FOOTWEAR FOCUS ROAD TEST Helen Rowlands takes a job down memory lane to test Skechers’ D’Lites I
have hazy but pleasant memories of the 90s; the days of double denim, spiked hair and, of course, good old Britney Spears. As a girl, there were
stickers of the Spice Girls all around my bunkbed, I dreamt of being their 6th member and was inconsolable when they broke up. So imagine my excitement when I found out I was testing out a pair of bona-fide Skechers! Usually, I’m all for leaving fashions in the past, but with these, I’ll make an exception. My 9-year-old self is well and truly spitting with envy.
These D’Lites Ultra - Illusions are a wonderful homage to the Skechers of
years gone by, with thick laces and chunky soles that bring them close to the platform trainers we knew and loved but their new design brings them smoothly into the 21st century. I’m not blessed with pin-like legs, so their size balances out my legs to make them look longer and slimmer, and what woman would say no to that?
They have an extra sleekness which contrasts with the usually busy styles
attributed to the D’Lites range. Rather than balancing two colours equally across the shoe, these are white with details picked out in silver. A little bit of the 90s glitter remains, but only so as to give them a delicate shimmer. Made from a fairly substantial leather I would see them more as a shoe than a trainer, but they retain some sporty details, such as the patterns punched into the side panels, and the famous logo.
These are a wide fit, so slipping them on is a blessed relief as I’m used
to having to squeeze my feet into shoes that bundle them up and give them blisters. That in itself is not a good look. In general, the Ultra – Illusions shoe is constructed with comfort in mind, with a supportive arch for those of us with none, and Air Cooled Memory Foam in the insole, to keep your spring in your step.
“However, if we can just bring back the things that made life easier, we’d be a lot happier for it. My vote goes to the D’Lites, because frankly I don’t know how I’ve lasted almost two decades without them.”
London in the summer is both wonderful and horrible, with parks full
of parties and families on days out, giving way to the noisy, boiling, human cattle-carts of the tube. Oxford Street is probably the hardest part to handle, with thousands of people all charging about shops in the baking sun and everyone getting in everyone else’s way. When a roller-skate party whizzes past, I do a double take to work out if I’ve resurrected the 90s with my footgear alone.
These shoes stood up to the heat no problem with their breathable design, and unlike most shoppers who were flagging by the end of the day, I was still flying around looking for the next bargain that more wearied shoppers have missed. For all their size, they’re fairly lightweight, so I wasn’t dragging my feet as the stores closed. Even the commute back home was made a little easier as I pounded up the escalators and strode past tired tourists who looked like they were done for the day.
Now, I am in no way suggesting that we want to return to 90s fashion; I am one of many warily eyeing the resurgence of choker necklaces and crop tops. They didn’t work then, and they will not magically start to work now. However, if we can just bring back the things that made life easier, we’d be a lot happier for it. My vote goes to the D’Lites, because frankly I don’t know how I’ve lasted almost two decades without them.
20 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • AUGUST 2018 Product details:
D’Lites – Ultra Illusions Get inspired by the sleek, comfortable sporty style of the SKECHERS D'Lites Ultra - Illusions. Classic elite leather upper in a lace up sporty casual sneaker, with stitching accents and Air-Cooled Memory Foam insole.
T rade Price: £29.00 - RRP: £59.00
Contact: T: 07107 655955 W:
www.skechers.com
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