Shopping sneakers is what we all do once a while. No matter what we do, how athletic we are, or what style we have. They are comfy and that’s why we all love them. I want to take them to the next level and teach you how to shop the right sneakers that are not only comfy but are effortlessly chic. Interested?
The marketing behind sneakers made them popular back in the 1990s, but now they are staples, a wardrobe essential. These days there is a need for a good pair of sneakers based on our hectic lives and the desire to be stylish and comfortable. Look at the chart created by Statista, it speaks for itself. These are only four premiers in the Sneakers industry!
Why do we need to care about what Sneakers we buy?
- It directly affects your health. Considering the long hours we wear our sneakers, they can really affect our health. That’s the most important reason.
- Save time and money! If you google “shopping sneakers” you get 1,240,000,000 results! The industry is so crowded and if you don’t have a basic idea of what you need, you will get sidetracked easily or end up buying a pair that won’t work in the long term.
- Be sustainable. When you get the maximum functionality with fewer pairs, you are being mindful and sustainable without sacrificing one for another.
How to shop for versatile sneakers
To make the process easier, I narrowed down the options above. Why do I think the method below works best? Because you can analyze the first two steps visually without wasting time trying them out. Also, if the visual standard is not met, there is limited reason to buy those sneakers for my casual use.
This method comes even more handy when you are shopping online as it’s impossible for you to try them out, it’s easier to limit your look with what you got, visuals!
Color
What color should you buy? To make styling easier, it’s recommended to get neutral shoes, but do we need them all? No! At most you need the three below.
1. White
White is an exceptional color. When used right it will elevate your whole style. White sneakers are not any different. These pairs look good with almost any casual style. If you are just beginning the self-styling journey, a white pair will help you a lot. Also, if you are on a budget and are looking for just one pair with maximum functionality, get white.
2. Black
One reason we shop more is that our stuff doesn’t match. Well, if you hate that, get black! Black is widely available. If you look at any product, especially sport-wears you almost always see black as one color available. If you shop black clothing often and like to limit the colors in your style, a black pair is a must.
3. Nude
Cream, beige, nude, light brown whatever you prefer to call it, is such a forgiving neutral. It’s hard to find something that wouldn’t go well with this pair. Pick a shade that is just a bit lighter than your skin tone and enjoy its subtle chic look. Nude is great if you want to differentiate your style yet keep it simple. Nude looks amazing with light blue jeans, so if jeans are your go-to, add a pair of nude sneakers to your wardrobe.
Design
Now that we know the base color, let’s discuss the design. The design of your sneakers matters. Why? because if you want to get the maximum use and versatility they need to have a minimal style, nothing too bold, nothing too much.
If you can get one-color sneakers, great! If that is too lame for you, consider subtle designs and subtle colors. Nothing that would catch eyes from a foot away. Look at the photo below. Here the base color of the shoe is black and as you see the palette, I created, blends very well. So although this shoe has some design, it is not screaming.
Now look at the photo below. We have the same base color, black, but this time the palette I created has some bold colors, Something very noticeable. These types of designs won’t make your pair a versatile one, but they limit you.
Comfort
Last but not least is comfort. Never ever buy a pair that doesn’t check this box. Because no matter how cute it is, if it’s not comfortable it can’t get the job done. You will at most wear it for a few weeks and be done with it!
Comfort is relative, but here are some tips:
- Sports brands are more trustworthy than non-sport brands.
- Shop in the afternoon, not in the morning. Your feet tend to expand throughout the day.
- Take a pair of socks with you on the day of sneakers shopping.
- If shopping online, check product reviews.
- Always wear your brand new sneakers at home first. Even the best sneakers need you to break them in. Wear them around the house as you are doing your chores, give yourself a break, and wear them again without hurting your feet. The other benefit of breaking into them at home is that if they feel uncomfortable after two days, you can rightfully return them and get your money back.
Casual Sneakers shopping guide
I have also created the flowchart below to make your shopping even easier.
