Why don't I wear my sneakers? - YouLookFab Forum

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Why don't I wear my sneakers?

ANewMindset

I love metallics. I also love the look of sneakers with wide leg pants or jeans... but apparently only on other people!

I bought two pairs of very cute sneakers. (photos attached) I have seen them on others and think they look fab. But EVERY TIME I put either pair on, I do not like what I see and I change into something else.

This seems to happen a lot to me, especially lately... which is incredibly frustrating as I am trying to be more intentional with my shopping.

I was thinking of maybe buying some black based sneakers to see if that helps. Perhaps size 10 feet are not meant to be in white/bright footwear. However, after spending $150 on these, I am a feeling a bit reluctant to try!

Can anyone else relate?

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Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Christina Smith

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Cute sneakers. It’s hard to say without seeing what you’re wearing, why it might be off for you. Is it possible the sneakers just aren’t “you?” White sneakers have been a huge trend for a long time, and I was going to get some. Then I realized they weren’t quite my style, and I was just bending to pressure.

I am very happy now with my orange Nike Air Force Ones, and my plum retro Pumas.

cat2

Veteran

I am just not a fashion sneaker girl. I tried, with a brown pair with some bronze trim, but I just never loved wearing them. I like my boots in the winter, and structured flats in the summer.

unfrumped

Veteran

I don’t do very well in the white retro- classic style even though I kind them in others and wish I had the “ go with everything ” look. I need different toebox shapes and either medium- dark or gray or cream/ khaki colors. But I still have use for a couple of low- profile styles plus very comfortable running- shoe types.

If you have retail stores nearby with good return policies, first wear on if the type of pants outfits and try on a bunch in style or color or combination that you suspect might be more you . They don’t even have to be your exact size ( meaning s half size off works) because it’s for checking the looks mostly. Places like DSW are good because I don’t feel kind I have to bother anyone! Or Academy Sports for sporty types. Even take home a pair or 2 to try them on with all targeted outfits in better home surroundings . See if that gives you insight as to what are the issues. Then you can hone in on specific search criteria — profile, color , soles vs top, chunkiness etc.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Try an outfit lab with us? Sometimes the forum can help.

It's also possible your eye needs time to adjust. The first few times I wore white jeans I felt self-conscious. I got over it by wearing them.

I have those Morrisons -- they are comfy. I even put them through the washing machine!

In the end, this may not be your look at all and that is ok. The only way we can find out, sometimes, is to try.

What shoes do you prefer to wearr?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

First, cute sneaks!

Second, are they the right vibe for your style? Maybe you need a less crisp pair. A dark colour. A more athletic look. To Carol's point!

Third, what are you wearing instead when you swap them out? To Suz's point.

Fourth, low-top sneakers are not a sub for boots for me, personally. Low-tops are not cold weather shoes. Hi-tops are. Not sure of your climate

I'd help you analyze this more, ANewMindset, if I knew more, and saw some of your outfits. Not sure you've posted, or maybe I missed it?

Roberta

Veteran

My question is the same as Suz, what shoes do you change into? Are they darker? Do they have a small heel? I had to switch to tennis shoes rather suddenly, because I hurt my knee, and I remember that it was quite an adjustment. My feet looked so big and white and flat!

Do you enjoy the bounciness and sporty feeling of sneakers? Maybe that isn't what you like on your feet. In the same way that some women like their clothes quite fitted and structured, and some like them loose and flowing.

DonnaF

Veteran

Maybe your sneakers aren’t metallic ENOUGH? See mine below. But I get you. I long for a thicker sole like my clogs. And I never wear athletic style shoes like Hokas for running around. I got the white with yellow sneakers years ago but rarely wear them. They like the other two pairs aren’t tens in terms of comfort, maybe eight or nine. I don’t find the style super flattering on me and my flat feet. Good luck! You aren’t alone!

