The sneaker styles worth investing in, according to a footwear buyer
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PLATYPUS SHOES
WORDS BY RUBY KOHANE
How to find the unicorn style that will pair with your entire wardrobe.
When sneaker mania set in and more adidas stripes decorated the streets than cracks in the pavement, my little sister was exasperated. “Ugh, I was wearing slim sneakers while everyone else was wearing chunky, and I’ll keep wearing them when chunky come back in,” she lamented.
It can be frustrating when a silhouette you love suddenly hits its peak in the trend cycle. Where previously you’d found a piece that signalled your personal style to the world, suddenly it looks like you’re dressing the same way as everyone else.
For more style suggestions, head to our Fashion vertical.
To my sister’s relief, a conversation with the fashion buyer at Platypus Shoes, Josh Chait, reveals that both low- and high-profile styles are currently sharing the spotlight. Less loyal to specific shapes myself, Josh’s insights offered invaluable guidance to finding the shoe that’s right for me and how I can maximise any style’s wearability.
View this post on Instagram
What should we be looking for in a pair of sneakers?
My advice is to take a risk and get creative with your next sneaker purchase for two reasons. Firstly (and most obviously), with spring around the corner, it’s the perfect season to play with fresh shapes and shades.
Secondly, we’re at a stage where our most-loved silhouettes in-market are reaching their point of saturation. When a new style hits the market, brands will usually release a standard black and white colourway and wait for that to sell through, kind of like a test run. Then, to keep things fresh, designers will play with colours and materials like metallics and suede to keep the momentum going. It’s why the range on our shelves right now is just too good to pass up.
What are the differences between different sneakers? Can you talk us through some of the styles and terminology we should know?
Sure! We’re really seeing three major themes. First, the 2000s running aesthetic has been around for a while now and is well maximised in-market. We’re seeing a real affinity for this style in our young demographic, as it’s multifaceted and pairs well with activewear. There’s a real Y2K energy, and it’s here to stay!
Next is a low-profile or terrace shoe, which refers to the thin-soled silhouettes. We’ve seen a massive resurgence of this 1970s style recently, worn by every ‘It’ person out there. Terrace takes its name from football ultra culture (meaning soccer’s diehard fans). It’s a nod to the stand where fans congregated to watch games standing up; they needed something comfortable with a modern sportstyle look and the terrace shoe was born!
View this post on Instagram
A retro running silhouette is also something we’re increasingly seeing pop up on tastemakers in small waves. The dominant decade for retro running was really the 1970s when mixed material uppers like mesh and suede were all the rage. These uppers join thin waffle soles to create a classic, easy-to-wear shape. The style pairs especially well with a baggier pant, which is maybe why we’re seeing such a resurgence.
How else can we style our sneakers for maximum cost per wear?
A personal favourite is pairing kicks with a relaxed suit for more formal occasions. We’re seeing a shift towards larger silhouettes and clothes with more drape, which is also great for maximising wear, as baggy pants (and even bootcut styles) really lend themselves to low profile and retro running styles. I would wear subdued tones on top, paired with a classic light-wash denim or wide-leg cargo pant, and let the sneakers do the talking in terms of colour and pop.
When there are so many different silhouettes and brands on the market, how can we be sure that a pair is worth the investment?
Think cost per wear. The wearability of your kicks will justify their price much more quickly than something less practical. My toxic trait is thinking about purchases in terms of cost per wear, using a kind of mental spreadsheet to break down prices.
Take, for example, the New Balance 530s (available in 12!! colourways) priced at $159.99. If this were a special occasion shoe I’d wear twice a year, the cost per wear would come to about $79. But I wear my NBs on average three times a week for 50 weeks a year, putting them at just over $1 per wear: a worthy investment in my books.
Anything we should avoid?
Some styles are more hardwearing than others. If you’d prefer low-maintenance styles, be careful with leather and consider whether the upper is colourfast. If it’s not, a bleed of colour can sometimes make its way onto pants or socks (think indigo denim on a white couch). I’d also steer towards seasonally appropriate construction. While suede is beautiful, it does require a bit of extra care and can be tricky in winter with the increased risk of water damage.
Any other tips?
Don’t let the sneakers wear you. Nothing looks better than someone confident in their own outfit and sneaker choice.
Explore Platypus Shoes’ range of retro running and low-profile silhouettes, along with heaps of other colourful styles, here.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
