These sandals were made for Meriwether Lewis
About four years ago I found a pair of brown leather sandals in a trashcan. (This is not where I usually shop.) They were well worn and looking the better for it. At the risk of anthropomorphizing, I would say they exuded fortitude. Years of sweat and dirt had been ground into them so that they felt as the bare earth under my feet. The company logo, if there had ever been one, was long worn away. I rather like to think that Sacagawea may have made them for Meriwether Lewis as he and William Clark scouted the continent.
Over time the sole under the left big toe wore completely away. Such was my devotion, I ignored the sharp rocks and glass under toe. Sharper still were quips from friends about my disheveled footwear, and these I could not ignore.
So I caved and went to American Eagle at the mall (shudder). After several weeks, a trip to D.C., a trip to Nevada, and lots of walking in between, my feet and my new sandals were getting to know each other pretty well. Until a few days ago I thought my feet had new best friends. Then I kicked a soccer ball in the middle of the street in the middle of the night and the strap on the right sandal ripped in half. Seriously guys. A month at most. Andrew Jackson could have worn my old trashcan pair through the Civil War and they would have been in better shape. Or was that Stonewall Jackson in the War of 1812…
Anyway, as a result of my experience with AE’s craftsmanship, I propose the following branding change.
