#38: An Ode to Keds

What better way to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day than to pay a wholehearted, loving tribute to the the shoe-love of my life, Keds. With every glimpse of what the spring months ahead have to offer, my eyes shift toward the horizon and my mind drifts onto the subject of Keds, sweet Keds.

Each pair of worn-through-the-soles Keds is like a battle scar, one chalked up, a testament to my achievements of sweet seasonal bliss: strolls down dirt paths, naps in the grass, skips in puddles, meals taken outside, another trip to another muddy rummage sale…

Keds to me are the ultimate classic sneaker, even the ultimate classic shoe. I’d choose my Keds over a pair of vintage babydolls or peeps or oxfords or espadrilles any day of the week and usually do. And I love seeing Keds paired with just about anything, from rolled up old Levi’s to above-the-knee dresses, men pairing their Keds with trousers…

Keds are also rich with history. They were first offered to the public in 1916 as the first canvas-topped shoe, and were later the first shoe termed the “sneaker” because being the first mass-marketed rubber sole, one could easily sneak around in them without being heard, unlike the clickety-click of heeled boots in vogue and worn by all at the time. Aviator/Filmmaker/Icon Howard Hughes was also famous for sporting his white canvas Keds with suits.

I recently won a perfect pair of navy blue faded-just-so Keds in an auction on eBay, however lost another pair to an exorbitant bid on a faded red with red laces twosome from the 70’s, climbing well nigh the three-digit mark. I’m not the only one out there coveting these darlings, it is apparent.

This one goes out to each pair, past and present, that I have loved with all my heart… and sole.