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Thursday, November 10. 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Living
A true blue tradition on the Hill
Don't step on my white canvas shoes
By M. Meredith Relph Kansan staff writer
At a university where it's uphill almost any way you turn, comfortable shoes are a necessity. But comfort does not necessarily preclude running for longer distances. The harnessed true blue to a popular campus tennis shoe.
The canvas tennis shoe with the blue label at the heel has topped sales charts in Lawrence shoes stores for several seasons. They are priced at less than $25, and the demand for the style has opened up a market for reasonable facsimiles as well.
Jeff Arensberg, a salesman at Arensberg Shoes, 825 Massachusetts St., said the plain white Keds snaker used to be a seasonal item had become a year-round fashion statement.
"We used to sell them just in the spring and summer. Now they've become the uniform shoe brand."
Elise Hess, Lawrence freshman, owns six pairs just because she likes them.
"I've always had white ones," she said. "They're casual and comfortable, and they go with me."
Kim Smith, Chicago sophomore, said she owned only white Keds.
"I like them because they're cheap. They're practical and comfortable," she said.
Other students are not as brand-conscious, but simply desire the style of show, the plain, low-tech look.
"Mine are fake Keds," said Laura Russell. Overland Park sophomore, who wears her sneakers without shoelaces. "I got them at K Crest Stadium." She has holes in the toes, and I can just trash them."
Jeff Pitcher, Overland Park senior, doesn't have keds but that his wife, Kelly, "must have keds" because she's a football fan.
"They don't have to be Keds, though. As long as they're cheap, white and comfortable."
The less-expensive shoes similar to Keds are available at discount stores. Rhonda Howard, shoe manager at Wal-Mart, 2727 St. st., said she works in the business area for cost $49.95 and can wear in white, red and black
"They're really fast sellers. The white is the best seller." Howard said.
The popular Keds style that started the trend is the Champion Oxford. It is usually favored by women, but Keds also makes a mens' style. Arensberg said the men's version was a slip-on, and while it was a popular shoe, it remained a seasonal choice for guys.
The greatest demand is for the white Champion Oxford, but the style is also available in pink, red, navy blue, khaki and black, or in white leather. Arensburg said the Keds style was
popular for children, and the rubber-toe style still was chosen by many parents for their children.
Besides the Champion Oxford, Keds also markets a high-topped canvas model. Arensberg said the high-tops were a new style and had sold out during the summer.
"We did not order very many because it was new," Arensberg said. "They sold out, and we don't have anymore coming in during the winter, but we'll get more in the spring."
Peggy Colbert, a Penney's salesman, said sales for the high-tops had picked up during the winter. She said the high-tops cost slightly more than the oxford and came in white, black and denim. The leather Champion Oxford comes in white or black and costs about $40.
J. C. Penney, 1801 W. 23rd St., sells the regular oxfords, the leather style and the high-tops.
"They're all quite popular. We keep a good stock of them all the time," Colbert said.
The popularity of the Keds style does not appeal to everyone, however.
Stacey Cook, New Albany sophomore, doesn't like them.
"They're cheesy, and the toms always wear
them. They don't really 'tell' you don't wear
tennis shoes much anyway."
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