Shoes. They’re a common staple in most people’s wardrobes – after all, no shoes, no shirt, no service.

But is there more to it than that? Coming in all different shapes, colors and heights, how can shoes not be a critical determining point for who we are as people? Unlike some fashion trends, shoes are one fashionable selection that can be seen on both men and women, boys and girls, toddlers and infants – even vegan shoes have certain fashions. Spotted were some students around campus displaying different looks from their wardrobes – and it was far from ordinary.

photos by Jacob Rader

Vegan and art sophomore Amy Lustro went green in more ways than one about eight months ago – something very in this spring – with her green combat boot inspired vegan shoes, made with a faux leather called vegetan. She found them on a Web site, www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk, for a pricey $200.

“”I do love shoes,”” Lustro said. “”I’d probably spend $300 if they were really sweet.””

Poetry graduate student Joseph Mains would pay up to $2,000 on a pair of kicks if his wallet allowed it.

Also wearing a dark-wash jean with gold trim and sky-blue V-neck tee, Mains was seen walking the concrete runway wearing his Nordstrom brand $225 Chelsea boots in black leather.

“”I like the Chelsea boot thing because of The Strokes,”” Mains said.

“”Also, I think my students take me more seriously when I have fancier schmancier shoes on.””

“”Geek-tronic.”” That’s the description art sophomore and vegetarian Zac Finger gave for his personal style.

“”I feel like it incorporates colorful things with technology and uniqueness,”” Finger said.

Finger got his transparent converse at Journey’s for around $50. The downside of the transparent trend: they get sweaty.

“”I like them because they can be any color shoes based on what sock you wear,”” Finger said.

“”I’m really influenced by Janis Joplin and David Bowie rolled into one,”” said creative writing sophomore Cathy McCarthy.

McCarthy, who is also a sales associate at ZoÇ Boutique on North Fourth Avenue, branched outside of her employee discount and got her metallic gold tie-up gladiator sandals more than three years ago at Urban Outfitters for $28.

“”I wear them a lot,”” McCarthy said.

McCarthy described herself as having “”a really big ’70s influence, but I like to maintain a beachy vibe too.””

“”Gladiator sandals are really big this spring,”” McCarthy said.