Cole Haan Danica Sneaker (Women)

View Info

Top Pick

12

Sam Edelman Edie Sneaker (Women)

View Info

Top Pick

6

Ecco Flexure T-Cap Sneaker

View Info

Top Pick

8

Joy

Veteran

I can relate. I love the look of sneakers but the laces make them too hard to take on and off for indoor hardwood floors, so I reach for something slip on like loafers instead. An old lady like me cannot bend over easily. Finding a chair can be challenging. Wishing you the best.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Agree with the others that it's hard to 'diagnose' (answer) the problem without first seeing the 'symptoms' (supporting outfits/ clothing items).

If it helps, the only trainers/ sneakers I have that I actually wear (outside of the gym) don't really look like them at all lol! They're (1) my FitFlop tasselled Superskate D'orsay flatforms & (2) my Seasalt Cornish Lane slip-on plimsolls.

I like them both because of the sleek lines, but they still aren't my favourites because of the high contrast from the white soles (I'm a Deep Autumn). If that's a problem for you too, perhaps dyeing the leather uppers could help?

Otherwise could it be the silhouette (you mentioned under wide legs)? Some of the 'ugly' Dad sneakers now have more pointed toes - it may be worth a try if that's usually the type of toebox you wear with such trousers (when not wearing trainers)?

It's a tricky one, I know - I've been drawn to the idea of an all brown/ bronze/ tanned pair of trainers (including the soles), but everything I find either has a suede upper (rain!) or a very bulky (not bulbous) silhouette.

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Star

Veteran

My hubs has a similar issue. When he wears white sneakers from above he sees big bright white and thinks so can everyone else. I have pointed out to him that many other guys are wearing the same and his feet are not standing out but he seems to feel self conscious in them. He does not have big feet. I have light blue closed slip on mules that make feel like this. Maybe out of our style comfort zones...?

kkards

Veteran

So I totally get you. I love love love fashion sneakers. I love wide jeans….but don’t really love them together. I typically wear my fashion sneakers with straight leg jeans and pants. And my favorite way is with cropped and/or cuffed jeans/pants to show some skin. With wide leg jeans I much perfer a boot and/or a flat with a pointed toe.
as others have suggested please show us some examples and tell us what you didn’t like and/or what you did. The forum is so helpful in identifying what tweaks might make the outfit work for you.

ANewMindset

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments. I will plan to take some photos this week.

I live in the northeast, so this time of year, i usually wear boots. I typically wear black chelsea boots or combat boots - leather ones. I prefer a dressier look.

And there you have it.. In thinking about things a new way I have realized- i think the main problem IS the white/brightness. I am going to
take unfrumped's advise and head to DSW with the intent of bringing a few different/darker options home to try them out.

And, i also think they just aren't 'me'... and I guess that is OK.

Thanks again!!

rachylou

Veteran

I have size 10 ‘flippers.’ I used to hate white sneakers because… giant flippers! I felt like I could guide ships home in the fog. It was something my eye had to adjust to. That may also be it for you. It may be a style thing. I also don’t do ‘crisp’. When I wear white sneaks, the rest of my outfit has to be relaxed.

Star

Veteran

Rachy Guiding ships home in the fog - that is hilarious

Star

Veteran

I am also a dark boot girl and I agree with you. I think a darker option of sneaker could work for you.

Jules

Veteran

First off I am definitely a sneaker person, always have been, so YMMV. Personally I like a white sole, but not a white sneaker as much (my compromise pair of off-white leather converse do get worn but are never really an outfit maker, when I had assumed they would be workhorses). I like white soles to tie in with white elsewhere in my outfit (typically a striped top). I wouldn’t necessarily go to a black-based shoe because to me that’s even more of a ‘specific’ look (90s Reebok vibes, for me). There are a lot of styles in neutrals with gumsoles, or very colourful solids or combos, currently, and many adidas or pumas have sleeker proportions. I’d start by surfing around the internet to get an idea of the shoes you like *in outfits*. Maybe there won’t be a lot that’s for you and that’s fine!

phoebe

Not commenting on fashion sneakers in particular as I have none, but yes, I empathize with the difficulty of distinguishing between what I like on others and what will work for me.

