Where'd You Get Those?

Where'd You Get Those? examines New York City's sneaker culture from 1960-1987, documenting the rise of athletic footwear as fashion and cultural phenomenon. The book traces how basketball shoes transformed from basic athletic equipment into coveted style statements. Garcia combines archival research, interviews, and personal experience to chronicle the intersection of sports, style, and street culture in NYC neighborhoods. The text includes historical photographs, advertisements, and documentation of rare sneaker models that shaped the era. Through stories of stores, styles, and cultural figures, the book reconstructs how sneakers became central to youth identity and urban fashion during this transformative period. The narrative spans multiple boroughs and captures the evolution of sneaker collecting and trading. The book reveals how a seemingly niche interest in athletic footwear reflected broader shifts in American consumer culture, urban life, and the relationship between sports and style. It serves as both a historical document and cultural analysis of a pivotal era in street fashion.

Readers call this book a detailed documentation of New York City sneaker culture between 1960-1987. Many appreciate the first-hand accounts, vintage photos, and deep research into specific sneaker models and their cultural impact. Readers liked: - Rich historical context of how sneakers shaped NYC street fashion - Original advertisements and marketing materials - Personal stories from collectors and influencers Common criticisms: - Focus is limited to NYC scene, excluding other regions - Some readers wanted more photos - Price can be high for used copies Ratings: Goodreads: 4.47/5 (85 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (31 ratings) Multiple reviewers note the book helps authenticate vintage sneakers through detailed model histories. One collector wrote: "The level of detail about specific colorways and release dates is incredible." Another mentioned: "This isn't just about shoes - it documents an entire cultural movement through the lens of sneakers."

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🔸 Bobbito Garcia, also known as "DJ Cucumber Slice," was instrumental in popularizing street basketball culture in NYC and helped organize the famous street basketball tournament "Hoops in the Sun." 🔸 The book specifically focuses on New York City sneaker culture between 1960-1987, documenting an era before corporate sneaker marketing became mainstream. 🔸 The author personally photographed over 400 pairs of vintage sneakers for the book, many of which are now considered extremely rare collectibles. 🔸 Garcia conducted more than 50 interviews with influential figures in the early sneaker community, including playground legends, store owners, and brand designers. 🔸 The book's title comes from a common phrase used in NYC basketball courts and neighborhoods during the 1970s and '80s, when spotting someone wearing unique or hard-to-find sneakers.