The Garment District: The Day Some Bitch Smudged My Pumas
Published: Tuesday - March 20, 2007
Words by Arnold T. Pants
I remember the day well. Clear blue skies, with a subtle chill in the air. A great day to break out (or un-ds) some kicks.
On this day, my chosen pair were some red on white Puma GV specials, recently received from Eastbay (at this point of my life, Eastbay was still a valuable source of new shoes). With some freshly pressed khaki’s (dress code) and a red sweater, the GV specials made my cipher complete. I felt good, handsome even. I was ready to conquer the day. And impress some broads!
Early on, these attempts to win over the opposite sex weren’t working. I was lurking the halls, cursing the episode of “Smart Guy” that led me to believe a red sweater would attract attention. I was wondering when these pumas were going to become ‘special.’
Later, I’m chilling in the school’s version of the “MAX.” Playing some spades, leering at freshman, sipping a cola, you know, just having a laugh. The cards are coming in good, and things are starting to look up. I’m getting my swagger back.
This young lady -- let’s call her Christiana Mucci -- runs up all excited and shit. Does she say hi? What up? Or even give a little hug? NO! She stamps my foot with her despicable Chinese slippers.
“Fuck is you doing?”
“Your shoes are too white,” she replied, with what can only be described, in retrospect, as a mildly suggestive smile.
“Look here, girl, this ain’t the second grade. And, that type of behavior ain’t my style of flirting.” At least I thought it, couldn’t bring myself to say it. I was switching. The gall of this bitch! Fucking up my new kicks! Leaving a minute black smudge on the fresh nubuck that in my eyes was massive! Tried to whip it clean, but only made it worse. My ego went from nothing, to even less.
Picture courtesy of Complex
That I got so aggravated by this minor assault on my sneakers is somewhat embarrassing. For one, this girl was obviously feeling your boy. And two, things can’t look crisp forever. But in the end I realized this, Puma G.V. Specials are dope, and regardless of what Chris Rock has told me, I will get mad when somebody smudges them.
Now, the G.V. Special is no Jordan IV, Air Zoom LWP or Question. However, it was probably the first shoe that I straight up loved for what it was, and without associations to a specific athlete or event or memory. I’ll be honest and say that there have been material choices and color schemes I couldn’t vibe with, but on the whole, the G.V. special emerged that spring day as, and has remained, one of my favorite shoes of all time.
This year Puma has decided to bring the shoe back properly and shed a little light on its namesake. G.V., real name Guillermo Villas, won all of tennis’ grand slam events (except Wimbledon, the one that really matters) during his career, and was inducted into the Tennis Hall Of Fame in 1991. With the return of the shoe, Puma celebrates some of his achievements, like the aforementioned induction at Newport.
Anyway, I’ll try not to bore you all with inane stories in the future, and cut to the chase. It’s just sometimes kicks bring out some memories, and it just so happens a nice DC day sparked a little something. Stay up.
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