Yellows
Not every interest from your youth survives the journey to maturity. From fashion to music—some things are best left on the battlefield. Other things continue to feel current and timeless no matter when you revisit.
My earliest personal memory of the Timberland 6” wheat boot is around 1993. I remember a conversation between 2 older kids with one scolding the other for wearing the “no padding” basic boot version.
“Come on son! No padding? That’s wack!”
I quickly realized that what seemed to be a subtle difference to the uninformed was an unforgivable half step. Half in the way that if you made the effort to purchase a pair of “Timbs” but didn’t know enough to choose the appropriate version, you should have just stayed away. It made you worse off.
For me, the meaning behind wearing the 10061 has varied over the years but the root of it was having “cool” footwear that could be worn (and beat to death) everyday without the adolescent stigma of not having multiple kicks on deck. It was a sign of being above the sneaker rat race.
Growing up on hip-hop music and culture had a tremendous influence on what I wore as a teen. As normal as wearing a pair of boots designed for construction work might be today, reappropriation of “work wear” was still new. My dad was a foreman in an excavation company and actually worked in what I was attempting to apply to my lifestyle. An alien concept to most—especially Pop who wished he didn’t have to work a back breaking job that required such attire. He couldn’t say anything to the kid who was entranced by the sounds of Black Moon and their Brooklyn boot-wearing cohorts. Buck Em’ Down.
Nearly 20 years after overhearing the “padding” argument, I’m still a faithful wearer of the most classic boot design ever. It’s still rooted in being above the sneaker rat race and not fully accepting the fashion parameters set by my industry. Do I indulge? Yes. Am I known for sneakers? Yes – even more the reason to rock a fresh pair of “yellows” on a regular basis.
My name is @FrankTheButcher and I rock #Timbs
Photo by: Evan Tetreault




















































