This was such a fun read! I work in e-commerce and sometimes do wish there was still that aesthetic of shopping in the 90’s. Shopping stories like this make one enjoy what they do even more, thank you really for writing this! It gives me a new perspective on the 90’s.
I wore similar sling backs in the 90’s and they were profoundly painful (the strap digs in) and the back slid off all the time. The heel was also just the right size to snap off.
This is a lovely article but as for the shoes themselves, no nostalgia here from one who wore them the first time around 😉
HAH! I have a pair of Gucci slingbacks that just do NOT stay up...eek! I do have a great pair of slingbacks though that really do indeed stay on...they have a buckle which helps
This was one of the best things I’ve read all month. It’s rare when a piece of clothing or a shoe becomes an icon that defines a specific moment in time and it feels like we don’t have that anymore…or if we do it’s not that exciting.
This was genius. I was in my mid 20s in the era you describe, and you got it exactly right. It was a huge shift, and there was something beautiful about it, even the scarcity. There was zero pressure for someone like me to participate at that level, we just waited till it tricked down to our price point, and the styles were stable enough that we could wear it for years, especially if it wasn’t a young-looking style.
I love that the shoe was such a classic that it stood the test of several seasons...and you could get them eventually....we need that again. I have a similar pair from a random Italian brand but with a square toe...from my mom...got them resoled this AM...will wear with everything this summer.
“these days, media often works in reverse, covering the rise of a shoe or other status object only after it has debuted to the public” — and been worn by X Y or Z celebrity, sigh
thank you for interviewing so many of the GOATs! The best insight! Love ❣️
omg i loved this. thank you. i kind of think the 2023 version of this was the sandy liang mary jane.. the difference is the proliferation of fast fashion brands making low to medium quality dupes (i.e. sam edelman / steve madden) which dampens the need to have the $550 sandy shoe
Pieces like this and the one about the DKNY taxi book are why Neverworns is one of my favorite Substack newsletters. Taking me right into the heart of all my 90s fashion dreams!!
This was such a fun read! I work in e-commerce and sometimes do wish there was still that aesthetic of shopping in the 90’s. Shopping stories like this make one enjoy what they do even more, thank you really for writing this! It gives me a new perspective on the 90’s.
I wore similar sling backs in the 90’s and they were profoundly painful (the strap digs in) and the back slid off all the time. The heel was also just the right size to snap off.
This is a lovely article but as for the shoes themselves, no nostalgia here from one who wore them the first time around 😉
HAH! I have a pair of Gucci slingbacks that just do NOT stay up...eek! I do have a great pair of slingbacks though that really do indeed stay on...they have a buckle which helps
That might be the secret!
I love this so much. My era actually. I think I read it five times.
This was one of the best things I’ve read all month. It’s rare when a piece of clothing or a shoe becomes an icon that defines a specific moment in time and it feels like we don’t have that anymore…or if we do it’s not that exciting.
omg the chokehold her column had on me as a kid…impossibly clever and funny and cool.
This piece and these shoes have recently been floating front of mind again — what a joy to find this all here! ty!
Ughhhhh loved everything about this — the history! The nostalgia! Thank you :)
This was genius. I was in my mid 20s in the era you describe, and you got it exactly right. It was a huge shift, and there was something beautiful about it, even the scarcity. There was zero pressure for someone like me to participate at that level, we just waited till it tricked down to our price point, and the styles were stable enough that we could wear it for years, especially if it wasn’t a young-looking style.
I love that the shoe was such a classic that it stood the test of several seasons...and you could get them eventually....we need that again. I have a similar pair from a random Italian brand but with a square toe...from my mom...got them resoled this AM...will wear with everything this summer.
“these days, media often works in reverse, covering the rise of a shoe or other status object only after it has debuted to the public” — and been worn by X Y or Z celebrity, sigh
thank you for interviewing so many of the GOATs! The best insight! Love ❣️
This was beautifully written! Such a stellar piece Liana congratulations ❤️
Incredible work that reads just beautifully!
omg i loved this. thank you. i kind of think the 2023 version of this was the sandy liang mary jane.. the difference is the proliferation of fast fashion brands making low to medium quality dupes (i.e. sam edelman / steve madden) which dampens the need to have the $550 sandy shoe
Good call re Sandy Liang Mary Jane! Is it sold out? Also, oy to the dupes...
Pieces like this and the one about the DKNY taxi book are why Neverworns is one of my favorite Substack newsletters. Taking me right into the heart of all my 90s fashion dreams!!
Thank you! I love going the deep dive route! Stay tuned for more...I have another one coming hopefully in late May/early June
Yessssss!
So nostalgic!
Love this!
Thank you, Andrea! You made the piece what it is <3!
Love this, especially the last paragraph…a bygone era.
Thank you! It still exists sometimes..in flickers?! Maybe!?
Love it!!! All in for any history.
Love me some Trish too!
I’ve got a nice stack of 90’s Vogues in the garage, they are so much fun to reread!
Trish Goff foreva and eva!