Style lab high tops - YouLookFab Forum

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Style lab high tops

kkards

Veteran

I linked this to Angie’s fab finds of the week because this style lab features the high op version of the converse sneakers

Thus arrived Wednesday, and I tried them on with what I wore that day, and did not love. But I wasn’t sure if it was the jeans, me or both. so here’s a sample of other style jeans, and the Wednesday outfit with the high tops and for contrast how I wore it irl
I’ve been thinking about high tops as a transition shoe. In my mind high tops would work as the spring alternative to a higher shaft bootie. But in reality I’m not sure. I like them with the BF style jeans #1,2, 5& Really dislike them with the wide flares #8. And I’m completely unsure about
# 3, 4. I think #8 pales in comparison to the same outfit with the boots, so I’m inclined to not wear them with those jeans.

So, talk to me about what you see, what you think. Do you wear high tops, how do you style them? Any advice? General thoughts?

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

Bijou

Veteran

I agree with you, #9 is just superb and classic KKards style - gorgeous jeans and boots, #8 cannot compete.

I have platform sneakers and enjoy wearing them with summery clothing, lots of white and brights. I wear mine with light wash jeans and items with white in it as shown in finds. I think there is a place for these hi-tops in your wardrobe, but you need a lighter support act.

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CarolS

Veteran

I always think high tops look great on others but haven't figured out how to be comfortable with them myself, so I can empathize with your uncertainty.

I love them as you've shown with the BF jeans and the white/cream jeans. I also think 3&4 work. I think the only one that really doesn't seem to work at all is #7 with the super wide legs. Even #8, which definitely looks more polished with boots, could work with the high tops depending on the look you were aiming to create.

Star

Veteran

I echo the observations of CarolS.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Personally, I am a HUGE Converse hi-tops wearer! They are a wardrobe essential for my style in leather, white and blush. I wear them with almost anything - dresses and skirts too. I have a sugar eye for the look, I guess

Sooooooo, I love them on you, kkards! I think #8 looks as fab as #7. Try your white belt with the look. With #3, #7 and #4 too. Although, I like them sans belt too.

#1 and #2 are my least favourite. The belt is not the best match. Needs a sporty or preppy touch.

#5 and #6 would look great with a webbing belt. Bring out your East Coast Prep side

Synne

Veteran

(Loving how adventurous you always are in your style!)

My WOW moment and favourite here with the hi tops are #3 and #4. Are they the same outfit? I think you nailed it here! Very classic modern.

I'm not a fan of #1 and #2. To me it looks unintentionally "dad core" if you know what I mean? The sweatshirt, white sneakers and the contrasting belt. Could be a look, but I don't think this is what you where going for(?).

The boots outfits are excellent ofcourse. As always! You have the best shoes!

JAileen

Veteran

I agree with Angie - I think shoes and belts should match or relate to each other. Re these shoes, I think shorter pants work better. The flares don’t, in my mind. But I’m no expert! I really love the boots in #9!

kellygirl

Veteran

I think these look terrific. I'm actually surprised at how much I like them given my problems styling high top sneakers. My experience is that it has to look intentional. I've had luck styling with dresses but haven't really enjoyed the look with pants or jeans--except boot cuts. For me, if it's not boot weather, it's time to break out the sandals or wear a low top sneaker because it's already warm enough. I do think adding a sporty belt to the jeans is all you need to finish the looks. They're awesome. I would like to try the low top version of these!

kkards

Veteran

Angie great call on the belts. And lol on the webbed belt. Pulled out my old one, but I think I’ll need to invest in a new one. Wondering if I can find one with whales like I had back in high school!

Kellygirl, definitely give these a try in the low top. They are really comfortable and if I don’t end up keeping the high tops I will probably order the low tops in white

going to continue to think about these

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rachylou

Veteran

These all look great - I just think 3/4 is a style that says untrue things about you…

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The only one I don't really like is with the wide flares - and that might be a pants length problem as much as anything. I do particularly like them with #3 and #4. That said, high tops are exactly the sort of item I like on others but have a hard time appreciating on myself.

