From day to night: A Melbourne creative and model wears the same pair of sneakers for a week

Elevating my shoe game.

Growing up, it felt like sneakers were limited to two categories: chunky dad-style velcro stompers and beaten-up skate shoes. Now, a clean, low-profile sneaker is a staple of Scandi-cool style, perfectly elegant paired with tailored pants, knitwear and a crisp button-up. I know in Melbourne, you’d be more likely to spot black or white sneakers crossed under the table of a wine bar than strappy heels.

Elegant comfort is king, and I’m glad we’re here. In my opinion, the ultimate test of versatility and wearability for any item of clothing is whether I can wear it from morning to night, seamlessly transitioning from work or university; running errands before launching straight to my evening plans.

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New Balance has recently relaunched its RC42 sneaker, which ticks all of my footwear boxes. Made from premium leather with a contemporary ’70s feel, it’s a slim silhouette with flat laces, a textured suede upper and a signature ‘N’ logo stitched onto the side. I’m partial to a palette of black and white, making this low-profile sneaker an easy addition to my curated shoe collection. For the ultimate test, I put the RC42 to the test with a week of outfits.

Saturday

I bought this linen dress from a little vintage store in Marseille while travelling the south of France last year. After a quick try-on, my friends convinced me I had to have it. Although I wasn’t sure of it at first (I usually don’t go for mid-length dresses), I’m so glad I bought it. Its thick fabric and double lining mean it’s the perfect winter dress.

Here, I’ve layered it over a pair of loose trousers from Goodbyes and the softest bamboo boatneck top from Australian Stitch. To finish off this black and white outfit, I’m wearing the New Balance RC42 sneakers in black with white detailing, and some grey gloves to balance it out.

The comfort and versatility of this outfit (especially due to the sneakers) meant I didn’t have to change throughout the day. I went from breakfast at Florian with my sister and mum to running errands and speaking on a panel at my university. Finally, I met up with friends for a weekend getaway.

Sunday

After a wholesome weekend of camping, I felt like I wanted to get dressed up and treat myself. My sister and I decided to go to Bahama Gold with some friends for a Sunday afternoon wine and the most delicious woodfired pizzas. I recently splurged and bought myself a pair of ruffle pants from Melbourne designer Spitsubishi and I’ve been obsessed. They’re the perfect statement piece, yet they’re simple enough to wear casually with sneakers and a T-shirt or dressed up with heels and a coat.

Here, I decided to meet in the middle by styling them with the black New Balance RC42 sneakers, which I’ve been finding are the perfect shoe for an elevated yet comfortable outfit. I paired them with my favourite reversible singlet from Bodicia B and a black trench coat.

Monday

This is what I imagine a quintessential ‘first day back to uni’ outfit looks like, and that’s exactly what it is. I’m wearing a black trench coat, a cosy grey mohair jumper from Uniqlo, a button-up (it’s just poking out), oversized black trousers and a pop of white with my RC42 sneakers.

My university can get quite cold, so I always make sure to dress warm and comfortable so I can dedicate my focus to my tutors and the work at hand. As I live around the corner from Wildlife Bakery, I stopped by for a chai latte to start my morning off right.

Tuesday

I love playing around with my outfits by incorporating influences from various decades. I get a lot of my inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram. Here, the oversized blazer references ’80s fashion, while the RC42 sneakers pay homage to the ’70s style.

I’m also wearing a long singlet, a raw hem grey skirt and a G-Star belt that were all thrifted. I’ve styled my sleek RC42s with long white socks to create a sporty business look for a day of uni and freelance writing.

Wednesday

I love a simplistic outfit. My wardrobe is made up almost entirely of basics and elevated basics, all in a neutral colour palette with the occasional pop of colour. I find keeping my clothing to a minimalist aesthetic reduces my decision paralysis in the morning and simplifies the buying process. I prioritise quality, well-fitting items that create an interesting or flattering silhouette.

This outfit is a perfect example of this: a fitted leather jacket by Armani Exchange, Ralph Lauren mid-rise jeans from Swop, a Lune Selects bag and black RC42s. Here, I was off to dinner at Rumi (delicious Middle Eastern food that I will always recommend) with my dear mother while she was visiting for the week.

After a week of uni, dinner dates, coffee runs and a mini getaway, I can attest to the versatility of New Balance’s classic RC42s. They’re ultra-comfortable but feel elevated, particularly as low-profile sneakers are everywhere right now. Great with virtually anything, the black and white colourways are a welcome addition to my essential shoe wardrobe. 

Shop New Balance’s RC42 collection here.