Tuesday 12 August 2008

The sneakers maketh the creative?

I've just bought my third pair of Chuck Taylor Cons in a row, mainly because i like the way they look (not the best pumps for pounding the streets, are they?) and the bonus that they're fairly cheap (£4 from ebay this time round), so when they inevitably fall apart after a few months it's not too much of a big deal.

They also happen to be pink. Oh yes. Pink sneakers. And i think you'll agree they're pretty sexy:

Then i found this cool blog: http://www.hipsterrunoff.com/2008/08/which-shoe-company-represents-u.html that tells you what your footwear says about you. Here's my new sneakers judged in all their glory:

"Quirky coloured converse - You were probably in a ska band in high school and are attached to your image as 'the smart kid who was also artistic and also had a quirky side that his teachers absolutely loved!'"

So what relevance does this have to do with a blog about advertising? Well in an ideal world it wouldn't have any relevance, but we live in the real world; and in the real world people judge people and form opinions of them by what they look like and what they wear.

And i've got a sneaky (pardon the pun) suspicion that when you go for a crit, you are not only being judged by the standard of your work and how personable you come across, but for your choice of attire too. And the first thing 'critters' (as opposed to us, the 'critees') look at when they shake your hand? Your footwear.

Although i've heard some critters say it makes no difference what you dress like, i think it does. Especially at the 'cool' agencies. And maybe they're right to do so. I'm not saying you're going to walk into Wiedens and get a placement for wearing pink pumps (though that would be nice), but if you call yourself a creative, surely you naturally surround yourself in all things creative and expressive. Including what you wear. That's why creatives don't have to wear suits, right?

Anyway I may well be completely talking crap, but if you're still not convinced, go to your next crit in Reebok Classics (with your tracky bottoms tucked into your socks, of course) and see how well they go down...

6 comments:

Mike said...

Ha ha! Geek. As much as I love wearing my chuck taylor's I can't imagine you in pink ones!

Nicely positioned for the shoot there james!

I agree with the post though, I read a piece in a book somewhere along the line - and it's a pretty long line explaining the reasoning behind why people dress the way they do in advertising... maybe i'll rack my brains and try and find it.

Ronnie Blogsville said...

1)It's all about whether you can pull it off! Four quid is worth the gamble, no?

2)That shot is from ebay, not my skills! At least i would have done the shot the right way up...

3) Don't rack too hard mate :) i think it just goes with being a 'creative' person, nothing necessarily to do with advertising.

Maybe we should make some bumper stickers: "You dont have to look cool to work here, but it helps".

Advertising said...

Haha, I rocked into WCRS, to see our contacts there, wearing these blue and cream Puma Boxing boots:

http://www.barolas.gr/ftp/18069607+.jpg

£30 from ebay - absolute best.

He didn't even say hello he just exclaimed "what the Hell are them on your feet!?" Lol

Advertising said...

If the above link didn't work, check here:

http://www.vascos.nl/s_430.jpg

If that link didn't work, use your imagination, lol,

Guy :P

Ronnie Blogsville said...

Ha ha they'll take some beating!

Good ice-breaker though...

Advertising said...

Hahaha cheers! I was at Clapham Junction getting printer ink and some charity woman (quite fit) catches my eye and says "Hel...WOAH! NICE BOOTS!" I never gave her any money, like, just laughed and carried on listening to Eric Clapton on my iPod. Nice of her to notice, though :P