I try not to be the type of person who complains that "Things aren't made like they used to" -- it strikes me as a complaint of first resort by change-resistant curmudgeons. By and large, innovations in materials and technology improve the products we use, often at a lower price (most electronics would be good examples). But there is a product near-and-dear to my heart that I am giving one last chance. 

For the past 23 years (that I can prove with photographic evidence), I have owned a pair of all-white adidas Stan Smith sneakers. I have always felt that a pair of plain white sneakers were a staple of any gentleman's wardrobe, and it was really only a matter of whether you preferred Stan Smiths, Jack Purcell's, or K-Swiss Classic Tennis Whites. I probably wore the shoes 100 days a year, and they handled whatever was thrown at them. That included, on more than one occasion, a recreational soccer game if I didn't have cleats. For most of those 23 years, a pair would last me at least a year, if not 2. It wasn't till they were grey beyond recognition that I would step up and buy a new pair.

Last year, a dear friend bought me a pair for my birthday (exactly a year ago today). Within 6 months, and without being subjected to a soccer game, the top of the shoe popped apart from the sole. I had never had a pair "break" like that. Last week, relaying the story at Michael Toschi HQ, I picked up the Michael Toschi SUV2. I was about to write about swearing off Stan Smith's forever when a package arrived from the same dear friend with a brand new pair. If they perform like those of my fond memories, I'll forgive and forget the last one. Otherwise, I guess I'm one step closer to becoming a grumpy old man.