Twenty-five years ago this month, I went to Paris for the first time. It was chilly and breezy during my stay. Here I am huddled in my denim jacket, wearing the leggings I wore all over Europe that summer.
You can see the front view of the outfit here.
I also went to London, Spain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands during that month-long, post-college trip. It was hot in Spain, so I was able to take a break from the leggings. In this photo, I’m wearing a black mini with a little top I bought in Paris.
I wore those rubber-soled shoes throughout the trip. They might have been the only pair I brought along. I believe they were by Kenneth Cole. That bag looks like a LeSportsac. I thought I had quit those after high school, but I might have gotten it especially for traveling because the nylon is lightweight and durable. I have a big, gold LeSportsac carry-on now.
While I was trying to confirm my memories of the shoes, I was searching for 1980s Kenneth Cole and found these on eBay.
OMG! If those had been my size I would have gotten them. I’ve always loved laced-up, boxing-shoe looks. In fact, a few hours before I dug up the Europe photos, I’d been peering at Madonna’s flat-soled, flexible shoes in her 1983 “Lucky Star” video, wondering if they were this type of thing or maybe a black version of the strappy, flat shoes she wore in “Borderline.”
Click for the video.
I bet chic Erika Belle — Madonna’s friend and backup dancer in this and other early videos — would remember!
I would so wear those red lace-ups stomping around NYC. Bad idea? : 0
Great idea! I really want them too!
you’re too cute! are those THE leggings? love the shoes too. i had a similar pair back in the day — people always joked and asked me if i’m going bowling. but, these remind me more of old football shoes from the 20’s.
Yep, those are THE Danskin leggings!
OMG – I had those booties but in black! I wore them to death. They were by an italian brand Ciao! Very eighties. people would comment on the wrestling shoe look but I loved them. Deep deep love. I would wear them to daeth again now. Basically I want all my old stuff back. My 80s leggings were from Zoot (downtown, 8th maybe?) in NYC 😀 I kept those just for the label for the longest time.
Why did we ever give up our old stuff!
Wow, I can’t type at all on a phone.