet she looks effortlessly unique and stylish by incorporating fun shoes and items from her jewelry collections. Check out her TikTok and Instagram (@scandivv) for more inspiration! After all, there’s no such thing as too many accessories—whether it’s shoes, jewelry, or a purse. Accessories truly are the backbone of fashion today.
Edited by Hana Razvi, Katherine Rubinstein, Olivia Daly, Sophia Buckholtz, Greta Felton & Ellie DePerry
