PlimsollsOne day in summer, many years ago, wearing black plimsolls as I often did aged eleven, in shorts, sitting cross legged in the long grass with the sun warm on my back, I slowly became aware that I liked the feel of the rubber and canvas on my legs, rubbing gently on my skin. I suppose I was slowly, but unknowingly at first, aroused and the area of skin being gently rubbed slowly moved farther up my leg - the rest, as they say, is history. |
| Since that time I haved loved wearing plimsolls at every opportunity. Even though it is difficult to find shops that sell adult sizes and the range of styles is now strictly limited I have managed to build up a collection in my size. I prefer the traditional style like the black and white child's plimsolls shown on the home page but I really prefer those with the toecap to those without. My colour preference varies from black to white and back again over time - I've no idea why. As I said above, since those far off days I've worn my plimsolls as and when I can, at home, sailing, holidays etc, black or white as seems appropriate. Sadly styles and fashions change and as the dreadful Trainer has come to the fore so plimsolls have become much harder to find, first to disappear were the 'school' style in larger sizes. I then had to switch to buying and wearing a 'lace-to-toe' style made by Marbot that were only available in white. These sustained me for many years until I found that there are odd shops to be found that can still supply the so called 'school' style in adult sizes if only in black. Recently however I made a happy discovery, 'Clare' who's details you will find elsewhere on the site can obtain and supply by post black and white lace-up and black slip-on styles in sizes up to 11 so I'm now well equiped with a few pirs of new plimsolls in my favourite school style. You can see what I mean by 'school style' here. I have also aquired some American ladies Keds, not strictly plimsolls they are nontheless an excellent substitute and very comfortable. If you want to get some I suggest you buy 1.5 to 2 sizes larger than you would a UK shoe and order the wide fitting. I still wear my plimsolls in public though it's taken me a year or so to do it. I've even been known to wear them during a trip to Sainsbury's! There are many 'sporty' activities where one can wear them and nobody seems to notice, I'm sure we only think they will because we look on plimsolls as something special - so wear those plimsolls with pride! |
| It has always been my great regret that I couldn't share this special intrest with someone else - even from age eleven I used to dream of belonging to a club where all members wore plimsolls and shorts. |
| For years and years I thought I must be the only one with this unusual interest but the Internet has been a revelation to me, allowing me to discover that I was not alone! There are many people out there, true most of them talking about it are Americans into sneakers, but it seems a growing number of English and perhaps Europeans are finding out they too are not alone. |
School UniformIt was couple of years after 'finding' plimsolls that I unconsiously slipped into another unusual liking. At thirteen most of my friends had changed their school uniform from the usual grey short trousers and long socks to long trousers. It seemed to me that I ought to do the same and persuaded my parents to buy some for me.I was probably very proud of those smart new long trousers, but not for long! I very soon realised I had made a horrible mistake and and much prefered the look and comfort of those grey shorts and long socks, but it was too late! My mother had passed my shorts down to my younger brother and I just didn't have the courage to ask if I could change back. I still regret that to this day. |
| At age 16 I had one holiday in Austria where I was pleased to see that the combination of shorts and long socks seemed to quite usual even on adults. I found a shop and bought some long plain grey socks, as close in style to my old school socks as I could, and wore them with my shorts for the whole of the two week holiday! They didn't have the coloured bands but I didn't care - they felt just great! |
| I have liked that traditional boy's school uniform ever since, even though it is rarely seen these days. Occasionally one gets a glimpse of a young lad in full uniform of shorts, long socks and school cap - but not often enough. |
| I have a set of grey shorts, long socks, school tie and cap that I occasionally get the chance to wear but not often and then only in restricted circumstances. Two years ago I manged to wangle a few days in a friends house while he was away. The house has very secluded gardens both back and front so I was able to indulge myself in wearing nothing but my school uniform and a selection of plimsolls for a few days - heaven! It would be wonderful to have access to a wide area of countryside where one could dress as one pleased without the worry of running into those who simply don't understand! |