“All the greats leave their mark,” said the Wet Bandits in the 1990 film Alone at home.
The two thieves didn’t know what marks they would leave the McCallister house with — or what mark their iconic characters would leave on the holiday movie world.
As a result, The Wet Bandits and Kevin McCallister’s attempt to beat them were commemorated by Adidas with near-replicas of Kevin’s on-screen kicks – which were, in fact, a pair of Three Stripes. Synthetic burn marks, stitching and carpet tufts literally put the wearer in McCallister’s shoes, while film-inspired packaging details the protagonist’s home defense plan.
TIMELESS
As a fan of the shoes and the movie, I was looking forward to trying them on Alone at home sneakers. Unboxing the shoes was really like opening a Christmas present: as they arrived in Adidas’ classic blue box, the wrapper was wrapped in paper detailing Kevin’s defense plan. A note, “handwritten” by the protagonist, finished the wrapper, saying “Merry Christmas, filthy animal!”
Filled with Alone at home references, the Forum Lows are sure to please even hardcore fans of the film, without overdoing it. Featuring a cream base and red accents, the shoes commemorate Kevin’s own forums in the film, while scorch marks near the front of the trainers hint at his fiery feud with Wet Bandits Harry and Marv – which thankfully didn’t “burn the joint”, as McCallister puts it.
A set of three graphic soles offer a better look at the Thieves’ adventure, with photos of Harry and Marv caught in Kevin’s shaving cream and TV trickery traps. Removable dubraes further help wearers customize their Alone at home kicks, taking the form of irons, maintenance vans, fire extinguishers, fans, broken ornaments and paint cans. Co-branded chenille tongue tags, along with hits of white corduroy, nod to Kevin’s winter outfits throughout the film while a hidden note in the Forum’s signature strap s opens to reveal McCallister’s quote, “This is my home, I must defend it.”
On the heel, tiny metallic “M†charms — which technically represent McCallister, but also happen to be my first initial — complete the design. As you walk, the color of the red charms changes in the light, much like an ornament glowing under the lights of a Christmas tree.
HOME (ALONE) IS WHERE THE HEART IS
To style my hair properly Alone at home kicks, I took a hint from McCallister’s ’90s look and paired the sneakers with a set of corduroy pants, matching the shoe’s chenille tongue tags. Channeling Kevin’s signature red sweater, I opted for a red puffer jacket, coordinating the color with the red detailing on the sneakers.
Having already worn and loved the classic Adidas Forum model, I knew the Alone at home the iteration would give me the same comfortable feeling: as a sneaker originally designed for basketball, the Forum features a plush insole, a grippy outsole and a secure ankle strap to hooks and loops. Still, I didn’t expect to like the themed version of the shoe any more than the original – who knew a few design tweaks might make the retro sneaker even better?
Amid a market for over-the-top holiday designs, Adidas’ Alone at home Forum Lows keep things minimal, meaning kicks can be worn no matter the season. It’s only on closer inspection that people can see the commemorative details – and with Adidas focusing on durability, it’s only right that the shoes stand up to years of wear and changing trends. The explosive popularity of the 1984 Forum model proves that the silhouette is as classic as the beloved holiday flick and, likewise, will never go out of fashion.
However, they may be out of stock. Only a few pairs of Alone at home Forum Lows persists at retailers like Sports fields, Selfridges, TO FINISH, and hibett. At just $110, the sneakers are only $20 more than Adidas’ original Forum Low – except they come with special-edition wrapping paper, lace linings and extra insoles and that ‘they’re still minimal enough to wear every day. You will never get bored of Alone at home The Forum Low shoes, as we never tire of hearing “Merry Christmas, filthy beasts”.