Fashion: Why Are Timberland’s Still A Staple In The Black Community?
I can’t even recall when Timberlands became so popular. I remember seeing construction workers wearing them due to the steel toe inside but when did they actually become a fad in the African-American neighborhoods? It’s like, one day one person had them on and then EVERYONE had them on.
It’s no longer a fad to the community, it’s a way of life. I’ve lived up and down the East Coast and Timberlands are worn in the black community no matter where you go.
For us, it’s like underwear. We wear Timberland’s all seasons, all year-round no matter the weather. But, there’s a catch to it. Tims are universal but we have a pair for each occasion. It may be the same pair, style, and color and all but we will not wear our fresh pair in the rain or snow. Those specific conditions get the old ones that we have thrown in the bottom of the closet.
Tims over the years has evolved into much more than the normal constructs that you see every day. There are so many kinds and colors that they have lost their luster some but, to the original supporters, nothing is better. We still have our love for Air Force Ones and Jordan’s but the classic Constructs are like the official heartbeat of the urban community. From the Bronx to Philadelphia, Miami, and even Los Angeles, we wear them with pride.
I’ve seen them worn in weddings, funerals, proms and anywhere else you are supposed to be forbidden to wear them at. Most people can’t wait till the wintertime to break theirs out but in NYC we don’t care. It could be 100 degrees and we will rock them with a pair of basketball shorts and a wife-beater. Timberlands are never tied like sneakers, we like them loose for some reason, it’s just the style.
Since becoming so popular, The price of Timberland’s has increased. Back when they first launched, you could get a pair for as little as $65. Well, in 2020, the average price for a pair of Timberland’s will cost a consumer close to $200. It’s all about supply and demand. If they see their product is flying off the shelves, why not increase the price to increase your margin.
No matter the cost, Tims appears to never be in danger of going out of style.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
