I grew up wearing chuck taylors because at the time they were $14 a pair and I had 5 brothers so my parents didn't want to drop $250-$500 every summer when they bought us new shoes. I always got a blue pair. (navy, powder, cobalt). Now they cost $45-$64 and that doesn't make any sense. It wasn't gradual change either it was like 2003 they became $35 then the next year they spiked up to $50+. They are just cloth very cheaply made by highly skilled chinese babies!
Stupid trend making them expensive.
FYI: The flaw in those shoes is if you do a lot of physical activity they really offer no support and ***** up your feet. I know many people who get blisters frequently who wear these all the time. They refuse to believe it's their beloved chucks.
Now I wear 5.11 Tactical boots which are very expensive ($139 or more) but are a tax write off for me. More specifically these bad boys [http://www.511tactical.com/browse/Home/Law-Enforcement/Boots/Non-Safety-Toe/Speed-8-Boot/D/30100/P/1:100:10000:10700:10707/I/12115] (sorry it's flash couldn't link a pic)
When off duty I tend to wear New Balance for running shoes and Vans for everyday.
