Ask Angie & All: Questions About Sneakers - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie & All: Questions About Sneakers

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Hi,

Please help me make a few decisions: I've decided that my sneakers collection wants considerably, so I need some advice on how to upgrade it a little.

#1 are my Nike Free's . Are these considered gear only, or can they be acceptable as casual non-gear as well?

#2 are my only Chucks. They are a bit worn, but not too bad IMHO, so I will wear them this season as well. I consider duplicating in optic white (#3). I don't own any white shoes at all.

This is about it, I don't have any other shoes in this category. I think another pair of sneakers would be nice, and I think they should be white. If I don't buy the Cons, what else could I consider?

Your thoughts and advice are appreciated. Thanks for reading!

ETA: I forgot to ask how much a pair of Chucks are in the US. I had a look at them here this afternoon, and they are quite expensive. So - how much are they?

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Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from Ingunn

Glory

Veteran

Not sure about the nikes - is the sole white? I love number 2 and enjoy the worn look alot. Love number 3 as a possible new purchase. Other options are the Joseph Siebel caspians that lots of the ladies here have. They are on my short list. They come in a dark grey, black and then a series of other colours.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Yes, white soles on the Nikes. I haven't seen the Joseph Siebels, will check them out. Thanks!

Astrid

Veteran

How about some colorful ones? I've been eyeing the Joseph Seibel Caspian sneakers with the cut-out detail. Angie recommended them (last year I think?) and I've tried them a while ago, they're very comfortable.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Josef-.....F8&qi
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Josef-....._2?ie=UTF8
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Josef-.....8&qid

ETA
Glory had the same idea!

T-Rex

Veteran

I think the Nike's are simple enough to work as casual gear.

I'm a fan of Converse All Stars, both low top and high top. And worn is good if your outfit is quite casual.

From my POV, Converse All Stars and Keds Champions are classics that you can count on to never go out of style. And they are both shoes that you can mix with dressier pieces pretty easily. If you are going to add two pairs to your sneaker wardrobe, I would go with one, go-with-anything solid. I would make the second pair funky and fun. And remember that you can always add some interest to your basic sneakers with fun laces, so think about getting a few extra pairs in fun colors and prints.

hedgiehog

Veteran

I love the Cons! I have the same pair as you. IMHO, the Nikes are gear shoes. I like the option of adding white into the mix and I second, or is that third? the Caspian sneakers. I recently ordered a pair in Navy but had to send them back because they were a little tight across the middle of my foot. They were really pretty and I would have loved adding them to my closet.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The Cons are GREAT - of course. They are very washable, actually. Throw the laces into bleach and sponge the rest with detergent. Tip top in no time.

I vote white cons sans the red stripe. More versatile.

You'll get those Nikes to work in a very fashionable outfit with just the right amount of sophistication. I have all the faith in the world that you can pull that off, Ingunn

I see no gaps so far! See how you go. If you REALLY get into the sneaker thing, we can talk about adding another pair. Perhaps a baby wedge.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, thank you for links and an interesting suggestion! I haven't seen those before. I will think about it, they are absolutely very pretty. I am primarily interested in a pair in white, though

T-Rex, thank you for chiming in. I know that loads of people here wear Nike Air Free as casual shoes, not gear only, but I'm in doubt. I wore them to a music festival last year - my teenager told me NOT to wear the Cons because that would make us too alike (I was taking her, as she was too young to go without a "chaperone"). I swear, we dressed this similar without knowing it, see photo! Normally I would prefer the Cons, and Keds are nice, too.

Hedgiehog, thank you for assessing the Caspians. Do you know how much a pair of classic white low tops are? $50?

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Sarah A

Veteran

I think with a change of shoelaces to something fun you might be able to pass the Nikes off as a more intentional look versus just gear. Lime green? Hot pink?

I like the blue Cons and think a bit worn in looks works for this type of shoe. I think somethign around $50 US is pretty standard for the Converse although they can be found on a sale around $25 or $30.

Vans, Tretorns, and KSwiss come to mind as other options for classic white canvas sneakers.

ETA: just saw the pic of you and DD. You both look lovely!

T-Rex

Veteran

Your daughter looks very much like you.

What is her shoe size? Have you thought about raiding her closet for sneakers? (Just kidding...mostly.)

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, Angie! This is very valuable. I'll look for the white Cons, and then a baby wedge would be very interesting, too. I do have an idea that includes those Nikes and a tuxedo shirt... But you will have to wait for that, I don't have the shirt yet.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oh! Your DD is gorgeous! Just like her Mama

Ingunn, I can't wait to see the outfit you have brewing with the Nikes!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Haha, T-Rex, I have threee daughters, and all their Cons fit me But they wear those themselves so much, so not too popular if I take them, too. And they are not excactly in pristine condition most of the time.

Sarah, thanks for other ideas for white sneakers. I will look into that. I think I prefer the Nikes with white laces, but it is a fun idea for the right outfit.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, Angie and Sarah! I still can't get over that we did dress up as twins that day, but had no intention of doing so

Angie, I promise to show you when it's ready

Sarah A

Veteran

White would be be great to add some contrast, or I saw some very light gray metallic silver laces at the store the other day I almost got to try to pep up one of my gear shoes for fashion-y wear....

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Silver sounds great! I second that.

Anonymous

I find Cons for around $30. DSW and 6pm online have them. Even Target has their One Star Converse that look very much like All Stars and seem to hold up just as well. These are in the $20 range and can be on sale for less.

I got some Born metallic sneakers that are fun. I'd also like a good leopard print.

Liz A.

Veteran

I was coming by to recommend kswiss and vans like Sarah, but then I saw your question about the price. I went on Zappos, and I could not believe my eyes! They are all $50+! Now I feel old, because I thought for sure they were like $25.

hedgiehog

Veteran

Ingunn, yes, the Converse are about $50. Sometimes they go on sale and you can find them cheaper than that online. Another option would be Vans. They are a casula sneaker that are more tapered in the front as opposed to the rounded to of the Converse. I just bought my 11 yo DD two pair this past weekend. One pair was $40 and the other was on sale for $20.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh well, I think $50 is quite reasonable. In Norway, they cost $120. I'm not kidding. This is of course due to the fact that they are imported, and they are also very trendy.

hedgiehog

Veteran

Wow! Pricey! If you decide you want them, let me know and I can order them and send to you. That will save you tons of money.

Tanya

Veteran

If I were to get any white sneakers, it would definitely be Converse. Oh course, I might be subjective as I have just gotten a pair of white ones with the baby wedge, and I love them. I actually found them more comfortable then classic flat ones, but my feet are usually not happy in very flat shoes.
Full price they are about $50 in the US. I know that everything in Norway is much more expensive. If you would like, I wouldn't mind purchasing them here and sending them over to you.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, thank you, Hedgiehog and Tanya! That is a very good idea:)

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Angie mentioned white Cons sans the red stripe. I don't think I've seen those recently, are they available online?

Astrid

Veteran

There are some all white leather ones available:

http://www.amazon.de/Converse-.....8&

More expensive than the canvas models though.

ETA
There's also a canvas pair without the stripe:
http://www.converse.com/#/prod.....cell/1Q698

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, yes, they are nice! But a little more pricey. I would like ones in canvas, I think, and I'm ok with the red stripe.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, you are my hero! Thank you for making such effort These are also very nice, actually, a slightly different design.