Spare Me the Sperrys

They’re “a passion for the sea,” not “a passion for the wanna-be.”

Nobody should wear Sperry Top Siders with anything but a pastel Ralph Lauren polo shirt and a pair of J. Crew Vintage Seersucker Bermuda Shorts with embroidered navy blue whales; it’s as easy as that. Sperry Topsiders are the preppiest shoe, therefore they should only be worn by the preppiest people wearing the preppiest clothes. Since when is it the “new thing” to incorporate preppy clothes into a lazy-outfit look? The classic offense is girls pairing Victoria Secret Yoga Pants with some Sperrys. On the official Sperry Website, there are tabs for “Mad for Plaid” and “Prep in Your Step,” but no tab for “Styles to Pair with Your Sweatpants.” Instead, choose the look you want to express, like the magazine catalogues do. This does not mean sacrificing yourself and mismatching strange articles just because you can’t choose one style. These suggestions only apply to those who own a boat; if you do not go sailing or do not own a 34’ Seafarer Sloop, then you certainly shouldn’t own these nautical shoes either. After all, the slogan of the Sperry Top Sider website is “a passion for the sea” not “a passion for the wanna-be.”

Wait; you mean you’re not 65? Then why dress like a retired person? Shows like What Not To Wear on TLC are constantly fixing people’s wardrobes who fail to dress their own age. The problem is usually dressing too young, but the tables have turned and now the trend is to dress too old. Wear Sperry Topsiders if you want the look of an orthopedic shoe, or if you want people to think you have arthritis in your feet. Many people agree that Sperrys are hideous shoes. One critic stated, “I don’t know why girls seem to like these shoes so much. They’re masculine looking, clunky, and just plain aren’t attractive!” (/shoe-trend-i-hate-at-the-moment sperry-topsiders/). Nobody bothers buying a pair of ugly shoes, so don’t bother buying a pair of Sperrys!

Accessories express the individuals we are. Designers such as Louis Vuitton and Michael Kors have created to-die-for bags, purses, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, and coats. Certainly not to forget shoes. Shoes are the number one most important accessory; they can either make or break an outfit. You can choose from millions of gladiator sandals to fringe boots, black stilettos to cork wedges, ballet flats to classic oxfords. Shoes are made for not only walking, ladies, but for enhancing your wardrobe. Sperrys just don’t produce the “wow factor” shoes were made to contribute to your outfit.  Do not wear Sperry Top Siders unless:

1) You are over the age of 652) You own a boat, or go sailing frequently3) You have no personality4) You only wear preppy clothes

Two years ago I was fortunate enough to spend a week in Italy; home country to the fashion capital of the world. I did not see one single pair of Sperry Topsiders flipping around the streets of Rome, and for a good reason. The Italian people are remarkable for their shoes; have you ever heard of Giorgio Armani? Gucci? Prada? Fendi? Dolce and Gabbana? Valentino or Versace? They are listed in the top fifteen shoemakers. (discountupon.com/shoe-brands)The Italians are shoe experts, and they are famous for an impeccable taste for fashion; it is no surprise Sperrys don’t exist there.

Sperrys can cost from $80 to over $100. Rhonda Wilson, a Bethel resident and former Lord&Taylor sales associate, stated, “I’d rather see a less expensive shoe that has more personality, than to see an expensive shoe be worn by somebody who just wants to impress people by the expensive shoe.” People do not have to be sucked into the hideous whirlpool of Sperry Topsiders just to fit in. “Don’t be a trend follower, be a trendsetter!” (/shoe-trend-i-hate-at-the-moment sperry-topsiders/). It is better to be different and stand out; your wallet will agree, and you might get a few compliments at it too.

Citations:

Butterfly, Gilded. "Shoe trend I hate at the moment... Sperry Topsiders." Xanga. Lovelyish, 19 July 2012. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. <http://gilded-butterfly.lovelyish.com/730355223/   shoe-trend-i-hate-at-the-momentsperry-topsiders/>.

London, Stacey, and Clinton Kelly, hosts. What Not To Wear. TLC. 2012. Television.Online, Handla. Discount Upon. Wordpress, n.d. Web. 27 Mar. 2012. <http://discountupon.com/

   italian-shoe-brands/>. Top 15 Italian Shoe Brands

"Sperry Top-Sider A Passion for the Sea." Advertisement. Sperry Top-Sider Official Site. Sperry Top

   Sider, 2012. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://www.sperrytopsider.com/store/>.

Wilson, Rhonda Dawn. Personal interview. 29 Mar. 2012.