Very much in need of help choosing sneakers - YouLookFab Forum

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Very much in need of help choosing sneakers

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

As you all know I'll be going to my guide dog school next month to train with a new dog (sniff, sniff )! The three weeks of training involve a lot of walking around, and I'll need to keep up that regime when I come home with my new partner. Obviously boots and ballet flats will see much service, but the school is pretty much insisting we have a pair of good sneakers too, which certainly makes sense. Plus I'm going to the gym more and my old pair need replacing.

From what I've seen, the prevailing wisdom on sneakers seems to be converse, correct? If that's the case, I could definitely use recommendations as to styles and colours that I could confidently pair with any casual outfit. Flexibility will be the key for me here; I want something that is truly versatile while still looking good.

I found a store in Toronto that seems to carry a wide assortment of Converse as well as Frye boots and other yummy brands. Here's a link to their online Converse selection, if this helps:
http://www.getoutsideshoes.com.....hichpage=1

If you have other brand or style recommendations, then by all means speak up.

Thanks in advance!

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Michelle

Debbie

I don't know if you have fussy feet like me, Michelle but Converse work well for me. I can put an orthotic in them and a thin insole over the hard orthotic and they are good for a long time of walking.

Angie adds an inexpensive insole( that I think is found in most drugstores) to her shoes and cuts them down one size. I think that is a good tip.

You may find Converse to be cushiony enough on their own though--without extra insoles.

somebody help me out here but i think you order one size down with Converse ---or is it a half size down?

Gray is a versatile color but I could see you in lots of the fun solid colors they come in! I have grass green, gray, navy and brown.

Chris

I stick with my true size in Converse but put an insole in them (they are comfy without but not much arch support).

You have so many options. If this is your first pair of Cons then I suggest a classic low top in blue or gray.

I have the low top in leather and it is sleek and a fun change from the canvas.

marianna

Veteran

I think converse would be great for casual wear and I'm sure the girls here will give you tons of tips, but for the gym you need more of an athletic sneaker with more support. I'd probably get a converse and a separate athletic shoe for the gym so your feet stay happy!

marianna

Veteran

Also, while on this thread, I want to ask a quick question: What do we think of colored converse? I bought some purple ones years back and have never worn them. Are purple converse tacky or can I keep them?

Debbie

well MC, Angie helped me buy a pair of grass/apple green low top Converse and I am 50. and I think she said purple would be cute in my wardrobe too.

Hope that helps! Green is one of my better colors so it goes well in my wardrobel

I say keep the purple!

What does Angie say?

Chris

Sorry - I went right to the Converse and skipped the gym shoe part. I agree that Cons are not good for gym wear. You may need two pairs!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I agree with the other ladies- Cons are great for casual wear, but you need something else for serious fitness- I like running shoes for the gym because they have good arch support. I have navy blue Converse low tops, and they are great because when I wear them with a dark wash jean they just blend right in and elongate my legline. That's something to think about Michelle- do you want them to blend in, or stick out for a "pop" of color?

Anonymous

You have gotten great advice. I wear a 7.5 or 8 medium width in most shoes and take an 8 in Converse low tops, to which I add an inexpensive Dr. Scholl's cushy insole. The grey color is very easy to wear with everything.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Yep, I like all the advice here so far!

If you need running shoes, I highly recommend going to a running store and letting them watch the way you walk/run and selecting the right shoe for you. I have never been steered wrong.

As for colored Cons, heck yes, go for it! I think Angie has some great colors herself -- even a yellow, I think? I have greys and will probably pick up reds this fall.

Ele

(website)

Michelle, I agree with KristenKP about the running store. Not sure what you'll be doing in the way of working out, but good shoes are so important. Runner's World is great for fitting shoes- there's one north on Yonge and others in the city as well (though I can't think where right now).

I love the look of Cons but they've never worked for me- too narrow. It really depends on the shape of your foot, but going to try them on is really important, I think. People can be really divided on them- either they love them or find them super uncomfortable. Strangely, I've always had good luck with "fake" Cons- ie. shoes that look exactly like them or are in that style, but not Converse branded.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ele, are your feet wider than a WW? I have clients in WW shoes who can wear Converse no problem.

Michelle, what will happen to McClure?

Okay, back to shoes. If you’re engaging in sport at the guide dog convention, you need pukka running shoes, like you would at the gym or if you power walk/run. If it’s a more social type of walking, like walking around the city up and down hills with your dogs like I do, Converse, boots and ballet flats are fab. Remember to put a cushioning insole into your Converse. It's heavenly.

Marianna, I have yellow, tomato red, black and grey basic retro Chucks. I shall be wearing them till I’m 100.

Ele

(website)

Angie, what's a WW? LOL, obviously something denoting very wide feet, but I I have no idea!

My feet probably aren't that wide- they don't look wide, at least. I just tend to be sensitive to width in shoes, and I find Converse rub the sides of my little toes too much for me to be truly comfy in them. I could always size up, but then I've got all this room at the front and I feel it looks silly

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, all, for the advice. It makes sense and I will follow it. I have proper running shoes at the moment which I use for the gym, but I'll replace them eventually. Converse will be for the walking I'll do at the school, which pretty much just involves walking different routes in Morristown, NYC and areas in between.
Angie, what colour do you suggest for a pair of cons for me? Low-tops are best, I take it?
And to answer your question about McClure, he's going to live with my parents, who have retired to a huge rural property about an hour out of Toronto and have been counting down until he comes to live with them!! It's the ideal setup; he'll have tons of space to run around and be a silly puppy, he'll be in the best possible hands with people he knows and loves, and I'll still get to see him!

Elle, good memory!! If you're thinking of the Running Room on Yonge, I'm walking distance from there and intended to go there when I replace the real gear shoes.

Ele

(website)

Ha, clearly my memory isn't that good, as I just got my running mag confused with my old running store I think I need to go to sleep now!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Elle,Hahaha! An easy reversal to make! Looks like we may have been neighbours when you lived here though, I always lived in that general area!

Kyle

Veteran

I just saw and bought these for my son (yes, they are technically women's) at Nordstrom today. I think they are hot and plan to borrow them. The multi-eyelet grommets and different laces give it a bit of an edgy twist. Love -- plus they are on sale!

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....rchresults

Ele

(website)

Actually, Michelle, I used to live downtown mainly. First year I was in res (I went to Ryerson), second year in a shared house in Little Italy (which I loved), and then I moved closer to campus, again. My best friend and I lived in the Church-Wellesley village for two years in a fantastic apartment- we loved it because it was so close to school (when you walk home from the lab at 4 am that's important) and it was a really safe, fun area.

I am probably a West Queen West girl at heart, though- my boyfriend and I like the area around Trinity-Bellwoods and often think of living there if we move back.

There are a lot of great neighbourhoods north on Yonge, though. I have some cousins there and in general really like it. It's a great place to "escape" from downtown to, but there's still good shopping, food, etc. Also, I seem to remember a delicious cupcake shop somewhere up there?

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Ah Elle, the Cupcake Shoppe is less than a block from where I live! The smell as you walk by is enough to drive you wild until you remember the prices they charge.
I'm a Ryerson girl too, went to grad school there for journalism. The church/welsley area is entirely too much fun! I don't know the Trinity Bellwoods area that well, but have heard consistent raves.