Stylish Sneakers? - YouLookFab Forum

HELP! I'm stuck. Like lots of other forum members, I'm planning a fun summer vacation and I need vacation shoes. I have great sandals and a great pair of loafer flats. What's throwing me for a loop is that I would like to pack a stylish pair of tennis shoes with arch support.

I'm a dedicated Cons wearer and I have two pairs, but since they don't provide arch support, they are a no-go. I need something more supportive. However, I am entirely not a sporty dressing gal and I like to dress nicer, even on vacation.

Vacation is London, Paris and Edinburgh in early July. We're taking our kiddos, so I'll be escorting a three year old and won't be in need of real running shoes. I will, however, be walking a lot and pushing her stroller for when she's done with walking or is napping. I'd wear the sneakers with jeans or capris, like those in the pics. The sandals and shoes I'm (likely) bringing are also shown.

1. Black cafe capris
2. Dark Gray skinny fit cargos
3. Vince moto jeans
4. Sandals
5. Loafers

I'm thinking of wearing the sneakers with #2 and #3. Not so much with #1--that's what the loafers are for. The loafers will also be worn with my shorts.

Or maybe I don't need to sneakers? Bleh. So torn.

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11 years ago

fleur_avenue

Active Member

Definitely take sneakers! I'm a traveler myself and stylish tennies are your best friend if you want to make the most of sight seeing. If you're able to just use special insoles for arch support, maybe consider a cute canvas shoe like the Meant To Be Outside sneakers at ModCloth. They even look cute with summer dresses.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm thinking that the slip-on sneakers Angie recently featured in the blog would be a good addition, as long as you can find the right amount of support. They look a bit less casual than laced sneakers without being TOO sporty, ya know?

Kristin SF

What do you think of the slip-on trend? Some very nice, non-sporty (and spendy!) slip-on options here:
http://www.garancedore.fr/en/2014/03/26/skate/

Maybe with an insole, could be great for walking.

The other option would be to skip the tennies altogether and buy a good walking shoe.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04......html?_r=0
OR
http://www.fodors.com/news/fod.....10294.html

LoriFLA

How about an "athletic" flat?

http://www.zappos.com/clarks-illite-ballet-black

http://www.zappos.com/clarks-h.....ims_p_ab_1

deb

I just received these and love them.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/th.....ort&c

Amazon has them in other colors and fabrics.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Flex.....6&

Marmee

I just bought these, and found them very comfortable, much more so than cons. The downside is the price tag, which I didn't look at until just now.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/pa.....ersonalize

annagybe

I tromped ALL over Europe in a pair of silver and black Tsubo sneakers. Pretty decent arch support and could handle all the cobblestones.

K. Period.

Aaaaaeeeeeeee! (Runs and hides under the bed.) I.have.no.idea. I'm an awesome shopper. How can this decision be so hard for me?

I'm sort of considering a pair of athletic ballet flats ala fastcat & Deb.

Janet & Kristin SF, much as I'm almost ashamed to say it, the slip-on trend leaves me a little meh. I want to love them, but I just don't seem to. Great idea, though.

Marmee, I was looking at the Joseph Siebel Caspians, which are kind of like those, and that's the direction I was leaning originally.

Anna...save me! I like Tsubo and that's a great suggestion. I'll look around a bit.

And right now? Right now, I am wondering if these Fly London shoes from Nordstrom will work? The wedge looks huge, but the stats say that they really aren't and I can't believe how much people love them. Also, mentioned in Kristin's link to travel guides' fave shoes. Torn between "wow are those stylin'" and "wow, I'm not that cool."

Now off to google Tsubo ideas.

ETA: Now have three pairs of deeply discounted Tsubo flats on my way along with Puma athletic flats. Keep the ideas coming, though!

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I walked eight or nine miles through Berkeley with Puma sneakers I did add an insole with arch support. I like the Pumas, they feel European.

Suz

Never mind shoes. I want you to bring me in your suitcase. I will carry you. Promise.

In all seriousness....I also NEED to know what those sandals are, because they look absolutely, totally, stupendously perfect for my city, my lifestyle, and my needs.

Back to you for a minute. I think, given what you are taking already (sandals, pretty flats) you need a closed shoe -- like an oxford, or a higher vamped loafer, or even a summer weight bootie. Why? Because in Scotland and even London and Paris the weather could be rainy and cool; you never know. And that will cover your bases.

Fly London shoes never fit me at all, but to be honest, those don't look too ridiculous as a travel shoe to me. The rubber would be very forgiving on pavement. But only if they fit you well. And the risk would be turning your ankle. Or at least that would be my personal risk.

I really think something like the Caspians would be a superb option. If it would me I would probably bring my Hi-Ness Cons from last year. Only Cons I have ever been able to wear -- the wedge = arch support for me. So they are comfy. But they're not the thing this year.

Sara L.

Have you thought about adding insoles to your Cons for arch support? Maybe they could be made more comfortable for a day on your feet.

@Sara, funny you ask...because I was looking at an old post by Angie where she mentioned adding a cushioned insole to her cons. So, yes, definitely in the running.

@Suz, the sandals were a steal (or at least a steal when I consider the value) from The Walking Company. They are these Umberto Raffini shoes. I don't know about availability in Canada. I do know that the ones that I picked up in the store were mismarked, so they were actually only $50.

K. P. -- I found that the Hi-Ness Cons worked brilliantly for me, where no Con ever had before. The little wedge was enough for support. They rubbed the top of my toes a tiny bit without socks, but foot glide helped with that problem. Rather than running wide (like most Cons) they run on the narrow side, I would say. I took the larger of my two sizes. (I'm usually a 6.5 but occasionally a 7; I took the 7 in these.)

Thank you for that sandal link and WOW you got a fab deal! I'm off to check them out.

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