Joy

Veteran

I agree with CarolSs observations. I do not have or wear high tops as I bat for team dressy and prefer booties or flats. High tops make my big feet look ginormous and are a bear to put on and take off often, because of having to do laces. A zipper might work.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I just figured out the sticking point for me with these. It isn’t the high tops, which you mention in the title—it’s the platform! The high shafts fill the distance between pant leg & foot/floor, but the platform makes the floor further away. In a related story, my “floods” phobia still hasn’t receded.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Honestly, I think these look great. Modern. Cool. I don’t see a problem. I like them all, even and especially with the long flares. They have a platform and I always like a platform with flares.

The only version that gave me pause was 3/4, but I think it works too.

Boots are just a different look. More classic.

Sal

Veteran

I like them - I agree a touch of lightness elsewhere will help balance them out.

But you have to like them - that's the main thing!!

I used to have a pair and wore them a lot. I passed them on about three years ago and do miss them. I would replace but need leather or vinyl rather than canvas for our climate here. I would wear them in winter and our winters are wet rather than cold.

I used to wear them with leggings or skinny jeans or boyfriend jeans at the time.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I think you just radiate "Cool" with a capital C in these high-tops! I do see where you are with #3-4, and #8.

I think in the case of #8, it's that it's a little pedestrian. The "Cool" factor just isn't there - but swapping your top or adding a slightly oversized menswear-type blazer could bring it back for the jeans + sneakers pairing.

For #3-4 - and this is me projecting my own Mary Beth-ness - it's the contrast. I have low-volume feet and skinny ankles, and I would feel that the contrast between the light shoes and dark pants, and the pants-length, would really highlight my feet in a way that makes me feel a bit self-conscious.

All the other lewks (1, 2, 5, 6, 7) are so good, but photo #7 really speaks to me. You have this cool tech sort of look. Like you breeze into your office at Google, throw your leather jacket and bag on your assistant's desk, and storm the boardroom meeting.

If these shoes are comfortable and you feel uplifted wearing them, I vote KEEP!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I like all these looks on you but am also someone who struggles to know what to wear with high tops - instead of hunting for a sporty belt, do you have other accessories to lend a cohesively 'modern casual' vibe instead? Like a leather baseball cap?

RobinF

Veteran

I think these look good! I will agree with the likes for 3 and 4 but I also like the flares, although they do look a little too long. And for me looking at 8 and 9 you get a totally different vibe so it depends on if you're going for a more casual or polished look.

Lesley

Veteran

Hi there! Bigtime high-top wearer here, and I wear them in the way you say—as a casual alternative to booties.

I love so many of your jeans and kind of want them myself!

Here's my take: If you're going to let the sneaker show, the hem actually has to be even shorter. My favorites are looks 1, 2, and 6, but I would even give the pants 1 little roll (or in the case of 6, 1 more little roll) so that you see a little ankle or sock between the pant and the shoe.

For flares or wide-legs, since the hem is what it is, I would actually opt for a different shoe, again, one that shows a little bit of ankle or sock. (I love wide-leg jeans too, and I find that low-tops in most cases suit mine better for this reason. Then again, I acknowledge that I am a sneaker head and have several pairs lying around for this reason. Maybe flats if you don't.)

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks for showing these different combinations. I really like them with all the jeans except the wide flares. I do think they are good alternative to winter booties, but as others have noted, I would put them with outfits that nod more toward spring than winter. So not a simple swap out for the winter booties, but as an option for those outfits where the winter booties just look too "winter."

My high-tops are more like mid-tops. They don't go up as far, especially in the back. I'm wondering how you find the comfort at the ankle on these.

Paul Green Bronte High Top Sneaker

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Jonesy

Veteran

I think these are fab, and I like them with all of the bottoms you've shown, except the wide flares. My fave is #3, so go figure! I would definitely echo or bookend the white with other elements, but I am sort of fussy about lighter colored shoes and don't actually wear them that often, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt :).