I was mid-flex on Instagram and had an existential crisis. The Saint Laurent store on 57th Street had just got the “Babycat” Print low-tops with the all-leather upper, so I bought them. When the canvas drop came out around five months ago, I thought they were dope, but didn’t want to look like a wave rider, so I passed. I thought copping the leather ones early would let me subtly stand apart from everyone with the canvas version. I had the Instagram on deck with a caption all ready: “Held out for the leather drop.” And then I realized how lame that was.
1.
I tried them on, they fit, and they looked good, so I copped. Period. That’s why you should be buying things in the first place. Before blogs and social media, no one had to justify why they liked what they liked. What if the Air Jordan III debuted in the Twitter era? Would people say they were overhyped because everyone was talking about them? Maybe everyone’s talking about them because they’re really good. I’m calling bullshit on the idea that things can be “too hyped up.” We’re all guilty of getting caught up with the idea of simply possessing certain items because just having them seemed cool—now they’re collecting dust. My closet is full of misses. Yours probably is, too.
The problem with sneaker and clothing culture today is the stigma that it’s not cool to like something simply because there are a lot of other people who like it, too. It’s the same reason you’re “not allowed” to like Bobby Shmurda right now because everyone on Twitter is talking about him. How many times in your life have you snapped back at someone who looked at a purchase you made and said, “I don’t care what people think,” but didn’t really mean it? It’s time to start living that statement instead of just saying it. You shouldn’t have to explain why you’re purchasing something. As long as you know why you want to buy a particular sneaker or piece of clothing, you’re good.
2.
Image via GQ
Kanye West wore the adidas Pure Boosts in the new issue of GQ, and immediately people were tweeting about how they’re going to sell out, and how people are going to jump on that shoe now that he wore them. A few of us at the Complex office have been wearing them for months because they look awesome, and they’re one of the most comfortable sneakers out.
Remember what happened with the Flight ‘89 craze a year or so ago? West was spotted walking around in them and—regardless of what Matt Powell will tell you—a lot of people went out and bought them because of it. I bought four pairs because they look good with jeans, and they reminded me of an all-black Jordan IV.
The whole notion of justifying your purchases to anyone else to avoid being labeled a hypebeast should be a thing of the past. Some days you may feel like wearing Stan Smiths or Air Force 1s, and some days you may feel like rocking a pair of Common Projects Achilles. No one should really care as much about what’s on your feet as much as you do. So next time you feel the need to defend a purchase to some anonymous Internet commenter, don’t. The only person whose opinion should really affect your style is in the mirror.
Joe La Puma is Complex's Director of Content Strategy, and spent seven summers working at Finish Line when he was growing up. He tweets here.
