When your sneaker collection gets as big as ours, it’s hard to imagine wearing anything else on your feet. While sneakers are probably the most comfortable item in your footwear wardrobe, you can’t help but feel a little sporty every time you pull on a pair, even if you don’t want to, it’s a hard look to prevent. Heels might make you look and feel the most chic, but they definitely start to hurt over time.
While it’s tempting just to rock jeans and a t-shirt everyday, which, don’t get us wrong, is a pretty awesome way to wear pretty much any pair of sneakers… sometimes you can’t help but feel a bit dressed down. But what if you could wear sneakers everyday and still feel just as elegant?
We’re here to tell you it is possible to look and feel amazing without the added oomph of sky-high heels! It’s all a matter of balance. We’re talking about the high low balance as well as the balance of silhouettes to particular sneaker type. Because you can’t just live in your Stan Smiths all the time – that would be way too easy!
For example, if you really want to wear a pair of Yeezy Boost 350’s, which while somewhat of status symbol, are flat and wide on a women’s foot, so pretty much the opposite of a smart and sophisticated vibe. Balance that look out with a pair of elegant culotte’s or a long jumpsuit to really up the anti with two trends at once.
Sidewalk Hustle editor Hawley Dunbar shares three foolproof looks for fall where sneakers mix seamlessly with everything from streetwear to designer to vintage inspired pieces.
Stranger Things
I just finished watching Stranger Things, so I’m channeling a kind of collegiate vibe with a bit of vintage edge in this look. I wanted to highlight Rihanna’s next iteration of the super popular creeper which is pointy instead of the usual round out of the toe. The added angle and shiny patent leather of the Fenty x Puma Pointy Creeper Sneakers I found on Farfetch, works the same way a pointed stiletto would to elongate the body, so you can pretty much wear anything and it will elevate the look that much more. I decided to blend these platform sneakers with vintage fashion jeans from the 90’s I found in a shop in Brooklyn with a coat from the Fenty University collection, and a pair of cut aviators from Korean brand Gentle Monster to modernize the look and add that nerdy cool girl appeal.
Post Workout
I spend a few days a week in a look like this as I like to squeeze in a midday workout in whenever I can. There’s no question these triple white adidas Ultra Boost Sneaker (also from Farfetch) are the most comfortable of any others I own, though they’re also the most sporty. Once I finish a workout, I focus my style game on accessories and outerwear for a more athleisure look – think designer bag, high fashion sunglasses, and a great jacket (add a bright lip to elevate further). In this look for example the eyes are drawn to the chic adidas Originals x Alexander Wang jacket and my Le Specs x Adam Sellman shades, with my Ultra Boosts blending in nicely to the future sporty vibes.
Cozy Yet Foolproof Layering
Since fall is all about layering up, you need to have a foolproof way to achieve that without leaving the house looking like a snowman. I like to wear Uniqlo HEATECH underneath everything for an added layer of warmth, but I also how does one balance that when dressing up usually means more form-fitting dresses and heels? By mixing in a little sportswear and dressing up the sneaker I’d typically wear, opting instead for a classic Common Projects Achilles Sneaker instead of the Nike Air Max 97, along with some statement pieces and the right accessories, I always feel a little bit smarter and put together.
Here I’m wearing a coat from Reformation which gives that pop of Mustard (the new millennial pink!) along with an Opening Ceremony sweater from their new Torch collection a Guess skirt from American Rag, and Common Projects Achilles in black, accessorized with a logo hat from Patta, and a pair of Karen Walker shades.