The shoes still fit, but this teenager is getting rid of his prized collection
CBC
Aidan Callender, 19, started collecting shoes in high school, but he bought most of the 27 pairs of sneakers meticulously displayed on shelves in his bedroom when he got to university a year and a half ago.
"Sometimes I get made fun of for all the shoes I have," said Callender.
It's a luxury he admits most could not afford, especially during the pandemic, and since much of his $7,000 collection was financed through student loans and the bank of mom and dad, it's time to give it up, he said.
"This week I've decided that I'm going to part ways from probably all of them except for a few of my favourite pairs," Callender said.
Plus, his girlfriend has been vocal about her distaste of his frivolous spending.
"My partner is not very keen on me buying shoes," he said "I know in the long run, it's probably better just to save my money. Most of it should be going toward school."
Callender is in his second year at Western University, studying environmental studies.
"We've had our arguments about how many shoes I own. It's sometimes tough because I love my collection so much but I also know that I have to listen to her."
Reese Purdy insists her boyfriend doesn't need to sell his collection, but he should probably buy fewer shoes, "especially since he is a university student paying for school," she said.
"I certainly wouldn't be choosing to spend that much money on shoes," Purdy added.
Callendar has good memories of his collection.
"I started in high school. I think it was kind of a confidence thing," Callender said. "I found that wearing different clothes really helped me with my confidence because I was certainly not Mr. Popular. It helped me stand out in the crowd."
Callender's collection includes a custom-designed shoe from his mom, a couple of pairs from his girlfriend — which she gave him early in their relationship — and many he purchased himself, including Nike Jordans and Air Force 1s.
"I think the most expensive pair I've bought is probably $565 on a single pair. Mum's not impressed."
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