As I mentioned in a recent Spring footwear report, slip-on sneakers are very much on trend. They’re like a more casual and sporty version of a loafer or laceless flat oxford. They work well with orthotic inserts or an additional cushioning insole, so they can be extra kind to your feet.
Slip-on sneakers are available in leather, pleather or canvas. Solid or patterned. Studded, textured, metallic or smooth. Most of the toe-boxes are round, but some have a pointy toe and the occasional metal toe cap. The soles are usually a little chunky and a shade of white, but styles with black soles do exist. Slip-on sneakers are also available with platform heels, much like the flatforms some of us wore back in the ‘90s.
I love the way slip-on sneakers have been styled in the outfits below, all sans socks. They are excellent with boyfriend jeans, especially with styles that are cropped a little shorter. They look great with slouchy cargo pocket pants and khakis that are rolled at the hem. I love them with shorts, skinnies and straight legs. They also look super cute with a shorter skirt.
Slip-on sneakers can look stumpy and dumpy because they are flat and high vamped. Yet there are ways to create a longer leg line with the style:
- Create a low contrast between your skin tone and the sneaker when sporting them with bare legs.
- Wear them in a colour that is low contrast, or self-colour, to regular length skinnies and tapered trousers.
- Shorten the hemline of skirts and dresses.
- Wear them with a column of colour.
- Partially tuck your top to create structure.
- Or just wear them, and don’t be overly concerned with the effect they have on your leg line.
The examples here are all high-end, but slip-on sneakers like Vans are available at a fraction of the price and do a great job of creating the look.
I like the slip-on sneaker, and want to add one to my wardrobe for Summer. They look wonderfully crisp, simple, comfortable and practical. No laces and no fuss. Plus I adore the big white sole. I’m not yet sure about the colour, but I’m thinking along the lines of white, a pastel, a metallic, or possibly a pattern in black and white. I’ll also be encouraging my clients who lead a casual lifestyle to explore the trend. They are a great option for Mums on the go, or for travelling, or any situation where you need to throw them on at the speed of light. Plus they can create an interesting juxtaposition when worn with dressier outfit pieces.
Over to you. What do you think of slip-on sneakers? Will you be wearing them?
