Thanks, all! This is helpful. Even just taking the photos was helpful. I figured the Fishers were a slam dunk with bootcut (or skinnies), but wondered if they looked ok with shorts. I'm always a little aware of how pale I am, and wondered if the high contrast with a solid black chunky sneaker was too much. The photos and your feedback helped me see the effect is not as I feared. I love the sole on the Fishers.

Will report back after I get the Linea Paolo's to compare those two. I'll also have to do a little around-the-house wear test to assess comfort.

Oh! One odd thing. The Fishers have some sort of blue stain on the front white part -- I'm not sure what's up with that, but I'm going to try a Magic Eraser to see if that comes off. See it in the close up photos?

Late to this, but I adore the Fishers. ADORE. The Linea Paolo's could be great too. Please post them when they arrive! Hard pass on the other two pairs. I don't think they're sophisticated or crisp enough. Funny sidenote: my ten-year-old picked out those exact black Vans as her back-to-school shoes. I do love them on her!

I really like the Marc fishers! They’re the perfect mix of cool and sophisticated. That little stripe detailing on the sole is wonderful.

I also like the Vans (they’re a classic imo) but they’re def more of a casual look. Not a fan of the shape of the adidas myself.

I can see the blue mark. Try oxy-clean.

My favs are the Vans. The white laces and the white stripe breaks up all the black, and it looks better to me.

I see the stain. Did it come off?

Question. Is there any risk of falling due to the built up sole?

I took a magic eraser to the blue stain, and it lessened but did not come off completely. I don’t have any Oxy Clean but I’ll try another method. It’s weird, there is blue stain around the bottom of the sole on the back too. I can’t figure out what caused it. I think it will come out enough so as not to be noticeable.

Sterling, I don’t anticipate any more falling hazard in these than I do in flatform sandals which I wear all the time. They’re not so high at all.