Buying what I need when I need it works well for me because if I don't wear it now, it goes back, especially shoes, because not only might the style not appeal anymore but the fit might be off in the future.

I decided I to accept the cost of "fails" as the cost of an education.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

"

I typically wear black chelsea boots or combat boots - leather ones. I prefer a dressier look."
This is me also, and I have not become a big sneaker person either. Even when I was a kid I preferred black sneakers. Nonetheless, I do have some sneakers that I do wear occasionally. I think I like them best when they are unexpected - so more with trousers than jeans for example.

Anonymous

Do you have white pants or jeans to try them with? Yes to trying a darker pair though.
The white sole trend is one reason I don't wear fashion sneakers. Plus, the soles are often wider than the rest of the shoe. I would try black with gumsoles, but haven't seen any in the shops.

kkards

Veteran

Back to add, are these sneakers actually comfortable? I’ve found that that’s super important as well. For me, it took me time to figure out that as much as I loved the look of the adidas Stan Smith’s, they weren’t actually all day wear sneakers, and I loved my Converse but they weren’t great for long walks. So updating my fashion sneakers to pieces that were also more all day comfortable also changed how often I wore them.

Liz

Veteran

Just noting: I have those Naturalizer Morrison sneakers in white and I love them. They're the most comfortable sneakers around, and I buy a new pair every time the old pair wears out. That said, I could not wear those silver ones this time of year. Much less in the Northeast. Some people happily defy their environmental norms and the surrounding light and landscape. Others, like me, would feel very off wearing bright silver sneakers in a brown and gray landscape with muted light. But I'll happily wear them in the bright heat of summer. So it may not be merely that you're not used to white/bright, but that you're wearing them in a time of year when you usually gravitate to black and heavy footwear (your boots and combat boots).

Also, when I first get a new pair of white sneakers, the white feels blinding to me and I feel very self-conscious in them. After several wears, that pristine, blinding white calms down and they're just a normal white. So you might just try wearing these around the house or to do simple errands, until they "shine" wears down a little bit.

RobinF

Veteran

I am also not a sneaker person but I have a few pairs that I wear pretty regularly. I agree that you almost have to wear something out of the house to know if you like it and feel comfortable - at least I do. And then I discovered that I much prefer the style like the ones you have over a more athletic looking sneaker, so the style definitely matters. And then wide leg pants can be difficult too. Maybe try the sneakers with something else before going the wide leg route.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I’ve been thinking about your post! I don’t like the white soles on sneakers either, and I am more of a dainty/ refined shoes person. So I’ve photographed my 5 pair to try to figure it out!
Oldest #1 Supersoft animal 2015- for comfort walking on casual days. 143 wears.
#2 2015 white dainty floral sneakers bought for a Miss Fisher dress-up garden party to wear with little frilly white socks to play croquet in! Only cost $15, but worn 49 times since. Have white soles but not clunky/athletic.
#3 2016 pink sneakers with grey/dull soles- I remember even back then thinking I’m glad those soles are not white. Worn to match a couple of pink tops, I do wear these ones to work occasionally. 77 wears.
#4 2019 Skechers. My most worn- dainty enough and low-profile, really comfy and excellent for baby granddaughter care. 295 wears!
#5 2020 Under Armour cobalt “Charged” runners. These do have white soles but to me these are for “athletic” purposes only, bought to train for an 8 km walk. I wore them for that but found for neighbourhood walks I wear the Skechers more. The white soles were made up for by the uppers being one of my favourite colours. Even so only worn 47 times as opposed to the Skechers.
So I’m not sure where I’m going with this, maybe only to wonder if you like more refined looking sneakers overall?
PS. I have 38 pairs of shoes so 5 pair sneakers is not that big a proportion.

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ANewMindset

Jenni NZ - Impressive level of tracking! I like clunky shoes because in my mind they balance out my hips.

Christina Smith

For me, when wearing with slim pants, the sneaker can’t come up to high on the foot. They look out of proportion on me otherwise.

If you’re wearing them with wide leg pants, you might need a bit of a platform on the sneaker.