BRAND LOYALTY? STAY TRUE

The best thing about brand loyalty is consistency.

You know what to expect, you like what you get, and ask for more.

But I have a hard time being loyal. You, too?

I tried a new shoe brand.

HOKA.

My shoe guy said they were designed by ultra-marathoners.

Sounded good to me.

They cost a hundred and something, then I spent another seventy on good insoles.

I liked them so much I talked them up and others got them too.

Now I don’t talk so much.

They broke down sooner than expected.

The high cushion soles had little lateral support and I slipped off my shoes sideways.

Oh, my ankle.

I was ready to show my brand loyalty, but the disappointment put me off.

Now I’m happy with a pair of shoes that will make it around the block, not do an ultra-marathon.

 

Slip On, Slip Off Brand Loyalty

Instead of a diet to keep my weight down, I bought two pair of lace-up high tops.

I’d have to stay slim if I wanted to wear shoes since the lean over with a big gut is a stretch too far.

When that didn’t work out I got a pair of moccasin looking shoes.

They looked good, felt good, but when I took them around the block they felt like slippers.

Maybe they were slippers? I don’t know, but they weren’t walking around shoes.

I’m trying to avoid a pair of big white New Balance you see so much of.

Too often I’ve seen a big load of an old man sitting down with his shoes off.

Man, can I relate. I never sit in public and take my shoes off, but I’ve got more than one pair that’ll make my dogs bark.

My problem is keeping shoes too long.

I’ve got the black tennis shoes I wore in Paris. Very stylish.

The blue walkers I wore in London? Still here.

Once they get cut from the rotation I keep them as slip-in mail shoes, anything to put on quickly and take off just as fast.

Why do I have four pair of rejects on call? It’s symptom of something bigger.

 

Shoe Rack To Closet Hangers

From shoes I don’t like to shirts I don’t wear, what to keep and what to toss.

I’ve got six beautiful white shirts that would look good with any jacket and tie, or suit.

Hardly ever wear them, and when I do I wear black pants for the Greek waiter look.

I should run up stairs right now and stuff them in a bag, but I won’t.

I also won’t wear them casually around the house, or to the store.

Who gets dressed up if they don’t have to?

I put on decent clothes to go out in, but don’t overdo it.

A shirt and jeans instead of t-shirt and sweatpants.

Since the nearest Safeway is situated between two Over-55 communities, you see all kinds of people letting things slide.

From bathrobes, pajamas, and slippers because ‘no one will notice’, to decked out in cruise ship wear, we all push the same cart.

The next time you pass by a laundromat look in to see if anyone is dressed up.

People dress up on laundry day because their regular clothes are all dirty.

Now I’m on the verge of making a personal pledge to trim my life down.

Get rid of my occasional clothes, the inherited sports coats, my wedding suit for both boys’ wedding, my wedding shoes, my overcoats, leather coats, and half my t-shirts.

While I drop half the accumulated clothing to a good cause, I’ll drop the accumulated pounds trying to drag me down.

I’ve heard good advice from trusted sources.

“Your arms are legs are fine. They’ve never been the problem.”

I’ve got a gut I’ve kept hidden away behind vests.

“You talk about giving up on your chest, but imagine how big it would look if you lost the gut.”

Yep, and summer is so close.

So is next summer.

The brand loyalty I want to stay closest to is my personal brand, which includes stepping on the scales and seeing 215 lbs.