The Alternative Press

My son turned 16 yesterday, and although it is not customary to refer to a young man’s birthday as “sweet,” it is to me. Because he is sweet and I can’t believe that little baby with the big, red cheeks is now 16 years old, and a dashing young man.

In our 16 years together, we have never shared fashion tips or shopping sprees or hung out at the mall in search of an outfit. (Although I will tell you that he is the first to compliment me on my outfits! See? … Sweet!). He dislikes shopping so much that it is more about trial and error as I travel to stores on his behalf or purchase on-line, and cross my fingers hoping that: 1) he likes the clothes I bought, and 2) they fit him. In his world of fashion it is more about function than anything else. He might prefer a certain name brand short or t-shirt, but in general, he is a no-frills, no-nonsense dresser. You can see where I am going with this; we have very little in common when it comes to our expectations of fashion and our fashion choices.

Or do we? There is one thing we have in common. Shoes!! Boys covet their shoes! The other day my son reminded me that it was time for new sneakers – and fast. It occurred to me that once again, it is all about his shoes! We have all heard the stories of people anxiously awaiting (in some cases, actual rioting) the arrival of the latest Nike basketball shoes (Air Jordan XI and Foamposite One Galaxy, are examples). I can tell you as a mother that the prices for said shoes are astronomical and it doesn’t stop at one. Boys need several shoes: a pair for every day and additional pairs for separate sports. My son needed to update his basketball shoes each year. I  remember how he especially loved his black LeBron James shoes.

So I suppose we do have something in common when it comes to fashion. That is reassuring, somehow.

Happy Birthday, Son! Would you like a new pair of shoes???

Melissa Kaplan Guarino delights in sharing her love of fashion with you. Check out Melissa’s blog – speakingoffashion.com.