As celebrity stylist Avon Dorsey explains, 'My uncles had them back in the ’80s and ’90s, and they were the fly guys. If you had a pair of Stacy Adams in their generation, you were the shit'
Photo-Illustration: Strategist. Photo: Courtesy of the Retailer The name Stacy Adams doesn’t get tossed around in popular culture like “red bottoms” or Gucci loafers. And you probably haven’t even thought of — let alone worn — a pair of Stacy Adams in years. But if you’re Black and of a certain age, you probably remember when they were the “It” dress shoe. “Stacy Adams is a Black staple,” celebrity fashion stylist Avon Dorsey told me.
My dad, Frederick Waddell, was born in 1947 and grew up in the ’50s and ’60s in Gary, Indiana. Gary was occupied and owned by Black people. My dad says that many of the people he grew up around were college-educated, working-class people, and that many of the businesses he shopped at were Black-owned. Gary birthed stars like Los Angeles Laker Willie McCarter and Michael Jackson. “The Jackson Five participated in every Gary Roosevelt High School talent show — and won,” he says.
Snoop Dogg and Tupac at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996. Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage Lewis, who grew up in Richmond, Virginia, has fond memories of his own Stacy Adams shoes. He’s 41, so he was a child during the ’80s and ’90s era of colorful male dressing. But as someone who has always had a “heightened sense of style” — Lewis says he wore suits to elementary school — he gravitated toward them. Lewis’s elder-millennial childhood marks the final period of Stacy Adams shoes’ popularity.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Eric Adams and Andrew Cuomo’s Grim Vision for New York CityEric Adams and Andrew Cuomo’s vision of New York’s future is one that residents should be wary of, especially those they claim to want to rescue. zakcheneyrice writes
Read more »
20 Questions With Tayshia Adams - E! OnlineGet to know our third E! Shop Girl Summer guest editor!
Read more »
The Platform Pumps Olivia Rodrigo Wore to the White House Are Currently 50% OffHere's where to buy her exact shoes.
Read more »
Britney Spears Wants To Charge Her Dad With 'Conservatorship Abuse'In a huge win in her conservatorship battle, Britney Spears has been allowed to choose and retain her own lawyer.
Read more »
Here's how to wear boat shoes the right wayHave questions about boat shoes? Here are our best tips for wearing them the right way and some of our top picks.
Read more »