The passage describes two young men dressed in khaki pants that are notably baggy, extending beyond their sneakers. The sneakers, specifically Nike Cortez, are emphasized as brand new, suggesting a certain status or trendiness associated with them.
This vivid imagery critiques consumer culture and the consequences of globalization, hinting that the pristine condition of the shoes cannot hide the exploitative labor practices behind their production. The metaphor comparing the shoe to a conch shell highlights the disconnection between the consumer experience and the reality of labor exploitation.