“Shoes that say you are Serious about Arch Support, but Still Able to Stay up Past Ten”

By Iman Behbehani

“Court Classics.” A pair of thrifted white sneakers perfect for my new favorite look: girl who plays tennis. But they’re not just shoes. Court Classics have a story behind them, and a sizable fanbase.

Kirkland Court Classics, abbreviated by fans as “KCCs,” are sold at Costco for $15. The shoe became extremely popular for the low price and good quality.

KCCs have now been discontinued, but retain their following. They are sold out everywhere online, with glowing product reviews, blog posts, and facebook groups all dedicated to them.

Court Classics are not just shoes. They are a passage into a group of people with killer arch support (an arch support group). This all-caps 2013 review shows us the passion of KCC wearers:

“YOU'LL NOTICE AS YOU WALK DOWN THE STREET IN DAY TO DAY LIFE, MANY OTHER MEN HAVE ALSO DECIDED TO PROUDLY STATE, ‘I'M A COURT CLASSIC MAN.’ (...) YOU'RE WEARING THE SHOE THAT SAYS: I'M SERIOUS ABOUT ARCH SUPPORT, BUT STILL ABLE TO STAY UP PAST 10 O'CLOCK.”

On Facebook, we find the Costco Kirkland Court Classics Enthusiast Group, or “C.K.C.C.E.G.” for short. Most of the recent points express turmoil about the shoe’s discontinuation.

The page is a mix of satirical and genuine shoe praise. And, surprisingly, they were really funny. Not in a “haha, look at these people on facebook” way, but in a “wow, maybe people over 40 are real” way.

My K.C.C.’s are unfortunately reaching the end of their life. They are great, but really not very structurally sound. But they made me laugh, which shoes do not usually do.

In American consumerism, I think we often lose sight of the people and stories behind what we buy. Your favorite top is probably someone else’s favorite top, too. You own clothes that other people dance in, cry in, make love in. They symbolize our shared identities. Without my KCC’s, how else would you know that I am serious about arch support, but still able to stay up past ten?

Cover photo via Pinterest

Article photos from Amazon and Facebook, with names removed for privacy