By Emma 
It was a quiet Sunday afternoon when Emma sat down at the kitchen table with her grandmother, who was sipping on a cup of tea. The soft hum of the old house was comforting, with its familiar creaky floors and the smell of freshly baked bread lingering in the air. Emma had been home for the weekend, visiting from the city, and had just returned from a shopping trip. Her new purchase, a pair of trendy canvas sneakers, was still fresh in her mind. She had been excited to show them to her grandmother, but when she did, the reaction wasn’t what she had expected.
“Canvas shoes?” Grandma’s eyebrows shot up as she glanced at the sneakers. “They don’t look… formal enough. Are you sure you’ll wear them to a nice dinner or any family events?”
Emma blinked, surprised by her grandmother’s response. “Grandma, they’re comfortable and stylish. I thought you’d like them. Everyone wears canvas shoes now—especially in the city. They’re cool!”
Grandma set her tea cup down slowly and smiled wistfully. “I know you like them, darling, but back in my day, canvas shoes were never considered ‘formal.’ They were shoes you wore around the house or for casual errands, but certainly not for anything special. They were too… laid-back, too simple.”
Emma leaned back in her chair, trying to understand her grandmother’s point. She had always seen canvas shoes as a symbol of casual coolness. They were ubiquitous in her city life—easy to slip on, light, and effortlessly stylish. She never thought twice about wearing them to a nice restaurant or a gathering with friends. Yet, her grandmother’s words lingered in her mind.
“You know,” Grandma continued, “I remember when we used to dress up for nearly every occasion. We didn’t just put on whatever we felt like. There was a time when shoes were a symbol of respect and formality. If you wore something like canvas shoes, people would assume you didn’t take the event seriously. It was always leather, or at least something a little more polished.”
Emma nodded, still processing the conversation. “But I get that things change, right? I mean, style evolves. People wear sneakers to the office now. It’s all about comfort.”
Grandma chuckled softly. “Yes, things have changed, and in many ways, I can see why the younger generation gravitates toward comfort. But there’s also a certain level of expectation that comes with dressing for an occasion. When I was younger, shoes were a reflection of who you were. They said something about your character and how you presented yourself to the world. Canvas shoes just didn’t give off that impression.”
Emma felt a shift in her thinking. “So, you’re saying it’s not about the shoes themselves, but more about the context? And maybe how people view them?”
“Exactly,” Grandma replied, her voice carrying the weight of years of experience. “It wasn’t just about the material. Canvas, at the time, was seen as a casual fabric. It’s lightweight, durable, and practical—yes, but also quite humble. People back then often reserved canvas shoes for children or laborers, not for someone who wanted to make a statement. The older generation valued materials that felt substantial—leather, polished suede, or even cloth that looked more refined. That was the expectation for anything formal.”
Emma thought about the times her grandmother had shared stories about family dinners, church gatherings, and the big celebrations where everyone was dressed to the nines. “So, shoes were kind of like a sign of your effort, right?” Emma asked.
“That’s right,” Grandma said, her eyes distant, as if remembering those days fondly. “A pair of leather shoes or boots spoke volumes about your status, your dedication to looking your best, and your respect for the event you were attending. It wasn’t about being flashy, but about showing that you cared enough to dress appropriately. Canvas shoes didn’t fit that narrative. They were too informal.”
Emma took a deep breath. She understood the point her grandmother was making now. “I guess in today’s world, people are more about being themselves and comfort over tradition. But I can see how canvas shoes wouldn’t have fit with the mindset back then.”
“Yes,” Grandma agreed, nodding. “The times were different. People didn’t wear shoes like those to a formal dinner or a wedding. It wasn’t that people didn’t appreciate casual footwear. It was just that there were other options that were deemed more respectable. You wore leather shoes or smart boots to show that you were serious about the occasion. Canvas shoes were… well, too relaxed.”
Emma sat quietly, reflecting on the layers of meaning shoes could carry. In her world, she had always thought of fashion as an ever-evolving expression of individuality. But now, with a little more perspective, she understood that shoes—like everything else in style—had carried meaning for generations. They were symbols of class, status, and respect for the event at hand.
“So, would you ever wear canvas shoes?” Emma asked, teasingly.
Grandma gave her a wink. “Well, I suppose if I was just walking the dog or going to the market, I might. But I still don’t think I’d wear them to a wedding. Call it old-fashioned, but some things are hard to change.”
The two shared a laugh, and Emma realized that while trends might shift, the values behind them had deeper roots. Her grandmother’s perspective wasn’t so much about being judgmental of her style choices—it was more about a lifetime of understanding the roles that clothing and footwear played in society. Shoes had always been more than just functional items; they were, in a way, markers of respect, personality, and belonging.
As Emma looked down at her canvas shoes, she smiled, appreciating their comfort and style in a new light. Maybe she wouldn’t wear them to a formal family gathering just yet, but she didn’t mind that her grandmother preferred a more traditional approach to dressing up. The evolution of style was a journey, and Emma was glad to be part of it, one pair of shoes at a time.
Canvas shoes might not always have been seen as formal footwear, but their evolution in fashion shows how much society’s standards have shifted. What was once considered “too casual” has now become a symbol of comfort and individual expression. And while the older generation might hold onto certain traditions, the younger generation is redefining the meaning of style—one canvas sneaker at a time.