Sneakers — they’re not just for the gym any more.
Breeze through any fashion magazines or blogs, and you can see how the easy-on-the-tootsies footwear has become a street-style favorite. Models even tied on running shoes for strutting the runways at Dior and Chanel shows.
This is a trend that, if you’ll pardon the pun, seems to have legs.
“It’s cool that you can bring your comfortable fitness feeling into a fashion look,” says Julie Penny, who owns Piece by Piece Wear and is an avid CrossFit participant who spends five days a week at GTX Personal Training.
Jennifer Senger, buyer and manager for Green Monkey Boutique, says she’s seen heightened interest in tennies at the resale store. “People are on the prowl for sneakers,” she says.
Whether they’re a minimalist, goes-with-everything neutral shade or a stand-out color, sneaks add a sporty edge to any outfit.
Senger, who cops to owning three pairs of Converse Chuck Taylors, says her favorite way to wear them is with ripped boyfriend jeans, a white T-shirt and a standout necklace.
Penny’s closet is stocked with 13-ish pairs of sneaks — everything from cap-toe Pradas to CrossFit trainers. She loves ’em with any style jeans from skinnies to boyfriend.
“This trend is wonderful because it makes your feet happy,” says Penny, who’s spent her fair share of days clicking around on a concrete floor in 4-inch heels. “Happy feet make for a happy day. You can keep going. You don’t feel like at the end of the day, I have to take my shoes off.”
But, as is true of any footwear, give ’em a good test drive first. Senger says she owns an adorable pair of high, wedge sneakers that rarely sees any action.
“They’re not comfortable,” she says, with a laugh. “They just feel like heels.”
