One sneaker, four ways: Getting the most out of a wardrobe staple

“I’ve definitely made more of an effort to dress for comfort and add versatile pieces to my wardrobe.”

While we may have big dreams of room-sized walk-in closets, the truth is most of us only have a humble robe or rack to store our beloved fashion items. The limited space fills up quickly (especially if you’re an op store fiend like myself) which means if something is going to take up prime real estate, it better be getting a lot of wear.

Even if you’re not a capsule wardrobe girlie, the ethos behind the trend still rings true: the items we gravitate towards tend to be comfortable, versatile, well-fitting and joy-inspiring. This is why the too-small miniskirts and too-fancy special occasion dresses end up crumpled into the back corner of the closet. A sad fate. 

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Converse’s new Cruise sneaker definitely has the comfy factor. Made from canvas and suede, they have a cushioned insole which has the added bonus of giving them a boost of height. The new line gives the iconic sneaker a twist – contrast stitching, thick skate laces and punched eyelets set them apart from the classic Chucks.

To ensure the shoes deserve a coveted spot in her footwear collection, Melbourne creative Sanam Goodman decided to put them to the test. From lazy days to dinner dates, this is how she made them work. 

Outfit one

I bought this cardigan years ago and I’m so glad I held onto it because grey cardis are for sure having a moment now. It’s one piece I always find myself reaching for because it’s such a reliable staple in my wardrobe. 

I was heading out for dinner (tacos with my boyfriend, a bit of a ritual in our house) and wanted to go for something fairly neutral and easy to wear. I paired the outfit with this bright green bag I found at Swop a few weeks ago. I feel like the skirt I’m wearing was made for these shoes – it ends at the right spot on my calves so the hi-top sneakers can have their little moment. 

Outfit two

When I think about styling Converse, this is the first look that always comes to mind. It’s just so quintessentially Converse to me. The oversized jumper and baggy jeans make for the perfect lazy day outfit, which was definitely the vibe I was going for today.

I wear some combination of this outfit on the days I’m working from home, running errands or popping out for matcha at Ima Pantry (IYKYK). It’s the right amount of put-together and comfy, and it’s turned into a sort of uniform for me. The key is finding a jumper that’s oversized enough, and pairing it with jeans you’ve spent plenty of time wearing so they’re nice and soft. 

Outfit three

I’ve been experimenting a little more with baggy, oversized silhouettes which is something I’ve always been scared to do in the past. I’ve also been loving experimenting with layering, just like the girlies in Copenhagen, and it’s made putting outfits together so fun. 

For this ‘fit, I paired a brown vintage skirt with an oversized striped shirt, layered with a super warm wool jumper perfect for Melbourne winters. I find matching my shoes to my bag has been great for pulling outfits together. I paired my Converse with the very first ‘expensive’ bag I bought for myself after I got a promotion at work for the first time. 

Outfit four

This is what I typically wear when I’m going into the office: a comfy shirt, classic black slacks and sneakers. I’ve definitely made more of an effort to dress for comfort and add versatile pieces to my wardrobe that I can wear with heaps of other items. I still have statement pieces here and there, but when it comes to dressing for work, I find simple is best. 

The platform on the Converse means I can wear longer, baggier pants without having to roll them up or alter them. It’s a huge win for me as someone who usually has to get my pants taken up. 

Explore Converse Cruise here.