Tanning of America Reflection #06

What resonated with you the most about the reading?

On page 139 the author writes "the problem in urban trends is that if you are not careful, you can allow the urban trend to eat you alive, because they want to move quickly." Speed seems to be even more of a factor in today's economy. What examples do you see in fashion or products in general where the urban culture had embraced it and moved on quickly?

(i used pictures from the Adidas Superstar Icon campaign and the Puma SpeecatPack campaign) Images feature Samuel L. Jackson, Baby Keem, and Tyshawn Jump.

What resonated with me most about these chapters was the importance of shoes in self-expression and fashion. The global phenomenon of tanning turning athletic shoes into casual and club wear, bringing athletic brands a new aura they did not previously possess before the 80s.

Today I notice the importance and relevance of shoes/sneakers in fashion today. But trends rule everything. As a consumer, being ahead of the next trend establishes this sense of feeling cool. Right now adids runs the game of trending shows. Nike has fallen short over the last 4 years. It's like since 2020, even Nike hasn't been operating with the level of swag they used to, and it feels like they've reached a new status where they are unbothered that the shoes everyone is wearing are adidas Sambas or the Puma Speedcat. Trends also cycle. Everyone has been in small shoes and big pants, but slowly and surely you will, and you will see big stars in Isabel Marant wedges again, and Adidas Superstars are about to be on everyone's feet again.