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Big contestant for Strangest TikTok Trend of the Year.

Here's why time doesn't affect leather uppers.

Believe it or not, sneakers are made to be worn.

This is not shocking news, as we already gave you a guide on buying right and making snkrs last longer. But this subject is getting a lot of attention as a new TikTok trend has surfaced: showing how kicks' soles crumble over time.

TikTokers — who are mainly snkrs collectors — began to show how deadstock from the '90s and '00s can have their soles completely destroyed by just running your finger across them.

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METCHA - Sneakers - Tik Tok trend - sneakers uppers intact made with leather material

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METCHA - Sneakers - Tik Tok trend - sneakers uppers intact made with leather material

What was once the foundation of those gems, over time will be completely mushed. So one of the things we take from that is: WEAR. YOUR. SNEAKERS. Something that flipping culture and infinite drop cycles are not connected whatsoever.

Some people even wear their kicks like there's no tomorrow — that's the case of Peggy Gou who posted a selfie with the caption: "For those who were triggered by me creasing the shoes, I just wanted to tell you from bottom of my heart that I’d like to apologize, to absolutely nobody." Power move.

METCHA - Sneakers - Tik Tok trend - Peggy You wearing leather sneakers

But if you pay close attention at those Tiktoks, you will notice that the snkrs uppers look intact. And we have the reason behind that: all leather.

Even if you crease your shoes as a statement like Gou, they'll live through the passing of time because of the material choice. The sole, on the other hand, won't for the same reason.

That's why restoration studios such as A1 Restoration we talked about over a year ago are so important for this not-so-niched market. Even if your soles turn into dust, they can save the leather upper that remains in incredible conditions by putting it into a brand new base that makes sense for that silhouette.

That's what we call plastic surgery.

Visit our guide on dropping out of the never-ending cop cycle right here.

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