Yeah, it's even funnier if you knew me in high school, like my accuser did.
See, Jeffe† said she was getting some of those slouchy boots, like we wore back in the 80s, when we also hacked our t-shirts up Flashdance-style and thought the bi-level haircut‡ was the height of edgy, futuristic sophistication.
We were teenagers. Our taste was questionable.
Yet here we are again,§ shoulder pads, pegged jeans, neon colours... but the elf boot¶ is classic.
I had a pair of black suede elf boots. And when I say "had," I mean until six years ago when I decided to hand them off to ARC# in the cleaning-for-moving frenzy when I bought my house. I'd had the heels rebuilt†† and recapped,‡‡ but the suede fuzz on the toes and heels was worn to a shine, so I decided my 24-year-old boots had their day.
On into the future, I was doing a little wardrobe work last fall, when the personal shopper at Nordstrom suggested a pair of Steve Madden boots.
Boots EXACTLY like my elf boots, only cured leather instead of suede.
And, y'know, with the Steve Madden label inside.
The rest of the story is that when Jeffe said she was getting a pair of 80s boots, I told her I got a pair last year, at which point, she declared me cutting edge.§§
We all know different - I'm a dork with a streak of nostalgia who's never quite gotten over having to give up her elf boots.
Let's just call it trading up.¶¶
†FOOTNOTE (crossed): Of still-Jeffe fame.
‡FOOTNOTE (double-crossed): Now known as The Coach.
§FOOTNOTE (swerved): And by, "we," I don't mean you and me, or even Jeffe and me, I mean "society in general."
¶FOOTNOTE (paragraphed): If you were into Dio or Dungeons & Dragons in the 80s, it was definitely an elf boot. I'm not confessing, just sayin'. You don't have pictures, you can't prove anything.
#FOOTNOTE (pounded): I did not, however, hand off my 31-year-old Nike All-Courts with the baby blue swoosh. They're in terrific shape for their age, and I love when the skate punks stop me in the mall and say, "Rad shoes, dude. Where did you get them?" And I say, "1980."
††FOOTNOTE (ddouble-ccrossed): Once.
‡‡FOOTNOTE (doubble-crossssed): Twice.
§§FOOTNOTE (two slouches): And challenged me to a blog-off, in which she was going to use my "Like high school, only Steve Madden" line first. I lost the race in spectacular fashion, but maintained my stubborn insistence on ignoring people trying to get me to blog. Small victories are better than none.
¶¶FOOTNOTE (two boots): 'Cause it sounds much classier than "old people nostalgia hoarding."
9 comments:
I may have won the speed portion, but this post far exceeds mine in wit. LOVE your answer to the skate punks! Who knew our geekiness would be viewed as cool someday??
Love the boots, too. I still haven't found any I like....
They were totally called elf boots ... or pixie boots.
At the moment, "sweater top" boots are my "reliving the 80s" fashion redux.
I love validation.
I keep hoping the single braid in the bangs or off-centre ponytail will come back. I've totally grown out my coach haircut and could manage it now.
Where is my comment? I totally commented!!!!
Don't worry, Jeffe - I found it!
And thank you. You're very kind and I hope you find your elf boots soon.
I'm going to have to request a current photo, to see if you're sporting a bi-level haircut.
Twitter pic is the most recent I have. Flowing, seemingly one length, pre-Raphaelite curls. More Ophelia than high school gym teacher.
(she said, in a fit of wishful thinking)
If you hang on to it long enough, it comes back into style.
(She said while clinging to her hip-hugger, elephant-leg purple crushed velvet pants.)
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