Sperry topsiders - YouLookFab Forum

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Sperry topsiders

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Angie's forum post about the prevalence of sneakers at retail got me thinking. I have three pairs of non-workout sneakers -- black and white patterned, burgundy color block, and a black-and-grey pair. Plus three old pairs of slip-on sneakers (silver, mint green, and snake print).

Loosely in that category, I have a pair of rose gold Sperry topsiders from about 4 or so years ago that I still like, but I haven't worn them because I worry they seem either too preppy or too far out of trend. I'm conflicted, because I do still like how they look on my feet, but I don't see anyone else wearing them.

Should I keep wearing them in defiance of trend? Or do they seem too preppy for my style? Should I look for a pair of lace-up rose gold sneakers instead? I love rose gold footwear in the summer.

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'Vanguard' Sneaker (Women)

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'Roshe Run' Sneaker (Women)

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General

32 replies

Latest reply was from Runcarla

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

The Sperry's do not seem to fit your style, but I think they are on-trend because of the rose-gold color. The Roshe Run's are super cute!

rachylou

Veteran

You should take them out for a spin!

Liz

Veteran

Why not wear them for a day and see how you feel in them?

Joy

Veteran

I agree that rose gold footwear is super for summer and would wear these. The metallic keeps them from looking preppy to me and they are much like the slip on sneakers that are trendy.

Anonymous

They've always struck me as a region-specific shoe. Or at the very least, an American look. They are so rarely worn here (even 20-30 years ago) that when I do see them, they strike me as super-preppy and decidedly not current. But......that's here. In your area of the US, it's probably a completely different thing !

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well, I do live 10 minutes from the sailing capital of the US!

Heh, I don't see many people wearing them here, even so. I do think the color helps offset the preppy vibe, but I don't mind a *hint* of preppy, as long as it's very subtle. I have worn these with cutoffs or rolled jeans and a tee. And they are nicely worn and not so precious looking, which helps the casual vibe.

Hmm. I hope Angie weighs in.

Sal

Veteran

I can see that sneakers might be slightly more versatile, and slightly more your style. However I really like these and totally like a juxtaposition of styles. And I think if you bought the sneakers these would not get worn much this season or at all....

jill58

Veteran

I think if you like them, you should wear them, particularly as you described, with cutoffs or rolled jeans and a tee. Actually, I think that might look great.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WEAR THEM, with a rose gold clutch.

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Bow Metallic Clutch

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rebekahphoto

Veteran

I love metallic shoes & I would vote wear them! Its a little prep, but in a good way
I just ordered metallic Pumas--you might like the Rose Gold ones if you are looking...pretty comfy for an average foot. I need to exchange them as I found them running about 1/2 size large

PUMA Women's Basket Classic Citi Metallic Wn's Fashion Sneaker

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Karie

(website)

Veteran

I like them, but then I love Sperry's and I love the preppy look. Current and trendy or not, I'd wear them for sure.

Anonymous

Agree with Angie and I love them. That rose gold is great! I also am not exactly preppy but have and wear Sperry topsiders in several colors. The black, turquoise and red tennis shoes are pretty fab too.

Anonymous

I think in rose gold, they qualify as decidely anti-prep.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Sweet! I like them so I'm happy to get some validation.

And I even have a rose gold clutch/crossbody, Angie!

Gail

Veteran

I like them ,in fact my daughter had a pair that hurt her feet that I inherited and wear ! I wear with cropped jeans and T-shirts.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Rebekah, I love those Pumas! I am almost tempted to order but I'm in between two available sizes and I'm not so sure I should size down since I'm wanting a bit more room in my shoes these days.

Or maybe I should just wear my Sperrys and have those serve as my rose gold shoes.

viva

Veteran

Janet, I like the idea of you wearing them with an edgy jacket and carrying a rose gold clutch. Feels mildly subversive.

For me, they are too literal a throwback to my preppy youth, and also, they were my daughters' high school shoe of choice. Just cannot.

RobinF

Veteran

Ha, I remember when these were THE shoe back when I was in college. These days aren't they pretty timeless? I definitely agree that the color takes away the preppiness of them.

Anonymous

This style in general has a preppy vibe, but the rose gold is fetching, and I think changes the look somewhat. I don't have any rose gold, but am definitely open if I stumble across it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, when I was in high school (even junior high), the classic brown Sperry's were THE look for a certain set in our school. We had a very strong preppy contingent in our suburbs back then. Pink and green outfits, those handbags with the wooden handles for which you could switch out the bags, headbands, popped collars, Polo logo shirts, wide-wale corduroys... I was *not* into it. I had a couple of items that fit into the preppy mold (a fair isle sweater, and the ubiquitous Topsiders), but even back then, I would style a preppy item with other stuff to tame down the preppiness.

Eliza

Veteran

I get the concern, yet your ability to style them may make an outfit work, without amping up the prep. The color is fun and you could experiment a bit. If you wind up liking the casual rose gold, your hunt for the sneakers may be worthwhile. You have me thinking about rose gold shoes as a summer option and counterpoint to my light neutrals. (I need boat shoes, but the slip-on Sperry's have never worked as they fall off the heel; always annoying, but unacceptable on the water. Allows me to skip the preppy question by wearing sneaker styles.)

JAileen

Veteran

They don't seem like you at all. The color helps, but maybe not enough. To me, if you're not on a boat, then it seems costumey. But that could be because I live in a desert.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Interesting to realize that these are more of a regional norm than I thought!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

This also has me pondering how some of my footwear preferences seem to defy or play into regional norms. I have four pairs of cowboy boots, and I only spend two months out of the year in Texas! And I feel like more of a poseur wearing them there than I do at home. At home I feel like they are just sort of boho-rock-ish, but I like that they are a nod to the cattle-ranching part of our lives. I guess the Topsiders don't strike me as costumey because it's a nod to my Chesapeake bay upbringing.

Sara L.

Veteran

I love them, but will admit I don't really get the preppy issue. It's not a thing around here.

Sheila

Veteran

DD has eight pairs of Sperry's. Six are topsiders, one pair of gum boots and one pair of winter boots with fur ( look like the gum boots ).

She has navy, pink, tan, coral, brown and a two tone blue.

I love the rose gold - it is trendy. I don't know why -but I see you as a "boots" girl ! But I know you could style these well.

I take the same size as her but I find they are a bit flat. They stretch a lot and are great for walking in water, wading and boating in general as they do not leave sole marks.

She only wears sneakers to the gym and has bright pair of topsiders.

MsMary

Veteran

If you wore my size I would have you ship those Topsiders to me! I had a pair in pewter that I wore until they fell apart! The rose gold is stunning!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

With Sara in not "getting" the preppy thing. Not in our country at all. Last time it was mentioned on the forum I spent ages Googling it. All I think is, they're lovely shoes of a great colour and they look comfy so wear them!

Liz

Veteran

Interesting regional take on the shoes. I do have one pair of boat shoes, and in my mind they are so associated with an East Coast boat / New England / preppy culture that I have a hard time feeling comfortable wearing them.

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